"BENEATH THE WAVES" Makes a Splash

Festival Recognition and Critical Response for Independent Short Film

Kris Felix and Higin Prazmo in BENEATH THE WAVES Ⓒ Presidential Productions

Following its completion, Beneath the Waves embarked on a small yet successful international festival run, earning screenings and recognition across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. The short film’s restrained approach and dialogue-free storytelling resonated with festival programmers, audiences and critics alike.

Beneath the Waves earned 'Best Short Film' at the prestigeous Rome Film Awards, has been named as 'Award Finalist' at the Sicily International Film Festival, as well as 'Semi-Finalist' at both the Rebel Minded Film Festival in New York City and Kathmandu World Film Festival in Nepal. The independent short film also received coveted 'Official Selection' status, screening at a range of international events including the Oz International Film Festival in Melbourne, the International Short Film Festival in London, the Paladino d’Oro Sport Film Festival in Palermo, Italy, the Inshort Film Festival in Nigeria, among others.

Industry coverage highlighted the film’s unique craft, Australian Cinematographer Magazine featured Beneath the Waves in its editorial coverage, drawing attention to the film’s visual discipline, surf cinematography and minimalist narrative approach.

Critics and programmers responded to the film’s refusal to over-explain its characters’ conflict, instead allowing tension to surface through physical action and environmental conditions. The ocean — its swell, tide and unpredictability — was frequently cited as a powerful narrative force, operating as both setting and metaphor. Edited in Sydney by Presidential Productions collaborator Vivek Asri, the film’s pacing was noted for its emphasis on duration, repetition and pause, mirroring the rhythms of surfing itself. An original score by Argentinian composer Sebastian Benegas complemented this restraint, weaving music with natural surf and underwater sound to shape tension and release.

"...a constant barrage of overly dramatic glares and frantic head-shaking ... the film relentlessly tries to drive the point home..." said one reviewer for UK Film Review.

With its international festival presence and critical attention, Beneath the Waves stands as a confident early work in Cunningham’s filmography — one that continues to inform his later projects exploring masculinity, vulnerability and bold independent filmmaking.

Learn more about on Beneath the Waves at Presidential Productions.

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