On Rock Solid, I directed a story about two lifelong friends whose bond is tested when one faces a devastating loss. I focused on the tension between silence and loyalty—how people struggle to show up for each other when words fail. Through restrained performances, long takes, and a color palette that shifted from cold blues to muted warmth, I built a visual and emotional rhythm that let their friendship speak through gesture and stillness. The film’s honesty and precision earned it the Best Filmmaker Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.