Update 06/04/26: Artifice has been selected for 2026 Flagstaff International Film Festival

As Artifice enters its festival run, we're sharing a look behind the scenes of the psychological drama written and directed by Jeremy Heslup.

The 11-minute film follows a woman confronting long-buried mistakes from her past, exploring themes of identity, emotional inheritance, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive. While Artifice stands on its own, it shares thematic DNA with Heslup's feature screenplay Doppel, particularly its interest in concealed identities, fractured selfhood, and the ways seemingly small moments can shape the course of a life.

At the center of the film is Claudine Quadrat, whose performance anchors the story from beginning to end. She is joined by an accomplished cast that includes Amirah J (High Potential, Shameless), John O'Hurley (Seinfeld), Jarret Worley (Yellowstone), and Jennifer Fields (General Hospital).

Unlike many short films built around a single moment or scenario, Artifice was designed as a complete narrative, unfolding across multiple locations and characters over its 11-minute runtime.

Shot on Alexa 35 with Kowa Anamorphic lenses by DP Joe Victorine production took place over five days throughout Los Angeles, including locations in Santa Monica and office spaces near LAX. A number of overnights created unique challenges that come with ambitious filmmaking on a limited schedule and budget.

The project further explores the themes that continue to define Jeremy's work as a filmmaker: hidden truths, disrupted identities, and the tension between who we are and who we want to be. Artifice is the first in a planned series of short films connected to the thematic world of Doppel, using the short form to explore ideas that continue to shape the larger feature.

Valkyr is proud to have produced the film and is excited to support Artifice as it continues its journey on the festival circuit.
Learn more at IMDB and drop us a message if you'd like a password to see the film.