12 to 21
Atlanta, Georgia | Series
Drama, Biography
A coming-of-age series by Black and Brown girls, "12 to 21" is the (mostly) true story of two best friends who go from middle schoolers writing fanfiction, to film students in NYC writing an autobiographical TV show that just might be their big break.
Green Light
This campaign raised $14,113 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
209 supporters | followers
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A coming-of-age series by Black and Brown girls, "12 to 21" is the (mostly) true story of two best friends who go from middle schoolers writing fanfiction, to film students in NYC writing an autobiographical TV show that just might be their big break.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
SYNOPSIS
Kendi and Nat were twelve years old in 2014.
Instagram and Snapchat had just been released, Barack Obama was president of the United States, and the video of 12-year-old Tamir Rice being killed by police viralized the burgeoning Black Lives Matter movement.
Kendi and Nat met in 7th grade, navigating a rapidly escalating America as queer Black and Brown girls. Natalia, the only gay Mexican in the suburbs of Irvine, California (or so it felt), finds identity in the digital world. Kendi, the firstborn of five, bred in Brooklyn and Atlanta - moves in step to frenzied city life. At 21-years old (2022), Kendi and Nat are struggling film students in New York City teetering on the chance of a lifetime to write a television series about their tumultuous upbringings.
Everything in between 2014 and 2022, well, that’s the show.
Steeped in the cyber age of self-actualization through social media, Kendi and Nat built a friendship on fan fiction, facetime calls, and growing pains. The election of Donald Trump (2016), COVID-19, and the death of high school graduation dreams (2021), are all scored by the painfully specific, yet wholly universal traumas our protagonists face in adolescence. Attempting to write their stories with a balance of personal honesty, and recognition that objectivity is impossible in storytelling -“12 to 21” is an epic family saga as told by the firstborn daughters.
Toting the line of narrative and documentary, this limited series based on entirely true events, is a lifetime in the making.
WHY NOW?
12 to 21 is vital now because it tells a story that reflects the challenges and triumphs of Gen-Z, especially Black and Brown queer youth, navigating a world shaped by identity, mental health, and systemic injustice. At a time when conversations around race, gender, and class are more urgent than ever, this series offers an authentic, layered portrayal of two best friends coming of age in the digital era, facing universal struggles around family dynamics, trauma, and self-discovery.
Beyond its focus on identity, 12 to 21 tells a story that resonates on a deeper level. It’s about mining our pasts for our art, examining the moments that have shaped who we are and finding healing through creativity. In exploring the protagonists' journey to write their autobiographical TV show, this series highlights the universal need to confront, understand, and reclaim the most difficult parts of ourselves.
By bringing these specific stories to the screen, 12 to 21 not only amplifies underrepresented voices but also reflects a universal truth: the process of turning our struggles into art is a powerful act of healing and transformation, one that speaks to everyone.
WHAT YOUR SUPPORT DOES
$17,000 is the minimum production budget to shoot this ambitious 45-minute project.
We'll be able to secure essential equipment, permits, shooting locations, and food + transportation for the cast and crew. This series offers an authentic, original, and transformative portrayal of a lesser-explored coming-of-age, and your contribution will help ensure that this relevant and timely reaches the audiences who need it most.
Following our journey and sharing our campaign with your friends, family, and colleagues makes a huge difference.
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/12to21show
EMAIL LIST: https://www.12to21show.com/emaillist
TUMBLR: https://www.tumblr.com/12to21show
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@12to21tvshow?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
"Middle School Timeline" - 12 TO 21 Promo Shoot
COMMUNITY-BASED CREWING
Our casting and crewing process for 12 to 21 is rooted in community and inclusivity. We're pulling talent from non-profit film organizations like re: Imagine ATL and Ghetto Film School, giving opportunities to underrepresented voices in the industry.
By collaborating with these organizations, we’re committed to elevating emerging creatives from unlikely sources, ensuring our team reflects the diversity of the stories we're telling. This community-based approach is central to our mission of authentic storytelling.
