Dubaku Brothers
Boston, Massachusetts | Film Short
Family
Friendships are lifesaving, faith is uplifting, and change is hard. Help us tell the story of two boys navigating their relationship with religion and the world, as we've all had to do.
Dubaku Brothers
Boston, Massachusetts | Film Short
Family
1 Campaigns | Massachusetts, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $6,505 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
45 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Friendships are lifesaving, faith is uplifting, and change is hard. Help us tell the story of two boys navigating their relationship with religion and the world, as we've all had to do.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
LOGLINE:
Ten year old Moe unexpectedly finds friendship in Khalil, a boy recently immigrated from Nigeria, whose presence awakens Moe to the blinding presence of race in his religion, school, and home.
PLOT:
Moe Thompson has never liked dressing for church. His vest is too tight, pants too loose. But one Sunday, he sees Khalil, a new boy from Nigeria, wearing a stunning dubaku. Moe is mesmerized by the slip-on confidence and composure. He has no idea yet just how similar he and Khalil may actually be.
Turns out, Khalil is also the new kid in school. Still wearing his dubaku amongst a sea of uniformed children, Khalil stands out like a sore thumb.
Overwhelmed on his first day, Khalil runs to the bathroom, and cries. Moe happens to walk in and overhear. Uncharacteristically, Moe tries to help, sharing what he thinks might help: remembering your faith. Khalil is comforted by the support, and a friendship blossoms.
Khalil finds a home away from home with Moe’s family. While his parents are still in Nigeria, Khalil feels safe here. Their joy, however, is uprooted by bullying in school. Khalil and Moe must figure out how they’re going to handle the ignorance and resentment of their peers.
At its heart, Dubaku Brothers is about faith, belonging, and the uplifting power of friendship. It's a story of courage, cultural pride, and the importance of a solid foundation.
- Moses (Moe) - 10 years old. Biracial. Feels uncomfortable in his own skin - and clothes. Moe loves to draw, fantasizing about being a comic book artist. At home he feels free to be himself, but outside of that space he is anxiously quiet and numb.
- Khalil - 10 years old. Recently immigrated to the US from Nigeria, where his parents still live. Loves his culture, misses home. Trying to figure out how he can be the confident, comfortable young man he usually is in American spaces that don’t necessarily invite him with open arms.
- Mr. Jason Thompson - Father of Moe. White. Dedicated to caring for his family, which now includes Khalil. An artist himself, which can lead to his spontaneous energy. But that won’t inhibit his ability to be serious when it’s necessary. Became Christian after meeting his wife, and learning about Christ from her.
- Mrs. Cindy Thompson - Mother of Moe. African American. Inviting to anyone and everyone. Invested in the wellbeing of others, but capable of prioritizing herself and knowing her capacity limits. Born to agnostic parents, she converted as a teenager to Christianity. She found great peace there, and it’s important to her that her child is raised with what she didn’t have: community. Cindy understands it may take time for things to click, so she tries to not rush her son.
- Pastor Ballard - African American. Eager to share the good news, but humble enough to know when to listen. The pulpit is his office, so there’s no shortage of comfortability speaking to dozens and hundreds. Not afraid to get personal in public spaces if he thinks it’ll help someone.
- Femi - Khalil’s Aunt. Late 20’s. Immigrated from Nigeria several years ago, and works as an assistant manager at a small telemarketing company. She runs her own race, unamused by people pleasing and unnecessary compromise.
- Emily - 10 years old. White. Wants to be Moe’s friend, maybe even more. Wonders if she ever did something to make Moe not want to talk to her, but after so long, she assumes it may be him, not her.
Comps:
Moonlight, Atlanta, MINARI, The Chosen
Themes:
- Identity & Self-Acceptance
- Cultural Pride
- Friendship & Solidarity
- Bullying & Prejudice
- Courage
- Faith & Belonging
Genre:
Feel-good, faith-based, family, drama
ARTISTIC VISION:
The visual vocabulary for Dubaku Brothers is heightened naturalism, using warm, rich tones for Khalil’s culture and identity, contrasted with cooler, muted tones in school settings to highlight isolation and reluctant conformity that Moe is familiar with. Inspired by works like Moonlight and Atlanta, the cinematography will be intimate and immersive, using calculated camera movements to guide the audience’s perspective. The score will be riddled with sounds that reflect the thoughts of our protagonists. Thomas Bleakney, this film’s composer, is an evergrowing master at conveying anxiety, hope, fear, and alienation through sound. African-inspired rhythms will clash and mesh with idiosyncratic, atmospheric indie tones to convey the growth in Moe and Khalil.
