Short Film

Running From The Edge

Sarah Kavarnos

New Britain, CT

Advisor: Justin Liberman

Artist Bio

Sarah Kavarnos is a Connecticut-based filmmaker in her senior year at the University of Connecticut pursuing a BFA in Digital Film and Video Production. With a background in mental healthcare and a passion for socially impactful storytelling, Sarah strives to illuminate underrepresented issues and explore the complexities of the human experience.

Sarah’s work walks the line between narrative fiction and documentary film. Through her documentary work, Sarah sheds light on important, often unexplored topics, such as violence against healthcare workers. In her narrative work, Sarah explores these same themes through emotionally resonant dramas. Sarah is eager to grow as a creative, gaining hands-on production experience and honing skills in writing, research, and collaboration. Whether behind the camera or at the keyboard, she is committed to creating meaningful work inspired by her lived experiences that connects with audiences and drives change.

Artist Statement

Running From the Edge is a fictionalized retelling of my own high school experience that follows the story of Amelia, a fifteen-year-old girl caught self-harming in school. Through unlikely mentorship, Amelia discovers that athletics can provide not only structure but also a lifeline, offering her tools to confront pain and slowly reclaim agency over her life. A Body in Motion explores the intersection between vulnerability and discipline, showing how the repetition of practice, the act of showing up, and the support of a coach can foster growth and healing in ways that are often overlooked.

This film is a deeply personal project that engages with themes of mental health, mentorship, and the quiet but powerful ways that adults can shape the trajectory of young people’s lives. It emphasizes realism and restraint, avoiding sensationalism in favor of authenticity. Ultimately, Running From the Edge highlights the value of coaches, teachers and mentors who go beyond their roles, revealing how sports can become a conduit for hope and resilience.