First Day Short Film Enters ToruńCAMERIMAGE Showcase
The short film directed by Nikulas Tumi Hlynsson gains recognition at the 2026 ToruńCAMERIMAGE Talent Demo Showcase.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Arthouse
Directed by Nikulas Tumi Hlynsson, the short film First Day has been officially selected for the 2026 ToruńCAMERIMAGE Talent Demo Showcase. The project previously earned a selection at the Reykjavik Film Festival.
Why it matters
The film utilizes cinematography and color grading as narrative tools to reflect emotional repression and the internal experiences of characters within a factory system. Its visual style draws creative inspiration from the works of Vilhelm Hammershøi, René Magritte, and Roy Andersson.
Approximately 65% of the film takes place in a desaturated environment, while colorist Felipe Martínez U. has additionally graded three films for FAMU students.
The players
Nikulas Tumi Hlynsson
He is the director of the short film First Day.
Andrés Botero
He is the cinematographer who captured the film using ARRI technology.
Felipe Martínez U.
He is the colorist who performed the film grading and maintains ties to the FAMU film school.
The details
Cinematographer Andrés Botero shot the film on an ARRI Alexa 35 with Signature Prime lenses, progressing from soft, low-contrast lighting to harder imagery. Felipe Martínez U. handled the color grading in DaVinci Resolve, increasing color saturation as the narrative moves into darkness to visualize character motivations.
Timeline
The film is featured at the 2026 ToruńCAMERIMAGE Talent Demo Showcase.
Felipe Martínez U. plans to visit FAMU next year.
Industry Dynamics
This selection highlights the growing influence of collaborative digital workflows, such as those facilitated by Frame.io, on international student film production. It mirrors the broader shift toward remote post-production integration within prestigious academic programs like FAMU.
Viewers interested in the film can monitor updates from the ToruńCAMERIMAGE festival website for screening times and potential streaming availability. The selection signals to the audience that this work represents a notable example of current international short film trends.
The takeaway
The project demonstrates how technical choices in lighting and color can be used to mirror complex internal emotional states. Aspiring filmmakers can implement these remote collaboration tools to produce high-quality work across international borders.
Further reading
Explore more independent projects in the Arthouse section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by British Cinematographer.