Friendships can be life-saving, faith can lift us up, and change… well, it's never easy. This film is about growing up, feeling detrimentally dissociated, questioning traditions, and finding the courage to be yourself in spite of it all. We’ve all had those moments where we’ve struggled with identity, belief, and belonging. This film taps into that experience, showing the power of friendship, the weight of faith, and the strength it takes to embrace who you are.
Too often, the struggles of young people navigating cultural identity and faith are often overlooked or not portrayed accurately in the media. We want to capture those small but powerful moments, the quiet doubts, the unexpected acts of solidarity, and the friendships that change us forever.
This film is a love story to anyone who has ever felt out of place, to those who have questioned where they fit in, and to the bonds that have helped them find their way. By telling this story, we hope to spark conversations, challenge perspectives, and remind audiences of the profound impact of standing up for one another.
We believe in this story, and we want to bring it to life in the most honest and heartfelt way possible. But we can’t do it alone (and we don’t want to!). With your help, we can share Dubaku Brothers with the world, because stories like Moe’s and Khalil’s matter, and deserve to be told.
Producing Dubaku Brothers is an ambitious goal. To do it, we need to raise a minimum of $7,000. Every single dollar will go directly into making this film the best it can be, ensuring safe artistry, high production value, and a strong, passionate team to strategically pull this off.
MONEY GOALS:
Lets make the movie: $7,000
- Help us pay for a professional Director of Photography
- Necessary insurance
- Basic camera rental
- Wardrobe: Dubaku's
- Crafty services
We Can Do Better Than That: $10,000
- In addition to the above;
- Get better camera rental (more set-ups)
- Pay our actors
- Props
- Wardrobe
- Set dressing
Dream Budget: $14,000
- In addition to the above;
- Pay our whole crew
- Dream filming locations
- Travel reimbursements
- Pay our extras
- Professional editing
- Music composer
Bringing this film to life is a team effort, and we’d love your help in making it happen! Here’s how you can support Dubaku Brothers and be a part of this meaningful project:
- Donate – Every contribution, big or small, helps us cover essential costs like locations, crew, food, and production expenses. Your support directly fuels this film’s success!
- Share – Spread the word! Share our campaign, posts, and updates with your friends, family, and networks. The more people who know about Dubaku Brothers, the better chance we have of reaching our goal.
- Follow & Engage – Stay updated by following us on social media! Like, comment, and share our posts—it helps boost visibility and keeps the momentum going: @Eliasistevens on Instagram!
- Donate Wardrobe & Props – Have any clothing, props, or other items that could help bring this story to life? We’re especially looking for authentic pieces to use in the film, and your contributions would be hugely appreciated.
Every little bit of support makes a difference, and we’re so grateful for any way you can help. Let’s make Dubaku Brothers a reality together! ❤️
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Help Feed Our Cast & Crew!
Costs $1,000
Fuel the creativity behind the film! Your support helps us provide meals for the cast and crew, keeping everyone energized and comfortable.
Cover Our Insurance
Costs $1,200
We’ll be renting equipment and filming on location at a school, and in order to make it all possible, we need insurance coverage!
Rent Our Gear!
Costs $1,000
Help us rent the top-quality gear needed to bring our vision to life!
Props
Costs $300
Help us create an authentic, immersive set! Help us purchase the props and set dressing needed!
Pay for the Dubakus!!
Costs $500
Our costumes will feature multiple authentic Dubakus, each handmade in Africa to bring true cultural depth and craftsmanship to the film.
Pay Our Professional Director of Photography
Costs $3,000
We’re committed to ensuring our film looks as professional as possible- with that, we’re excited to hire a skilled DP to help achieve this!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
About Us:
I'm Elias! I’m wrapping up undergrad at Wheaton College MA, and my final project as a Film & New Media Studies major is creating a film. But this is so much more than just school work.
