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Logline

When a young woman learns her long-term girlfriend may have a brother she’s never mentioned, she finds their idyllic hometown visit spiralling towards a haunting truth as increasingly concerning parts of her partner’s childhood reveal themselves.

Synopsis

Dana Never Had a Brother opens on a childhood flashback to a terrifying supernatural incident taking place at a child’s sleepover.

Its narrative goal from there on was to mirror the cycle of unacknowledged trauma through our leading couple, Olive and Dana. The story begins buried under what first appears to be a grounded queer romantic dramedy surrounding their first time visit to Dana’s idyllic California hometown. As they descend deeper into the night, Olive meets Taylor, an old acquaintance of Dana’s who casually asks about Dana’s brother Austin, someone she has never heard of.

Olive’s tense interactions with the environment and omitted parts of Dana’s past begin to warp the story’s tone towards something darker. Confrontation between the two shifts from romantic tension to emotional horror, as intimacy is repeatedly barred by secrecy. As Dana’s suppressed past inevitably leaks into her and Olive’s present, Olive, now treading between what she knows and what she’s too afraid to ask, finds herself trapped in the childhood home of an increasingly unfamiliar partner and the crumbling foundations of her belief that Dana never had a brother.

The story ends as a tragedy, revealing that the real horror was not a hidden brother, but what repression and denial can fester into over time. Dana’s refusal to acknowledge her family’s trauma results in her falling victim to its punishment, and curses Olive to an inherited life of isolation.
 

Meet the Filmmakers

Destinee McCaster — Writer/Director/Editor
Destinee McCaster (she/her) is an Arizona-gone-LA writer, director, and editor with a BFA from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. Her filmmaking is characterized by its focus on psychological horror/fantasy and surrealism, often intertwining dark, compelling narratives with unique, underrepresented perspectives. She has written and produced work for a diverse array of clients, from indie filmmakers to companies including Disney, Samsung/Reddit, HBOMAX, USC Games, and Apple TV+. As a queer biracial filmmaker, she is dedicated to creating stories that explore LGBTQ+ identity, socio-cultural phenomena, and the magic in everyday life. Her latest short film, Cabbage, is currently streaming on Gunpowder & Sky’s renowned horror network, Alter, and has gathered awards at festivals including NFFTY (Programmers’ Pick + Audience Award), Santa Fe International Film Festival, and Essence Fest. Her other work has gone viral on social platforms like TikTok and YouTube, and gained recognition across the U.S. at various film festivals.

Caro Knapp — Producer
Caro Knapp (she/they) is an innovative multimedia producer with a wealth of directing and producing experience across narrative, commercial, music video, and animation for clients such as Adobe, Zayn Malik, IPSY, and Olivia Rodrigo. After graduating from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, Caro founded Sworn Friend Studios in 2022 to tell bold and vulnerable stories that live at the crossroads of groundbreaking visuals, storytelling, and community experience. Through Sworn Friend, Caro and Giovanna consistently execute 50k- 100k budgets for commercial and music industry packages, while prioritizing the rates and on-set experiences of their crew. Their work explores themes of love, empathy, and liberation, resonating strongly with audiences worldwide, particularly within the queer community of which they are a part.

Maria Paula Quesada — Producer
Maria Paula Quesada (she/her) is a Costa Rican writer/director, producer and actor. Maria Paula earned a BFA in Film and Television Production from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. She produced the award-winning horror/fantasy short film Cabbage (2023), and has worked for companies such as Warner Bros. Discovery at HBO, and Permut Presentations. In 2023, Maria Paula co-founded Odd One Out Films, a production company based in Los Angeles, CA and Costa Rica that focuses on telling diverse stories and producing fresh, original content no matter the budget. They’ve produced music videos for companies such as Sony Music, Universal Music Group, Interscope Records, and Capitol Music Group. As a director, Maria Paula recently wrote, directed, and starred in the short film Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday (2025). The film premiered at the 2025 National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY), where it received a nomination for Best Narrative Short, and won an Audience Award.

Giovanna Trujillo — Producer
Giovanna Trujillo (she/they), a bilingual Queer Mexican-American filmmaker, producer, and director from Southern California, is known for her passion for telling uplifting stories that focus on the Latinx, LGBTQ+, women, and non-binary communities. Her work often explores themes like self- acceptance, personal autonomy, and the complexities of relationships, infused with a nostalgic touch. With an impressive background in producing music videos and coordinating major commercial campaigns, Giovanna has honed her ability to execute production at an expert level. In 2023, she directed and produced the award-winning documentary short Shred, which is now available on PBS. The film delves into the mental health and societal struggles of queer Latinx roller skaters in Southern California.

Gabby Fiszman — Producer
Gabby Fiszman (she/her) is a writer, director, and producer whose upbringing was just as eclectic as her storytelling. As a first-generation American raised by Brazilian immigrants in California, Maryland, Tennessee, and Florida, Gabby encountered a wide range of cultures and individuals, which exposed her to diverse perspectives and instilled in her a deep sense of compassion – both of which were crucial in her path to becoming a storyteller. She is based in Los Angeles, where she graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts with a BFA in Film and Television Production. With the backing of Decentralized Pictures, she co-directed/co-wrote the short film Holy Smokes, a proof-of-concept stoner comedy, after winning the Kevin Smith Comedy Screenplay award. Holy Smokes premiered at the Oscar-Qualifying festival Hollyshorts in 2025.

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Contact

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