You are invited to join us for a celebration and screening of the 2023 Project Involve short films. Film Independent is proud to present these six shorts, which are the culmination of the most recent edition of Project Involve. We will also be introducing our 2024 PI cohort.

As our longest-running Artist Development program, Project Involve now enters its 31st year providing vital and impactful support to filmmakers from underrepresented backgrounds. We’re proud to be a leader in the ongoing fight to build a more inclusive and equitable industry. Donate today to support our next 30 years of Artist Development.
 
The 2023 Project Involve Short Films and Fellows are:

August & Ebony

Ebony, on the heels of her unplanned pregnancy, must get her wife and the child’s father on the same page before the baby comes.

Director: Sunyin Zhang
Writer: A. Cooper
Producer: Pinar Binay
Executive Producer: Joyce Liu-Countryman
Cinematographer: Garland McLaurin (2022 PI Fellow)
Editor: Luqi Zhao

Carnívora

When their mother vanishes, two estranged sisters are forced to take care for their catatonic grandma – only to realize that grandma isn’t grandma at all.

Director: Felipe Vargas
Writer: Vee Saieh
Producer: Nicole Crespo
Executive Producer: Jesus Garcia
Cinematographer: Kim Cohen
Editor: Calvin Chin (2022 PI Fellow)

Saving All My Love

A down-on-her-luck former pageant queen’s anxiety spirals out of control when she finally confronts her mother’s hoarding.

Director: Kristina Thomas
Writer: Tyler Young
Producer: K.D. Chalk
Executive Producer: Jasmine Rivas
Cinematographer: S. Lakmé Iyengar
Editor: Randi Atkins

Single Residence Occupancy

A Chinese immigrant mother living in a Single Residence Occupancy apartment grapples with news that her family’s application for better housing has been denied.

Director: Omer Ben-Shachar
Writer: Belinda Huijuan Tang
Producer: Yuky Shen
Executive Producer: Jasmine Rivas
Cinematographer: Wenting Fisher
Editor: Luodawei Xiao

When Offered Wind

When Kishon encounters trouble conceiving with his partner, an unsuspecting storm comes to life to collect a debt from him.

Director: Adriane McCray
Writer: Terrance Daye
Producer: Karine Benzaria
Executive Producer: Joyce Liu-Countryman
Cinematographer: Elisa Souza
Editor: Tiffany Lin

Wrong Bathroom

When a transgender student uses the boys’ restroom for the first time, he’s pressured by his male peers to fit in.

Director: Ragini Bhasin
Writer: Nate Gualtieri
Producer: Donovan Tolledo
Executive Producer: Jesus Garcia
Cinematographer: Kris Kouke
Editor: Sarah Smith
 

Registration Information

Film Lover Members are guaranteed access to, and receive priority entry at this event. Arts Circle Members are guaranteed access, and receive both priority entry and reserved seating. Email membership@filmindependent.org for more.

All Film Independent Members and the general public can register for this event starting at 12:00 pm on Friday, December 8. | Registration is free; one registration per individual.
 

Tickets/Parking

On the day of the event, registered Members may pick up tickets as early as 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time – look for Film Independent signage. Tickets are nontransferable and for general, unreserved theater seating only (except for Arts Circle Members). Attendees must be in their seat(s) at least 15 minutes prior to the advertised start time or seat(s) may be released. Entry/seating will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests may not enter the venue without the Member/individual who registered them present. Registration does not guarantee entry, even with a ticket in hand.

Masks are optional. This is subject to change as we continue to monitor public health guidance.

The Directors Guild of America provides several levels of free, secure underground parking on site. Enter via Hayworth.
 

Accessibility

Film Independent is committed to hosting events that are accessible. For inquiries regarding accessibility, or to request an accommodation, please contact us at accessibility@filmindependent.org or 323 556 9305.
 

Screening Policies

Availability window and registration capacity may vary; always register as early as possible. Limit one registration per individual, per event.

Registrants are required to follow all rules and guidelines as laid out by Film Independent and/or its partners. If a guest has been registered for an event by a Member, these policies shall apply to that guest. Violation of policies may result in suspension or termination of Membership/access to future events.

Event details and guest participation are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice.