‘What It Feels Like’, written and directed by Miri Lyn, is a comedy/drama short set during Christmas in Miami, capturing one man’s urgent attempt to bring hope back to a neighborhood that’s lost its spirit. The film follows Florida, a local figure with deep ties to his community, who races against a 24-hour deadline to secure land for a revitalization project that promises lasting change. It’s a story about giving back, but more importantly, about pushing through disillusionment when belief starts to fade.
Florida’s voice opens the film, reflecting on his childhood and the joy his mother once spread during the holidays. Her tradition of handing out peach baskets becomes a quiet symbol of care, now nearly forgotten. With his neighborhood fraying at the edges, Florida sets out to reignite that same warmth. He pulls in his old friends – Slim, TJ, and Lil Eddy – each shaped by the city in different ways, but united by memory and loyalty.
The short finds its rhythm in the contrasts: urgency and patience, cynicism and optimism, chaos and care. Moments of absurdity – a stoner Uber driver, for instance – never cheapen the tone but instead show how fractured the community has become. At its core, the film treats kindness not as a sentimental gesture but as real work that requires hustle, coordination, and faith.
Visually, it’s an impressive effort for a low-budget production. The cinematography by Bryce Vaughn captures Miami with warmth and grit. The pacing holds up well, balancing comedic detours with the film’s larger emotional drive.
It ends on a hopeful note, not through spectacle but through connection. ‘What It Feels Like’ succeeds by keeping its heart close to the ground. It’s about the people, not the project – about remembering that the best gifts don’t come wrapped, but show up when it counts.
