Canopy Roads
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama
This film comes at a time when so many of us are looking back, trying to figure out how we ended up where we are today. Through the eyes of sisters in rural Florida, the film explores the beauty and pain of our past, while reminding us of the connections that can carry us forward.
Canopy Roads
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama
1 Campaigns | California, United States
1 supporter | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$20
Goal: $17,050 for pre-production
This film comes at a time when so many of us are looking back, trying to figure out how we ended up where we are today. Through the eyes of sisters in rural Florida, the film explores the beauty and pain of our past, while reminding us of the connections that can carry us forward.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Two sisters, Nora, an elite gymnast, and Lily, a talented violinist, battle coming of age in an isolated rural landscape. As scandal sends them to an elite North Florida boarding school, they each find solace in an old pen pal system as they navigate their strained relationship in the colorful new world of the most talented artists and athletes from the South.
In 2025, at my family reunion in Eufaula, Alabama, my aunt told us a story of how my great-grandmother left the rural farm town for a new life in Florida. It was a beautiful tale of the connection between two women, and the desire for something more; my family has been in Florida ever since.
For my final film for my MFA at USC, I wanted to make a story that honors my home, women, and the complicated emotions of girlhood. I have always been drawn to introspective stories that dissect the internal world of complicated characters and how this affects the relationships around them. In this film, the characters struggle with their own personal desires while truly wanting connection, something I resonate with deeply. As a former competitive gymnast & current filmmaker, I’ve always wanted to explore this using ideals close to my heart—artistry & athleticism.
Setting the film in my home state of Florida couldn’t be more important to me and the story. Whenever I return home, I’m always both delighted and, at times, disappointed to find it almost exactly as I left it. There’s a strange feeling to be from a place seemingly stuck in the past, in hopes of preserving history. But what parts of our painful past are we preserving? What is worth keeping, and what must evolve into something new? Through this story, I also hope to explore the relationship between tradition & progression.
By showcasing both the beauty and pain of relationships, I’m hopeful that this film will encourage connection between our families and amongst our loved ones. Despite our differences, I hope this film fosters understanding from the audience that we may be more alike than we think.
How Your Support Will Help
The funds raised through this campaign will go directly toward bringing Canopy Roads into production during the 2026–2027 academic year as my MFA thesis film at USC.
Your contributions will help us secure the locations needed to transform Southern California into rural North Florida, purchase and create custom school uniforms and gymnastics costumes, rent camera equipment, provide meals for our cast and crew, and build the lush Florida-inspired production design that is essential to the film's world.
We are Fiscally Sponsored by From the Heart Productions, making all donations TAX DEDUCTIBLE!
A coming-of-age drama with a haunting and introspective tone, the film explores loneliness, sisterhood, and the search for belonging. Set against the beauty and isolation of rural North Florida, it captures the angst of adolescence as two sisters navigate ambition, identity, and connection in an unfamiliar world.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
School Uniforms
Costs $1,750
Creating unique uniforms that are both structured and personalized will help us build the world.
Gymnastic Gear
Costs $1,800
Purchasing/Designing Leotards, warmups, & other gymnastics gear!
Camera Package
Costs $4,500
Cameras and lenses are EXPENSIVE but essential hardware to shoot our film!
Food & Crafty
Costs $2,000
Our crew works so hard and for free! Purchasing nourishing food to feed the crew is important to us!
Locations
Costs $6,000
We're looking to shoot at an estate with colonial architecture that can replicate the architecture of North Florida for Canopy Prep Academy
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Brandi Stevens - Director/Co-Writer
Brandi Stevens is an LA based writer-director specializing in introspective character-driven stories centered on women navigating life, relationships and identity. In a multitude of genres, she creates intimate work in vibrant color palettes that evoke a feeling of timelessness and beauty. As a former Division 1 Collegiate Athlete and raised in northern Florida, she commonly utilizes elements including sports, dance, music & socio-political commentary from a southern lens.
