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Logline

An insecure man desperate for love is horrified when, the morning of his first date, a small cyst instantly regrows–bigger, wronger, and in an entirely new location–every time he pops it. A silent body horror rom-com about insecurity, vulnerability, and love.

Synopsis

We meet POPPA, a crusty, scruffy 30-something year old alone in his Los Angeles abode as he scrolls through a dating app. As he swipes, he realizes he has a wound on his head. When he checks the back of his head in the bathroom mirror, he finds an inflamed pimple. After popping and bandaging it, he matches with a pretty lady via the dating app. As he gets handsome and spiffy for the date, we realize that, unbeknownst to Poppa, the zit has returned… this time exponentially larger and throbbing with horrible life. It’s not until his date, LOLLI, shows up that he realizes the cyst has grown to the size of a grapefruit. He attempts to get rid of it in the bathroom, but it only returns larger than before. When he lurches back into the dining area, the restaurant guests stampede once they lay eyes on the now watermelon-sized cyst. Everyone except… Lolli, who removes her headscarf to reveal that she too has a grapefruit-sized cyst throbbing on the side of her noggin. In the final shot, Lolli & Poppa waltz through the restaurant in a tender embrace, their cysts having fused into the shape of a steadily pulsing heart.

Meet the Filmmakers

Akil Rashad Anderson — Writer/Director
Akil Rashad Anderson is a Haitian American screenwriter, director, and photographer from Miami, FL. Months after receiving his MFA in Screenwriting from USC as a George Lucas Scholar, Anderson was hired as a staff writer on Beacon 23. He is a 2026 Film Independent Amplifier Fellow and an inaugural alumni of Rideback RISE. The son of a rap artist and grandson of a preacher, Anderson’s work often centers on ambition, the underworld, and the surreal. Outside of film, he’s a beat-maker, birdwatcher, and trombonist.

Loni Rodgers — Producer
Loni Rodgers is a producer and international executive passionate about amplifying stories with commercial appeal and cultural impact. Previously, she served as Director of Development at Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance’s Bassett Vance Productions, where her contributions led to the company’s first-look deal with 20th Television. She began her career at what’s now known as Paramount: A Skydance Corporation before joining Scott Rudin Productions, quickly growing through the ranks and contributing to critically acclaimed films including UNCUT GEMS, CAUSEWAY, PAST LIVES, and JOEL COEN’S THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH.

Jay Swuen — Cinematographer
Jay Swuen (孫偉傑) is a cinematographer based in Los Angeles, California. Swuen’s work has been exhibited at several prestigious film festivals and platforms, including the Tribeca Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, Nffty, Outfest
Fusion, New Filmmakers LA, and Nowness Asia. In addition, he has collaborated with prominent clients such as Fendi, Skims, Reebok, Nike, Samsung, and notable personalities like Nicki Minaj, Kim Kardashian, Kehlani, Grimes, Smino, Olivia
Rodrigo, etc. As a queer Asian filmmaker, he understands the urgency of telling stories for the underrepresented community, with true sincerity and authenticity. He’s currently represented by the Gersh agency.

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Contact

For inquiries, please contact [email protected].