NON-NEGOTIABLE | Omeleto

A young girl tells her parents her requirements for a new sibling.
NON-NEGOTIABLE is used with permission from Mike Doxford. Learn more at mikedoxford.com.
Kat and Jay are a married couple nervously awaiting a very important meeting at a cafe. They're expecting a tense tete-a-tete about an important new phase of their life together, with someone who won't be easy to negotiate with: their 9-year-old daughter, Deb.
In meeting her parents for breakfast after a sleepover, Deb outlines her terms and conditions before she consents to living with a new sibling. As Deb's parents and the little girl hash it out, their new family arrangement begins to come into view.
Directed and written by Mike Doxford, this sharp, charming short comedy takes a common family situation and applies an arch, droll gloss onto it. Rendered with great writing and precise direction, it makes for a warmly witty portrayal of a little girl's apprehension at getting a little brother or sister.
The film quickly establishes the nervousness and tension of the married couple as they await an important meeting. The tone is very serious, matched by a warm, weathered yet restrained sense of visuals. That seriousness suits the entrance of Deb, who carries herself with poised formality as well.
Though her parents attempt to pacify her with food and affection, Deb holds onto her assertive purposefulness, proving to be a formidable presence to negotiate with. Deb intends to leave the home upon the arrival of her new sibling unless her terms and conditions are met. As the negotiations play out, what emerges is a high-wire act of tone and humor. Deb is very earnest in her demands for a dog and ice cream whenever she wants, and there's an enjoyable contrast between how unrelenting and serious Deb is in holding her ground for what she wants, and how baffled the parents are by their daughter's independence and self-belief (which Deb attributes to being an only child.) Deb is not afraid to admonish her parents as if she were the authority figure, and that often makes for a comical reversal of power.
Beyond its excellent writing and directing, the success of the narrative hinges on the character of Deb, strikingly played by excellent young performer Izabella Dziewanska as a precocious, confident girl whose keen intelligence belies her young age. Sometimes precociousness in children can be played for stylized uncanniness or cloying cuteness, but Dziewanska's performance strikes a wonderful balance here between maturity and vulnerability, especially when the conversation begins to reveal the deeper fears and trepidation that children feel with a new sibling.
When Deb's parents -- played by actors Samuel Anderson and Jill Winternitz, who is also a producer -- finally hear the fearful subtext underneath Deb's demands, they understand what she truly wants: reassurance that she'll be loved and still have special time with them. Reassuring the little girl that she won't be loved any less with the arrival of the baby, NON-NEGOTIABLE steps into its heartfelt conclusion with an understated yet palpable warmth, concluding the film with a sense of comfort that wraps both Deb and viewers in a cocoon of familial love and steadiness that lingers well after ending.

[@qinelenleawatanabe2162]

Incredible short.......wish there was a full movie ........and where did they find such a talented youth to play such a difficult part for one so young?

[@mikedoxford3075]

Izabella is a force of nature, and 9 years old when we filmed. A truly wonderful young person. Glad you enjoyed the film!

[@kikimalc]

We are open to commissioners :)) Say hello to myself and the director Mike :)

[@eugenetswong]

@@mikedoxford3075 and kiki, I think that what really happened is that she found you both. Be honest. 😀 Mike: A-a-a-and cut! Let's turn it around! Izabella: No! Keep it rolling. I want it perfect. 1 more time! 1st positions! Background! A-a-a-and action! Hahahaha!

[@eugenetswong]

@@kikimalc I urge you to create a crowd funding project. She is an amazing character. I liked the actor and actress, too! I have to admit that I don't know how far you can take it. It's going to her bed time sooner or later. Thank you and your team so much for your hard work, and then sharing it with us. Congratulations on your completion and success.

[@mikedoxford3075]

@@eugenetswong It's like you were there!

[@KimberlyLetsGo]

Well, we see who runs the show. LOL

[@mikedoxford3075]

Don't kids always run the show... 😉

[@kikimalc]

Hands down!

[@marcschoeters2229]

"Most brothers and sisters don't like each other. Fact." So true!!!

[@tobe-you-tube6612]

She's giving Mathilda vibes

[@mikedoxford3075]

And in real life. She's so sweet and wise beyond her years!

[@kikimalc]

She's such a star !

[@DJ_Ndiks]

​@@mikedoxford3075 I can tell..

[@NateStona]

Amazing short film. Still added reasons for me not to have kids though.

[@kikimalc]

Hehe! This one might be running the country some day I reckon!

[@Mant111]

It looks like parody but the beginning actually is how some libs families work.

[@Matty80822]

@@Mant111 i sighed at that. this kind of comment is exhausting. there is more to life buddy

[@Mant111]

@@Matty80822 there sure is!

