Hands (2024) | A Student Short Film on Female Friendships (Shot on Sony FX6 & FX9)

Two childhood best friends, Ayla and Eden, navigate the complexities of their evolving relationship as they transition from girls to young women. A story about growing up, falling down, and everything in between.
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Hey! My name is Lara, I'm a Turkish-American college student based in Chicago, and I'm thrilled to present my directorial debut. Written over my freshman and sophomore years, this script has truly been a labor of love. Every aspect has endured months of revision and experimentation, and through the hard work of a fantastic cast and crew, it's been shaped into something I'm truly proud of. I hope it makes you feel something.
***UPDATE: Thank you all for the incredible response to my directorial debut. I genuinely don’t know how to process this, but just know that I’m sincerely beyond grateful. Subscribe to stay in the loop with my upcoming short film, “MY SISTER SAYS YOU SUCK!”
While you’re here, consider donating to these aid funds: docs.google.com/document/d/1-...
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Follow the Hands instagram: @handsthemovie: handsthemov...
Follow my instagram @larahacios: larahacios?...
Log Hands on Letterboxd: boxd.it/L8R6
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Crew:
Producers: Kaity Holmes, Halle Randolph
Writer/Director: Lara Haciosmanoglu
1st Assistant Director: Faith Hennig
2nd Assistant Director: Leila Boisvert
Script Supervisor: Maya Ruby Smith
Production Assistant: Nicola Anderson
Director of Photography: Sophia Pitillo
Editor: Nickolas Krueger
Camera Operator/1st Assistant Camera/DIT: Malina Baer
1st Assistant Camera: Katherine Pirwitz
1st Assistant Camera/Grip Swing: Jyn Lockne Li
2nd Assistant Camera: Esme Liz
DIT: Paloma Colon
Gaffer: Victoria Fitzgerald
Pick-Up Gaffer: Taylor Peterson
Key Grip: Jean Ho
Production Sound: Emily Dolan, Chuck Howes, Sarah Shields
Pick-Up Sound: Lucas Haviland
Pick-Up Sound: Arielle Lyon
Boom Operator: Lily Liu
Sound Design: Ben Sztainberg
Sound Design: Lara Haciosmanoglu
Asst. Sound Design: Anton Hakopian
Production Designer: Lulu Pearson
Art Hand: Madeline David
BTS Photographer: Estorie, Alex Kupfer-Weinstein, Maya Ruby, Leila Boisvert, Madeline David, Nicola Anderson
Crafty: Alp Haciosmanoglu
Cast:
Eden Morris: Sarah Johnson
Ayla Aktaş: Bella Kelso
Young Eden: Noa Stewart
Young Ayla: Molly Dibble
Effie Morris: Hallie Snowday
Lucas Finch: Richard Yan
Mr. Aktaş: Christopher Sferra
Mrs. Aktaş: Lexa Maxa
Young Lucas: Chan You
Extras: Arielle Williams, Alex Kupfer-Weinstein
Soundtrack:
"Carolina" by WOLFGANG PANDER
"Point of view" by yungbaer
"for you, forever" by WOLFGANG PANDER
"fragile heart" by KOBER
"Aubrey" by W!LLER

[@larahaciosfilms]

113k views is unbelievable. I haven’t even processed the first 1k. My heart is full to the brim. Thank you ♥️

[@ceviristan232]

You deserved it ❤️

[@GX_Crake]

and another 2 thousand after you posted its only up from only up😀

[@missmeooww]

now it's 133 174 and i'm the 75th !! it's really worth more :)

[@visha3976]

You did an amazing job!

[@benson3287]

Really good piece

[@IsabellaKathryn]

I’m crying. My best friend of 13 years stopped talking to me and I made a new “best friend” who is just leaving me on read and has for 3 months. Female Friendships are funny.

[@NiniShhhhh]

I really hope yall mend thingsss ❤

[@IsabellaKathryn]

@@NiniShhhhh thank you

[@nyaaa-sf1vx]

i mean even if you did its still wrong bc its okay to have more than one bestfriend

[@ImanSaeed-ip6vg]

I had a best friend who left me by just a little misunderstanding

[@ImanSaeed-ip6vg]

​@@nyaaa-sf1vxyeah

[@Xx.bygracethrufaith]

the big sister on needing someone to take care of her too :,(

[@GraceShimmers]

Video is fun but why Using Lord's name in Vain

[@anniechalkboard1054]

@@GraceShimmers What?