I’ve loved photography since I was a teenager, and it’s opened doors for me that I never thought I’d get to walk through. My Haitian mother raised me in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. My Iraqi American father showed me the ways of the Baha’i Faith. Needless to say, art and faith have been great sources of interest and inspiration for me. Outside of school (and sometimes in), I run ESO Media, a freelance company with some great friends.
Director/Writer’s Note:
"Dubaku Brothers is the manifestation of a deep responsibility I feel as a spiritually driven artist. It’s my job to represent faith in an honest, authentic way to all people. This isn’t proselytizing - it’s an offering. My relationship with God, faith, and cultures surrounding them has been rocky and confusing to say the least. But I now know the gifts I’ve been blessed with - and must nurture for the rest of my life - are actually tools to explore religions, and to share what I learn with as many people as possible. It’s important to display youth figuring out friendships, cultural clashes, and spiritual support systems on screen so that kids like Moe, or young Elias, don’t feel alone. None of us are. This short film weighs all of these factors. Its production is a test of my abilities as a director and communicator. I believe in this project, and the people that will embody it, so much!"
My name is Kaylee Carson, a fourth-year film and business student passionate about both the creative and logistical sides of filmmaking. I've produced multiple short films, studied abroad in Prague- where I learned from industry professionals, Assistant Directed on multiple short films, and interned at an indie startup developing two feature films. My business background gives me a practical, detail-oriented approach to producing, handling scheduling, budgeting and problem-solving with care and efficiency. Ultimately, my goal is to bring meaningful stories to life with precision and passion.
Producer’s Note:
“When I was asked to produce Dubaku Brothers, I immediately knew this was a story worth telling. This film captures something deeply important - friendship, identity, and courage to embrace who you are. As a producer, I’ve always been passionate about helping others bring something meaningful to life, and producing this project embodies that mission of mine. I want to make this film because stories like Moe’s and Khalil’s deserve to be seen. They reflect real struggles of cultural identity, faith, and belonging- things many of us can relate to. I hope to create a space where the crew can thrive and create something that resonates, sparks conversation, and leaves a lasting impact. Producing isn’t just about making a film- it’s about making something that matters. That’s why I’m dedicated to assembling the best team, ensuring every detail is handled with care, and raising the funds to do this story justice. With the right support, we can make this film everything it’s meant to be.”
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
LOGLINE:
Ten year old Moe unexpectedly finds friendship in Khalil, a boy recently immigrated from Nigeria, whose presence awakens Moe to the blinding presence of race in his religion, school, and home.
PLOT:
Moe Thompson has never liked dressing for church. His vest is too tight, pants too loose. But one Sunday, he sees Khalil, a new boy from Nigeria, wearing a stunning dubaku. Moe is mesmerized by the slip-on confidence and composure. He has no idea yet just how similar he and Khalil may actually be.
Turns out, Khalil is also the new kid in school. Still wearing his dubaku amongst a sea of uniformed children, Khalil stands out like a sore thumb.
Overwhelmed on his first day, Khalil runs to the bathroom, and cries. Moe happens to walk in and overhear. Uncharacteristically, Moe tries to help, sharing what he thinks might help: remembering your faith. Khalil is comforted by the support, and a friendship blossoms.
Khalil finds a home away from home with Moe’s family. While his parents are still in Nigeria, Khalil feels safe here. Their joy, however, is uprooted by bullying in school. Khalil and Moe must figure out how they’re going to handle the ignorance and resentment of their peers.
At its heart, Dubaku Brothers is about faith, belonging, and the uplifting power of friendship. It's a story of courage, cultural pride, and the importance of a solid foundation.
- Moses (Moe) - 10 years old. Biracial. Feels uncomfortable in his own skin - and clothes. Moe loves to draw, fantasizing about being a comic book artist. At home he feels free to be himself, but outside of that space he is anxiously quiet and numb.
- Khalil - 10 years old. Recently immigrated to the US from Nigeria, where his parents still live. Loves his culture, misses home. Trying to figure out how he can be the confident, comfortable young man he usually is in American spaces that don’t necessarily invite him with open arms.
