Better Green is a 15-minute romantic drama following Filipino immigrant Matt as he surprises his American girlfriend Debbie with a marriage proposal. Protesting the engagement, Debbie discovers Matt’s hidden motivation: obtaining a green card as his last ditch effort to stay in the USA.

What happens next is an emotional rollercoaster of desperation, betrayal, community, and hope.

After graduation, there is always one big question on everyone’s mind. What happens next?

In the Philippines, I grew up knowing that my future was set in the USA. When I got to college, I found many talented, kindred spirits who dreamed the same. We followed down this path because we envisioned the foundations of our career and life being built so clearly in America. But the reality is that it did not fully materialize for everyone. Many of us had to drastically change plans: switch schools and find work in other countries, wait out on a lottery-based visa that never came, or get hastily married for a green card. 

Once those of us who remained did find a way to stay, the rising sentiment against immigration made many of us wonder if we truly belonged. Fear and alienation set in. We got through the door, but was there room for us to begin with?

Even though Better Green is a work of fiction, its story is based on a real premise that many people find themselves in today. With so much uncertainty, many people - either from here or elsewhere - crave some semblance of stability. A home. 

The beautiful thing that I discovered living in the US is that there are so many pockets of fellowship that build up this country. Not as divided as we have been led to believe, but woven together and connected like a big tapestry.

I started Better Green as a hopeful reminder for community and love in spite of all the madness. 

But like many things, it will take a village to turn this film into a reality.

The world remains in a confusing, chaotic state: the radical shift in politics, increase in job disparity, rising costs of living, the dehumanization of immigrants and other marginalized groups into mere statistics and headlines.

And yet every day, people keep moving. How?

Better Green is a story driven by characters that embody the real people behind the headlines. They are dealing with the same confusion we have and have different ideas on what the path forward is. They feel as lost as we are. 

But at the end of the day, this film is a proclamation that what makes a community are its people. Our neighbor next door. Our loved ones at home. Even if we do not have the answers for tomorrow, the only way forward is together.

Better Green is for anyone who has lately felt lost or unsure what comes next. 

For anyone caught in the Asian-American diaspora and the immigrant experience at large.

For young adults trying to step into independence amidst rising rents and job scarcity.

For people who get overlooked by the systems in place. 

For travelers in search of a home. 

For lovers who fight with their hearts. 

For everyone just trying to make it to tomorrow. 

This film is for you.

Fim still from Vic and His Nanay (2024)

MATT MEDRANO is a 22-year-old Filipino immigrant who is caring and hard-working, yet hides his own insecurities and struggles to obtain a visa behind a jovial, romantic facade. Matt wants the chance to build a life in the USA, but is ashamed of being unable to make those dreams into a reality due to the systematic roadblocks he faces. All of his feelings of internalized failure come out when an impromptu proposal to his girlfriend goes wrong.

Fim still from The Big Sick (2017)

DEBBIE DANIELS is a 22-year-old ardent American who takes pride in the fact that she finally found her footing as an independent young adult - a rarity these days. She craves stability and comfort, which she finds in her career and her relationship with Matt. Inquisitive and frank, Debbie values transparency. Her trust is put to the test when she discovers Matt kept the truth of his visa situation from her.

Film still from Sorry, Baby (2025)

MR. MARKEVICH is a 55-year-old Eastern-European, kindly next-door neighbor to Matt and Debbie. When he catches the fallout of Matt and Debbie’s pivotal argument, Mr. Markevich provides much-needed levity and insight to a troubled Debbie. Through his tenderness, we learn the power of community and compassion, of forgiveness and love.  

Film still from Past Lives (2023)

Following in the footsteps of The Big Sick (dir. Michael Showalter) and Past Lives (dir. Celine Song), Better Green captures the dichotomy of a relationship between an American citizen and an immigrant.

Film still from The Invite (2026)

Inspired by films like Marriage Story (dir. Noah Bambauch) and The Invite (dir. Olivia Wilde), this film will turn an apartment into a battlefield and push our two leads to their emotional limits.  

• July - September: Pre-Production (Casting, Location Scouting) & Crowdfunding
• October: Production (3-Day Film Shoot)
• October - December: Post-Production (Editing, Scoring, Mixing)
• 2027: Distribution (Film Festival Submissions)

We are an independent team working with what we have to tell an authentic story, but we need your help raising $1,100 to see our project through.

Your donation will cover production costs including camera and sound equipment rentals for top-notch quality sound and color, production design and hair/makeup to fully realize our intimate world and characters, transportation of equipment and cast/crew (as well as food!), and distribution costs to get our film on as many screens as possible.

UPDATE: We are happy to announce that ahead of the launch of our Seed&Spark page, we held an overwhelmingly succesful cafe pop-up in support of our film and raised 40% of our budget! We are so touched by the support of our community and we aim to do you proud with our film.

Karlos Kuan (Writer, Director, & Producer) and Colleen Busch (Associate Producer, Production Designer, Social Media Designer) at the 'Cafe Tayo' Pop-Up in support of Better Green.

We still need your help raising $625 to get our film to the finish line. Even if you are not in a place to contribute financially, you can still make a huge impact by following and sharing our story online!

Follow this campaign, as well as @blootop.pictures and @caralisproductions on Instagram for more updates.

Every donation, share, and follow counts! Your contribution is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!