BABY CAFE

Vancouver, Canada | Film Short

Sci-Fi, Thriller

07 days :19 hrs :29 mins

Until Deadline

44 supporters | followers

Enter the amount you would like to pledge

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C$4,271

Goal: C$4,000 for development

The year is 2099 and chubby babies are in demand, on demand. BABY CAFE is a proof-of-concept short for a TV series that explores how technology and capitalism might reshape reproductive freedom. Your support helps bring this Sci-Fi world to life!

Participating In

About The Project

  • The Story
  • Wishlist
  • Updates
  • The Team
  • Community

Mission Statement

Hi, I’m Khánh Nguyễn, a Vietnamese-Canadian director, writer, and we are an all-local Vancouver cast and crew. As a woman growing up in Vietnam, I was constantly pressured to have children. I started wondering: what if technology could free women from this expectation? And at what cost?

The Story

Would you rent a baby?

Welcome to BABY CAFE, a future where women are no longer pressured to give birth, but babies are still everywhere. In 2099, you can play with them, rent them, even buy them fully organic. We want to leave you wondering: is this a utopia or a dystopia? What kind of future are we building?

Set in 2099, the story follows Maï, a middle-aged member of the Mothers, a group of women who voluntarily bear children to save humanity from a declining birth rate. Disguised as a Bee Mascot at the BABY BEE Cafe, she stages a heist to steal back what may be her last baby before she ages out of the Mothers program. Will she succeed?



Because this is bigger than one short film: You’re not just funding a short. You’re helping us build a proof of concept for an all-Canadian, BIPOC-led sci-fi series. You’ll be our Day-One supporters who backed BABY CAFE before the world caught on.


Because we need more Asians in Sci-fi: Asian are severely underrepresented in the sci-fi genre in North America. Like Maï, who must steal back her own baby, I am constantly fighting against the system as a first-generation Asian immigrant woman in the film industry. But there is at least one thing I don’t have to fight for: My Imagination.


Because it’s becoming reality: This story may sound absurd, but our society and technology are already moving in that direction. Canada’s fertility rate fell to a record low of 1.25 children per woman in 2024, while researchers are making breakthroughs to create human embryos from skin cells


We’re part of the AAPI Renaissance Rally to help bring bold, unexpected Asian-led stories to the screen. BABY CAFE is exactly that: absurd, controversial and uncomfortably possible.


To become a finalist, we need to raise $3,200 and reach 350 followers on Seed&Spark by April 29 at 9 PM PT. Every follow, share, and pledge helps us get there.


Our full Phase 1 goal is $4,000 — but $3,200 is our make-or-break threshold. If we do not hit that minimum, the campaign will not succeed and pledges will be refunded. 



JOIN OUR BABY CAFE CLUB (for FREE!)

  • Follow our Seed&Spark campaign. You’ll need to create a Seed&Spark account or log in first. The easiest option is to click “Continue with Google” and sign in with your existing Gmail account. Once you’re in, just hit “Follow”.
  • Share the following on your email, text message and social media:


In 2099, chubby babies are in demand, on demand. Help us bring this all Canadian, BIPOC-led Sci-Fi series to life by supporting @babycafethefilm on @seedandspark! Join them here: babycafethefilm.com



BECOME A BABY CAFE VIP

Whatever you can give, we're grateful! Take advantage of our 6 exclusive incentives: from hearing the script for the first time, to visiting set, to being among the first to watch the film. Check them out on the right!


BECOME A BABY CAFE LEGEND

Whoever pledges the most will have the chance to name the chubbiest baby in our film!

*Selected name is subject to creative discretion.


BECOME A BABY CAFE IN-KIND SPONSOR

Want to support the film in another way? We’re looking for in-kind donations such as a cafe location, an alley, food and drinks, props, set decoration, media coverage, or help sharing the campaign with a larger network or following. If you or someone you know can help, please contact us at [email protected]


ANY QUESTIONS?

Email us anytime at [email protected]





Your generosity will help fund Phase 1 of BABY CAFE: World-Building and bring the futuristic world of 2099 to life through:

  • Locations: a bee-themed café and an alley
  • Props: realistic-looking baby dolls and baby-themed pastries
  • Set Decoration: bee-themed baby accessories
  • Costumes: a Bee Mascot costume, traditionally inspired customer looks, and bee-themed staff uniforms
  • Camera:  a 4K camera and lighting gear
  • VFX: holograms and exotic eye colours





Hi, I'm Khánh Nguyễn. Two years ago, I moved to a new city with no film school background or industry connections. I started working as a production assistant and script supervisor, learning from directors on set every day. In that time, I secured $20,000 from the British Columbia Arts Council for my debut short, NEPO BABY. With an incredible team of 80 cast and crew, the film recently won Best Foreign Short at the LA Femme International Film Festival, an award previously won by I’m Not a Robot, the 2025 Oscar winner for Best Live Action Short Film. I made NEPO BABY against the odds, and now I’m coming back to BABY CAFE stronger and more experienced.


