lostless1.jpg

Lostless

Summary

Lostless is a 2023 narrative short film directed and shot by Dustin James Leighton, exploring the mind of a young woman seeking peace from the phantoms that haunt her. Recognized for its psychological depth and visual storytelling, the film has earned acclaim from American Cinematographer, MovieMaker Magazine, and other industry voices.

The film’s narrative is expressed through cinematography, lighting, and composition, with an emphasis on dreamlike visuals and emotional texture. Dustin’s dual role as director and director of photography ensures a cohesive, immersive cinematic experience that balances the real and imagined worlds.

Trailer

Awards

  • “Dustin James Leighton’s “Lostless” extend[s] this theme to existential exploration, emphasizing human fragility amidst disaster and the transformative power of the human psyche.”

    - American Cinematographer

  • “‘Lostless’ tells a powerful story without words, with captivating performances by Soto and Morrison, and expertly crafted sound design by Abbot Miller. A unique voice in contemporary cinema, the film serves as a testament to Leighton's boundless creativity and artistic vision, inviting viewers on a journey of introspection and self-discovery.”

    - MovieMaker Magazine

  • "Dustin James Leighton's ‘Lostless’ is a triumph of subjective cinema, wherein the director's skilled hand masterfully crafts a psychological dreamscape reminiscent of Bergman's "Persona" and Villeneuve's "Blade Runner 2049" . . . Leighton's ‘Lostless’ is a profound exploration of self, identity, and the human psyche. A visual and emotional tour-de-force, it is a testament to the power of cinema as a medium for exploring the human condition."

    - Raúl Asensio Diez

  • “In the age of relentless visual stimulation and digital cacophony, Dustin James Leighton's ‘Lostless’ emerges as a breath of fresh air . . . [the film] could easily draw parallels to the ethereal works of Wim Wenders or Terrence Malick, but it firmly establishes itself as a unique voice in contemporary cinema. In a way, Leighton's film is a love letter to the transformative power of imagination and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.”

    - Adrian Perez

Stills

Credits

Producer: The Artist’s Den, Inc

Director/Director of Photography: Dustin James Leighton

Sound Mix: Abbott Miller/AMP Studios AZ

Featuring: Jade Soto and Mitch Morrison

Director’s Statement

"I am enthralled by the beauty of the mind’s imagination and how it can warp and transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, creating both utopias and monsters that exist solely in the psyche. Lostless explores this subject, following the confused mind of a young woman adrift in the modern world, seeking an imaginary land and peace from the phantoms that haunt her.

The piece began as a personal challenge to create a silent film that took place in another world with a minimal budget. As a developing cinematographer, I relied upon strong visuals to create a dreamworld that juxtaposed dramatic dark shadows and gritty hall lights (the modern world) against sweeping shots of the Arizona desert (her imaginary land). Everything within this dreamworld was created in-house, by-hand: from the protagonist’s dress, which began as an Amazon dance skirt and some old paint, to the color grade and sound design."

Press Kit