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    Director Ilanna Barkusky Delves “Under The Surface”

    By SHOOTUpdated:No Comments2414 Views

    Ilanna Barkusky, an alum of SHOOT’s 2022 New Directors Showcase, helmed this fully underwater dance film titled Under The Surface and featuring artistic swimmer Anita Alvarez, a two-time Olympian.

    In 2022 at the World Championships, Alvarez lost consciousness in the pool at the conclusion of her routine and made global headlines after her coach had to dive in to rescue her. 

    This project showcases an expression of the emotions that characterized this experience and her journey back to the sport–joy, sadness, fear, and trust. Joy during her performance in Budapest turned to sadness in the aftermath of the incident, with the associated fear of returning to the pool. Learning to trust herself and the process circled her back to the beginning of “joy” as she recently returned to competition in Canada. In that artistic swimming as a sport is such an outlet for creative expression, Alvarez was able to bring life and movement to these common feelings we all experience in our life experience in a unique underwater setting. 

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    Credits

    Production Ilanna Barkusky, director; Jacqueline Lehr, DP; Cynthia Hatfield, 1st AC. Editorial Whitney Weir, editor & motion graphics Color Grade The Mill Elodie Ichter, colorist. Music The Ski Team Donny Dykowsky, composer. Sound Design Matt Tipold, sound designer.

    Media Type:Film: Short
    ScreenWork Categories:Short film
    Video Tags:Ilanna BarkuskySHOOT New Directors Showcase



    Top Spot of the Week: Director Steve Rogers, VCCP Get “Homesick” For Cadbury

    Thursday, January 15, 2026

    Cadbury Dairy Milk has unveiled “Homesick,” a spot from London agency VCCP directed by Steve Rogers via Biscuit Filmworks x Revolver in collaboration with VCCP’s global content creation studio Girl&Bear.

    The film marks the latest chapter in Cadbury’s long-running and IPA Effectiveness Grand Prix-winning brand platform “There’s a Glass & a Half in Everyone.”

    “Homesick” tells the story of two sisters separated by 6,000 miles. Set against the neon glow of Kuala Lumpur, the film opens with the older sister calling home. After the call ends, she reaches for an envelope--an eagerly awaited piece of home--and discovers a Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate bar lovingly wrapped inside. There’s just one twist: her younger sister has already eaten a generous portion of it. A tiny alien sticker holds together what remains of the bar, an unmistakable signature of sibling mischief. It’s a small, human moment--tender, funny and instantly relatable--capturing the way even imperfect gestures can mean everything when you’re far from home.

    The campaign was created by VCCP creatives Emma Jackson and Aly Lane and aims to reinforce Cadbury’s role as a fabric-of-the-nation brand--one that understands and reflects the emotional connections people share every day. As loneliness rises and feelings of belonging decline, Cadbury believes these small acts of generosity have never been more meaningful or more relevant.

    The film will run across TV, VOD and YouTube.

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