[@Br1eezy]

@@GraceShimmers ...?

[@ianatastic9966]

DUDEEEE THE SYMBOLISM WITH THE BRACELETS??? NO AND THE FOOD BEING THE THING THAT STILL BRIHNS THEM TOGETHER??? this is amazing omg

[@MixedCookies]

DUDEEEEEEEEEE YESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!

[@kadijhastrong8787]

Omg this bringing so many memories like when I was 13 I wanted to make friends but I also had a hard time when came to making friends back then ,

[@grace-ot2sr]

The fact that they switched color pallets when their friendship was rough, and then they ha their regular colors at the end is perfection!!

[@larahaciosfilms]

Aaaa thank you ♥️

[@Chucklestheclownnn]

that is such a realistic portrayal of watching your best friend falling in love

[@ariellewilliams3466]

I can’t believe the film is finally in my Hands

[@larahaciosfilms]

You are my heart

[@thatcecile]

🥁🥁🥁🥁😂

[@Rui-Rat]

This makes me so sad but it's also so real. I'm glad there was a happy ending

[@itseda8426]

as a Turkish girl, loved the incorporation of borek as the olive branch at the end :'))

[@giuliauzuncan]

ok but how the heck does borek stink loll

[@qui_offline]

@@giuliauzuncanthat's a really great question 😭😭

[@GhostZircon]

ME TOO LMAO :D

[@BinaryStars01]

@@giuliauzuncanexactly 😂 its main ingredients are bread, cheese and spinach

[@jfjdjdji723]

Yum!

[@Max-qv4js]

This will go big for sure

[@larahaciosfilms]

Thank you for the vote of confidence 🫡

[@margaridavelhinho1478]

for sure for sure omg

[@yanetgonzalez1736]

Totally

[@ikutie5685]

It’s starting to be !

[@xSakuraStrawberryx]

Hey

[@Imannn12]

This is like a Disney movie, but much more realistic and much more interesting❤

[@shlamit]

فعلا

[@asya7997]

the power of the friendship between girls is just something else

[@Daisyd1257]

this made me tear up omg it captured that bittersweet growing up with your friend feeling so well

[@jadegreenglasses8468]

This made me cry. A perfect depiction of friendship, jealousy, forgiveness.. everything about this resonates with me. The cast was PHENOMENAL at acting! Edens expressions were so good! And the camera work! It was so immersive. Please continue this work, you are truly talented

[@larahaciosfilms]

Truly, thank you so much ♥️

[@QueenGreenflame]

I just want to say that anyone and everyone who has a best friend, is so so SO lucky 🙏

[@hayleeciadorival2405]

Female friendships go deeper than anything and they are so hard to get over idk that you actually can

[@king_noah_2692]

The scene where the boyfriend went to her door to talk made me cry. This is so good.

[@larahaciosfilms]

Thank you 🥹♥️

[@larahaciosfilms]

Woah! 900 views including two people from Madrid and Portugal? This is incredible! Thank you all so much for the kind words. If you’re reading this, comment where you’re watching from!

[@Max-qv4js]

Germany :F (Hamburg)

[@user-ni6ei1rn7i]

Also Germany:) i really like the film, it is touching and a beautiful story and I recognize my own friendships in this.

[@larahaciosfilms]

@@Max-qv4jsNo way, Hamburg! Awesome!

[@larahaciosfilms]

@@user-ni6ei1rn7iThis is so wonderful to hear. Thank you!!!

[@user-ko3ul3fq6u]

England this is great !

[@raquelinyourwalls]

I saved this to my ‘teen’ playlist, where all the comfort videos of growing up go❤️

[@lui4745]

I need a link to that playlist please!

[@lithiumberilium1956]

Care to share?

[@khi-dd4ic]

make it public plss

[@lilycosette]

Beautiful work! Well-written, well-cast, beautifully performed, and probably one of the best films I've seen as a debut in a while. Seriously, from the intonations to the camera shots to the transitions---You all are a seriously talented group.

[@larahaciosfilms]

Wow. This is incredibly encouraging. Thank you SO much.

