We were lucky to catch up with Domonique ZEN recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Domonique thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

One of the most significant projects I’ve recently completed is writing the short film Never Can Say Goodbye. This poignant film takes audiences on a journey through the complex emotions of grief, love, and acceptance, capturing the universal struggle of letting go. Growing up in South Florida, I’ve faced numerous losses, which compelled me to explore my own grief through this story.
The film delves into the five stages of grief, highlighting the importance of loving and losing rather than never loving at all. Ultimately, it conveys the message that healing is essential for growth.

This film was born from losing my Grandma and Abuela to Alzheimer’s and from the pain of not being there when they left. I watched their decline closely, yet when the moment came, I was far away, carrying my grief quietly until my work ended.

Their memory still guides me, and the heartbreak of unfinished goodbyes shaped “Never Can Say Goodbye.” Through Delia’s journey, I share how grief isn’t simple and how love continues beyond the physical world. I hope this story encourages honest conversations about loss and brings comfort to anyone finding their way through it.

Creating “Never Can Say Goodbye” has been one of the most personal projects of my career. This film is an exploration of grief, love, and acceptance, themes deeply meaningful to me due to my experiences with loss. Growing up in South Florida, I faced numerous personal losses, compelling me to explore the universal struggle of letting go. The screenplay became a vessel for my emotions and reflections on the stages of grief, emphasizing the importance of loving and losing versus never loving at all. Through these emotional landscapes, we learn to heal and grow. I feel so blessed to see that others can related and see what I was trying to craft here when it comes to love, loss and Letting Go.

Acknowledgments and Gratitude

A heartfelt shout-out to Indie Short Film Festival, Independent Shorts Awards, Boston Indie Film Festival, and Chicago Film Festival, along with everyone else who connected with my writing. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. What I love about the film festival circuit is the invaluable feedback from the judges. Their analysis helps refine and elevate one’s work, making it even better. Your support and insights mean the world to me.

Personal Reflections

This project has been cathartic, especially in processing the loss of my grandparents, both of whom passed from Alzheimer’s. When they died, I was working on set and unable to mourn until my job was done. This inability to say goodbye motivated the screenplay. In time, I realized they never truly left me; their spirit and teachings continue to shape my life. “Never Can Say Goodbye” is not just a film, but a hope to open doors to deeper conversations about grief and healing, encouraging others to reflect on their experiences with love and loss.

Through this film, I aim to convey that grieving is a non-linear, deeply personal process, with no one-size-fits-all approach to healing. I hope that sharing Delia’s story will resonate with audiences, inviting them to explore their emotions and find solace in knowing we are never truly alone in our grief

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi, I am Domonique Zen, a versatile artist from Miami who travels between NYC, Miami, and Atlanta. Starting my artistic journey at age eight, I identify primarily as an actor but also engages in dance, directing, and writing, focusing on identity and personal growth. My vision is to create authentic narratives that inspire reflection. Upcoming projects include a documentary titled Just Dance, a collaboration with award-winning filmmaker Chadé Edney Social Media: @chardeedneyfilm.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

After leaving college filled with dreams, I fell into an unfulfilling routine that led to weight gain, lack of motivation, and a fading passion for the arts. Depression set in, forcing me to confront unrealistic expectations I had placed on myself. A turning point came when I decided to reclaim my narrative by reconnecting with joyful activities and supportive people, and planning my return to New York City. This transition was challenging but necessary, as I learned that my worth isn’t tied to a conventional path. Ultimately, I rediscovered my passion and understood that success and happiness are personal journeys that must align with one’s true self.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Rediscovering Myself
Reflecting on my journey, one of the most pivotal lessons I had to unlearn was the notion that success and happiness are strictly linear paths. This realization came during a challenging phase in my life, right after graduating from college. I found myself stuck in a job that I wasn’t passionate about, living in a city that felt unfamiliar, and grappling with a sense of disconnection from who I truly was.
Returning to NYC was like stepping into the light after a long darkness. I felt invigorated, ready to create, and excited for the future. This experience taught me resilience and the importance of staying true to myself, no matter where life takes me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/domonique._zen_
• Instagram: @domonique._zen_
• Facebook: DOMONIQUE ZEN

Image Credits

3 – Selfies

Art Work for my Film Festival- 2026 by Domonique Zen

Glasses pic- Photographer (NYC) Shani Hadjian

Braids – Last Pic – Photographer( Miami, Florida) Dmitry Zhitov