DEAD END follows two sisters, Liz and Andy, on an emotionally charged journey. Liz, the baby of the family, persuades her unserious older sister, Andy, to accompany her on a froyo expedition, revealed to be a ploy to con Andy into joining Liz in visiting their father. Throughout their wayward adventure full of detours and pit-stops, the sisters clash over lingering family tensions, Andy’s refusal to discuss past grievances, and Liz’s relentless attempts to bridge the gap between them. Their stark personalities and contrasting views on their father’s legacy create palpable tension, hidden under sisterly banter, that culminates in bared hearts, hurt feelings, and new revelations.

Pulling from my personal experiences with loss and family, this story allows me to explore my journey through grief, while sharing the lessons I’ve learned and connecting with others who can relate in any way. Telling this story now is crucial in my healing process and education, giving me the space to share my vulnerabilities in hopes of aiding someone who feels the same way. This film is not just my story, but my Mom's story, my siblings' story, and by expressing and sharing it through cinema, we, as a community, get the opportunity to grieve and grow together. 

DEAD END draws creative and visual inspiration from Little Miss Sunshine, Ladybird, A League of Their Own, Little Woman, Waves, Ramona and Beezus, and Fleabag. Sticking to a warmer, earthy color palette, the film starts with visuals that inspire a sense of comfort and familiarity, allowing the audience to immerse themselves in the sister's journey.

Liz - The Younger Sister

Optimistic, energetic, and controlling, 17-year-old Liz has spent most of her life radiating the love and light she craves. With a rebellious older sister, Liz has been careful not to rock the boat. She’ll do (almost) anything to keep her family together, often acting as the glue of her dysfunctional family. But a little turbulence won’t stop Liz from doing what she thinks is right, and despite her sister's reluctance, Liz is determined to visit her Dad, even if she needs a little support to do it. And while she often doesn’t understand or agree with her sister, Liz loves Andy unconditionally. 

Andy - The Older Sister

Sarcastic, reserved, and cynical, 22-year-old Andy prefers the company of a good book over (almost) anyone. A professional grudge holder, Andy often finds herself in the center of family drama, for better or for worse. Despite her unserious demeanor, Andy desperately wants to protect her bright-eyed younger sister Liz from their family's hardships.

Meet Claire Cohen, the writer and director of DEAD END, and get to know a little about the woman behind the camera! With 50+ student short films under her belt, Claire has had the opportunity to work both in front of and behind the camera, making it a goal to work every set position at least once.

Claire studies Cinema and TV Arts and Marketing, graduating in May of 2025. She hopes to move to LA and dive headfirst into the entertainment industry, using this project to define her voice and launch her filmmaking journey. 

Claire has three siblings, her oldest sister Cameron, her older brother Charlie, and her younger sister Caitlin. Now, you must be wondering which sibling got the chopping block, as DEAD END only features two sisters! But, in reality, Andy and Liz are a melting pot of Claire and all her siblings, allowing an authentic relationship to take shape, creating an interesting and natural banter that resonates with everyone who sees it. She hopes you catch a glimpse of your family, friends, and loved ones in Liz and Andy. 

Note from the Director

To me, DEAD END is a heartfelt dramedy about two flawed sisters trying to navigate love, loss, and life.  As a senior at Elon University, I have the opportunity to create a short film as my thesis project to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and truly showcase everything I’ve learned. I have spent the last four years working towards this moment and can't believe it's finally happening. This project is incredibly near and dear to my heart, as I am pulling from my own experiences to create this film. I am extremely close with my family. My three siblings, combined, serve as the basis for my two characters. Without the love, support, and encouragement from my Mom, I would never have been able to follow my dreams and create this film. I owe so much to her, and every day I am inspired by her strength and character.

In 2020, my Dad passed away after a year and a half of battling cancer. The fallout for my family and our community was unimaginable. While the last few years have been a rollercoaster of pain and healing, I work every day to live my life in his honor. I mention all of this not to bring you down, but because it's important you know that this film, this story, comes from my heart. 

Now, while the story has A LOT of creative liberties, I am writing this film to showcase the trials a family can go through while grieving, and as an homage to my mom and my siblings who have provided me endless support through some of the hardest moments of my life. By giving me your time, energy, and hard work, every one of you is responsible for making my vision a reality, and I truly cannot thank you enough. I have high hopes for this film, and with your help, we can make something amazing. 

For more information or to stay updated on the film's progress, follow our page on Seed and Spark and check out the social media page (@deadendshortfilm) on Instagram!

Thanks for being a part of this journey!

Best, 

Claire S. Cohen

Writer and Director of DEAD END

Goals and Expenses

Your support at every stage of this process is crucial. By contributing to the film, you ensure that every aspect of the film is not just completed, but done to the best of our ability. Our goal is to raise $2,000, spread across all stages of production. Below is a breakdown of production expenses and how the fully funded budget would be distributed;

BUT! That budget is just the beginning, as we have ambitious goals that come with extra costs, and every penny counts. So, even if you’re reading this and the project has already reached 100% of its goal, don’t let that deter you from contributing! Below is a list of extra expenses that aren't essential to the completion of the film, but would go a long way in the distribution and success of the project (rough estimates, in no particular order):

1. Music Licensing Rights +$80
2. Film Festival Submission Costs  +$100
3. Film Festival Travel/Accommodation +$100
4. Gifts and Payment for the Cast and Crew +$150
5. Film Distribution +$200
6. Marketing & Promotion +$200

How YOU Can Help!

Now, this all might seem daunting, but Claire and her team are ready and excited for this project. Here’s where you come in! If you’re interested in the project, there are four big things you can do to show your support and help make this project a reality:

1. Follow our page on Seed&Spark!
2. Follow our Instagram!
3. Send this page to someone you know who would be interested in the project!
4. Contribute to the film!

Every follow-up and share boosts our publicity and helps push this project to more people who may be interested in it. By following, you’ll also get to follow along on the filmmaking journey! Contributing is the most direct way to support the film and speed up production while ensuring the highest quality possible.

All shows of support help and we appreciate you taking the time to hear about our project. We hope you stick around!