- Mr. Jason Thompson - Father of Moe. White. Dedicated to caring for his family, which now includes Khalil. An artist himself, which can lead to his spontaneous energy. But that won’t inhibit his ability to be serious when it’s necessary. Became Christian after meeting his wife, and learning about Christ from her.
- Mrs. Cindy Thompson - Mother of Moe. African American. Inviting to anyone and everyone. Invested in the wellbeing of others, but capable of prioritizing herself and knowing her capacity limits. Born to agnostic parents, she converted as a teenager to Christianity. She found great peace there, and it’s important to her that her child is raised with what she didn’t have: community. Cindy understands it may take time for things to click, so she tries to not rush her son.
- Pastor Ballard - African American. Eager to share the good news, but humble enough to know when to listen. The pulpit is his office, so there’s no shortage of comfortability speaking to dozens and hundreds. Not afraid to get personal in public spaces if he thinks it’ll help someone.
- Femi - Khalil’s Aunt. Late 20’s. Immigrated from Nigeria several years ago, and works as an assistant manager at a small telemarketing company. She runs her own race, unamused by people pleasing and unnecessary compromise.
- Emily - 10 years old. White. Wants to be Moe’s friend, maybe even more. Wonders if she ever did something to make Moe not want to talk to her, but after so long, she assumes it may be him, not her.
Comps:
Moonlight, Atlanta, MINARI, The Chosen
Themes:
- Identity & Self-Acceptance
- Cultural Pride
- Friendship & Solidarity
- Bullying & Prejudice
- Courage
- Faith & Belonging
Genre:
Feel-good, faith-based, family, drama
ARTISTIC VISION:
The visual vocabulary for Dubaku Brothers is heightened naturalism, using warm, rich tones for Khalil’s culture and identity, contrasted with cooler, muted tones in school settings to highlight isolation and reluctant conformity that Moe is familiar with. Inspired by works like Moonlight and Atlanta, the cinematography will be intimate and immersive, using calculated camera movements to guide the audience’s perspective. The score will be riddled with sounds that reflect the thoughts of our protagonists. Thomas Bleakney, this film’s composer, is an evergrowing master at conveying anxiety, hope, fear, and alienation through sound. African-inspired rhythms will clash and mesh with idiosyncratic, atmospheric indie tones to convey the growth in Moe and Khalil.
Friendships can be life-saving, faith can lift us up, and change… well, it's never easy. This film is about growing up, feeling detrimentally dissociated, questioning traditions, and finding the courage to be yourself in spite of it all. We’ve all had those moments where we’ve struggled with identity, belief, and belonging. This film taps into that experience, showing the power of friendship, the weight of faith, and the strength it takes to embrace who you are.
Too often, the struggles of young people navigating cultural identity and faith are often overlooked or not portrayed accurately in the media. We want to capture those small but powerful moments, the quiet doubts, the unexpected acts of solidarity, and the friendships that change us forever.
This film is a love story to anyone who has ever felt out of place, to those who have questioned where they fit in, and to the bonds that have helped them find their way. By telling this story, we hope to spark conversations, challenge perspectives, and remind audiences of the profound impact of standing up for one another.
We believe in this story, and we want to bring it to life in the most honest and heartfelt way possible. But we can’t do it alone (and we don’t want to!). With your help, we can share Dubaku Brothers with the world, because stories like Moe’s and Khalil’s matter, and deserve to be told.
Producing Dubaku Brothers is an ambitious goal. To do it, we need to raise a minimum of $7,000. Every single dollar will go directly into making this film the best it can be, ensuring safe artistry, high production value, and a strong, passionate team to strategically pull this off.
MONEY GOALS:
Lets make the movie: $7,000
- Help us pay for a professional Director of Photography
- Necessary insurance
- Basic camera rental
- Wardrobe: Dubaku's
- Crafty services
We Can Do Better Than That: $10,000
- In addition to the above;
- Get better camera rental (more set-ups)
- Pay our actors
- Props
- Wardrobe
- Set dressing
Dream Budget: $14,000
- In addition to the above;
- Pay our whole crew
- Dream filming locations
- Travel reimbursements
- Pay our extras
- Professional editing
- Music composer
Bringing this film to life is a team effort, and we’d love your help in making it happen! Here’s how you can support Dubaku Brothers and be a part of this meaningful project:
- Donate – Every contribution, big or small, helps us cover essential costs like locations, crew, food, and production expenses. Your support directly fuels this film’s success!
