My Friend Ana | Short Film

My Friend Ana is about young, isolated girl, Myla, and her journey with the deadly eating disorder Anorexia. Myla meets Ana at school one day and devotes her life to being best friends with her. As the time goes on, Myla has to decide whether her life or her newfound friendship is more important.
If you are struggling with an eating disorder, get the help you deserve.
National Eating Disorder Association Helpline: [phone]

[@nickigural]

Thank you all for the support and feedback. Please do not body shame the actors in the comments, it goes against everything I am trying to say with this film.

[@Liberta-oh5nd]

Zx

[@ang3lgutz_]

as an anorexic, i feel so seen. the constant arguing w your parents, the isolation, the exhaustion, everything about this was so spot on.

[@liljaeval2653]

Jesus loves you🤍

[@stink1085]

doing nothing but sleeping and school hurts

[@ang3lgutz_]

@@stink1085 it does im sorry you’re struggling as well, and i hope eventually you can recover ❤️

[@iphone_245]

@@liljaeval2653oh

[@MichaelSerrata-tv9zg]

0:43 the best 👌 👍 😍 🥰 ☺️ 💖 👌 in a few weeks ago and your

[@DelovelyD]

If this was done by a high school student this is really good! This little short has a lot of potential.

[@mikebasil4832]

It certainly raises much-needed awareness in the kinds of demons that teenagers can dangerously struggle with. I'll always be grateful for short films like this.

[@valmacclinchy]

Yes, I agree completely!

[@biscoffology]

oh the parents yelling at you like its your fault is the CHERRY ON TOP

[@S_hrek]

Fr

[@bellaaaaaaaaah]

ikr i don’t usually see people talk about that

[@jowanah3073]

fr

[@itsjiminsnonexistentjams1221]

I love how lonely this feels. Because anorexia is not a friend, somehow you feel comfort in someone who doesn’t exist. Because to you there’s something that finally understands you but to others you’re simply destroying yourself alone.

[@user-kk7vb9eb9n]

As a young boy who is struggling with anorexia, I have to say this is a very good description of it and I can relate to it a lot.

[@starrcos]

you got this, please seek help if needed :)

[@rina1533]

best wishes to you. take care please ❤

[@pinkhimalayan-]

@@randomperson_971are you a little slow in the head or

[@M0keRemains]

Omg me too. I hope you recover, and stay safe!!

[@tdisjustbetter]

i went through this. please take care ❤

[@raincandy_O]

the argument with the parents and the things they said hit right where it hurts

[@Chunky_cat]

This was an amazing portrayal of how anorexia feels and plays out. The progression of "Ana" from a kind friend to a horrid, critical thing is on point. If you think you have an eating disorder, don't wait to get help. Don't waste away like so many others have. x

[@junipero6237]

Okay, when the dad said at 6:05 "I am sick an tired of this sheeeeeit" it took me back to the dinner table with my parents. This was done perfectly.

[@fluffy_borb]

As soon as I started to catch on, I absolutely, just- admired the creativity in showcasing Ana. You really showed the struggles and thoughts by literally personifying her. I love this short film so much, no other words needed 7.18.23

[@clasencoach]

7.18.23??

[@fluffy_borb]

@@clasencoach just the date, idk why I do that on everything…

[@KOmyself]

@@fluffy_borbcorny as hell🤣

[@midmylo1738]

@@KOmyself for putting the date?? ☠️

[@lovestorysareunderated]

I kinda thought the way this was set up was weird at first, but then this is actually how a lot of these things happen. So you make a new friend and things are amazing, they give you some "advice" and they "help you". Over time you think you are better but once you realize it isn't good. It's way too late.

[@user-ui7tn1fq2b]

It’s metaphorical; the “friend” is mental illness

[@abby.tucker]

​@@user-ui7tn1fq2b woah actually?? no one had any idea 😱😱

[@Sea_Enna]

@@user-ui7tn1fq2b i am actually stupid that i didn't realize that

[@thenebraskan6977]

A great film. It shows how people can be shamed and manipulated by others. Ana is a great actress.

