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Logline

As unrest spreads outside their NYC apartment, two estranged roommates reach a breaking point when one decides to leave and help a collapsing world, while the other struggles to convince him that leaving changes nothing.

Synopsis

As unrest spreads outside their rain-soaked New York City apartment, two estranged roommates find themselves confronting a question neither can avoid. Jess lives quietly, moving through the apartment with a sense of restraint that borders on exhaustion. Fred, restless and volatile, fills the silence with questions, deflection, and anger. Between them lies a tension that has been building long before the night begins—rooted not only in opposing beliefs, but in the growing realization that neither man can change the other.

While unrest continues to spread beyond their walls, the conflict inside the apartment becomes increasingly personal. Fred clings to the belief that nothing anyone does can truly change the world, determined to convince Jess that leaving serves no purpose. Jess refuses to offer comfort at the expense of truth. As the night unfolds, their exchange shifts from argument to something more vulnerable. What emerges is not a debate, but a moment of reckoning—a recognition that remaining where you are, out of fear or obligation, can become its own form of dishonesty. Faced with the limits of persuasion, Jess makes a quiet but irreversible decision to leave—not in anger, but with clarity and purpose. Fred is left alone to confront what remains when certainty, resistance, and distraction finally fall away.

Roommates of the Silence is an intimate chamber drama exploring belief, responsibility, and the quiet courage to act when persuasion is no longer enough. Loosely inspired by the moral and philosophical tensions between Jesus and Friedrich Nietzsche, the film invites audiences to consider whether belief alone is enough—or whether what we choose to do with that belief is what ultimately defines us.

Meet the Filmmakers

Victor Atkins — Writer/Director
Victor Atkins is a Nashville-based writer, director, and editor whose work explores themes of moral choice, human connection, and personal transformation through visually restrained, character-driven storytelling. Originally trained as a painter and sculptor, he began his creative career in New York, where his artwork was represented by the Louis Meisel Gallery and exhibited through institutions including The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art.

After returning to filmmaking, Atkins wrote, directed, and edited the award-winning short films Landing (2022) and The Market (2023), earning recognition at film festivals worldwide, including Best American Short Film at the Rome Movie Awards, Best Short Film at the Reale Film Festival, Best Editor at the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival, and Best Indie Narrative Short at the Sweet Democracy Film Awards.

His screenplay Roommates of the Silence — the basis for this film—won Best Short Screenplay at the Author Script Awards and was named a Semi-Finalist in both the BlueCat Screenplay Competition and Outstanding Screenplays Shorts Competition. His feature screenplays have also twice been named Quarterfinalists in the Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition. He is currently developing Roommates of the Silence as his next independently produced short film.

Alixandra (Ali) Stiefel — Producer
Alixandra (Ali) Stiefel is a producer and production coordinator with experience across narrative features, television, documentaries, commercials, and independent productions. She has produced award-winning productions and coordinated projects ranging from independent films to branded media, overseeing scheduling, budgeting, crew management, production logistics, and on-set operations.

Her professional experience includes work with Wrigley Media, MetaFrame Media, and Collide Multimedia, where she has built a reputation for thoughtful organization, creative collaboration, and practical problem-solving throughout every stage of production. Ali combines a strong creative foundation with hands-on production expertise, helping filmmakers translate ambitious ideas into well-executed productions.

On Roommates of the Silence, she brings an efficient, solutions-oriented approach to producing, supporting both the creative vision and the logistical demands of independent filmmaking.

Chris Cameron — Director of Photography
Chris Cameron is a Nashville-based cinematographer, producer, and editor, and the founder of Narrative Productions. His work spans documentary filmmaking, episodic interview series, branded storytelling, and music-centered productions, with credits including projects for CCM Magazine, K-LOVE On Demand, and the feature documentary Plainspoken.

As a director of photography, Cameron is known for creating naturalistic, cinematic imagery that emphasizes authentic performances and emotionally grounded storytelling. His recent work on Plainspoken as co-producer, director of photography, and editor reflects his collaborative approach to visual storytelling across multiple disciplines. Through Narrative Productions, Cameron partners with filmmakers, artists, and organizations to craft visually compelling stories that connect with audiences through strong imagery and honest human experiences.

Dave Coleman — Composer & Sound Designer
Dave Coleman is a Nashville-based composer, sound designer, producer, recording engineer, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist with more than two decades of experience creating music for recording artists, film, and television. A founding member of the Americana rock band The Coal Men, he has released six full-length albums, toured throughout the United States and internationally, with numerous songs featured in television series.

In 2012, Coleman founded Howard’s Apartment Studio, where he has produced and recorded artists from Nashville and beyond, earning a reputation for crafting emotionally authentic recordings and immersive soundscapes. His background as both a songwriter and recording engineer brings a collaborative, story-first approach to every project.

On Roommates of the Silence, Coleman serves as Composer and Sound Designer, creating a score and sonic environment that deepen the film’s emotional resonance while supporting its intimate, character-driven storytelling.

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Contact

For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.