Where We Stay by Florence Bouvy to Screen at CIFF

Two Friends Confront Underlying Feelings for Each Other in CIFF selected Where We Stay

Los Angeles, CA (March 27, 2025). Longtime friends Carry and Daniel have always avoided acknowledging their true feelings for each other. But with Carry on his deathbed and time running out, they face one last chance. Do they finally confront their emotions, even though they know they’re about to lose each other? 

Where We Stay is from writer and director Florence Bouvy. It is a beautiful and touching examination of human connection and unspoken truths. The film was partially inspired by Florence’s own story of loss. When her father was diagnosed with terminal cancer and the period of pain, grief and love that followed. She noticed how in those final moments, our masks come off. Our humanity in all its imperfections is put on display.

Instead of showing the  idealized “perfect goodbye,” she wanted to capture the often-taboo reality: messy, human, and deeply beautiful. The short premieres at the 2024 Palm Springs International Shortfest. It is on the short list for the Iris Prize 2024. And, will screen at the upcoming, Oscar-qualifying, Cleveland International Film Festival.

The Official Trailer for Where We Stay Directed by Florence Bouvy

---

Florence Bouvy is a Dutch queer filmmaker currently based in Los Angeles. She grew up in the vibrant city of Amsterdam. There she developed a fascination for human behavior that became a big part of her voice. Florence studied philosophy at the University of Amsterdam, followed by film directing at the Netherlands Film Academy. After graduating in 2018, she focused on expanding her style and unique way of shooting film. Including long improvisations on set. Her award-winning short film Till The End of The World traveled globally. Winning her a.o. the Dutch Critics prize for Best Graduation film. The Dutch Filmfund Wildcard, and Best Director at Moscow shorts. Her work is characterized by a combination of strong acting performances and poetic, expressive elements.

---

Ellen Havenith worked as a Production Manager and Line Producer. Ellen did this for various production companies producing short films, drama series and feature films. Working for Column Film, she was the Delegate Producer of 170 HZ (first feature film by Joost van Ginkel). Which won the Golden Calf Audience Award and the Movie Squad Award at the Dutch Film Festival 2011. In 2015, she represents the Netherlands as Producer on the Move at the Cannes Film Festival 2015. She is a participant for the Atelier du Cinéma Européen programme (ACE).

Emmanuel Ohene Boafo is a multi-award winning Dutch-Ghanaian actor known for his roles in theater, TV and film. In 2021 he won the Louis d’Or for his English-spoken solo performance Sea Wall . And he recently is in nomination for a Golden Calf award for Best Leading Actor in the feature film Pariah. Actor Michael Muller plays the lead in the theater productions of Het Leven Zelf (2022) and Onder Ons (2023). His film credits include Gilles (2016) and 170 HZ (2011) which won the Golden Calf Audience Award for Best Film.

Where We Stay will screen at The Cleveland International Film Festival. It is premiering on April 3 at the Allen Theatre at 12:05pm. As part of Shorts Program 11 and will be available on CIFF Streams from April 6-13. Find more information here.

---

You can comment here. You can also meet us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.