In the Wake of Tomorrow
Fantasy/Drama Short
Proof of Concept - In Development
In a fractured world where war, division, and destruction reign, an elf burdened by visions of humanity’s collapse must decide if sacrificing her people’s fading magic can save mankind—or if the future is destined to repeat its darkest history.
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Meet the Characters
Discover more about the main characters of our story
Eldara
Role in the Story: Eldara is the leader and the central figure in the quest to use the artifact. She is both the guiding force and the one who must make the ultimate sacrifice to possibly save humanity.
Personality: Eldara is burdened by visions of the future and feels a deep sense of responsibility to save humanity, despite knowing it may come at the cost of her people. She is wise, introspective, and deeply connected to ancient magic. Her calm and thoughtful demeanor often masks the weight of the decision she must make—sacrificing her kind for the greater good.
Talan
Role in the Story: Talan seeks the artifact in hopes of using it to end the war that plagues humanity. He represents the desperate, survival-driven aspect of human nature, struggling with the moral implications of the power they seek.
Personality: Talan is a fierce warrior, driven by his duty to protect his people. He is brave but also impulsive, driven by anger and frustration over the constant destruction and death surrounding him. He often clashes with Eldara’s calm demeanor, as he is more reactive and impatient.
Arina
Role in the Story: Arina is the moral compass of the group, constantly advocating for peace and understanding. Her vision for unity is a driving force, even as the world around her crumbles. She represents the hope for a peaceful future.
Personality: Arina is compassionate and hopeful, always seeking unity and peace. She believes deeply in the potential for humans and elves to live in harmony and acts as a bridge between the two races. Despite her optimism, she carries a deep sadness for the rifts in the world and struggles to reconcile her idealism with the harsh reality of war.
Melor
Role in the Story: Maelor serves as a mentor figure, providing guidance and perspective. He challenges the group’s beliefs and pushes them to consider the consequences of their actions. He represents the old ways, cautioning against reckless use of the artifact’s power.
Personality: Melor is stoic and wise, acting as the voice of reason and history in the group. He is deeply connected to the ancient ways and holds vast knowledge of elven magic, but he is also wary of humanity’s destructive tendencies. Though he supports Eldara, he questions whether the human race deserves saving.
The World Setting
The world in which Eldara, Talan, Arina, and Melor live is one teetering on the edge of collapse. It’s a land once abundant with life, magic, and harmony between different races, but over the centuries, it has become fractured by war, greed, and distrust.
The State of the World:
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Racial Division: The elves and humans live separately, their once-close relationships now eroded by centuries of conflict. While humans are driven by the need for expansion, power, and dominance, the elves have withdrawn into hidden enclaves, trying to protect what little magic they have left. The two races regard each other with mistrust—humans see elves as aloof and cold, while elves view humans as destructive and uncontrollable.
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Elven Society: Elves were once a thriving race, connected deeply to the land and magic. However, most of the elves have chosen to leave the mortal world, traveling to distant realms as their magic fades. Those who remain, like Eldara and Maelor, are the last of their kind, clinging to ancient traditions and wisdom. Their society is built on harmony with nature, but as their numbers dwindle, they struggle to maintain the balance. Magic is sacred, but with each passing year, it weakens, and so does the connection to their world.
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Human Society: Human civilization is fragmented by endless wars over resources, power, and territory. Different human kingdoms wage constant battles against each other, their leaders driven by fear and ambition. The common people suffer under these conflicts, living in fear of invasions, plagues, and famine. Technology is primitive—medieval-style kingdoms with weapons like swords and bows, but the ambitions of human leaders hint at even darker forces at play, including the use of forbidden magic or ancient relics. Humanity is at war not only with itself but with the very land they once thrived on, now burning it for conquest.
Concept Art - Costumes
Writer/Director's Statement
As a lifelong lover of fantasy, I have always been drawn to worlds where magic, ancient wisdom, and epic journeys can transport us beyond our everyday realities. But as much as I adore the genre, I’ve often felt that there aren’t enough fantasy projects being developed today, particularly those that reflect the real-world issues we face. That gap inspired me to create "In the Wake of Tomorrow"—a short film that merges the escapism of fantasy with the pressing conflicts of our modern world.
This story is deeply rooted in my love for Tolkien’s work, where elves represent a higher, more harmonious existence, and humans are driven by powerful, often destructive emotions. Through this project, I wanted to explore the ways that the very things dividing us—race, politics, and religion—could be examined through the lens of fantasy. By doing so, I hoped to craft a narrative that feels both timeless and urgently relevant.
At its core, "In the Wake of Tomorrow" is about the struggle between hope and destruction, about individuals faced with the ultimate choice to sacrifice for the greater good. While the setting is fantastical, the heart of the story reflects the challenges we face in our world today—challenges of division, power struggles, and the desperate search for unity.
I believe that fantasy has the unique power to explore difficult topics in ways that are imaginative, thought-provoking, and accessible to a wide audience. Through Eldara's journey, I hope viewers will see a reflection of our own struggles and be reminded that, even in the darkest times, there is always a flicker of hope.
Diane Nierenberg, Writer/Director