American Halloween - A Short Film
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, Family
It’s Halloween in the suburbs and everyone is dressing up as someone they’re not. For Indian American 6th grader Juhi Kapoor, this means realizing that everyone, including her Princess Jasmine-obsessed best friend, wants to look like Juhi, but no one knows what it’s like to be her.
American Halloween - A Short Film
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, Family
1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $7,000 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
92 supporters | followers
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It’s Halloween in the suburbs and everyone is dressing up as someone they’re not. For Indian American 6th grader Juhi Kapoor, this means realizing that everyone, including her Princess Jasmine-obsessed best friend, wants to look like Juhi, but no one knows what it’s like to be her.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
It’s 2015 in New Jersey suburbia and this 6th-grade class is gearing up for Halloween. JUHI KAPOOR is a relative stranger when it comes to dressing up, but she realizes that she cannot miss out this year. Everyone has their costumes planned out, including LOLA, Juhi’s best friend.
Lola tells Juhi that she plans on dressing up as Princess Jasmine and that her mom is even going to help her put on makeup to make her skin darker. Lost on what to do, Juhi asks her father, BABA, to take her costume shopping.
You hear a lot of rhetoric about how America is 'grappling' with its racist past right now and it’s pretty misleading because it suggests racism is something individuals can simply move past, rather than a structural triumph at work, continuing to do exactly what it was meant to do. Which is why American Halloween is timeless. It is the experience of past Asian immigrants as well as present. It is reflective of a system that children are born into and cannot help but contribute to themselves. No, this will not fix America in 2022. Yes, your fifth grader can be racist. Let’s talk about it. American Halloween is the place to start!
"Growing up Indian-American in the world of white suburbia has never been easy. For many children of immigrants, that first moment where lines are drawn and the other children start defining you as different is a turning point. How you move past this moment just might define the rest of your life?
As someone who grew up with barely any stories about little girls who looked like me on screen, I always find myself writing about brown girls taking on a world that doesn’t quite understand them. They’re also usually brown girls who don’t take shit. I love Juhi because she is kind but also badass. Young but also revolutionary. The choices she makes in this film are ones that will leave you both proud and shocked since kids often say what we wish we really could.
AAPI films and media have seen a lot of East Asian stories, and we are always seeking to amplify the voices that have been left out."
-Samhitha Saiba, Writer
"Coming of age films have been whitewashed for too long. By overlooking the childhood stories of BIPOC characters these films miss one of the most powerful moments to depict on screen: one’s first real encounter with racism. When one is first discriminated against for the color of their skin, they are forced to grow up and are propelled into an uphill battle that will continue for the rest of their lives. How one moves forward from this experience is a crucial moment that we want to capture."
-Ben Ephraim, Director
You can check out Ben’s past films on his website: https://benephraim.art/
Samhitha Saiba: Writer
SAMHITHA SAIBA (she/her) is a screenwriter, poet, and student at the University of Southern California pursuing a B.A. in English. Based out of L.A. but nostalgic for her East Coast roots, Samhitha tends to write about race, gender, sexuality, and feelings as they intersect in the political personal. She’s also pretty funny and will be interning in the production department of the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this summer.
Ben Ephraim: Director
BEN EPHRAIM (he/him) is a Filipino American writer and director from Washington D.C., currently based in Los Angeles. Ben is pursuing his B.F.A. in Film and Television Production at USC with a focus in Directing. He is passionate about making films that take risks and expand Asian American representation past the East Asian stereotypes and characters that dominate the screen. He currently interns in development for former Amazon executive Steven Prinz’s new company that strives to bring international stories to major American studios. With years of experience working with kids and directing, Ben is excited to tell the story of a crucial moment of growth in childhood.