Her 2023 short film, Impression received various recognitions including a nomination for Best Georgia Short at the Oscar-Qualifying Atlanta Film Festival. For this film, Brandi has been invited to speak on panels with the Atlanta Film Festival as well as Black Writers Weekend. She followed this film with a series proof of concept PEARLS (2023) currently on the festival circuit.
Brandi continues to create while expanding her knowledge while pursuing her MFA in Film Production from The University of Southern California. Solidifying her voice, her work seeks to bridge gaps and inspire others to alter their view on themselves and the world around them through empathy, understanding and exploration.
Jade Hunter - Producer
Jade Hunter is a producer, director, and writer whose work blends passion, resourcefulness, and a deep love of storytelling. Currently pursuing her MFA in Film & Television Production at the University of Southern California, she has built a dynamic portfolio of short films including Until We’re Free, Pigs, Pageant Lens, and For Your Own Good, taking on roles across writing, directing, and producing that showcase her versatility and creative range.
Her professional experience spans both major productions and independent sets, including work as a production assistant at Paramount Pictures at Crimson Edge, and at Saxton Pictures on the Webby Award–winning Quest for Qraft Season 3. A New Jersey native with a BFA in Filmmaking from Montclair State University, Jade brings grounded ambition to every project, with a focus on amplifying underrepresented voices and telling stories rooted in resilience, complexity, and humanity.
Hanissa Kartika - Producer
Hanissa Kartika is an LA-based producer and a third-year Master of Fine Arts student in Film & Television Production at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. During her time at USC, she has taken on roles across 10+ projects as a producer, associate producer, director, and more. Hanissa began her career as a videographer in both Indonesia and the US.
Her own directed shorts Run (2024) has been officially selected for the LA Asian Film Festival, The North Film Festival - New York City, Stockholm City Film Festival, and Toronto Lift-Off Film Festival 2026. Run also won best director short film for Stockholm City Film Festival and nominated for Best Drama Short Film for The North Film Festival - New York City.
As an up-and-coming producer, Hanissa’s storytelling perspective aims to explore topics of identity, representation, and culture through drama, science-fiction, horror, and mystery/thriller genres.
Carlotta Summers - 1st Assistant Director
Carlotta Summers is a multiple award winning, biracial actress, director, and daydreamer. She holds a BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and is currently enrolled at USC School of Cinematic Arts for her MFA in Film and Television Production with a focus in directing.
She was a recipient of the Slamdance Mentorship Award out of 4,200 submissions for her pilot, The Wanderer, featured in Variety in 2022.
Carlotta’s first film, Butterflies, screened at the Academy Qualifying Holly Short Film Festival. It is now streaming on Amazon Prime! Her most recent short proof of concept, in which she directed American Retail, will be making its world premiere at Raindance Film Festival in 2026. The film co-stars Bailey Bass (Avatar, Interview with the Vampire), Geneva Carr (Bull) and Carlotta.
Carlotta was also an Associate Producer for the USC thesis short film, Ponyboi, co-produced by Stephen Fry & Emma Thompson, which made its NY Premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2019.
Andrew Bansal - Director of Photography
Andrew Bansal is a Los Angeles–based cinematographer and camera operator. Originally from Colorado, he earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado in 2021 before relocating to Los Angeles to attend USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. There, he received an MFA in Film & Television Production and served as president of the Trojan Society of Cinematographers, a student organization focused on fostering a community of cinematographers and facilitating relationships with outside vendors and working professionals.
Andrew specializes in shooting scripted narrative, documentary, and commercial projects. His work has been recognized and shortlisted for student awards by organizations including the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, the Directors Guild of America, USC First Look, and CamerImage.
Johnny Navarro - Production Designer & Costume Designer
Johnny Navarro is a multidisciplinary Creative Director based in Los Angeles.
Originally from Florida Johnny holds a Bachelor’s degree in Film with a minor in Theater from the University of Miami. His passion for the creative industry was ignited early on through his family’s background in event production and pageantry, providing him with a lifelong foundation in visual storytelling.
