Sometimes, the people who help us recover from heartbreak are not the ones who promise to make everything better. They are the friends who show up, listen, and remind us that life continues beyond the relationships we have lost.
That emotional foundation shapes Nostalgia Twice, a 25-minute, 46-second short film written into the 2026 Peachtree Village International Film Festival (PVIFF) finalist lineup.
Directed and produced by Erin Johnell Dickey, the film follows Summer, a woman still navigating the emotional aftermath of heartbreak.
Seeking a moment of comfort and familiarity, Summer invites her closest friends, Kraze and Zarley, to spend a quiet Friday evening together. What begins as an intimate gathering is intended to provide laughter, honest conversation and the reassurance that she does not have to face her recovery alone.
Featuring Asha Helaire, Quayvious Millines, Star Miles, Ashley Elmm and Robert Bishop IV, Nostalgia Twice joins the PVIFF 2026 competition ahead of the festival’s Nov. 5-8 gathering in Atlanta.
A Friday Night Built Around Friendship
At the center of Nostalgia Twice is Summer, a woman attempting to find emotional stability after a painful romantic experience.
The relationship that once occupied an important place in her life has left an emotional imprint, making the process of moving forward more complicated than simply deciding to begin again.
Rather than retreating entirely into isolation, Summer creates an opportunity to reconnect with people who know her well.
Her Friday Night In brings together Kraze and Zarley, two close friends whose presence offers a sense of familiarity during a period of personal uncertainty.
The evening is intended to become a sanctuary from the emotional weight Summer has been carrying.
Honest conversation, familiar warmth and shared laughter provide the foundation for an experience centered on reassurance and connection.
The film’s premise places friendship at the heart of the recovery process, exploring how meaningful relationships outside romantic partnerships can provide support when a person’s sense of self has been shaken.
Finding Yourself After Heartbreak
One of the central themes of Nostalgia Twice is the challenge of rebuilding personal identity after the end of a relationship.
Heartbreak can leave people questioning not only what went wrong but also who they are outside the emotional circumstances that shaped their lives.
For Summer, the gathering represents an opportunity to reconnect with a sense of normalcy.
The presence of Kraze and Zarley offers more than companionship. Their friendship creates an environment in which Summer can begin addressing the emotional consequences of her experience without having to navigate those feelings entirely on her own.
The story’s emphasis on conversation and familiar relationships introduces an important distinction between recovering from heartbreak and immediately seeking another romantic connection.
Healing may involve rediscovering personal interests, rebuilding confidence and recognizing the importance of relationships that continue to provide stability.
Through Summer’s circumstances, Nostalgia Twice approaches those experiences from the perspective of someone still in the middle of that process.
The Comfort of Being Understood
While romantic relationships frequently serve as the central focus of relationship-driven dramas, Nostalgia Twice shifts attention toward the friendships that help people navigate emotional transitions.
The film’s intimate premise provides room to explore the value of being understood by people who have witnessed different chapters of one’s life.
For Summer, spending an evening with her closest friends becomes a way of reconnecting with the person she was before heartbreak began influencing how she viewed herself.
The gathering also raises a broader question about emotional recovery: How much of healing comes from finding answers, and how much comes from knowing that others are willing to remain present while those answers are still taking shape?
Rather than presenting friendship as an instant solution to personal pain, the film’s premise emphasizes companionship as an important source of support.
With a runtime of 25 minutes and 46 seconds, Nostalgia Twice brings this character-centered story to the short-film format, using an intimate gathering as the foundation for exploring resilience, vulnerability and human connection.
Meet the Filmmaker and Cast
Erin Johnell Dickey serves as both director and producer of Nostalgia Twice.
The film features an ensemble cast that includes Asha Helaire, Quayvious Millines, Star Miles, Ashley Elmm and Robert Bishop IV.
Its narrative centers on Summer and her closest friends, Kraze and Zarley, as they navigate an evening intended to provide emotional comfort following a difficult period in Summer’s life.
The production’s selection as a PVIFF finalist places it among the independent films recognized for the festival’s 2026 competition.
PVIFF Finalists Compete Through Judging and Audience Engagement
The 2026 Peachtree Village International Film Festival is incorporating professional judging and audience participation into its finalist evaluation process.
Under the festival’s announced scoring structure, 70% of each finalist’s overall competition score will come from evaluations by judges representing PVIFF and JaroGO. The remaining 30% will be determined by audience engagement through the JaroGO streaming platform.
Participating finalist films are scheduled to be available on JaroGO during a limited competition viewing period, allowing audiences to watch, rate, and comment on the selected productions.
The initiative gives independent filmmakers additional visibility while extending the festival experience beyond traditional theatrical screenings.
JaroGO is available on iOS and Android in the United States and Canada.
About the 2026 Peachtree Village International Film Festival
Founded in 2005, the Peachtree Village International Film Festival has developed into a platform connecting independent filmmakers, actors, producers, writers and entertainment professionals with audiences and industry opportunities.
Operating under its guiding philosophy, “It Takes a Village,” PVIFF combines film screenings and awards with professional development opportunities, industry panels, masterclasses and networking experiences.
The 2026 festival will take place Nov. 5-8 in Atlanta, Georgia, continuing its commitment to supporting independent voices and expanding access within the entertainment industry.
Nostalgia Twice enters this year’s competition as an official finalist, with award results to be determined through the festival’s judging and audience-engagement process.
For additional information about PVIFF 2026, visit https://www.pviffatl.com/.
Film at a Glance
Title: Nostalgia Twice
Director: Erin Johnell Dickey
Producer: Erin Johnell Dickey
Cast: Asha Helaire, Quayvious Millines, Star Miles, Ashley Elmm, Robert Bishop IV
Runtime: 25 minutes, 46 seconds
Festival Status: Official Finalist — PVIFF 2026
Festival Dates: Nov. 5-8, 2026
Festival Location: Atlanta, Georgia