Renee Chen & Christian Olsen: Producers
RENEE CHEN (she/her) is a Chinese-American film producer/filmmaker, digital photographer, dancer, and freelance cellist currently based in Los Angeles. Renee is currently pursuing a BS in Business Administration with minors in Cinematic Arts, Music Industry, and Hip-Hop/Street/Social Dance Forms at USC. As an advocate for the representation and inclusion of underrepresented voices in both on and off-screen roles, she is fascinated by how film can combine those disciplines and unite a global audience without barriers.
CHRISTIAN OLSEN (he/him) is a film producer currently based in Los Angeles. He is pursuing a BA in Cinematic Arts and Psychology at Duke University, and has spent the last year studying and working alongside talented USC filmmakers such as those on this project. He’s also worked as a script development intern at Vertigo Entertainment and QC Entertainment, and will be interning in the Physical Production department at Legendary Entertainment this summer.
Currently, we are in the early stages of pre-production. Casting is well underway and we are adding more key crew members to the team by the week.
Production is set to take place over the course of three days at the end of July and we need your help to make it happen! Our most significant expenses arise from our dedication to exceptional performances — including two young actors — and compelling production design, but they are costs that will be well worth it in the end.
Additionally, with the ever changing landscape surrounding COVID-19, we will do everything we can to ensure the safety of our cast and crew, including required testing and proof of vaccination.
Every contribution, big or small, is deeply appreciated by our cast and crew. That said, we understand that not everyone is in a position to make a monetary contribution. Another way you can support us is by sharing the American Halloween seed&spark to your friends and family or via social media.
If you want to stay up-to-date on our journey from pre-production to the final cut, make sure to follow @americanhalloweenfilm on Instagram!
Thank you for reading this far and enabling us to tell this incredibly important story. We are endlessly grateful for your support!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations
Costs $400
This will cover location permits for our exterior sets.
Post-Production
Costs $500
This will cover an original score composition and festival submission fees.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Casting
Costs $2,300
Our cast will feature multiple minors, which will increase costs significantly, but it's worthwhile!
Crew & Equipment
Costs $1,200
This money will allow us to maximize our production value and reach our crew's full potential.
Art Department
Costs $1,500
We will be transforming our locations into elaborate sets, so production design is essential.
Production Costs
Costs $1,100
This money will go towards craft services, COVID safety measures, and other production expenses.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Our team is made up of dedicated and experienced storytellers from all walks of life. With the majority of cast and crew being Asian-American, this project aims to create an honest representation of an experience that has been unacknowledged by mainstream media for far too long.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
It’s 2015 in New Jersey suburbia and this 6th-grade class is gearing up for Halloween. JUHI KAPOOR is a relative stranger when it comes to dressing up, but she realizes that she cannot miss out this year. Everyone has their costumes planned out, including LOLA, Juhi’s best friend.
Lola tells Juhi that she plans on dressing up as Princess Jasmine and that her mom is even going to help her put on makeup to make her skin darker. Lost on what to do, Juhi asks her father, BABA, to take her costume shopping.
You hear a lot of rhetoric about how America is 'grappling' with its racist past right now and it’s pretty misleading because it suggests racism is something individuals can simply move past, rather than a structural triumph at work, continuing to do exactly what it was meant to do. Which is why American Halloween is timeless. It is the experience of past Asian immigrants as well as present. It is reflective of a system that children are born into and cannot help but contribute to themselves. No, this will not fix America in 2022. Yes, your fifth grader can be racist. Let’s talk about it. American Halloween is the place to start!
"Growing up Indian-American in the world of white suburbia has never been easy. For many children of immigrants, that first moment where lines are drawn and the other children start defining you as different is a turning point. How you move past this moment just might define the rest of your life?
As someone who grew up with barely any stories about little girls who looked like me on screen, I always find myself writing about brown girls taking on a world that doesn’t quite understand them. They’re also usually brown girls who don’t take shit. I love Juhi because she is kind but also badass. Young but also revolutionary. The choices she makes in this film are ones that will leave you both proud and shocked since kids often say what we wish we really could.
AAPI films and media have seen a lot of East Asian stories, and we are always seeking to amplify the voices that have been left out."
