Colombian Dark Chocolate

A movie poster for "Colombian Dark Chocolate" directed by Maëlle Leggiadro, featuring two women sitting against a brick wall at night, with the title and other text above them, and a film festival laurel emblem.

Short Film · 2024
Status: Festival Run

Colombian Dark Chocolate is a short film exploring the quiet ruptures of female friendship. When one friend feels dismissed, ignored, and taken for granted as the other turns her attention elsewhere.

Written by Irmak and inspired by a personal experience, the film deals with themes of co-dependency, unspoken tension, and emotional misalignment, culminating in a long-overdue confrontation between two young women.

Production began in September 2024, with principal photography completed in December over a four-day shoot.

As the production team, we were responsible for:
– Location sourcing and securing film-friendly spaces
– Budget management across departments
– Casting and crew hiring across all roles
– Creative development alongside director Maelle Leggiadro, including refining the script to align with festival requirements
– Equipment rental coordination with our Director and DoP
– Production oversight, including wardrobe, makeup, set design and on-set logistics
– On-set catering, including management of dietary requirements

In post-production, we assembled and managed a creative team to complete the film, including:
– Editor
– Composer
– Colourist
– Sound designer
– Poster designer
– Festival strategist

The film’s tone and visual language were led by Irmak, drawing influence from Euphoria, Good Girl Jane, and similar stylised, emotionally charged coming-of-age dramas.

Colombian Dark Chocolate is currently under premiere restrictions during its festival run as a part of Festival Formula’s 2025 slate.
It has been officially selected for the Tee’s Valley International Film Festival, taking place 6–8 November 2025 and was accepted onto the British Council’s UK Film Database.

Two women lying on the ground looking up at someone or something with serious expressions, with a colorful mural of mystical or fantasy elements behind them.
A woman with long dark hair, wearing hoop earrings and a light-colored jacket, appears distressed as she walks in a dimly lit, outdoor urban park at night, surrounded by leafless trees and street lamps.

Cast
River: Irmak Bayur  Reign: Scarlett O’Donoghue  Toni: Brandon Benoît-Joyce  Cole: Zacharia Apostolou  Myst: Adrian Mozzi

Crew
Director: Maëlle Leggiadro  Writer: Irmak Bayur  Producers: Irmak Bayur, Scarlett O’Donoghue  Cinematographer: Anand Singh  Editor: Chloe Hardwick  Sound Designer: Liam Bratchford  Production Sound Mixer: George Philip Blake  Colourist: Luke Linssen  Production Designers: Viola Furlan, Elaine Yi Ling Chiang  Production Managers: Zoja Schlamberger, Irmak Bayur, Scarlett O’Donoghue  1st Assistant Director: Zoja Schlamberger  2nd Assistant Directors: Ronnie Bond, Udbhavi  Script Supervisors: Charlotte Yang, Eddie Meakin  Art Director: Viola Furlan  Focus Pullers: Jay Whylie, Darykie Molina  Clapper Loader: Aleksandra Pedrasik  Gaffer: Hal Pilkington  Electrician: Hal Pilkington  1st Assistant Sound: Liam Bratchford  Foley Artists: George Philip Blake, Liam Bratchford  BTS: Toya Jessica Cox, Korede Alaran  Camera Trainee: Marlow Neil  Floor Runners: Jacob Keesing, Saif Siddiqui, Alexander Jeffs, Billy Daisley, Jennifer Into

A look behind the scenes

A girl sitting at a bar in a dimly lit pub with a film camera set up nearby, capturing the scene, with people in the background and hanging lights overhead.
A film set with a camera operator filming a woman in a dark red off-shoulder top and black pants, standing with arms crossed in a dimly lit room with colorful lighting.
A film crew member operating a professional camera rig outdoors near some greenery and a stone balustrade.
People working on a film or photo shoot in a dimly-lit indoor space, with equipment and crew members visible.