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Logline

Franklin is a dark, psychological drama that explores the fragile nature of the human mind, trauma, and the struggle for redemption. Inspired by themes from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the film delves into a young man’s internal battle against his haunting past and deteriorating mental health.

Synopsis

FRANKLIN follows the story of a young man in his late twenties, struggling with the trauma of his past and battling severe mental health issues. Haunted by memories of abuse, he spirals into paranoia, straining his relationship with his supportive girlfriend, Emily. As his grip on reality weakens, Franklin becomes more isolated, torn by his delusions and fractured sense of self.

Meet the Filmmakers

Nicko Sabado — Writer/Producer
Nicko Sabado is a talented and versatile multilingual actor currently based in Los Angeles. He is known for his performances in both English and Tagalog languages. His notable on-camera roles include Mason in Season 2 of the hit series Fantasy Island, where he captivated audiences with his comedic portrayal. In the series Pretty Dudes, he portrayed the character of Lando in both Season 1 and Season 2, leaving a charming impression on viewers. Additionally, he played a Stable Boy in Season 1 of the comedy series MINX. In addition, he has had roles in the multilingual film Harana and the box-office successful war movie Act of Valor.

Nicko’s talent and charisma have also caught the attention of advertisers and brands. He has been featured in national commercials for esteemed companies such as Aflac, BetMGM, Honda, Zyrtec, and McDonald’s, among others. Furthermore, he has worked as a successful model for prominent campaigns including AT&T, Nissan, Nike, Adidas, Google, Benefit Cosmetics, and more, showcasing his versatility and style.

As a proud member of SAG/AFTRA, Nicko Sabado actively contributes to the industry’s growth and advocates for inclusivity. His dedication to promoting Asian American Actors representation led him to serve as a respected board member of SAG/AFTRA Asian Pacific American Media (APAM).

Jacques Derosena — Director/Producer
Jacques Derosena is a Sundance 2026 Development Track Second Round Finals Consideration Fellow and a Third Round Finalist and Grant Prize Winner as a Film Director for the MIFA–Out From The Mist Mental Health Festival. He is a Haitian–Latin X–American Writer, Producer, Director, Actor, and #1 best‑selling YA fiction author on Amazon with film credits spanning Co‑Executive Producing, Producing, Writing, and Directing. His work includes contributions to the Academy Award Shortlist–Eligible film Son of the South with Executive Producer Spike Lee; Our Deadly Vows with Independent Spirit Award nominee Chris Chalk; Black Pumpkin with Netflix star comedian Matt Rife; Should’ve Been Romeo with Edward Asner; Meth Head with Lukas Haas; Little Shrink; and more. A film he helped produce, Strange Destiny, received the ReFrame Stamp distinction by IMDb and Women in Film/TV in 2024 and is distributed on Tubi. He is currently developing and completing multiple film projects for distribution.

Lailanie Gadia — Producer
Raised in Guam, Lailanie Gadia is a Filipina American community builder, producer and financial professional based in Los Angeles. She founded her film company, Mango Stories, to bring impactful stories to life. She is the Operations Director at the Asian American Documentary Network, supporting 1,900+ film workers. Lailanie’s current producing slate includes short films: 2024 CAAM Fellow and Pitch winner Rafael Bitanga’s Bridging our Stories, 2025 CAPE Julia S. Gouw Short Film Grantee Rachel Leyco’s Milk & Honey, Nathan Fitch’s Iakwe: Hello and Goodbye, and Myles Matsuno’s Light on a Hill along with several projects in development. Her producing credits include Tadashi Nakamura’s Third Act (Sundance 2025), Emmy-nominated, Silver Anthem award-winning 2022 Asian American Stories of Resilience and Beyond shorts, and Dive Bar (Alaska Airlines). She was named a 2023 Documentary New Leader. She has spoken on panels related to filmmaker sustainability, representation and fundraising. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University and serves on the API Alumni Association board. She is a proud member of Brown Girls Doc Mafia, Film Independent, Gold House Futures Network, Global Impact Producers Alliance and the Documentary Producers Alliance. She previously had a six-year career in mortgage banking and remains passionate about financial well-being.

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Contact

For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.