NICOLE GIROUX

Writer / Director

• Nominated for Best Director of a Short Film at the New York CineFest 2026

• Nominated for Best Short Film at the Crystal Palace International Film Festival 2026

I am in the midst of an inspiring run on the Film Festival circuit in the States and Europe. Along with earning multiple selections, my film has been nominated for Best Short Film as well as Best Director of a Short Film. As this is my first film I was overwhelmed by the response and connection that The Piano Tuner generated. I believe that music can help bring harmony and understanding and am honored that I have the chance to share this story.

Raised in Paris in a family devoted to the arts, I grew up surrounded by film, music, and performance. My father was an international film producer honored with an Academy Award, and my mother was a successful actress and singer. I made my screen debut alongside Gérard Depardieu and Jean Gabin in L'Affaire Dominici, and trained from an early age in dance, acting, and voice, later appearing in Waiting for Godot in Toronto and several Off-Broadway productions. These early experiences naturally led to my interest in creating short films of my own.

After years of studying acting and immersing myself in the world of theater — especially the plays and stories I loved most — I gradually found my voice as a writer. That path led me to create my short film, The Piano Tuner, inspired by a story shared with me that quietly took root and grew into something more. It became the seed for a film about a woman who awakens to her own freedom through a subtle spark of connection with another person — a moment shaped by empathy and sound. I write about the human desire for deep love and acceptance. At its heart, the film reflects how a fleeting exchange can transform a life forever.