[@katarzynk4]

THE TEARS IN MY EYES SAY ENOUGH I GUESS

[@ceviristan232]

I screamed when I found out Ayla was turkish cuz I am too and I am so glad that this mastepiece was in my fyp

[@NedaBircan]

omg me too

[@gurlnotgirl]

​@@NedaBircanwhat was she eating at the start?

[@NedaBircan]

@@gurlnotgirl I think it's börek. it's a pastry with dough and there are fillings inside, like meat, cheese, or potatoes. They come in different shapes. Pretty yum.

[@star4him]

woah the ending made me cry...that was such creative and brilliant directing, and scriptwriting

[@eloise.r]

for 8 years it was just me and this one girl. We were each others worlds, we would be in a friend group but really it was mostly just us talking while sitting with the others. When we hit year 7 i felt the dynamic between us shift as i started talking to others in our group at that time, and started dating. It wasn't like i ignored her, my interests changed and i wanted to start friendships with other people. She didn't really do the same and tried to cling on to me and it sorta felt suffocating. Half way during that year she decided to cling to someone else and just left me behind. In hallways i would smile expecting a response, but was left with head turns, as if she didn't see me. I tried to talk to her during break times but she never reached out to talk to me anymore. At a pool party we were both invited to, after the silent treatment from her for a few months, she didn't attempt to talk to me the entire time so i did the same. Later that night my mum got a call from her mum, saying she went home crying, saying i was ignoring her and her mum wanted us to sort things out over the phone. We talked for the first time in months that night. We both apologised, however nothing changed when we went to school the next day. I will say if i tired more i think we could've made it work but none of that energy was reciprocated. I texted her about a week later just saying that i think we have just grown apart, that i didn't think we were really friends anymore, and that I was also in a bad place mentally, it was answered by an "ok". A week later I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression, i thought i would let her know, thinking it could explain things and simply mend the relationship, that too was met with an "ok". I haven't talked to her since and I honestly think about her alot and if we did things different, would we still be in the same place as we are today?

[@melon4234]

i think you tried your best, and it’s sounds like you guys naturally branched in different directions. if you do want to reach out to her one final time, that wouldn’t be bad at all but besides that i think this is just natural change.

[@ryanreusink6051]

here before this goes viral

[@larahaciosfilms]

Omg??? Thank you for the vote of confidence

[@margaridavelhinho1478]

me too, i really hope other people can share love for it :D

[@gjk-arts5855]

It went viral! :D

[@Beccaroblox11]

Here before this blows up 👇

[@samalsrei5089]

Yeah, it‘s a beautiful short movie!

[@Vunce_]

Beatifully heartbreaking and -warming. Great job! Excited to see more from you!

[@larahaciosfilms]

This is such a compliment. Thank you so much!!!

[@datonechipmunk]

This was amazing. THE MOTIFS!! THE FRAMING AND BLOCKING OF THE SHOTS!!!

[@angelicaderrico3987]

I'm from Italy!!! I love this film so so much. You did an amazing job, the actors are very very good and they're all beautiful. I looove the shooting. This deserve much more attention

[@rayssazamith1172]

Ok, I just saw my life in 16 minutes. My best friend and I went through some tough times, but we managed to reconcile and support each other through difficult times.. Now she lives abroad and we're adults, but yea this is life.

[@larahaciosfilms]

Wishing you both all the best ♥️

[@blackeneddove]

What a great short film. I love the way it was shot and directed. Good acting, too. I’m glad it was in my recommendations. I hope it gets the recognition it deserves.

[@Nlby001]

Amazing. This was such a well-made short film, I adored how it really explored the characters and their relationships thoroughly, not to mention all the technical aspects (aside from the audio quality in that one scene) being superbly done as well. You should be proud of this, it's a really excellent film!

[@Sam-..-]

Omg this is such a masterpiece like no joke, you portrayed all the emotions so well ❤

[@purple_twix]

This is such a beautiful representation of growth and friendship. I’m crying

[@kxnicat]

It’s insane how well this depicts female friendships. Amazing work!!!

[@vaishavi2683]

This makes me so sad, my best friend and I got into a fight and now our friendship isn’t the same. This made me cry 😭

[@Olivia-po9yh]

Everything here is so perfect! The plot is devloped so beautifully

[@robynshumpert2942]

wait i lowkey don’t get it what happened to the mom

[@kittynado758]

Yeah I'm a bit confused

[@itzjosheen]

im assuming the mum left the kids whilst they were both young then later wants to meet them again?