[@lovelife2day]

This was such a fantastic watch. Very talented young girl. We definitely need to come back when she finds out twins are coming....lol.

[@kikimalc]

She's phenomenal ! And knew all her script even in the audition !

[@albertchehade9916]

OMG this 'lawyer' should be defending a REAL orange goldfish......😂🤣😂

[@44ThaNatos44]

Awesome stuff ! The girl played her part so well ! This was emotion packed, so much in so little time... Thank you for this !

[@mikedoxford3075]

Glad you enjoyed. Isabella is one to watch!

[@kikimalc]

Phenomenal little actress, she knew the script even in her audition tape!

[@alienbob21]

This is like a live action Bluey episode. Absolutely fantastic.

[@kikimalc]

Glad you enjoyed it! We loved making it :)

[@nicholasvanorton7840]

These short ones are always the best😉

[@mikedoxford3075]

Thanks for watching! 🙏

[@kikimalc]

Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@asynchronicity]

Most kids in the biz don’t have this level of talent. Well done!

[@mikedoxford3075]

She's a superstar, and she loved creating her on-screen family with Jill and Samuel (the parents).

[@kikimalc]

We couldn't believe it - she's a total star ! Hopefully some casting agents will see this :)

[@mamapegg]

I'm so glad my kids were excited about siblings. They were kind and really gentle when they were small💕

[@shelaffs]

Really wonderful short film. No wonder it won so many awards. ❤

[@mikedoxford3075]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@kikimalc]

Thanks for your kind words :)

[@gretatudeg4877]

Absolutely wonderful video! Great acting (scary smart kid!) from all, especially facial expressions, great direction, closeups and script. So amazing to see healthy family relationships in an over the top format. Bravo, bravo, bravo! Five stars and more!!!!!

[@mikedoxford3075]

So glad you enjoyed the film! We wanted to explore the power struggle between parents and child but within an unexpected and humorous scenario.

[@kikimalc]

She was such a super star on set - total pro and we're so excited to see what the future holds for this talented actress :)

[@charlestaylor3195]

I always enjoy a little twist at the end.

[@mikedoxford3075]

Thanks for watching!

[@clasencoach]

Agree. This one was very predictable though.

[@SuperCHERISHED]

Very sweet! Their daughter was an intelligent little one. She is learning to handle her feelings. There are somethings that will change. You will have to share your parents. Having siblings can be wonderful or a nightmare.🌼

[@mikedoxford3075]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It's amazing how many people have told us that they had similar feelings of worry/dread/being forgotten when they were young and were told a sibling was on the way.

[@kikimalc]

We love that so many parents have watched it with their kids :)

[@justingary5322]

Little girl reminds me of Matilda 😂

[@mysmirandam.6618]

Incredibly beautiful. Thank you for this art.

[@mikedoxford3075]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@kikimalc]

We are so proud of the whole cast and crew :)

[@michaelmaultsby895]

I loved this short film! Maybe, I should write another short film screenplay.

[@kikimalc]

Do it!

[@Saf_Shares]

Who would have thought. 👏🏾

[@mikedoxford3075]

Thanks for watching!

[@s.p.8803]

Thank you! I've been looking for this movie for some time!

[@kikimalc]

Glad you enjoyed it! We loved making it :)

[@deboradunn27]

That was incredibly cute 🥰 If the twins are anything like her 😂😂 oh boy ❤

[@mikedoxford3075]

That house will be a handful! 😂😂

[@kikimalc]

She's a little force that we can say! So talented!

[@apostolia2124]

Too short guys but BRILLIANT !! who's that little gem ?? ☺☺❤❤

[@kikimalc]

So talented right! We were astounded!

[@SusanP674]

The little girl was amazing!

[@kikimalc]

Isn't she incredible!? We were so lucky to find her through our amazing casting lead!

[@dthomas4566]

Precious has a new standard 😂😂😂 She could play a new version of Matilda or orphan Annie

[@mikedoxford3075]

Absolutely! Izabella is a star in the making.

[@kikimalc]

Definitely!! She was simply amazing on set! Such a pro!

[@mbgrafix]

Jill Winternitz reminds me a bit of Mary Tyler Moore.

[@justingary5322]

Awesome acting performances from everyone especially the little girl 😎

[@kikimalc]

She really is a superstar! We loved working with her and know she's got a bright future!

[@mclainsamson9711]

This is so impressively cute ❤

[@mikedoxford3075]

Thanks for watching! 🙏

[@kikimalc]

Glad you enjoyed it :))

[@ryanlewis4905]

This one moved me - Loved everything about it

[@mikedoxford3075]

Thank you for watching 🙏

[@kikimalc]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@njs9864]

What a gem !