[@clara-jh1gb]

ana isn't an actual person she's supposed to represent her brain and the eating disorder

[@hailey_13137]

@@clara-jh1gb We know

[@ellawowowow]

@@clara-jh1gb we know

[@clara-jh1gb]

@@ellawowowow dont think the person who commented knew that innit

[@kaaz1010]

Im an anorexic... fuck this hits close to home... Ana is that sweet voice inside my head, she tells me everything will be okay if i just get fucking thin... She's killing me, and im too scared to let go

[@FrogsLikeFruitSnacks]

hope your doing ok today. i also have an ed (EDNOS). i find support forums are super helpful, like my pancake addiction.

[@kaaz1010]

@@FrogsLikeFruitSnacks oh yes I'm on a bunch of different forums and subreddits, kinda the only places where I feel understood tbh I'm afraid I'm deep into pro ana shit too... eh idk I guess I'm just insane

[@FrogsLikeFruitSnacks]

@@kaaz1010 im only on mpa1 (edsf) and mpa2 ive tried finding others but not many others seem that active other then edc wich is kinda boring tbh

[@kaaz1010]

@@FrogsLikeFruitSnacks tbh discord is popular, I have my own server even, u can find anorexia server of varying degrees of insanity, some are absolutely nuts while others are tame

[@FrogsLikeFruitSnacks]

@@kaaz1010 yeah ive poked around a few discord servers but i prefer forums to servers

[@senylalala]

oh my god im so slow, i thought this was a sapphic shirt film at first until i realised like half way through the video that the real message was anorexia 😭

[@jathea69]

I know right same here

[@CasperlovesYou]

the manipulation that builds up through the “friendship” of ana is so true what happens in anorexia. as an anorexic that is truly struggling at the moment, it’s so difficult to see this happening especially with the parents arguing with the main character. The mood changes and swings are so intense and depressing. It really does take over your life, brain and everything. You start to just lose yourself. Your everything.

[@freden9234]

Oof. When Ana said “hunger is a mindset,” it brought me right back to my old mantra: “Hunger will go away whether you eat or not, so don’t eat.”

[@doi7777]

Jesus Christ. I have anorexia, that fucking scene with the parents was the most triggering thing I’ve ever seen. Mine were exactly like that. A part of me thought it was sweet, but the other half of me was thinking “gosh, just let her do what she wants! Leave her alone”

[@Not.Tyler.Christian]

The fact that she was already so pretty and her friend manipulated her like that is so sad 😢

[@Aroacerat]

The friend was the eating disorder as a person i think

[@yourpookiebearsoph]

The friend was a metaphor for anorexia

[@nachostarzz7307]

Very interesting. My friends ditched me at lunch and I sat by myself. I stopped eating at school for two years.

[@ThaRealZapZarbie]

I'm so so sorry😭🩷 are you doing better now? I hope so. 🫂

[@Jansjas]

this was really good i suffered from ana many times in my life and this hit home to me. it demonstrated really well about what its like.

[@maybeannaa]

The second the scene with the parents yelling at the dinner tabel came up I couldn‘t hold my tears anymore. Great Short film!

[@Beantus]

I get sad to think I've watched every single one of these short films

[@st4rry0npawzz]

As someone named Ana, I would never do something like this.

[@H3artCloud]

Ana is short for Anorexia

[@S_hrek]

XDDD

[@user-ng3ej6mq8y]

if you look closely at the beginning, you can see a girl in the corner at lunch who is chewing gum, only has bottled water, wearing baggy clothes, and looks exhausted.

[@Charl._.s1ms]

Omg ì never noticed until you pointed it out

[@coolsoobin6879]

samee i saw thought and at first i thought it was about her

[@Ilovefrogs3]

"I've never ever been happier" remember what Cassie's condition was when she said it . I love how this resonates to that.

[@Ssamsong]

Shout out to the actors they executed this perfectly

[@maddycollins3554]

The scene with the dad yelling and mum crying is so accurate. Omggg

[@NGHCRKD]

Great acting from everyone here. Seriously the parents were so real

[@MrVaskor]

Maybe they are real because they are someone's actual parents

[@scoliosys8311]

At 45 years old I’m starting to recognize some of these things in myself. The whole control thing. 😢

[@sheademarco]

so exciting to see the finished product! a great story told!!