[@applebard]

I think the mom is an addict? Lucas said he saw the sister at "meetings," I assumed meetings for families affected by alcoholism/addiction.

[@ruthieellen]

Very well written and executed! Brilliant actors, the conversations feel so natural! Amazing!!!

[@aarushii22]

I love how this displays every emotion omg i knew the feeling even when I havent felt it irl and made me think of my friendships too!!! so glad i found this early i love itt. love and luck from India!! :))

[@Not_an_actual_person]

this was absolutely beautiful, I loved how everything had a meaning and that they were still able to be friends again

[@Melody-my6ov]

amazing work! prom the shots, the music, framing, audio clarity, and just the whole storyline. this was so well written and put together! love from Jersey, keep it up !!

[@A_certainUser]

I’ve had the same best friend since 6th grade and can proudly say I don’t think that is changing anytime soon

[@real_yt_addict]

That is awesome! Good for you

[@NEVERGIV3UP.]

I can tell you guys put a lot of work into this! You deserve more attention!

[@miyuki-1804]

This is such an amazing film!!The actors are really good and the transitions from scene to scene are so nice :DD I love the shooting so much,the way the music starts to play is so smooth too whattt!!??😭😭The background sounds aswell,the way you can't hear it that much when the actors are speaking and then you can hear it again,I think it's really cool!!The scene where the two friends were playing in the beginning made me feel happy thinking of all the memories I've made with my own friends ❤ This is a really good film and more people should see it :))!!

[@newjeans1998]

OMG WHAT?? I really hope you see this, this is so good!! Honestly this film made me think about my own friend ships so much, it’s definitely one of my favorite films ever. How long did this take to make? And are you close with each other in real life too? Love thissss!! Please never stop creating :)

[@suns3tszn]

THIS IS GENUINELY SO GOOD OMG THE CINEMATOGRAPHY THE SCRIPT IM IN LOOVE

[@rood444]

i love this already😭 my fav short film of 2024

[@larahaciosfilms]

AAAA thank you ♥️

[@Cr333ative]

def made me feel something. The visuals are really nice, I love this kind of cinema, great great job, keep on working girl!

[@illiyuu-ez6go]

After watching this entire video, I'm astounded to see how insanely underrated this channel is. Wonderful work, such a beautiful story!

[@larahaciosfilms]

Thank you so so much ♥️

[@just_-me-_]

THIS IS Amazing! I just found you on KZbin so that means you really are blowing up! I’m checking out more of your content now! 🥰❤️

[@vaybedumb]

this is so beautiful, i was genuinely moved to tears by the last scene wow

[@Futruo]

Can't wait till this starts winning awards

[@larahaciosfilms]

Thanks for manifesting ♥️

[@dlaBerAuoY]

wait this is so touching and nice😭 really good short film!

[@Cha0s.Bring3r]

Hoping some 13 yo finds this and it makes them feel seen just like so many other yt short films did for me as a preteen

[@kariannmahadeosingh]

this broke my heart in the best way possible❤️ and the relatable is so accurate.

[@SRLovesPandas1]

FEMALE FRIENDSHIPS IN CHICAGO? AUTOMATIC LOVE FOR ME, THIS IS SO BEAUTIFUL!

[@valeriadelgado6345]

Beautiful concept, great shots, amazing actors. this is sentimental, touching, and impact. I know this is the start of an amazing long journey.

[@larahaciosfilms]

Valeria, you are my heart, this means the world coming from you

[@viadoresu]

i love my bestfriend. we met online in 2022, she knows everything about me. we had an argument on march 11, 2023. i love her. she’s struggling mentally. after we had our fight, things have been so much better. i miss her, she leaves me on read, she’d rather spend time with her boyfriend, and her newer friends. sometimes i dont feel like she likes me as much anymore.

[@mrspumpkin6298]

This was beautiful, I especially liked some of the transitions and food/bracelet symbolism ❤

[@amazinga2514]

This is probably one of the best short films I've ever watched!!! ❤ Thank you so much This would probably make sense to any girl in the world [who has friends and is old enough to understand]

[@larahaciosfilms]

I can’t tell you how much that means to me. Thank you ♥️

[@virikameni]

THIS IS SOOO GOOD! THIS IS GOING TO BLOW UP AND GET MILLIONS OF VIEWSSS!!