[@kikimalc]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@albertchehade9916]

Hilarious ending! 😁

[@kikimalc]

YAY - glad you liked it!

[@timothyboland4934]

For the record, Bernadoodles are great dogs. :)

[@mikedoxford3075]

Totally agree! When writing the script my father-in-law had just got a Bernadoodle so I chose that breed as an Easter egg for him.

[@kikimalc]

Glad we've cleared that up hehe! I agree! (from the cameo Producer/Dog handler herself)

[@T_da_yung_goat]

yeah... the negotiations are definitely breaking down after she hears this news. We gotta restart the entire process again.

[@kikimalc]

haha!

[@The_Beast_666]

I swear to God I HATE precocious kids with all my heart!

[@Prizzy999]

The little girl's right though. Most parents always have a favourite child and they're not even good at hiding it. The "golden child" causes a lot of friction and trauma in the family. So parents, always listen to your kids and try and meet their needs if you don't wanna end up in a retirement home 😂😂

[@mikedoxford3075]

haha, thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@kikimalc]

haha! Indeed!

[@magdao6469]

Well done Izabella 🥰

[@kikimalc]

Such a pro!

[@rupsmania]

What a lovely one! ❤

[@kikimalc]

Thanks for your kind words, we loved making it!

[@matttaylor9141]

Awesome! Pure simple genius!

[@mikedoxford3075]

Thank you! On the festival circuit I loved hearing people's stories of how they found out about an impending sibling.

[@kikimalc]

Glad you enjoyed it :))

[@rogerio.amancio]

Great short! ❤

[@mikedoxford3075]

Thanks for watching 🙏

[@kikimalc]

Thanks for your kind words, we'll send that on to the crew :)

[@qwertyuiopgarth]

Excellent!

[@kikimalc]

Glad you liked it !

[@karolinaszczudlo9871]

This should be called " making of new dictator" , 21 century version when all previous, other combined can hide 🙃🙃🙃

[@kikimalc]

Cheeky haha! I think making of a strong young woman!

[@Frazzledragon]

I loved the first half, but I grew weary in the second half.

[@briteeyes2133]

Bravo! Well done! Such a talented young lady. Great script concept! Filming was excellent. ❤️

[@mikedoxford3075]

Thank you for your kind words. We were blessed with incredible actors and a passionate crew. Without them it would not have been possible.

[@kikimalc]

Thanks for your kind words! We'll pass it onto the team :)

[@awakenmyriver4647]

How does a daughter have a British accent in the parents do not?

[@QuinnEvanClifton]

Peppa pig

[@kikimalc]

LOL @@QuinnEvanClifton

[@kikimalc]

The short is based in the UK and was filmed in London, you'll hear that the dad is British actor Samual Anderson and in this world she's grown up in the UK with an American mum played by American Actress Jill Winternitz. But in her world she's been going to school in London, UK, which is why she's got a British accent :)

[@kikimalc]

Also Peppa Pig! haha

[@bobreminick4699]

@@kikimalc I was getting there, but I was guessing that the waitress sounded American ... so, they go back & forth a lot ?

[@dandeliondreamer3365]

Love it! Well done 👍 ❤

[@mikedoxford3075]

♥♥

[@kikimalc]

Thanks for the kind words :)

[@CatherineCoffey-pw7rb]

Gorgeous short film

[@mikedoxford3075]

It's all thanks to the incredible actors. The back-and-forth was a joy to watch on-set. Thank you for watching!

[@kikimalc]

Thanks for the lovely review!

[@eugenetswong]

@@mikedoxford3075 Not just the actor and actresses! Don't forget the camera crew and others. I was impressed with everything.

[@lisasim]

@@eugenetswong I'm quite sure he didn't forget about thrm, after all, he wrote and directed this film.

[@eugenetswong]

@@lisasim if I recall correctly, I wasn't being so literal, but it's good to know.

[@johntossing624]

Delightful!

[@mikedoxford3075]

Thank you for taking the time to watch our film! 🙌

[@kikimalc]

So happy you enjoyed it!

[@charonpilgrim8086]

That was the sweetest one ever and her innocence…Oh my goodness!! Well done!!

[@mikedoxford3075]

So glad you enjoyed the film!

[@kikimalc]

Aww thanks for the lovely feedback, we loved making it!

[@herse2724]

that 5:54 hits hard. almost had my tears out

[@kikimalc]

You're not alone!

[@justingary5322]

Yeah

[@TheDeadbirdy]

That was awesome

[@kikimalc]

YAY - glad you enjoyed watching it! Making it was so much fun!