[@milah.2]

as someone whos name gets mistaken for "mila" all the time. this hits so hard because ive been struggling with food.

[@ekxo1126]

what's your name

[@milah.2]

@@ekxo1126 why?

[@ekxo1126]

@@milah.2 sorry curiosity, just to know why it gets mistaken

[@renegroulx7029]

Causes: Sociological : "When there is a constant pressure from people to be thin, teasing and bullying can cause low self-esteem and other psychological symptoms.[88]"

[@HansBezemer]

Independent thinking helps. Crowds are by very definition stupid.

[@Naphinel]

When I was bulimic, I wrote a novel (I wrote so many novel since I was 14). The antagonist's name was Lim and the protagonist (me) fought with her. Sadly at the time - in the real life - Lim won... But not anymore ;) I'm a real fighter, and I won the war against her.

[@missylynn3630]

Ana constantly tries to come back to me and it gets harder each time to keep her away

[@lucasmuller6631]

It's so hard...I was on such a good way and now I'm back in again I hate Ana so much..

[@alexateurcat]

That dinner scene was scarily accurate lol

[@mari-kg1zv]

the parents yelling is so real

[@mmltreniew3499]

It's always that voice in your head telling you that you don't deserve to recover as long as your not at your lowest

[@okboomer-wj4gn]

"myla i dont want to bury my own child" bro.

[@hailey_13137]

Anorexia is fucking deadly

[@sylvia-gi6hw]

did anyone notice the colors got less saturated towards the end?

[@serenasmith7846]

I relate to this so much as a people pleaser, and it sucks. It’s hard to make friends and it’s even worse with someone who you so-called friend controls you.

[@rosaaclara]

it’s about anorexia….

[@miisty22]

her friend isnt real is her ed personified

[@valmacclinchy]

People pleasers are more likely to develop eating disorders, too.

[@brianna-2008]

@@valmacclinchynot true

[@Top_tropical_shop]

This film spreads so much awareness and is so so well put together

[@justameriican]

So happy I got to work on this with you, it came out so nice. ❤

[@NiazNio]

Well

[@justameriican]

@@NiazNio ?

[@cuteebunny222]

i dont know how this crossed my page but this ist exactly the kind of situation i got in recently

[@noob_gaming1491]

I wasn't expecting what this video would be about, but I'm really glad I watched it!

[@elysiabronte]

genuinely one of the most accurate that i’ve seen, especially with the arguments with parents

[@diamond22901]

i know the dad cares but he sucks as a parent tbh, as soon as he found out she was starving herself he yelled at her and insulted her

[@s4nr1o_4dd1ct_.]

thats what my dad did. It rly doesnt help bro

[@gh0stly_retr048]

That is actually pretty common reaction for parents to have

[@yeehaw6184]

I feel like it’s a pretty normal reaction. Especially if the Person hasn’t experienced that situation themselves it’s likely they get frustrated because they feel desperate and helpless. Even more so if the person is not in touch with their emotions or even surpresses them, which men usually are conditioned to do.

[@capitoltv1]

Ana-rexia, it’s embarrassing how long it took me to get it

[@itsdune079]

Super accurate depiction of anorexia nervosa. I've seen a few other short friends similar to how in-depth this goes, but not many. Great work! I also think it's ironic how Ana herself is the one with hips and higher bodyfat %

[@rainbeau9752]

My main question and concern is; why do those around you criticize, yell, put down, a person they supposed to love? Isn’t love responding, respectful, caring , concerned???? No one cares,unless it’s about how it makes them look.

[@FaeSpeaks]

I've never had a friend like this, or claimed to be. But as a teen/young a adult, I'd experience thoughts or assumptions of what others MIGHT think about me.

[@ritolas14]

this is so good and the message is really important, it deserves so much more views!! wish you success

[@SummerAngle2]

You know it’s back when you start watching these again…..

