Forbidden Steps
Austin, Texas | Film Short
Horror, Fantasy
Forbidden Steps follows eldest sister, Evelyn, as she tracks down her rebellious, younger sister Liliana, at a local Tejano nightclub. Throughout the night, she is faced with a strong premonition that urges her to bring her sister home.
Forbidden Steps
Austin, Texas | Film Short
Horror, Fantasy
2 Campaigns | Texas, United States
0 supporters | followers
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Goal: $2,513 for distribution
Forbidden Steps follows eldest sister, Evelyn, as she tracks down her rebellious, younger sister Liliana, at a local Tejano nightclub. Throughout the night, she is faced with a strong premonition that urges her to bring her sister home.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
follows eldest sister, Evelyn, as she tracks down her rebellious, younger sister Liliana, at their towns local tejano nightclub. Throughout the night, she is faced with a strong premonition that urges her to bring her sister home. After failing to convince her to abandoned her night of fun, she witnesses an unexplainable event that tragically changes their lives.
Consumed by guilt and fear, Evelyn returns home, where her mother reveals the chilling truth behind Liliana ’ s night out—and the terrifying reality of Evelyn's premonition.
"Growing up Mexican-American, there are many aspects of our culture that have impacted the way we are raised and the things that we believe in. I was raised a Catholic, but was told various folklore stories, like La Llorona, Duendes, Lechuzas, and the 1979 event that I grew up believing out of fear. I was always curious as to how our culture made us superstitious and religious at the same time, and I would love to showcase how we as people use folklore stories to interpret certain traumas faced within a community through the story of ‘Forbidden Steps.’ I wanted to create an eerie horror story incorporating accurate representation of Mexican-Americans within South Texas using music (1970s Tejano Music), Catholic/Religious practices, and Language through bilingual characters." from Valerie Chavez
PROJECT TIMELINE:
🖋️ PRE-PRODUCTION: JANUARY 2026 - FEBRUARY 2026
🎥 PRODUCTION: FEBRUARY 27TH - MARCH 1ST 2026
📍 POST-PRODUCTION: MARCH - AUGUST 2026
📍WHERE WE ARE IN POST-PRODUCTION:
- Finalizing CGI VFX
- Paying for the music composition
- Recovering location costs
- Submitting to Film Festivals
- Thanking our CAST, CREW, and DONORS
Our project had a successful Pre-Production + Production campaign where we raised $1,570 of our projected budget.
We were aware and prepared for the challenges that came with working with a tight budget on a student-level short. And by leveraging our resources, we were able to finish our film and screen at our End of Semester Screenings at The University of Texas at Austin, but we still need YOUR help to get us to the finish line!!
We are trying to reach $2,513 for our Post-Production campaign!!
With your support we can:
- Pay our composers for the original scores - $250
- Recover location costs - $1,500
- Submit to festivals to get the film seen - $500
- Thank EVERYONE who brought this vision to life !! - $263
FOLLOW OUR JOURNEY ON SEED&SPARK AND INSTAGRAM @FORBIDDENSTEPSFILM
By supporting this crowdfund, you are helping us bring this film to the finish line. We can't do this without you! Muchísimas gracias <3 https://seedandspark.com/fund/forbidden-steps-2
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
DISTRIBUTION
Costs $500
Help bring our film to the big screen at film festivals worldwide!
COMPOSER FEES
Costs $250
Support our incredible composers as they create the soundtrack for our film!
INCENTIVE FULFILLMENT & SHIPPING COSTS
Costs $263
Every frame of this film exists because of supporters like you. We want to be sure and have allocated costs for
RECOVER LOCATION FEES
Costs $1,500
Help us cover our location costs! This film wouldn't be the same without the incredible places that brought it to life!
