Humber Polytechnic FMTV PMP
(2026)
When a young child's obsessive rituals are disrupted, a sinister entity emerges, blurring the line between imagination and reality.
Jamie, a meticulous 10-year-old who depends on bedtime routines to feel safe, is thrown off when his dad, Chris, misses the final step in their nightly checklist. That break in stability invites Ocoda, a monster that embodies Jamie’s fears and the emotional gap created by inconsistent parenting. As the night escalates, Jamie is forced to face Ocoda head-on. When he finally confronts it, Ocoda bursts into light. Less like a “defeat” and more like a release. The next morning, Jamie rejects his routine, showing the emotional rupture left behind and hinting at a new, uncertain kind of resilience.
Watch the Trailer
Behind the Scenes
Take a closer look at the making of OCODA.
From early lighting tests to on-set collaboration, this project was built through experimentation, trust, and a shared commitment to bringing an internal experience to life on screen.
The Creative Team Behind OCODA
Special Thanks
Acting Coaches Jordan Belliveau and Rosali Annikie with Dream2Screen Studios
Aidan Hennigar
Karen and Mark Borg
Karim Balbaa
Jennifer Nicol
Anthony Di Donato
Georgina Perez
CREW
Written and Directed by Ashley Balbaa
Produced by Fausto Di Donato
Camera Operator: Oliver Andrews
Boom Operator/Sound Mixer: Maurizio Garaci
Production Designer: Ashley Balbaa
Director of Photography: Fausto Di Donato
Picture and Sound Editor: Ashley Balbaa
Colourist: Fausto Di Donato
CAST
Jacob El'Din Balbaa as Jamie
Diego Dominguez De Garay as Ocoda
Ryan O'Neill as Chris
ADDITONAL INVOLVEMENT
Supervising Faculty: Kate Ellis
FMTV Coordinator: Matthew Kennedy
Additional 1st Year Faculty:
David Bezmozgis
Gordon Burkell
Eric Cator
Diana Golts
Nathan Hughes-Berry
Austin Mateka
Ajla Odobašić
Andrew Stevenson
Additional FMTV Faculty:
Faculty of Media & Creative Arts
Senior Dean: Guillermo Acosta
Associate Dean: Larisa Duravetz
Technical and Admin Support Staff:
Alexandra Burdzy
Belinda Cunha
Michael Gilman
John Hryszkiewicz
Aasim Manji
Megan Naylor
Kibae Park