Seal of Confession

Production Company
Vancouver Film School
Producer(s)
Eva Ferguson
Director(s)
Karla Argueta
Casting Director(s): 
Eva Ferguson
Union Status
Non-Union
Project Type
Film
Student Production
Yes
Compensation Details

We are filming on ARRI so this will be great professional-grade demo reel footage. submitting to film festivals. Food will be provided.

Audition Location
Online-only
Shoot / Performance Date(s)
March 26th, 27th, 28th 2025
Shoot / Performance Location(s)
Greater Vancouver Area
Submission Deadline
Monday, February 24, 2025
Submission Instructions

Please get in touch with our producer at sealofconfessionfilm@gmail.com and you will be sent sides+audition package.
Once you have received the sides please email an *UNLISTED YOUTUBE LINK* to the same email and it will be reviewed shortly.

Project Synopsis
Seal of Confession is a short dramatic thriller centered around themes of morality and faith. Yuri, a reserved and dedicated priest is unsettled by a disturbing confession from Ilyas, a troubled and mysterious young man. As he battles his inner temptation to sin, Ilyas’ confessions grow more disturbing as he reveals details about being raised under the punishing hand of his catholic devout grandmother, and how he now sees himself as an instrument of divine justice. As the only one who knows about the mysterious confession, Yuri finds himself in the moral dilemma of saving Granny's life or intervening and breaking his seal of confession. When the weight of his secret becomes unbearable, Yuri is forced to confront his need to do the right thing over his self-preservation, pushing him to question his faith in ways he has never before. As we come to understand Ilyas's dark past we see the complex truth about morality. As Yuri struggles to save a life and maintain his place as a priest, his moral failures threaten his carefully constructed life.
Additional Information & Safety Protocols: 

CONTENT WARNING: Please be aware that this film will explore sensitive themes related to religion. Additionally, the narrative will involve scenes of violence, including murders and blood. We ask that all cast and crew approach these elements with sensitivity and professionalism.

Character 1
YURI
Age
30-40
Gender
Male
Description
Yuri is a faithful priest who believes in the church’s teachings and his role as a guide for others. Beneath his composed exterior, he struggles with doubt, desire, and the crushing weight of responsibility. His morals are tested by an ominous stranger who shares a dangerous and potentially fatal secret during confession. He wants to do the right thing but begins to fall apart when faced with confessions that test his moral boundaries and a love affair he cannot acknowledge. Yuri must confront a devastating truth: his silence is not just about faith but about protecting himself. The character requires an actor who can convey physical and emotional pain, deep compassion, and the slow loss of faith. *This character will be involved in a scene where Lilly kisses his neck. The actor must be comfortable with this moment.
Character 2
ILYAS
Age
18-25
Gender
Male
Description
Raised by his strict and profoundly religious grandmother, Ilyas learned early on that suffering was a form of love. His faith vanishes as he realizes he doesn’t fit in outside Granny’s unconventional teachings. In his dreams, God speaks to him and encourages him to execute God’s will and punish Granny's sins. Much like his Granny, he begins to believe he is a messenger for God’s will. Desperate to find answers, Ilyas looks for Yuri, whose words become a double-edged sword. Looking for an actor who can bring both vulnerability and disturbing conviction to the role. *Ilyas’ character will be involved in a scene involving dark and potentially disturbing content as he kills his grandmother, please reconsider your participation if you are not comfortable with this.
Character 3
GRANNY
Age
50-70
Gender
Female
Description
Granny believes she’s doing God’s work, even when that work is cruel. Ilyas is the reason why her daughter died, and Granny sees him as a burden as if it was meant for her to punish his orphan grandson. Her worldview is shaped by the strict religious environment she grew up in, where faith was closely tied to discipline, and strict obedience was seen as the only way to survive in a brutal or unforgiving world. She is a force of nature, unyielding and devout, but beneath her rigidity is a woman shaped by loss and fear.
Character 4
LILLY
Age
30-40
Gender
Female
Description
Lilly wants more than what this small town has to offer. She grew up with religion all around her, but she never let it define her. She sees the cracks in people, including Yuri, and she isn’t afraid to push them. She’s not a temptress - she’s warm, filled with curiosity, and represents a reminder that there’s life beyond guilt. Looking for an actor who can bring confidence, playfulness, and emotional depth to the role. *Please note that the character of Lilly will engage in a physical moment with the male lead, kissing him on the neck. The actress must be comfortable with this moment.