Since relocating to the West Coast four years ago, Johnny has cultivated a versatile and comprehensive approach to his work. He specializes in bridging the gaps between distinct artistic mediums, with expertise spanning Creative Direction, Production Design, Costume & Styling, and Film. He is dedicated to producing well-rounded, immersive work that resonates across the art and music industries.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Two sisters, Nora, an elite gymnast, and Lily, a talented violinist, battle coming of age in an isolated rural landscape. As scandal sends them to an elite North Florida boarding school, they each find solace in an old pen pal system as they navigate their strained relationship in the colorful new world of the most talented artists and athletes from the South.
In 2025, at my family reunion in Eufaula, Alabama, my aunt told us a story of how my great-grandmother left the rural farm town for a new life in Florida. It was a beautiful tale of the connection between two women, and the desire for something more; my family has been in Florida ever since.
For my final film for my MFA at USC, I wanted to make a story that honors my home, women, and the complicated emotions of girlhood. I have always been drawn to introspective stories that dissect the internal world of complicated characters and how this affects the relationships around them. In this film, the characters struggle with their own personal desires while truly wanting connection, something I resonate with deeply. As a former competitive gymnast & current filmmaker, I’ve always wanted to explore this using ideals close to my heart—artistry & athleticism.
Setting the film in my home state of Florida couldn’t be more important to me and the story. Whenever I return home, I’m always both delighted and, at times, disappointed to find it almost exactly as I left it. There’s a strange feeling to be from a place seemingly stuck in the past, in hopes of preserving history. But what parts of our painful past are we preserving? What is worth keeping, and what must evolve into something new? Through this story, I also hope to explore the relationship between tradition & progression.
By showcasing both the beauty and pain of relationships, I’m hopeful that this film will encourage connection between our families and amongst our loved ones. Despite our differences, I hope this film fosters understanding from the audience that we may be more alike than we think.
How Your Support Will Help
The funds raised through this campaign will go directly toward bringing Canopy Roads into production during the 2026–2027 academic year as my MFA thesis film at USC.
Your contributions will help us secure the locations needed to transform Southern California into rural North Florida, purchase and create custom school uniforms and gymnastics costumes, rent camera equipment, provide meals for our cast and crew, and build the lush Florida-inspired production design that is essential to the film's world.
We are Fiscally Sponsored by From the Heart Productions, making all donations TAX DEDUCTIBLE!
A coming-of-age drama with a haunting and introspective tone, the film explores loneliness, sisterhood, and the search for belonging. Set against the beauty and isolation of rural North Florida, it captures the angst of adolescence as two sisters navigate ambition, identity, and connection in an unfamiliar world.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
School Uniforms
Costs $1,750
Creating unique uniforms that are both structured and personalized will help us build the world.
Gymnastic Gear
Costs $1,800
Purchasing/Designing Leotards, warmups, & other gymnastics gear!
Camera Package
Costs $4,500
Cameras and lenses are EXPENSIVE but essential hardware to shoot our film!
Food & Crafty
Costs $2,000
Our crew works so hard and for free! Purchasing nourishing food to feed the crew is important to us!
Locations
Costs $6,000
We're looking to shoot at an estate with colonial architecture that can replicate the architecture of North Florida for Canopy Prep Academy
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Brandi Stevens - Director/Co-Writer
Brandi Stevens is an LA based writer-director specializing in introspective character-driven stories centered on women navigating life, relationships and identity. In a multitude of genres, she creates intimate work in vibrant color palettes that evoke a feeling of timelessness and beauty. As a former Division 1 Collegiate Athlete and raised in northern Florida, she commonly utilizes elements including sports, dance, music & socio-political commentary from a southern lens.
Her 2023 short film, Impression received various recognitions including a nomination for Best Georgia Short at the Oscar-Qualifying Atlanta Film Festival. For this film, Brandi has been invited to speak on panels with the Atlanta Film Festival as well as Black Writers Weekend. She followed this film with a series proof of concept PEARLS (2023) currently on the festival circuit.