-Samhitha Saiba, Writer
"Coming of age films have been whitewashed for too long. By overlooking the childhood stories of BIPOC characters these films miss one of the most powerful moments to depict on screen: one’s first real encounter with racism. When one is first discriminated against for the color of their skin, they are forced to grow up and are propelled into an uphill battle that will continue for the rest of their lives. How one moves forward from this experience is a crucial moment that we want to capture."
-Ben Ephraim, Director
You can check out Ben’s past films on his website: https://benephraim.art/
Samhitha Saiba: Writer
SAMHITHA SAIBA (she/her) is a screenwriter, poet, and student at the University of Southern California pursuing a B.A. in English. Based out of L.A. but nostalgic for her East Coast roots, Samhitha tends to write about race, gender, sexuality, and feelings as they intersect in the political personal. She’s also pretty funny and will be interning in the production department of the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this summer.
Ben Ephraim: Director
BEN EPHRAIM (he/him) is a Filipino American writer and director from Washington D.C., currently based in Los Angeles. Ben is pursuing his B.F.A. in Film and Television Production at USC with a focus in Directing. He is passionate about making films that take risks and expand Asian American representation past the East Asian stereotypes and characters that dominate the screen. He currently interns in development for former Amazon executive Steven Prinz’s new company that strives to bring international stories to major American studios. With years of experience working with kids and directing, Ben is excited to tell the story of a crucial moment of growth in childhood.
Renee Chen & Christian Olsen: Producers
RENEE CHEN (she/her) is a Chinese-American film producer/filmmaker, digital photographer, dancer, and freelance cellist currently based in Los Angeles. Renee is currently pursuing a BS in Business Administration with minors in Cinematic Arts, Music Industry, and Hip-Hop/Street/Social Dance Forms at USC. As an advocate for the representation and inclusion of underrepresented voices in both on and off-screen roles, she is fascinated by how film can combine those disciplines and unite a global audience without barriers.
CHRISTIAN OLSEN (he/him) is a film producer currently based in Los Angeles. He is pursuing a BA in Cinematic Arts and Psychology at Duke University, and has spent the last year studying and working alongside talented USC filmmakers such as those on this project. He’s also worked as a script development intern at Vertigo Entertainment and QC Entertainment, and will be interning in the Physical Production department at Legendary Entertainment this summer.
Currently, we are in the early stages of pre-production. Casting is well underway and we are adding more key crew members to the team by the week.
Production is set to take place over the course of three days at the end of July and we need your help to make it happen! Our most significant expenses arise from our dedication to exceptional performances — including two young actors — and compelling production design, but they are costs that will be well worth it in the end.
Additionally, with the ever changing landscape surrounding COVID-19, we will do everything we can to ensure the safety of our cast and crew, including required testing and proof of vaccination.
Every contribution, big or small, is deeply appreciated by our cast and crew. That said, we understand that not everyone is in a position to make a monetary contribution. Another way you can support us is by sharing the American Halloween seed&spark to your friends and family or via social media.
If you want to stay up-to-date on our journey from pre-production to the final cut, make sure to follow @americanhalloweenfilm on Instagram!
Thank you for reading this far and enabling us to tell this incredibly important story. We are endlessly grateful for your support!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations
Costs $400
This will cover location permits for our exterior sets.
Post-Production
Costs $500
This will cover an original score composition and festival submission fees.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Casting
Costs $2,300
Our cast will feature multiple minors, which will increase costs significantly, but it's worthwhile!
Crew & Equipment
Costs $1,200
This money will allow us to maximize our production value and reach our crew's full potential.
Art Department
Costs $1,500
We will be transforming our locations into elaborate sets, so production design is essential.
Production Costs
Costs $1,100
This money will go towards craft services, COVID safety measures, and other production expenses.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Our team is made up of dedicated and experienced storytellers from all walks of life. With the majority of cast and crew being Asian-American, this project aims to create an honest representation of an experience that has been unacknowledged by mainstream media for far too long.