[@DaphneSublime]

True :\

[@Aurelia2147]

Such a good short movie!!! Respect

[@brenda5297]

DeMarco's acting is so professional! I love this film you made and made it lightly because I'm a chicken lol. I would have loved so much to have a cool friend like Myla. Sorry if I misspelled her name. Is there a way you can film her in a story where she is the brave girl who befriends a lonely girl? I would love to see her acting skills on that story. Thank you for sharing your amazing artistic skills with all of us. 😊 P.S. I've become a #1 fan of S. Demarko but sadly I haven't found an official website or info about her. 😢

[@sheademarco]

oh my gosh this is so kind thank you!!

[@brenda5297]

@@sheademarco Oh wow, you are so so welcome!! 😊💖 You made my day, thank you for replying! 😃💖

[@deli6562]

I was not expecting this to hit nearly as hard as it did Wow I am blown away

[@jijipop4977]

Wow it’s so accurate it’s crazy I feel the literal same way

[@jillybilly2338]

this is such a good film i cried lol

[@DaphneSublime]

Ana being anorexia in person literally was genius

[@user-hy5vy2cy4u]

Amazing Short

[@lifeofalma1177]

To you reading always remember that the world is so much better with you in it, you deserve to be healthy and you are so beautiful 💞

[@Eliot_86]

Anna does not exist. In the beginning she tells her parents that she thinks Anna is new because she hasn’t seen her before. Then at the locker Anna appears out of nowhere simply saying “I’ve been here the whole time” Anna says she would never leave her like her other friends, and that she will make her better. Mimicking how eating disorders can feel like a friend/comfort. A consistent presence. Anna is not real, and while I know this is obvious for many, I thought I would explain for anyone that might have mist it.

[@MrVaskor]

The other friends didn't leave her though - one of them signalled to her to come and join them at their table, but she left them and went away

[@ayvvesquetutmb]

Me vi varios videos de este tipo y este me hizo llorar, me paso y sigo pasando por exactamente lo mismo

[@kianaychapman]

i really thought ana was gonna be so sweet and nice, but then she just turned into a monster and was controlling myla.

[@emilycheek3077]

the dad snapping broke my heart. only a parent can relate

[@user-hk1zd7lu7e]

My friend did this and im still trying to recover

[@Ale-bx9xf]

This was so good

[@Uemumsbestie]

The views are so low This is a masterpiece

[@offbanks]

not anymore

[@__________________________971]

👏🏽👏🏽 Incredible

[@zshhh57]

the way I understood before even watching

[@asherneedssleep]

The song 'My Bestfriend Ana' comes to mind

[@Yoongireve]

So well done.

[@alliekays3625]

the dad yelling at her made me start crying. this film was a little too good

[@senylalala]

this was amazing

[@dreyadreyas]

I RELATED TOO M7CH

[@annasophiiiiie]

I was wondering, what filter did you use on this film? It is beautiful, by the way, great acting and cinematography!

[@He.luvs_soph69]

That’s how I am that’s how I feel every time I look in the mirror I’ve been struggling with an eating disorder for 2 years and my family hasn’t noticed the only people who have were my ex best friend and my bf I’ve found myself skipping meals and working out more and more I feel like shit every time I eat no one gets it tho I talked to an adult and she said I definitely am anorexic but I still feel like I’m to big to be so I haven’t gotten help my friends have watched as my happiness has just faided away the foods I used to love I won’t even allow myself to eat anymore I’ve lost so much weight my clothes are all to big and yet it’s still not enough cuz I’ll never be skinny and perfect like the other girls I’ll always be the fat one

[@LOTRFan295]

Society is ugly I don't listen to society society is like oh you need to be skinny to you know look perfect I think everybody should be comfortable in their own body and I know it's difficult but at the same time starving yourself is not good because then you could get hospitalized and I don't want that to happen to you ❤. I lost way too but I am working on gaining it back I'm close to 110 but for my height which is 5'5 I need to be at least 115

[@He.luvs_soph69]

@@LOTRFan295 I’m so proud of you and I am working on it as well there was a time when I was losing 5 pounds a week I’m eating more because I promised my bf I would work on it I do play volleyball so I am running 8 laps or more 4 days a week plus all the running drills we have to do so I have lost abt 10 pounds since starting it but right now I’m just trying to maintain a gel weight

[@thechosenone16]