- Share – Spread the word! Share our campaign, posts, and updates with your friends, family, and networks. The more people who know about Dubaku Brothers, the better chance we have of reaching our goal.
- Follow & Engage – Stay updated by following us on social media! Like, comment, and share our posts—it helps boost visibility and keeps the momentum going: @Eliasistevens on Instagram!
- Donate Wardrobe & Props – Have any clothing, props, or other items that could help bring this story to life? We’re especially looking for authentic pieces to use in the film, and your contributions would be hugely appreciated.
Every little bit of support makes a difference, and we’re so grateful for any way you can help. Let’s make Dubaku Brothers a reality together! ❤️
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Help Feed Our Cast & Crew!
Costs $1,000
Fuel the creativity behind the film! Your support helps us provide meals for the cast and crew, keeping everyone energized and comfortable.
Cover Our Insurance
Costs $1,200
We’ll be renting equipment and filming on location at a school, and in order to make it all possible, we need insurance coverage!
Rent Our Gear!
Costs $1,000
Help us rent the top-quality gear needed to bring our vision to life!
Props
Costs $300
Help us create an authentic, immersive set! Help us purchase the props and set dressing needed!
Pay for the Dubakus!!
Costs $500
Our costumes will feature multiple authentic Dubakus, each handmade in Africa to bring true cultural depth and craftsmanship to the film.
Pay Our Professional Director of Photography
Costs $3,000
We’re committed to ensuring our film looks as professional as possible- with that, we’re excited to hire a skilled DP to help achieve this!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
About Us:
I'm Elias! I’m wrapping up undergrad at Wheaton College MA, and my final project as a Film & New Media Studies major is creating a film. But this is so much more than just school work.
I’ve loved photography since I was a teenager, and it’s opened doors for me that I never thought I’d get to walk through. My Haitian mother raised me in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. My Iraqi American father showed me the ways of the Baha’i Faith. Needless to say, art and faith have been great sources of interest and inspiration for me. Outside of school (and sometimes in), I run ESO Media, a freelance company with some great friends.
Director/Writer’s Note:
"Dubaku Brothers is the manifestation of a deep responsibility I feel as a spiritually driven artist. It’s my job to represent faith in an honest, authentic way to all people. This isn’t proselytizing - it’s an offering. My relationship with God, faith, and cultures surrounding them has been rocky and confusing to say the least. But I now know the gifts I’ve been blessed with - and must nurture for the rest of my life - are actually tools to explore religions, and to share what I learn with as many people as possible. It’s important to display youth figuring out friendships, cultural clashes, and spiritual support systems on screen so that kids like Moe, or young Elias, don’t feel alone. None of us are. This short film weighs all of these factors. Its production is a test of my abilities as a director and communicator. I believe in this project, and the people that will embody it, so much!"
My name is Kaylee Carson, a fourth-year film and business student passionate about both the creative and logistical sides of filmmaking. I've produced multiple short films, studied abroad in Prague- where I learned from industry professionals, Assistant Directed on multiple short films, and interned at an indie startup developing two feature films. My business background gives me a practical, detail-oriented approach to producing, handling scheduling, budgeting and problem-solving with care and efficiency. Ultimately, my goal is to bring meaningful stories to life with precision and passion.
Producer’s Note:
“When I was asked to produce Dubaku Brothers, I immediately knew this was a story worth telling. This film captures something deeply important - friendship, identity, and courage to embrace who you are. As a producer, I’ve always been passionate about helping others bring something meaningful to life, and producing this project embodies that mission of mine. I want to make this film because stories like Moe’s and Khalil’s deserve to be seen. They reflect real struggles of cultural identity, faith, and belonging- things many of us can relate to. I hope to create a space where the crew can thrive and create something that resonates, sparks conversation, and leaves a lasting impact. Producing isn’t just about making a film- it’s about making something that matters. That’s why I’m dedicated to assembling the best team, ensuring every detail is handled with care, and raising the funds to do this story justice. With the right support, we can make this film everything it’s meant to be.”