D1. Best Directing (Nominee)
Doomscroll
From Jefferson Geronimo
In the quiet corners of a bathroom, a young man sits into the familiar comfort of mindless scrolling. As minutes blur into an endless stream of content, the outside world slowly fades into the background. Drawn deeper into the glow of his screen, he becomes increasingly detached from his surroundings, losing his sense of time, presence, and reality.
A dialogue-free psychological experimental short exploring digital dependency, isolation, and the fragile boundary between connection and escape.
Good day. My name is Jeff Geronimo from South Melbourne, Victoria. I am currently studying at RMIT University, and my short film, Doomscroll, was shortlisted and nominated for Best Directing. As a brand advertising and documentary filmmaker, I rarely create narrative micro-short films. Making this project reminded me of how powerful a five-minute film can be in expressing ideas, evoking emotions, and sparking reflection. This experience has inspired me to continue exploring narrative storytelling and creating films that connect with audiences. I am grateful for this recognition and the opportunity to share my work.
What inspired you and your work?
The inspiration for Doomscroll came from a conversation in class about how easily we become absorbed by our phones. What often begins as a quick glance can quietly turn into minutes or even hours of endless scrolling. I became fascinated by how automatic this behavior has become, a kind of muscle memory that keeps our minds constantly stimulated, even when we are no longer sure whether it is bringing us satisfaction.
As I explored the idea further, I came across research by Ramprasad et al. (2025), which found that smartphone users tend to spend significantly longer periods on the toilet than non-smartphone users. I found this particularly interesting because the bathroom is one of the few places where we are completely alone with our thoughts, yet many of us choose to fill that space with an endless stream of content.
This observation became the foundation of the film. Rather than judging technology or smartphone use, I wanted to create a self-reflective experience that examines our relationship with digital consumption, time, and attention. Through a simple and familiar situation, the film invites viewers to consider how often they find themselves disconnected from the present moment while immersed in a screen.
Ultimately, Doomscroll was inspired by a behavior that feels increasingly universal. My hope is that the film encourages audiences to pause for a moment and reflect on how much time they spend looking down at their phones and what they might be missing while doing so.