Alyssa Standen is a writer/director whose work on ‘Trashy‘ reveals a strikingly assured and distinctive voice in contemporary filmmaking. She approaches the story with a boldness that avoids sugarcoating the gritty realities of adolescence in a small rural town. Her writing captures the complexity of youth – its innocence and curiosity – with sharp, natural dialogue and a narrative that feels universal.

As a director, she displays a confident command of tone and pacing, expertly balancing the film’s darker themes with moments of tender vulnerability and teenage recklessness. She crafts a visual rhythm that moves seamlessly from quiet reflection to chaotic energy, allowing the characters and their struggles room to breathe and evolve. Standen’s ability to elicit deeply authentic performances from her young cast – particularly in emotionally charged scenes – demonstrates her skill in guiding actors without heavy-handedness, trusting their instincts and the strength of the script.

Alyssa Standen holds a steady hand in portraying the harshness of her setting while never losing sight of the humanity at the film’s core. With ‘Trashy’, Standen stakes her claim as a filmmaker with a fearless approach to storytelling and a sharp eye for emotional truth, making her one to watch.