FRACTA

Short film | United Kingdom | 8 minutes 41 seconds. 

Fracta is a psychological thriller directed by Monica Taddei, co-written with Luca Zappala, who also produced the film and supervised its visual effects. Exploring isolation, repetition and a fractured sense of self, it follows a young woman, played by Hannah Hornsby, living alone during the COVID years. As her psychological state becomes increasingly fragile, everyday life gives way to an unsettling encounter with herself, suspended between familiar routines and nightmare. 

Drawing on the filmmakers’ experiences of pandemic isolation, the film considers how enforced solitude transforms the relationship between a person and their surroundings. Its largely wordless approach places Hornsby’s physical performance at the centre of the narrative. Domestic interiors become increasingly claustrophobic, while vintage toys and objects drawn from Taddei’s own collection introduce an uncanny presence: familiar possessions appear to become silent witnesses to the protagonist’s distress. 

The film brings together practical art direction and carefully integrated digital effects to shape this atmosphere. Drawing on their backgrounds in post-production, Taddei and Zappala used visual effects and colour grading to subtly alter the environment. Details such as door handles and light switches were digitally removed, making the space feel more enclosed without relying on conspicuous visual spectacle. These interventions connect the film’s psychological themes to the construction of its screen world. 

An original score by Taiwanese composer Nicole Lee, performed by the European Recording Orchestra of Sofia, complements the film’s visual storytelling. Created through an international collaboration spanning three continents, Fracta brings together a dispersed creative team to tell a story of profound disconnection. The film received the Best Special Effects award in the short-film section of the 2026 Montelupo Fiorentino International Independent Film Festival