By Juan Markos
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 09/28/2026
First Death is an avant-garde exploration of life, death, and everything in between. Written and directed by Alyssa Lerner, the film centers around Margot, portrayed by Kimia Behpoornia. It begins at the moment of her inception, where she is a soul chosen to live on Earth. In this realm of inception, which is neither here nor there, there are two soul keepers, angels or perhaps gods known simply as Three and Seven, played by Dylan Mulvaney and Kiko Soiree. They provide a brief overview of life before sending her to Earth.
Margot is born as a baby, and we quickly witness her transformation from toddler to teenager, ultimately leading to adulthood, where she finds love. Shortly afterward, she dies and finds herself back with Three and Seven in the other realm. Initially ambivalent about her time on Earth, she suddenly yearns to return the moment her life ends. However, it is not that simple; she must now serve the system that brought her to life before being allowed another chance to live.
Assigned the role of a portal keeper, Margot returns to Earth and haunts some individuals. She enjoys moments of fun with girls who are playing with a Ouija board before visiting Leah, her love from life, played by Vic Michaelis. Margot watches Leah live her life with her boyfriend and becomes determined to bring her back essentially wanting Leah to die so they can be reunited. As Leah lies on her deathbed, Margot stays by her side, but Three intervenes, explaining that she cannot interfere with Leah’s life, as it is still worth living. Initially unable to grasp this, Margot ultimately leaves Leah behind and visits her heartbroken parents. She makes her presence known to them, and they find solace in dancing as she transforms into light once again.
The cycle begins anew. First Death evokes a quote from the great poet Omar Khayyam: “Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.” This short film is short and sweet, much like life itself. It serves as a reminder that life is fleeting, and we must strive to fulfill our souls’ desires. Live life to the fullest, and remember that sometimes, the people we encounter in this realm are in our lives for a reason.
First Death will screen at this year’s Hollywood Queer Short Film Festival from October 2-4 at The Historic Hudson Theater. For tickets and more information, please visit: https://hqsff.com/