CAST & CREW INTEREST FORM: https://tr.ee/UQuz92G6sj
"HIGH SCHOOL TIMELINE" - 12 TO 21 Promo Shoot
WHY US? // PREVIOUS WORK
12 to 21 is an autobiographical coming-of-age series. Writer-directors Kendi and Natalia are acting as themselves in the show, and enlisting as many friends and family members as possible to play themselves (and not just to save on SAG fees!). This is a pressing story that needs to be told now, providing representation for historically underserved communities of our collective and specific experiences.
From their first short film in 2018 Life In the Day Of (cowriters, directors, and actors), to their 2022 stage play I Pledge Allegiance (Kendi: writer/director, Natalia: actor) - Kendi and Natalia have been making impactful art together for almost a decade.
"COLLEGE TIMELINE" - 12 TO 21 Promo Shoot
CHECK OUT SOME OF KENDI'S PREVIOUS WORK HERE: https://vimeo.com/kendiking
CHECK OUT SOME OF NAT'S PREVIOUS WORK HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWDhUd7WDF4
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Crafty (on-set snacks + meal) // ($50 per person, per day)
Costs $4,500
Donations for/of all sorts of non-perishable snacks and drinks would be greatly appreciated!
Production Equipment
Costs $3,500
It takes a lot of gaff tape and SD cards to make a movie...along with a camera, mic, and a few lights, of course.
Crew Travel & Stipends
Costs $4,000
You can't make a movie alone, and why would you want to? $100 a day stipends for dept. heads, and covered gas/train fare for all.
Fees (Permit, Location, Insurance, etc.)
Costs $1,500
You can get away with run-and-gun shooting in NYC and ATL, but our LA days especially require some hefty permit fees.
Set Design
Costs $2,000
To make 2024 Atlanta look like 2014 New York City takes a little elbow grease, and a whole lotta production design.
Props + Costumes
Costs $1,000
Making latex acne and fake braces wasn't something I expected to do this year, but hey, film teaches you all sorts of new skills!
Storage
Costs $500
Harddrive or cloud based, from Frame.io and WeTransfer to G-Drive and Lacie's - we need space for these 4K files
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Meet The Team
KENDI KING
Writer // Director
Bio: Kendi King began her studies at NYU Tisch Film School, with a minor in Adolescent Psychology, and is currently completing her final semester at Spelman College as a Documentary Film major. She is a passionate writer/director of both stage and screen, and a skilled sound designer & mixer. Kendi has professional experience in film production & post, working for industry leaders such as Netflix (inaugural post-production intern), HBO (assistant sound editor, ‘Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show’), and NBCUniversal (Original Voices Fellowship). She is an Emmy-nominated director (Sports Emmys ‘24), recipient of the Tony Hawkins Award for Audio Narratives, and most recently completed the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences “Gold Rising” Program. Kendi has a vested interest in uplifting untold stories from underrepresented communities.
NATALIA WEAVER
Writer // Director
Bio: Natalia is a senior at The New School, finishing her degree in Culture & Media. Since relocating to New York, she has immersed herself in diverse creative projects, including TV series (Disney+ series Rennervations), commercials (Tiffany & Co.), and live castings (Givenchy) showcasing her versatility in the industry. She most recently completed an internship at Chicken & Egg Pictures, honing skills in storytelling and production. Deeply passionate about amplifying marginalized voices, Natalia aims to create impactful narratives that reflect the richness of diverse experiences.
JASIAH WASHINGTON
Producer
Bio: Jasiah is a senior at NYU graduating from the highly selective dual degree Stern-Tisch business and film program. She is a multifaceted filmmaker, with skills in producing, writing, and directing. She's worked with industry leaders such as the Paley Center for Media, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, and Sesame Street, and is the recipient of the coveted NYU Producer Grant. Jasiah has a passion for telling stories that are rooted in real experiences and depict life in the most natural way. She loves helping bring BIPOC and Marginalized voices with ultra-specific points of view to life.
KARMA BRIDGES
Producer
Bio: Karma Graduated Summa Cum Laude from Spelman College with a degree in Documentary Filmmaking. Her superpower is her ability to listen to diverse voices and tell authentic stories that need to be heard. She's a tenacious producer working to showcase diverse stories and bring new voices to the screen. Karma trained in Acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute and has appeared in numerous commercials and short films. In grade school, Karma created an educational website entitled Karma’s World, which is the inspiration behind the animated Netflix series of the same name.
