The Great Disappointment

Have you ever washed someone's feet?

Project type: Fiction Short
Project status: Development
Director/Writer: Kat Schulze
Producer: Eddie Hustleby

Email: katvschulze@gmail.com
Instagram: @katschulze_

 
Help independent filmmakers tell their stories.
Make a donation to The Great Disappointment today.

Film Independent’s Fiscal Sponsorship program opens the door to nonprofit funding for independent filmmakers and media artists. Donate today and help bring The Great Disappointment to life.

 

Logline

It is feet washing day at church. A converted mother tries to keep her daughters’ toes away from an older man.

Synopsis

It is Communion Day at Mountain Crest Seventh-Day Adventist church. Beyond the classic grape juice and crackers, the culmination is feet washing amongst the church goers.

Already missing sabbath school class, MOM and CATHERINE(9yr), are held back speaking with AREN(12 yr). Aren and his family have been visiting from Bulgaria but their time is coming to a close. Catherine has a not-so secret crush on Aren and today is the last day to get paired with him for feetwashing.

Mom hates feetwashing. But she loves her daughter. Even though they start the day on the wrong foot in the ladies room. Mom is the protective type and her antennas go up at the advances of an OLD GUY at church who makes it evident he wants to wash Catherine’s feet. Not on her watch. She’ll make sure to be paired with her daughter.

After the PASTOR gives a sermon focused on love & betrayal, Catherine realizes Mom has thwarted her plans to wash Aren’s feet. She resigns to being paired with her mother, but not without verbalizing her resentment. They must move through the disappointment. Through mutual touch and expression, they meet somewhere in the middle.

Rooted in memory, clouded with comedy – THE GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT is for my mom. And for me.

 

Meet the Filmmakers

Kat Schulze — Director/producer
Kat Schulze is a Canadian filmmaker and arts non-profit professional based in Los Angeles. Since 2019, Kat has worked for the Sundance Institute, initially contributing to the Documentary Film Program and currently serving as the Manager of the Ignite Program, which fosters emerging filmmakers through the Sundance Institute Ignite x Adobe Fellowship and Fund. Kat is a 2026 WAVE Grant recipient for their narrative short film THE GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT.

Eddie Hustleby — Producer
Eddie Hustleby is an independent filmmaker and producer. His credits include the short films Puberty For Humans (Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival 2024) and Arecibo Wants Its Telescope Back (DOC NYC 2022). He is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Film Production. Eddie serves as a Program Manager across film, events, and non profit support, currently working for the Advancement Department at the American Film Institute.

Make a donation to The Great Disappointment.

Contact

For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.