Trouble in Mind
(2026)
Trouble in Mind tels the story about Lucille, a 14-year-old alligator, who embarks on a life-changing summer tour with her estranged father, Bill, a charismatic blues guitarist. Eager to reconnect, Lucille joins Bill and his band as a roadie, hoping the shared experience will bring them closer. Her dream is to bond with him through music, especially by learning to play his iconic hit, Cold Blooded Woman. But as the tour unfolds, Lucille realizes that life off-stage isn’t as polished as the spotlight. The deeper she dives into Bill’s world, the more she uncovers the emotional truth behind his music and the complicated man behind the guitar.
CREDITS
Director & writer: Marlyn Spaaij
Producer: Jeroen Zijlstra, Marlyn Spaaij, Jantiene de Kroon
Production Company: Stichting 5 A.M. Films
Script coach: Nadja Dumouchel
Storyboard: Marlyn Spaaij
Concept art: Marlyn Spaaij
Backrgound artist: Carmel Ben Ami
INFO
Running time: 12 min
Expected release date: 2025
Country: the Netherlands
Technique: 2D computer/2D analogue
Target audience: Young adults 12-18
Genre: coming-of-age
Process
Trouble in Mind is Marlyn Spaaij’s 12 minute 2D short film. The film has been in development since 2015, writing the script and working on the storyboards. The project got selected for European Short Pitch 2016 and won the prize for best pitch.
The film is currently in production and is expected to be finished late 2025. The project is supported financially by the Netherlands Film Fund and AFK (Amsterdam Fonds voor de Kunst).
