Michigan Filmmaking Finds Its Voice in the Silence – “A Quiet Winter”

In the dead of winter, silence can feel louder than any storm — and in A Quiet Winter, the newest short film from director Daniel Duane, that silence becomes the story’s most powerful voice.

From Left to Right: Nick Stevenson (Sound Operator), Daniel Duane (Director) , and Adam Sally (Cinematographer), on the set of "A Quiet Winter."

Now streaming on Vimeo (watch here), A Quiet Winter is a quiet, emotionally resonant short about solitude, memory, and inner strength. Set against the stark, snow-laden landscape of rural Michigan, the film follows a young woman in emotional retreat — finding herself in the stillness of a world that seems to have frozen over.

At the heart of the story is Michigan native Acacia Bergin, whose raw and intimate performance brings a grounded humanity to the film. While her character remains mostly silent on screen, her voice guides the film through a poetic, reflective narration that adds depth and texture to every image. Through subtle expressions and presence, Bergin delivers a performance that lingers long after the screen fades to black.

Shot entirely on location in the thick of Michigan’s winter, the production embraced sub-freezing temperatures that shaped every moment of the shoot. “We were working in 20-degree weather most days,” Duane recalls. “Batteries died quickly, fingers went numb, and time was tight — but it made the world feel real. The cold isn’t just background; it’s part of the emotion.”

The cinematography, led by Adam Sally, captures that frigid poetry with stunning elegance. Filmed on the Sony FX3, the team leaned heavily on the camera’s low-light capabilities to create a naturalistic, moody look. “We used available light for a lot of scenes,” Duane explains. “The FX3 gave us the freedom to shoot into dusk or pre-dawn without worrying about losing the image. It let us embrace the quiet moments without artificial gloss.”

A Quiet Winter was produced under Mad Foxes Film Club, Duane’s independent creative collective dedicated to bold, character-driven storytelling. Learn more about the group’s mission at www.danielduanetv.com/madfoxesfilmclub.

But beyond the artistry, this film carries a message of creative resilience. Despite the lack of competitive film incentives in the state, Duane and his team are part of a new wave of filmmakers proving that Michigan cinema is alive and well — and worthy of global attention.

“This was a small production with a small crew and no shortcuts,” Duane says. “And yet, we’re telling stories with just as much heart as anywhere else. Michigan filmmakers are still here. Still making. Still thriving.”

A Quiet Winter is more than a film — it’s a quiet protest, a love letter to Midwest storytelling, and a testament to the power of doing more with less. In its stillness, it speaks volumes.

WATCH HERE