Cinematic montage of Chef Ava, cooking in the kitchen, and a moment of reflection around the table.

An award-winning short documentary

The Quiet
Ingredient

Name: The Quiet Ingredient
Director: Michel Pascal
Genre: Documentary
Duration: 31 min 49 s
Cast: Ava Malazian, Michel Pascal

A film by Michel Pascal

Some things nourish more than the body.

Chef Ava Malazian and Michel Pascal prepare a special dinner for an extraordinary guest.

Discover the film Explore the awards

An invitation to slow down, be more present, and find connection in sharing a meal.

Audience AwardBest Short DocumentaryIndiewood Film Festival · 2026 Best Short DocumentaryNew York Movie AwardsAugust 2026 Silver AwardShort DocumentaryHollywood Gold Awards · August 2026

THE QUIET INGREDIENT

Trailer & poster.

TRAILER

Coming soon.

A glimpse into the kitchen, the conversation, and the care that brings a meal to life.

For broadcasters, distributors & partners

Industry & Partnerships

The Quiet Ingredient festival poster, featuring Ava Malazian and Michel Pascal at the table. A film by Michel Pascal. Best Short Documentary, New York Movie Awards, August 2026. — THE FILM POSTER

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 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.

Michel Pascal in a pale linen shirt with his hands pressed together — Michel Pascal

Ava Malazian

Chef

Ava Malazian is a private and retreat chef. She cooks for people in their own homes and on retreats, and she talks about food the way she cooks it, as something you do for someone else. In the film she is the one at the stove.

Listen to Ava on Just 15 Minutes

Michel Pascal

Director

Michel Pascal directed the film and sits at the table in it. He is a filmmaker, meditation teacher and author whose work moves between film, meditation and music.

His earlier feature, We Are Never Alone, was recognized at the New York Movie Awards and the Milan Gold Awards.

michelpascal.tv

“The trick is to go slow within the rush.”
Ava Malazian, on Just 15 Minutes, June 2026

Festival recognition

Screenings

September 12, 2026: TCL Chinese 6 Theatres, Hollywood, California
Indiewood Film Festival; Festival program

INDUSTRY & PARTNERSHIPS

Bring the film
to new audiences.

For networks, distributors, investors, and partners interested in bringing The Quiet Ingredient to a wider audience.

A short documentary about food, presence, and human connection, directed by Michel Pascal.

Broadcast & distribution

Interested in considering the film for your network or platform? Get in touch to request a private screener and discuss availability.

Request a private screener

Investment & partnerships

Start a conversation about investment, collaboration, or bringing the film to your audience.

Discuss a partnership

Inquiries coordinated by Lucrascale.
louie@lucrascale.com

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