I have a strong team by my side. I’m bringing back the NEPO BABY producers (Regina, Henry, and Louis) because we already know how to deliver together. And we’re adding Jennifer Duong, an experienced producer in TV and features, to help take BABY CAFE to the next level. Joining us are our Director of Photography, Kaayla Whachell, and casting director, Monika Dalman, both incredibly experienced, and we’re so lucky to have them. Kaayla will bring my vision to life on screen, while Monika will help us find the best cast… and the chubbiest babies.




Visually, BABY CAFE will look like a cinematic pet commercial. Think I Am Mother meets a Spot Pet Insurance ad. Tonally, it plays like a slow-burn escape-room mystery in the spirit of Silo (Apple TV +). Musically, the original soundtrack will be catchy but disturbing children’s tunes, inspired by the “Mingle” song from Squid Game Season 2.


Listen to the world of BABY CAFE here.


Once we hit our $4,000 goal, you can still pledge until the campaign ends on April 29 at 9 PM PT. Every extra dollar helps us unlock our stretch goals and bring BABY CAFE to camera sooner.


$10,000: OPEN THE CAFE

Complete a 3-day shoot.

$20,000: ADD THE BABIES!

Complete post-production, from editing and sound to color and VFX.

$40,000: PAY THE HIVE

Pay our cast and crew fairly for their work on BABY CAFE.



THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY BABY CAFE!


Jennifer Duong

Sebastian Nguyen

Regina Leung

Henry Kasimir

Louis Poulain

Nina Lee

Hassam

Mikael

Vancouver Honey Cafe (our location!)


Wishlist

Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.

Locations

Costs C$900

Location is everything in Sci-Fi! We need to rent 2 locations: 1 Honey Cafe + 1 Alley.

Baby Doll Props

Costs C$700

We need a ridiculous quantity of realistic-looking CHUBBY BABY dolls for props.

Costume, Set dec & Prop

Costs C$1,200

CHUBBY BABY-themed pastries and bee costumes, bee-themed accessories and staff uniforms, and traditionally inspired customer looks.

Camera & VFX

Costs C$1,200

To best showcase our CHUBBY BABIES, we’ll need a 4K camera, lighting gear, and VFX for holograms and exotic eye colors.

Cash Pledge

Costs C$0

About This Team




KHÁNH NGUYỄN - DIRECTOR/WRITER/CREATOR

Vietnam-born and Vancouver-based, Khánh is an award-winning director-writer passionate about creating fantasy and sci-fi series exploring real human conditions. Her debut short NEPO BABY won Best Foreign Short at LA Femme International Film Festival. She earned a coveted place among the 15 Canadian filmmakers selected for the Vancouver International Film Festival's (VIFF) Catalyst 2025 to elevate her projects. Beyond directing, she works as a script supervisor on numerous indie shorts and features.


KARTER MASUHARA - WRITER

Karter Masuhara is a non-binary writer and filmmaker based in Vancouver on the occupied xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlil̓wətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) territories. They have written and directed an award-winning short film, Where to Piss, which has been entered into multiple film festivals globally. They have also written and self-produced their own play, Before They Cut Down Our Tree, which was presented at the 2023 Vancouver Fringe Festival. In 2025 they were part of Spindle Film Foundation's Producing Mentorship Program as a Producing Mentee. Karter has a Masters in Screenwriting from Leeds Beckett University. They have also worked for a variety of artistic companies in administrative and communication roles with a focus on creating opportunities to uplift diverse voices. They are currently the Managing Producer for the frank theatre.


REGINA LEUNG - PRODUCER

Regina has been in the media & technology industry for over 18 years and has the interesting vantage point of having worked across the spectrum – starting on the brand side in marketing & activation, then moving to agency, and most recently on developing the AR, VR & AI activation in a production studio. She is also passionate about producing, directing, fundraising and distribution for independent films in the past 12+ years (ie: 12 shorts narrative & documentary, 2 webseries and 1 documentary feature in post production) and focus on telling Asian Canadian diaspora stories.