[@hjjnsoul]

bro this acc made me cry 😭😭 this was fr so good!!

[@user-km8xr1xr8r]

This is such a beautiful true film keep it up this is fabulous!!!

[@peytonsryleigh]

literally shed tears while watching this… i really love how this was produced

[@zahrxh_]

i loved this so much PLEASE make more!!

[@th4t0neMairy-_-]

What an amazing film, the writing is so good !❤❤

[@kaptainkitt]

this was really worth watching to the end...loved it ... Lara keep doing this ... Personally look forward to seeing more of your short films

[@larahaciosfilms]

Thank you!!! I’m so glad you stayed til the end

[@Shelby08]

This is amazing! I loved every second and was sad when it was over… Keep following your dreams!😁❤️

[@nlim23]

Literally everyone relates to this, this is so so good

[@MarcKelso-vb7mw]

Amazing story and beautifully shot. Cast was perfect!

[@hobshobsie]

i love this so much! UGHH I LOVE THIS! IDK HOW TO EXPLAIN

[@rosestudios439]

amazing! this production is so real yet sad!

[@tyrannosaurusbunny]

My friend started dating and I knew she was slipping away, but it still hurt.

[@ellabrandon535]

This is an absolute masterpiece. Thank for sharing it ❤✨

[@Kimberley_987]

This is so touching, made me tear up at the end 💞

[@dadlover7538]

super interesting and beautiful, never stop creating ❤️❤️❤️

[@sophia-sophia-sophia0000]

this is such a sweet film.

[@Maddie._.11p]

I can’t believe this channel only has 658 subs! This deserves wayyyy more!❤️❤️

[@larahaciosfilms]

I had 17 the other day, now it’s 900! This is unbelievable. Thank you ♥️

[@Maddie._.11p]

@@larahaciosfilms your welcome! It’s great how much this channel is growing it’s very well deserved!❤️

[@jorctavia]

amazing!!!! i loved the end :')

[@shalinithanikaivelan4918]

This is CRIMINALLY UNDERRATED

[@mirrorb99ll]

This might be my new favorite movie ever

[@JassyFashion_]

This is AMAZING! Please make more ❤

[@Person-yr6td]

This deserves so much more attention great job :)))

[@TaniaMahammad]

This was such a beautiful story! Such incredible work

[@Tara.yum11]

this is amazing! im so glad this reached me, cant wait to see more.

[@-Strawbarii-]

I love watching short films on youtube, but this one is one of my favorites. The writing is amazing and i love the realism in the actors and their lines. And the way the food started their friendship, and then brought them back together in the end was so wholesome ❤

[@larahaciosfilms]

This means sooo much ♥️

[@maxmadness7341]

Omg this is amazing honestly if I could acting in something like this I would be so happy like those actors are blessed 😂❤ there amazing this is amazing

[@mattisonmckinney8468]

Good job Lara! It’s heartfelt, real, and a relatable story. ❤ so proud of you

[@larahaciosfilms]

Thank you Mattie ♥️

[@felixs5starmenu]

This was absolutely amazing

[@mistpearl]

I love this movie.. Like it really connected to some of the moments in my life

[@mrspumpkin6298]

The shot with the mums meeting and one of them in the mirror looking doubtful is everything

[@TheDeadPoet226]

This is such an amazing film deffo going in my re watch playlist

[@zali_jelly9066]

This was so fun to watch, very enjoyable.

[@margaridavelhinho1478]

you guys this actually made me tear up. beautiful execution and concepts, i hope you get more recognition

[@0nly1ndr3ams]

this is wonderful! here before its big :)

[@leksamorylis7789]

awww loved it! warm and fuzzy 🥰

[@larahaciosfilms]

Thank you! 🤗

[@Pinarar]

laaan türk olduğunu görünce gelen mutluluk hissi çok gururlandım

[@larahaciosfilms]

Bu benim en sevdiğim yorum ♥️

[@coolishbeans-]

this is so amazing omg the symbolism is peak

[@ayla4208y]

borek❤ my name is also ayla so this felt closer to home!