Brandi continues to create while expanding her knowledge while pursuing her MFA in Film Production from The University of Southern California. Solidifying her voice, her work seeks to bridge gaps and inspire others to alter their view on themselves and the world around them through empathy, understanding and exploration.
Jade Hunter - Producer
Jade Hunter is a producer, director, and writer whose work blends passion, resourcefulness, and a deep love of storytelling. Currently pursuing her MFA in Film & Television Production at the University of Southern California, she has built a dynamic portfolio of short films including Until We’re Free, Pigs, Pageant Lens, and For Your Own Good, taking on roles across writing, directing, and producing that showcase her versatility and creative range.
Her professional experience spans both major productions and independent sets, including work as a production assistant at Paramount Pictures at Crimson Edge, and at Saxton Pictures on the Webby Award–winning Quest for Qraft Season 3. A New Jersey native with a BFA in Filmmaking from Montclair State University, Jade brings grounded ambition to every project, with a focus on amplifying underrepresented voices and telling stories rooted in resilience, complexity, and humanity.
Hanissa Kartika - Producer
Hanissa Kartika is an LA-based producer and a third-year Master of Fine Arts student in Film & Television Production at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. During her time at USC, she has taken on roles across 10+ projects as a producer, associate producer, director, and more. Hanissa began her career as a videographer in both Indonesia and the US.
Her own directed shorts Run (2024) has been officially selected for the LA Asian Film Festival, The North Film Festival - New York City, Stockholm City Film Festival, and Toronto Lift-Off Film Festival 2026. Run also won best director short film for Stockholm City Film Festival and nominated for Best Drama Short Film for The North Film Festival - New York City.
As an up-and-coming producer, Hanissa’s storytelling perspective aims to explore topics of identity, representation, and culture through drama, science-fiction, horror, and mystery/thriller genres.
Carlotta Summers - 1st Assistant Director
Carlotta Summers is a multiple award winning, biracial actress, director, and daydreamer. She holds a BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and is currently enrolled at USC School of Cinematic Arts for her MFA in Film and Television Production with a focus in directing.
She was a recipient of the Slamdance Mentorship Award out of 4,200 submissions for her pilot, The Wanderer, featured in Variety in 2022.
Carlotta’s first film, Butterflies, screened at the Academy Qualifying Holly Short Film Festival. It is now streaming on Amazon Prime! Her most recent short proof of concept, in which she directed American Retail, will be making its world premiere at Raindance Film Festival in 2026. The film co-stars Bailey Bass (Avatar, Interview with the Vampire), Geneva Carr (Bull) and Carlotta.
Carlotta was also an Associate Producer for the USC thesis short film, Ponyboi, co-produced by Stephen Fry & Emma Thompson, which made its NY Premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2019.
Andrew Bansal - Director of Photography
Andrew Bansal is a Los Angeles–based cinematographer and camera operator. Originally from Colorado, he earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado in 2021 before relocating to Los Angeles to attend USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. There, he received an MFA in Film & Television Production and served as president of the Trojan Society of Cinematographers, a student organization focused on fostering a community of cinematographers and facilitating relationships with outside vendors and working professionals.
Andrew specializes in shooting scripted narrative, documentary, and commercial projects. His work has been recognized and shortlisted for student awards by organizations including the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, the Directors Guild of America, USC First Look, and CamerImage.
Johnny Navarro - Production Designer & Costume Designer
Johnny Navarro is a multidisciplinary Creative Director based in Los Angeles.
Originally from Florida Johnny holds a Bachelor’s degree in Film with a minor in Theater from the University of Miami. His passion for the creative industry was ignited early on through his family’s background in event production and pageantry, providing him with a lifelong foundation in visual storytelling.
Since relocating to the West Coast four years ago, Johnny has cultivated a versatile and comprehensive approach to his work. He specializes in bridging the gaps between distinct artistic mediums, with expertise spanning Creative Direction, Production Design, Costume & Styling, and Film. He is dedicated to producing well-rounded, immersive work that resonates across the art and music industries.