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Logline

After her mother’s disappearance, an ambitious recent graduate is forced to care for her younger sister, confronting how grief and responsibility reshape the life she planned.

Synopsis

After graduating from college, Elle returns home expecting a brief stay before stepping into the life she has carefully planned. But when her mother’s mental decline fractures the household and she disappears, Elle is forced into the role of primary caretaker for her younger sister, Cassidy.

As the future she imagined slips further out of reach, the sisters must navigate a new reality and redefine what family means in the absence of stability. Betta Fish is an intimate portrait of sisterhood and resilience, exploring how grief, responsibility, and love quietly alter the course of a life.

Support Betta Fish as we continue to bring this important story to audiences and create space for honest conversations around mental health, family dynamics, and resilience.

Your contribution helps amplify stories that reflect the lived experiences of BIPOC communities, while working to destigmatize mental health and foster understanding, compassion, and care.
 

Meet the Filmmakers

Louvinia “Lou” Robinson – Writer/Director/Producer
Louvinia Robinson is a filmmaker and founder of Maddox Films, creating intimate, character-driven stories rooted in emotional truth. After a Division I basketball career at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi, she transitioned into acting, studying in Atlanta and New York. Her background in performance informs her collaborative, actor-centered directing style. Betta Fish marks a significant step in her narrative filmmaking journey, exploring resilience, family, and the quiet weight of responsibility.

Lori Laing – Producer/Cast
Lori Laing first developed her storytelling instincts by observing the rhythms of everyday life growing up in Queens, New York. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Government from Georgetown University and an MFA in Acting from Columbia University. She is known for her role as “Grace” on the HBO series That Damn Michael Che. Her work spans television, film, and theater, including appearances in Marvel’s Iron Fist, Law & Order, and She’s Gotta Have It, as well as her Off-Broadway debut in Dracula at Classic Stage Company.

Courtney Bee – Cast
Latarsha Rose is an American actress known for her work across film, television, and theater. She is best recognized for her role in The Hunger Games, and has appeared in series such as American Horror Story and CSI: NY. With a strong foundation in theater, she brings depth and emotional authenticity to her performances.

Milanis Clark – Cast
Milanis Clark is an Afro-Latina performer emerging as a dynamic young talent across stage and screen. She portrayed Young Alline in TINA: The Tina Turner Musical on Broadway and appeared in Better Nate Than Ever. In addition to her acting work, she performs as one of the youngest background vocalists touring with Lisa Lisa of Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam. Her credits also include stage productions such as Caroline, or Change and Schoolhouse Rock.

Erin Collet – Director of Photography
Erin Collett is a Director of Photography based between New York and Sydney, Australia. His work on Lifeline: A Doctor’s Commitment to 9/11 First Responders earned a New York Emmy Award in 2022. Blending documentary sensibilities with cinematic storytelling, Erin brings a visually rich and emotionally grounded approach to his work. He has collaborated with mentors including Jane Campion and has worked on projects for HBO, BBC, and Sundance.

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Contact

For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.