JENNIFER DUONG - PRODUCER

With a passion and life long love for film and storytelling, Jenny has fully immersed herself in the industry. Her background is in Public Relations and Marketing which has been extremely beneficial in her journey as a producer when it comes to understanding the markets, audiences, and trends. Jenny is the President of Visionary Productions, joined in 2018 and since then has produced 3 films, a pilot, and with more projects on the slate, she is also an active member of the CMPA and has shadowed and mentored by the great director Joe Menendez, helping her to build her directing skills. The Four Fathers, Hegemon, a horror feature called Amorosa, and PriMateria, and three more short films are in development, to name a few. Her open mindedness gives her the ability to network and connect with people at a high level. She is adaptable and determined and frequently finds herself a seat at the table. Her energy naturally draws in the right people needed to make things happen. Jenny also writes, acts, and is working on directing. She looks forward to realizing her own visions and helping others with theirs.


HENRY KASIMIR - PRODUCER

His love of cinema began in university in Montreal, where he first worked in production on a short film selected for the McGill Film Festival. A career in real estate development has taken him around the world, and he has stayed active in film wherever he’s lived. In 2018, he attended the Venice Film Festival as part of the induction delegation and ceremony honoring David Cronenberg’s Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement. Most recently, he produced Khanh’s directorial debut short film, NEPO BABY.


MONIKA DALMAN - CASTING DIRECTOR 

Monika Dalman is a US-Canadian Casting Director and Industry Consultant based in Vancouver whose work spans film, television, commercial, and emerging media. Her casting credits include features, series, documentaries, animation, and video games for clients such as CBC, PBS, BBC, Disney, and Marvel. She has contributed to projects supported by Telefilm, CMF, Storyhive, DGC Greenlight, and Crazy8s. With experience across North America, Europe, and Asia, Monika brings producer-minded insight, strong talent development values, and a global perspective to every production. A leader in vertical microdrama, she advises international partners on creative development, market positioning, IP strategy, and talent architecture.


KAAYLA WHACHELL - CINEMATOGRAPHER

Kaayla Whachell is an Associate Member of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers. She is also co-chair of the CSC’s Diversity Committee. Kaayla’s first feature film, Portraits from a Fire, directed by Trevor Mack, won her “Best Cinematography” at the 2022 Leo Awards. Kaayla is known for her work on I’m Just Here for the Riot, an ESPN 30 for 30 directed by Kat Jayme and Asia Youngman. Kaayla recently co-wrote, co-directed, and served as cinematographer on her latest feature, Send the Rain, which will have its festival premiere in 2026. The film marks a historic milestone as the first North American feature to incorporate the endangered Okinawan language, Uchinaguchi. As a woman of mixed descent (Okinawan, Red River Metis, and Czech), Kaayla continues to ally BIPOC filmmakers by showcasing their stories. She is a member of the Metis Nation of British Columbia and the Vancouver Okinawa-ken Yuaikai. She strives to produce a diverse film set for all people to thrive and create within.


VINCENT WONG - MARKETING MANAGER

Vincent is a marketer, event producer, creative director, advocate, designer, nonprofit professional, musician, and creative with a passion for projects that connect communities through creative, authentic, and impactful experiences. Since 2022, he has been the Director of Marketing & Communications for the Arts Club Theatre Company, promoting and creating conversations about powerful and diverse storytelling at Western Canada’s largest theatre company. He holds a BA and MA in Philosophy and a MBA from Beedie School of Business, Simon Fraser University. Vincent has dedicated much of his work to Asian Canadian cultural advocacy and the deep importance of cultural spaces/events as places of connection – especially for those with diaspora roots. This included producing cultural festivals and events at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, advocating for Asian diaspora representation in film and media for ten years as a volunteer, community connector, eventually Marketing Director, short film contest Co-Producer, and Creative Director with the Vancouver Asian Film Festival. Vincent was also Marketing & Communications Director at Visceral Visions and CultureBrew.Art, an online platform connecting creatives of colour and opportunity creators, and Senior Marketing and Sales Manager and pandemic podcast producer at Vancouver Opera.


LOUIS POULAIN - CREATIVE PRODUCER/ VISUAL EFFECTS ARTIST

Louis Poulain is a producer and visual effects artist from France. He produced and did VFX for Khanh’s debut short film NEPO BABY. He's also been working on a mix of indie short and feature films to create the kind of movie magic that brings impossible worlds to life, whether it's adding subtle atmosphere or full-blown explosions. Louis is also the Operations Director at the Vancouver Asian Film Festival (VAFF), where he supports emerging filmmakers and helps bring Asian stories to the big screen.


Current Team

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