Yeah if you will be 30 kg near tto death you will still dont be happy with your body so what i recommemd start to eat whats your fav food im doing it now im 65 im fat but dont care

[@boinkboink8448]

Sounds like you're dealing with body dysmorphia. Your brain is tricking you into thinking you're ugly, but i bet you're way prettier than you think you are. Skinniness is not perfection, far from it. Diets are almost always a scam unless it's been recommended to you by a professional. If you just want to change your body, exercise and nutritious food is the way to go. Not eating less, eating healthier. I get that it's not as easy as it sounds but it's really the only sustainable way to weightloss. I wish you luck and hope you recover from your ED ❤ you are so loved and beautiful

[@He.luvs_soph69]

@@boinkboink8448 thank you so much I forgot about this video my bf ended cheating and I relapsed and didn’t eat a thing for 2 days I couldn’t eat bc of how much pain I was in im doing much much better tho and am eating enough and have stopped weighing myself

[@kaybee4132]

Brialliant! 🎉👏👏👏

[@rockydavis94]

Not the ending I expected. I was expecting her to go to therapy and stay away from Ana

[@janicemahan4772]

Well done.

[@gracellekieko]

I think ana is not a person, but a mindset. Myla feels lonely becuase of the neglect of her friends so in result turns to "ana" for acceptance."ana" as in "anorexia" and no matter how much weight myla loses. Ana continues to torment her. They also look similar, so i think ana is mylas inner voice

[@wjcruikshank8725]

The acting is (chef's kiss)

[@dadcelo]

Super amateurish but with a lot of potential. Keep it up and good luck on future projects! I did enjoy the subject matter, very important subject that needs to be addressed.

[@Kevessi]

right this is a great movie but honestly the way he parent(especially the dad) went about it is so wrong and stress induciding.

[@Y2_ukki]

She's so comforting, but it ruins my life.

[@cassierenze2611]

That dinner scene was very triggering but good acting

[@Kittyququmber]

Excellent video. Parents so out of touch. Co-students not helpful or inclusive. Quite sad as do many young people suffer in-silence

[@faeoftheswamp2610]

The fact that u get a list of tips is really not it, there are probably better ways that could’ve been portrayed.

[@ncitiez]

my name is Myla and this hit a lil close lmao

[@jbach1738]

Does it matter that the girl is adopted? I mean, was that an intentional plot point? If so, pretty good writing. Good writing anyway, I just like the added layer.

[@S_hrek]

7:27 At least her parents were understanding of her situation

[@kta0702]

Those dinner scenes triggered me

[@maryjanehansen7947]

too funny 💀💀 dad yelling at you, insitsting you're wasting away, while mom just sits there crying.

[@Lilgreenfrog_200]

How does she still think she’s not skinny? I would kill for that look

[@Campbellreadsss]

The parents are not helping at all

[@Anequetx]

Realatable

[@blazingstar9638]

Good job nicki That pfp tho

[@kblundell16]

i cant stopn eating

[@Rocketryman]

It's a SHORT. Not a short film. We make MOVIES, not films. We work with DIGITAL Video. Film, filming, and filmmaking are the most misused words in the industry. :-)Digital Video and film require different skill sets. Having DIFFERENT historical and TECHNOLOGICAL timelines spanning 150 years. Educate by having pride in the gear we use including the words that describe what we do. Our tools are Digital Video, Non-linear, and CGI. We are moviemakers, not filmmakers. Videographers and/or cinematographers. We video, we do not film. That's the other professionals who know how to use film and film cameras, like an ARRIFLEX 435 Panavision R-200 and Steenbeck flatbed film editors. Know the difference and be better at your craft. Want to know how Orson Wells shot Citizen Kane you need to understand film. Differentiating between the two. How Lucas produced Star Wars you need to understand the filming process and its difference from video. Differentiating between the two. Lucas was keen enough to remaster his films to Digital Video once the technology was available. Respect and keep up the great work. :-)

[@user-ex3eq5to2i]

wow.

[@user-lh9hx2kj1i]

מה לא רוצה לעשות עוזב. כן הלב שלי דופק ❤

[@schizofriend3626]

6:59 - 7:02 Interesting line, especially if taken out of context