[@rgarlinyc]

Beautiful film - gorgeous, accomplished darling Izabella Dziewanska! Kudos to entire cast and crew, especially Writer, Director, Cinematographer!

[@mikedoxford3075]

We were blessed with an incredible cast. Thanks for watching!

[@kikimalc]

We were incredibly lucky with such a phenomenal cast and crew and it was such a fun shoot!

[@LancelotGraal]

I don't get it... What is this trying to say?

[@christinesorensen8050]

Cute ☺️

[@mikedoxford3075]

🙏🙏😁

[@kikimalc]

We think so too :)

[@abdulazeezanimashaun5426]

Oh amazingly ❤ beautiful

[@mikedoxford3075]

Thanks for watching! 🙏

[@jdwilson533]

Never disappoints 💯

[@mikedoxford3075]

Thanks for watching!

[@kikimalc]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@UKWN]

Wow!

[@kikimalc]

Glad you liked it! The cast and crew are super proud!

[@buckfiden2988]

Cute. Best in a while IMO.

[@quokka_11]

If Veruca Salt was likeable. 😁

[@Marianojoey]

hahahahaha, it was amazing. :D

[@mikedoxford3075]

Thank you!

[@kikimalc]

YAY- glad you got a chuckle out of it!

[@mchljunior_]

Well, damn.

[@kikimalc]

Aww glad you enjoyed it!

[@ismewhat1234]

❤❤❤👍

[@mikedoxford3075]

♥♥♥

[@aarons7975]

Althought it's cutesy, and all th at garbage that people love to gobble up, it perfectly portrays what's wrong with the world today. There are no adults, people let their brats run the show, capitulating to everything they want, justifying it as love, ... whatever.. because it's just easier for them to do the 'parenting thing' when you just give in to everything. and THAT is why PooToob is full of screeching spoiled brat adults doing terrible things in todays world for attention. How about an episode where the kid learns the word NO ! ??? It was well done though, and the Segway's were pretty decent, so thumbs up. Keep them coming.

[@AndreBellCopywriter]

That was cute. Loved the surprise ending.

[@kikimalc]

So glad you enjoyed it! We loved making it!

[@000aleph]

The movie was fine I guess but my heart really beats for interracial couples! I can't get enough of them! Could watch them all day!

[@mikedoxford3075]

The film was written specifically for Jill and Samuel. They're such brilliant actors 🙏

[@Jo-yp8wy]

Oh ffs. Grow up.

[@clasencoach]

In what way is that important?

[@000aleph]

@@clasencoach Perhaps you have noticed that in the entire Western world, but especially on the U.S. west coast, we're being indoctrinated with a woke ideology that continues to glorify a silly, purely racial notion of diversity and to push a grotesque overrepresentation of non-white cultures to the detriment of the majority white culture. And I won't stop pointing that out.

[@kikimalc]

Aww we feel the same and we feel they make the cutest parents! We loved making this short and hope it inspires and brings joy!

[@shobdopunjo]

I hate KZbin! It has no "love" icon for reaction. Only "Like" feels just so insufficient! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@mikedoxford3075]

Feeling the love! 🙌

[@eugenetswong]

There should be a favourite playlist for each user. It's not as great, but still.

[@natureboytom]

Yep, and I’m one of the twins and my older sister has gotten more controlling and evil as time went on. She didn’t like the attention yanked from right under her Gemini selfishness. Sibling rivalry is alive & well. 🔪

[@leverman7517]

Twins!

[@Orion-zq8jf]

Twins means two dogs, non-negotiable.

[@mikedoxford3075]

😂😂

[@kikimalc]

haha!

[@rexroman5211]

Sad

[@darkythecrazyninja5228]

I had dream of ser sel?

[@darkythecrazyninja5228]

Himw

[@DblOSmith]

... I thought this was going to take a much different turn. As in...the parents didn't comply and the child has the ability to cause a spontaneous abortion or something.

[@MichaelMossmanNZ]

Bloody millenials =)

[@Jamzor]

W

[@mikedoxford3075]

🙌

[@calicosta]

She is not playing ❤ yikes

[@mikedoxford3075]

She's not there to negotiate

[@kikimalc]

Here to slay the day! haha! And so talented :)

[@lynneOG]

Wow, what an unlikable child 😁

[@tedtalksrock]

I hate it when parents put their emotions of insecurity onto kids. (I didn’t know how to be a good mother to you…) it puts an emotional burden on kids that feels overwhelming. This is narcissistic behavior and not age appropriate. Just tell them you love them and you’ll always be there for them. Keep your neurotic musings and anxiety to yourself.

[@Lmomjian]

not terribly funny , or realistic enough to be moving.

[@GailBanks-oq5ke]

Who is the boss