Austin-based filmmaker Olivia Nash makes her debut with “Hi.,” a genuine fresh feature film. Released Nov.1, 2025, the film is now streaming on Apple TV and Prime Video.
The film takes place in a coastal town that is surrounded by somber and affection. Promotional materials describe the film as a journey of forfeiture and love, as well as a look at the hardship that comes with forgiveness. With delicate acting and inward-looking storytelling, the film draws people into the separate but equal worlds of two writers — Lavender Lark, played by Nash, and Dylan Odair, played by Paul Grant — whose worlds collide during one life-changing summer.
“‘Hi.’ is a story that lives in the silence between words and the spaces between people,” Nash said. “It’s about the courage it takes to love and reconnect, even when the weight of grief, fear, or failure feels overwhelming.”
Behind the Scenes
“Hi.” is a coming-of-age love story that follows three different romances and the things you can learn through the process of forgiveness. Throughout the film, the audience watches Lavender, a young author coming back home to deal with conflict between herself and her mom, and Dylan, a stumbling author dealing with the loss of his father and taking on the role as a caregiver for his mother.
Nash said in an interview that the story was partly inspired by firsthand experiences. “I wrote this in 2020, during a time when I kind of used screenwriting as a form of therapy,” she said. “There are fictional elements, but a lot of it comes from wanting to talk about things I had trouble saying out loud.”
“You can’t always control what happens,” Nash said, “but you can choose how you respond — and forgive yourself for the moments you didn’t.”
The Vision Behind a Director’s Eyes
Nash’s passion for filmmaking traces its roots back to the stage, with a degree in business from Texas State University (2018) and a strong theater background in acting. She later created her own production company, Fox Adrift Productions, which she funded herself, then made her way to directing and screenwriting.
“I’ve always loved movies since I was little,” she said. “Even when I played pretend as a kid, I was directing my friends without realizing it.”
Nash’s creative nature gradually transformed into directing. Now she focuses on character and emotion more than performance. “I’m a story-based director,” she said. “I focus in with the actors because of my acting background. The technical side was a learning process, but collaboration really brought it to life.”
Nash worked with her production designer Dakota Millet and cinematographer Daniel to create a sunny, summery display that shows layers of emotion over time. “On the surface, everything looks beautiful,” she said. “But once we move inside the characters’ homes, we start to see that life isn’t always as perfect as it seems.”
The creation of “Hi.”
The team filmed in 2020 in Massachusetts and Texas. Although they faced several difficulties, like unexpected weather delays and a tight production schedule, Nash said that the cast worked through each struggle.
“Moviemaking is full of challenges,” she said. “We had rainstorms in Texas when it’s usually blazing hot. But every time something changed, the team came together to make it work. It really was a collective effort.”
Casting also played a big part in the making of the film. Nash held an open casting call in Texas in hopes to bring attention to local capability. “I wanted to showcase Texas actors,” she said. “Finding people who not only looked like a family on screen but who really understood the characters emotionally was so important.”
Bringing eyes to the cause
Beyond the plot, “Hi.” has a central message that focuses on mental health — something that Nash thinks is an important topic that should have more recognition.
“I want people to be able to say how they feel, even if those thoughts are negative,” she said. “It’s okay not to be okay. We all experience mental health in some form, and it doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it’s quiet and unseen.”
“Hi.” gives viewers an opportunity to look within. “Everyone will connect to something different,” Nash said. “Maybe it helps them reflect, maybe it gives them the confidence to talk about what they’re feeling — but I just hope it opens a conversation.”
Where to stream
“Hi.” released Nov. 1, 2025, and is available now on Apple TV and Prime Video. For more information, visit hithemovie.com.
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