A FILM BY MICHEL PASCAL

TheQuietIngredient

Some things nourish more than the body.

WITH CHEF AVA MALAZIAN & MICHEL PASCAL

Discover the film
2026   /   SHORT DOCUMENTARY   /   31:49SCROLL TO DISCOVER
AUDIENCE AWARDIndiewood Film FestivalBest Short Documentary · 2026
WINNERNew York Movie AwardsBest Short Documentary · August 2026
SILVER AWARDHollywood Gold AwardsShort Documentary · August 2026

01 / THE FILM

What we bring
to the table.

A chef. A meditation teacher.
A meal with meaning.

Chef Ava Malazian and wellness expert Michel Pascal come together to prepare a special dinner for an extraordinary guest.

At its heart is an invitation to slow down. To bring care to the act of cooking, attention to the person across the table, and a little more presence to the everyday.

Meet Ava & Michel
FORMAT
Short documentary
RUNNING TIME
31 minutes, 49 seconds
DIRECTOR
Michel Pascal
THE QUIET INGREDIENT CONCEPT POSTER

THE SPIRIT OF THE FILM

Nourishment begins
with presence.

There is a kind of generosity that cannot be measured.
The care in our hands. The attention we give.
The simple act of making something for someone else.

FOOD. STILLNESS. CONNECTION.

02 / THE PEOPLE

Two practices.
One shared table.

The art of nourishment meets
the practice of being here.

Chef Ava Malazian
“The trick is to go slow within the rush.”
AVA MALAZIAN · JUST 15 MINUTES

FEATURED CHEF

Ava Malazian

Chef. Host. Culinary educator.

A private and retreat chef, Ava approaches cooking as an act of care. Her work brings food, hospitality, and mindful attention together, creating space for people to feel nourished and connected.

In The Quiet Ingredient, she brings that intention to the table alongside Michel Pascal.

Hear Ava in conversation
Filmmaker and meditation teacher Michel Pascal with hands togetherTHE PRACTICE OF PRESENCE

DIRECTOR & FEATURED WELLNESS EXPERT

Michel Pascal

Filmmaker. Meditation teacher. Author.

Michel works across film, meditation, and music. His creative practice explores the inner life and the human connections that sustain us.

His films include We Are Never Alone. With The Quiet Ingredient, his work meets Ava’s approach to food and hospitality.

Explore Michel’s work

03 / RECOGNITION

A quiet film.
A lasting impression.

Festival recognition for
The Quiet Ingredient.

ON THE BIG SCREEN

TCL Chinese 6 Theatres

Hollywood, California · September 12, 2026
Indiewood Film Festival

Festival program
BEYOND THIS FILMMichel Pascal’s wider film work

We Are Never Alone

Michel Pascal’s feature has also received international recognition, including a Gold Award at the New York Movie Awards and a Gold Award at the Milan Gold Awards, as listed by M5M Studio. These honors belong to We Are Never Alone.

Explore the feature’s recognition

04 / CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION

There’s a place
at the table.

For press, screening, and distribution inquiries about The Quiet Ingredient.

Get in touch Inquiries coordinated by Lucrascale

The Quiet Ingredient · Concept poster

Full concept poster for The Quiet IngredientDownload concept poster ↓

Sources & credits

The film’s running time, director, and featured participants are listed in the 2026 Indiewood Film Festival program. Award details link to the organizers’ published results.

Hero artwork and poster are original AI-generated concepts for this website, not production stills. Final film imagery and credits will be supplied by the filmmakers.

Portrait references: Ava’s public Instagram profile and Michel’s appearance on The Pauly Cast. Ava’s quote is from her June 2026 appearance on Just 15 Minutes.