GABRIELLE BARNETT
Outreach Producer
CAROLINE CHU
Marketing Producer
ANDREA WEAVER
MAC Producer
ANGIE MALDONADO
VFX & Storyboard Lead
NIA RAE
Associate Producer - Atlanta
STEPH DAVIS
Graphics & Animation
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
SYNOPSIS
Kendi and Nat were twelve years old in 2014.
Instagram and Snapchat had just been released, Barack Obama was president of the United States, and the video of 12-year-old Tamir Rice being killed by police viralized the burgeoning Black Lives Matter movement.
Kendi and Nat met in 7th grade, navigating a rapidly escalating America as queer Black and Brown girls. Natalia, the only gay Mexican in the suburbs of Irvine, California (or so it felt), finds identity in the digital world. Kendi, the firstborn of five, bred in Brooklyn and Atlanta - moves in step to frenzied city life. At 21-years old (2022), Kendi and Nat are struggling film students in New York City teetering on the chance of a lifetime to write a television series about their tumultuous upbringings.
Everything in between 2014 and 2022, well, that’s the show.
Steeped in the cyber age of self-actualization through social media, Kendi and Nat built a friendship on fan fiction, facetime calls, and growing pains. The election of Donald Trump (2016), COVID-19, and the death of high school graduation dreams (2021), are all scored by the painfully specific, yet wholly universal traumas our protagonists face in adolescence. Attempting to write their stories with a balance of personal honesty, and recognition that objectivity is impossible in storytelling -“12 to 21” is an epic family saga as told by the firstborn daughters.
Toting the line of narrative and documentary, this limited series based on entirely true events, is a lifetime in the making.
WHY NOW?
12 to 21 is vital now because it tells a story that reflects the challenges and triumphs of Gen-Z, especially Black and Brown queer youth, navigating a world shaped by identity, mental health, and systemic injustice. At a time when conversations around race, gender, and class are more urgent than ever, this series offers an authentic, layered portrayal of two best friends coming of age in the digital era, facing universal struggles around family dynamics, trauma, and self-discovery.
Beyond its focus on identity, 12 to 21 tells a story that resonates on a deeper level. It’s about mining our pasts for our art, examining the moments that have shaped who we are and finding healing through creativity. In exploring the protagonists' journey to write their autobiographical TV show, this series highlights the universal need to confront, understand, and reclaim the most difficult parts of ourselves.
By bringing these specific stories to the screen, 12 to 21 not only amplifies underrepresented voices but also reflects a universal truth: the process of turning our struggles into art is a powerful act of healing and transformation, one that speaks to everyone.
WHAT YOUR SUPPORT DOES
$17,000 is the minimum production budget to shoot this ambitious 45-minute project.
We'll be able to secure essential equipment, permits, shooting locations, and food + transportation for the cast and crew. This series offers an authentic, original, and transformative portrayal of a lesser-explored coming-of-age, and your contribution will help ensure that this relevant and timely reaches the audiences who need it most.
Following our journey and sharing our campaign with your friends, family, and colleagues makes a huge difference.
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/12to21show
EMAIL LIST: https://www.12to21show.com/emaillist
TUMBLR: https://www.tumblr.com/12to21show
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@12to21tvshow?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
"Middle School Timeline" - 12 TO 21 Promo Shoot
COMMUNITY-BASED CREWING
Our casting and crewing process for 12 to 21 is rooted in community and inclusivity. We're pulling talent from non-profit film organizations like re: Imagine ATL and Ghetto Film School, giving opportunities to underrepresented voices in the industry.
By collaborating with these organizations, we’re committed to elevating emerging creatives from unlikely sources, ensuring our team reflects the diversity of the stories we're telling. This community-based approach is central to our mission of authentic storytelling.
CAST & CREW INTEREST FORM: https://tr.ee/UQuz92G6sj
"HIGH SCHOOL TIMELINE" - 12 TO 21 Promo Shoot
WHY US? // PREVIOUS WORK
12 to 21 is an autobiographical coming-of-age series. Writer-directors Kendi and Natalia are acting as themselves in the show, and enlisting as many friends and family members as possible to play themselves (and not just to save on SAG fees!). This is a pressing story that needs to be told now, providing representation for historically underserved communities of our collective and specific experiences.
