Golden Hour

Production Company
Independent
Producer(s)
Helen Shen
Director(s)
Helen Shen
Casting Director(s): 
Helen Shen
Union Status
Non-Union
Project Type
Film
Student Production
Yes
Compensation Details

This is a volunteer-based project, IMDB credit and food will be provided.

Shoot / Performance Date(s)
April 28 to May 1
Shoot / Performance Location(s)
Vancouver
Submission Deadline
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Submission Instructions

Please submit your headshot, resume and optional demo reel to goldenhourfilm2026@gmail.com

Project Synopsis
After Lin Pei, a young woman, dies in a car accident, a silent visitor arrives at her apartment, a reaper tasked with recording her life before her soul fades completely. Guided by Lin Pei's old journal, he begins to piece together her story, slowly stepping into her world through the scattered traces of everyday life. Lin Pei had always been creating. She worked in a restaurant by night, painted by day, and sent her artwork to publishers, one envelope at a time. Even though she was rejected again and again, she still wants to try once more. She saved coins in a glass jar, hoping to visit her mother someday. But reality was unkind. When she finally made the trip, she discovered her mother had already built a new family. At that moment, she realized: some people won't wait for you. So, she walked home alone, convinced the world had left her behind. But then, she saw a sunset. The world didn't answer her, but it didn't withhold its light either. She stood in the glow for a long time, tears quietly drying. From that moment, she began to live again. Her art changed. Color returned to her walls. Light returned to her room. Quietly, without fanfare, she sent out another submission. This time, someone saw her. "Golden Hour" is a short film about whether a life is still worth remembering without applause or legacy. And to answer that, this film draws the concept: Maybe being remembered doesn't require greatness. Maybe a life is worth honoring simply because it was lived.
Character 1
Lin Pei
Age
18–22
Gender
Female
Description
Asian, short hair (no longer than shoulder length), speaks some Mandarin. The role has limited dialogue but requires a nuanced emotional performance, including emotional outbursts. Lin Pei is a reserved, quiet, and determined young woman who is also emotionally rich. She lives alone in an old apartment building. Because her parents are divorced, Lin Pei has always hoped to stay in closer contact with her mother and be closer to her. To that end, she has worked hard to achieve success in the field of painting so her mother would take notice. Although the results were not entirely satisfactory, she eventually learned to face life with a new perspective.
Character 2
The Grim Reaper
Age
22–35
Gender
Male
Description
any ethnicity, short hair, approximately 180cm tall. No lines, only narration; minimal emotional expression. He is a reserved, silent, and composed character who views life and death with equanimity. As the Grim Reaper, he visits the home of a deceased girl named Lin Pei to document her life. By touching various objects, he brings her past to life, bearing witness to the final stories she left behind. Throughout this process, he evolves from his initial detachment to gradually being touched by Lin Pei’s spirit, becoming more compassionate.
Character 3
Bar server: Judy
Age
30–35
Gender
Female
Description
Asian appearance, height not specified, English speaker, has some dialogue with Lin Pei. She is Lin Pei’s colleague at the bar. She has a caring and sensitive personality. While working with Lin Pei, she is always attentive and looks out for her, even though Lin Pei occasionally remains silent or avoids her. As they spend more time together, Lin Pei gradually opens up to her, and the two become friends.
Character 4
Lin Pei’s Mother
Age
45–50
Gender
Female
Description
Asian appearance, Mandarin speaker, long hair, approximately 165–170 cm tall; no lines, but has a voice-over. Lin Pei’s mother is an artist who loves the arts and encouraged Lin Pei to paint from a young age. She divorced and left home while Lin Pei was still in school. After starting a new family and having another child, she grew increasingly distant from Lin Pei. That is, until Lin Pei secretly went to see her and happened to catch her picking up her son from school.
Character 5
Girl
Age
13-16
Gender
Female
Description
Asian, no taller than 5'5". The girl is a student who happens to be walking past Lin Pei’s apartment on her way home from school, where she brushes past the Grim Reaper as he walks out from the building.