“The Shift”, Interview with director Amalie Maria Nielsen

July 19, 2023

Amalie Maria Nielsen, director of The Shift, a delicate film about the encounters that influence our life

"The Shift", Interview with director Amalie Maria Nielsen Federica Scarpa

Podcast | Download

In Amalie Maria Nielsen’s film The Shift, Milo, who lives in a community for troubled girls and who is going through a gender transition, meets Nicki, the only person who sees him for who he really is and supports him. However, things are about to change.

The short film by Amalie Maria Nielsen, presented at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival in the Future Frames section, is, according to the director, a queer film which, however, does not focus on the gender transition of the protagonist, but on the encounter with those people, who in life they push you to be who you really want, supporting you.

Plot of The Shift: Milo lives in a home for wayward girls. While the other residents struggle with their problematic behavior, Milo is fighting a much bigger battle, for they are seeking to transition behind the walls of the institution. The only person who notices their change and is supportive is Nicki, an attendant at the home who is Milo’s male role model and also the person onto whom they project their desired identity. But the institution’s walls are too thin for Milo not to hear a rumor that turns their life upside down. More than an exploration of the fragile nature of gender identity, The Shift above all looks at the importance of having a source of support at times when our perception of ourselves is changing.
<span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span>

Written by: Federica Scarpa

Guest

Amalie Maria Nielsen

Film

The Shift

Festival

Karlovy Vary Film Festival

Rate it

Channel posts

News

Mostra del Cinema di Venezia

Venice Film Festival 2026 winners: Woman Unknown takes the Golden Lion

September 13, 2026

A double victory for Woman Unknown, major prizes for established auteurs and a strong showing for political cinema, new talent and Italian performers. The complete verdict of the Venice Film Festival 2026.

Interview

Mostra del Cinema di Venezia

“Queer Edward”, interview with director Theo Rollason and film advisor Peter Tatchell

September 12, 2026

Presented out of competition in the Open section of Venice 83, Theo Rollason and Peter Tatchell trace Derek Jarman's legacy and today's fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Queer Edward II

Interview

Mostra del Cinema di Venezia

“Listy-Letters from the Silenced Country”, interview with director Andrei Kutsila

September 12, 2026 2

"Listy-Letters from the Silenced Country" by director Andrei Kutsila reveals intimate stories of Belarusian prisoners and exiles, giving voice to resilience and hope amid repression.

Interview

Mostra del Cinema di Venezia

“Guria”, interview with director Levan Koguashvili and producer Boris Frumin

September 12, 2026 2

"Guria" by director Levan Koguashvili offers a captivating blend of humor and tragedy set in 90s Georgia, highlighting human resilience and authentic stories from post-Soviet times.

LISTEN

“The Shift”, Interview with director Amalie Maria Nielsen

Amalie Maria Nielsen, director of The Shift, a delicate film about the encounters that influence our life

Channel posts

Venice Film Festival 2026 winners: Woman Unknown takes the Golden Lion

“Queer Edward”, interview with director Theo Rollason and film advisor Peter Tatchell

“Listy-Letters from the Silenced Country”, interview with director Andrei Kutsila

“Guria”, interview with director Levan Koguashvili and producer Boris Frumin

Recent Posts