From their first short film in 2018 Life In the Day Of (cowriters, directors, and actors), to their 2022 stage play I Pledge Allegiance (Kendi: writer/director, Natalia: actor) - Kendi and Natalia have been making impactful art together for almost a decade.
"COLLEGE TIMELINE" - 12 TO 21 Promo Shoot
CHECK OUT SOME OF KENDI'S PREVIOUS WORK HERE: https://vimeo.com/kendiking
CHECK OUT SOME OF NAT'S PREVIOUS WORK HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWDhUd7WDF4
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Crafty (on-set snacks + meal) // ($50 per person, per day)
Costs $4,500
Donations for/of all sorts of non-perishable snacks and drinks would be greatly appreciated!
Production Equipment
Costs $3,500
It takes a lot of gaff tape and SD cards to make a movie...along with a camera, mic, and a few lights, of course.
Crew Travel & Stipends
Costs $4,000
You can't make a movie alone, and why would you want to? $100 a day stipends for dept. heads, and covered gas/train fare for all.
Fees (Permit, Location, Insurance, etc.)
Costs $1,500
You can get away with run-and-gun shooting in NYC and ATL, but our LA days especially require some hefty permit fees.
Set Design
Costs $2,000
To make 2024 Atlanta look like 2014 New York City takes a little elbow grease, and a whole lotta production design.
Props + Costumes
Costs $1,000
Making latex acne and fake braces wasn't something I expected to do this year, but hey, film teaches you all sorts of new skills!
Storage
Costs $500
Harddrive or cloud based, from Frame.io and WeTransfer to G-Drive and Lacie's - we need space for these 4K files
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Meet The Team
KENDI KING
Writer // Director
Bio: Kendi King began her studies at NYU Tisch Film School, with a minor in Adolescent Psychology, and is currently completing her final semester at Spelman College as a Documentary Film major. She is a passionate writer/director of both stage and screen, and a skilled sound designer & mixer. Kendi has professional experience in film production & post, working for industry leaders such as Netflix (inaugural post-production intern), HBO (assistant sound editor, ‘Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show’), and NBCUniversal (Original Voices Fellowship). She is an Emmy-nominated director (Sports Emmys ‘24), recipient of the Tony Hawkins Award for Audio Narratives, and most recently completed the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences “Gold Rising” Program. Kendi has a vested interest in uplifting untold stories from underrepresented communities.
NATALIA WEAVER
Writer // Director
Bio: Natalia is a senior at The New School, finishing her degree in Culture & Media. Since relocating to New York, she has immersed herself in diverse creative projects, including TV series (Disney+ series Rennervations), commercials (Tiffany & Co.), and live castings (Givenchy) showcasing her versatility in the industry. She most recently completed an internship at Chicken & Egg Pictures, honing skills in storytelling and production. Deeply passionate about amplifying marginalized voices, Natalia aims to create impactful narratives that reflect the richness of diverse experiences.
JASIAH WASHINGTON
Producer
Bio: Jasiah is a senior at NYU graduating from the highly selective dual degree Stern-Tisch business and film program. She is a multifaceted filmmaker, with skills in producing, writing, and directing. She's worked with industry leaders such as the Paley Center for Media, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, and Sesame Street, and is the recipient of the coveted NYU Producer Grant. Jasiah has a passion for telling stories that are rooted in real experiences and depict life in the most natural way. She loves helping bring BIPOC and Marginalized voices with ultra-specific points of view to life.
KARMA BRIDGES
Producer
Bio: Karma Graduated Summa Cum Laude from Spelman College with a degree in Documentary Filmmaking. Her superpower is her ability to listen to diverse voices and tell authentic stories that need to be heard. She's a tenacious producer working to showcase diverse stories and bring new voices to the screen. Karma trained in Acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute and has appeared in numerous commercials and short films. In grade school, Karma created an educational website entitled Karma’s World, which is the inspiration behind the animated Netflix series of the same name.
GABRIELLE BARNETT
Outreach Producer
CAROLINE CHU
Marketing Producer
ANDREA WEAVER
MAC Producer
ANGIE MALDONADO
VFX & Storyboard Lead
NIA RAE
Associate Producer - Atlanta
STEPH DAVIS
Graphics & Animation