8:38

In the shadow of fear, the truth waits to be found.
Project type: Fiction Short
Project status: Post-Production
Director/Writer/Executive Producer: Imole Ladipo
Executive Producer: Michelle A. Daniel
Executive Producer: Nene Nwoko
Email: imoleladipo@gmail.com
Website: 838Film.com
Instagram: @838film
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Logline
A young woman with fragmented memories hides in terror, trying to survive the night as she unravels a haunting mystery tied to her own identity and mental state.
Synopsis
May Wang wakes up in a shadowy, unfamiliar house with no memory of how she got there. Her only lifeline is Daniel, a calm yet unsettling voice on the phone, who promises to guide her to safety. As whispers grow louder and shadows press closer, May pieces together cryptic clues about her past while evading a menacing stranger. The truth she uncovers reveals not only the identity of her pursuer but also the harrowing reason she ended up in the house. In a heart-stopping final confrontation, May must face her deepest fears and rediscover the bonds of family, identity, and survival.
Meet the Filmmakers
Imole Ladipo — Director/Writer/Executive Producer
Imole Ladipo is a visionary director and storyteller with a passion for crafting narratives that resonate across cultures and generations. Originally trained in Mathematics at the University of Lagos before transitioning to Chemical Engineering at Mount Royal College and the University of Calgary, Imole’s journey into filmmaking was anything but conventional. Yet, at her core, she has always been a storyteller, believing that we are all just stories, intricately connected by shared emotions, experiences, and the human condition.
Her latest short film, What Happens Now? has been selected to screen at the Oscar-qualifying Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF) in 2025, further cementing her status as a rising force in cinema. The film, a deeply personal exploration of grief and redemption, showcases her ability to craft raw, emotionally charged narratives that linger long after the credits roll.
Imole has directed acclaimed talents, including Oscar and Golden Globe nominees, bringing out some of their most compelling performances through her distinct approach to storytelling. Her set is often described as an inspiring space where actors and crew feel empowered to take creative risks. Those who have worked with her speak of her meticulous attention to detail, her ability to foster vulnerability in performances, and her keen instinct for visual storytelling. Looking ahead, Imole is set to bring 8:38 to life in 2025, a psychological thriller that explores the fragile line between memory, identity, and family bonds. With an unrelenting drive and a deep love for cinema, she continues to push boundaries, proving that storytelling is not just her craft, it’s her calling.
Michelle A. Daniel — Executive Producer
Michelle A. Daniel is an award-winning executive producer and screenwriter with over 15 years of experience in independent film and digital storytelling. As the founder of ShowRunHer, she has developed content that challenges dominant narratives, amplifies underrepresented voices, and inspires meaningful dialogue. Her work centers stories that reflect cultural truth, emotional complexity, and social impact. She has served as Director of Video at TV One’s iOne Digital, producing branded content and original series for campaigns with AT&T, Ford, and Wells Fargo. Michelle is the Co-Executive Producer of Announcements, written and directed by D’Angelo “D’Lo” Louis (Creed III, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever), a gripping short film tackling youth violence and the healing power of community and care.
She is also the Executive Producer of 8:38, a suspenseful short film directed by Imole Ladipo, and Mercy, a psychological drama directed by Michael Vaughn Hernandez. In 8:38, a young woman wakes up trapped in a house with no memory of how she got there, and as fear and confusion mount, she must piece together the truth before time runs out. Mercy follows a trauma survivor who volunteers for an experimental procedure designed to rewrite her past pain, only to discover it’s slowly erasing her sense of agency and self. Both projects reflect Michelle’s commitment to emotionally grounded stories that explore mental health, memory, and identity through a socially conscious lens.
Currently, Michelle serves as Head of Development & Strategic Partnerships on two feature-length projects. The Ebony Canal, directed by Emmai Alaquiva and narrated by Academy Award-winner Viola Davis, is a powerful documentary addressing the Black maternal health crisis by exploring the historical and systemic inequities that continue to impact Black women and infants. A Child’s Night Dream, directed by Sean Stone and starring Mel Gibson and Sharon Stone, is a heartfelt coming-of-age film about a young man navigating identity, trauma, and fatherhood against the backdrop of post-9/11 America.
In addition, Michelle is the Creative Development Advisor for The Heart of the Dream, a documentary confronting the looming impact of proposed 2025 mass deportation policies, and she leads as Head of USA Development for South Africa’s BlackBrain Pictures, working closely with MandlaN to expand the global reach of African narratives. Through each project, Michelle remains committed to elevating untold stories that live at the intersection of justice, artistry, and truth, bridging entertainment and impact with every frame.
Nene Nwoko — Executive Producer
My storytelling journey began with an unforgettable surprise, my mom bringing home a TV, a video player, and two VHS tapes: The Sound of Music and My Fair Lady. Before that, our entertainment was limited to news broadcasts. Growing up in Delta State, Nigeria, it felt like discovering magic. With a music-educator mom and a Broadway-loving dad, my fascination grew, fueled by LPs of Oklahoma! and The King and I.
After high school, I moved to Texas, explored modeling and singing, and earned a degree in Management Information Systems, leading to a role as a Web Producer. It was my first taste of production, a world where creativity and organization thrived. Soon, I immersed myself in acting, training at Identity School of Acting. With experience on both sides of the camera, I now focus on producing films that matter to me, crafting stories that spark imagination, just like the ones that first inspired me.
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Contact
For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.