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Valerie Michelle Chavez | Writer/Director
Valerie (she/her) is a versatile film production professional specializing in documentary/narrative directing, production design, and special effects makeup. Currently she is based out of Mission and Austin Texas. Her recent credits include production work on The Old House (dir. Joseph Chavez) and A Good Show (dir. Maddie Dau), as well as directing the narrative horror short Duende alongside Forbidden Steps! https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeriemchavez/
Ryan “Ray” Jimenez | Producer
Ryan specializes in producing, sound design, and editing. His creative credits include writing and directing the short film Pay It Forward and producing the horror short Pulling Teeth. Driven by a passion for genre storytelling, Ryan is excited to take Forbidden Steps to the next STEP! https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-zachary-jimenez/
Sasha Tavassoli | Associate Producer
Sasha is passionate and versed filmmaker with an interest in producing, writing, and directing. She is excited to continue bringing awareness to Forbidden Steps! https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasha-gabrielle-tavassoli-1b2b082b5/
Ivan Alejandro Rocha | Director of Photography
Ivan (he/him) is a Mexican-American film editor, cinematographer, director & creator based in Austin, Texas. Typically utilizing a surreal and horror lens, he captures those “small” yet deeply nostalgic and unforgettable feelings, inviting viewers to reflect on their own journeys of self-discovery through a manifested horror element that is both fun and terrifying. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivan-alejandro-rocha/
Emily Zamora | Production Designer
Emily (she/her) is an Austin-based production designer, art director, and documentary filmmaker originally from the Rio Grande Valley. Her recent production design credits include the narrative shorts Duende, Portraits, and Hitt. Beyond narrative film, Emily has directed documentaries exploring ATX reggaetón culture and aims to work professionally as a creative director or production designer in commercial production. https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyrzamora/
Kate Hernandez Duran | Distribution Coordinator & Campaign Manager
Kate (she/her) is an experienced film and television production professional with a background spanning art direction, producing, live broadcasting, and public relations. She has served as Executive Producer for an entertainment news show on Texas Student Television, art directed short films, and worked on set for Austin indie projects as well as major streaming series. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-hernandez/
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
follows eldest sister, Evelyn, as she tracks down her rebellious, younger sister Liliana, at their towns local tejano nightclub. Throughout the night, she is faced with a strong premonition that urges her to bring her sister home. After failing to convince her to abandoned her night of fun, she witnesses an unexplainable event that tragically changes their lives.
Consumed by guilt and fear, Evelyn returns home, where her mother reveals the chilling truth behind Liliana ’ s night out—and the terrifying reality of Evelyn's premonition.
"Growing up Mexican-American, there are many aspects of our culture that have impacted the way we are raised and the things that we believe in. I was raised a Catholic, but was told various folklore stories, like La Llorona, Duendes, Lechuzas, and the 1979 event that I grew up believing out of fear. I was always curious as to how our culture made us superstitious and religious at the same time, and I would love to showcase how we as people use folklore stories to interpret certain traumas faced within a community through the story of ‘Forbidden Steps.’ I wanted to create an eerie horror story incorporating accurate representation of Mexican-Americans within South Texas using music (1970s Tejano Music), Catholic/Religious practices, and Language through bilingual characters." from Valerie Chavez
PROJECT TIMELINE:
🖋️ PRE-PRODUCTION: JANUARY 2026 - FEBRUARY 2026
🎥 PRODUCTION: FEBRUARY 27TH - MARCH 1ST 2026
📍 POST-PRODUCTION: MARCH - AUGUST 2026
📍WHERE WE ARE IN POST-PRODUCTION:
- Finalizing CGI VFX
- Paying for the music composition
- Recovering location costs
- Submitting to Film Festivals
- Thanking our CAST, CREW, and DONORS
Our project had a successful Pre-Production + Production campaign where we raised $1,570 of our projected budget.
We were aware and prepared for the challenges that came with working with a tight budget on a student-level short. And by leveraging our resources, we were able to finish our film and screen at our End of Semester Screenings at The University of Texas at Austin, but we still need YOUR help to get us to the finish line!!
We are trying to reach $2,513 for our Post-Production campaign!!
With your support we can:
- Pay our composers for the original scores - $250
- Recover location costs - $1,500
- Submit to festivals to get the film seen - $500
- Thank EVERYONE who brought this vision to life !! - $263
FOLLOW OUR JOURNEY ON SEED&SPARK AND INSTAGRAM @FORBIDDENSTEPSFILM
By supporting this crowdfund, you are helping us bring this film to the finish line. We can't do this without you! Muchísimas gracias <3 https://seedandspark.com/fund/forbidden-steps-2
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
DISTRIBUTION
Costs $500
Help bring our film to the big screen at film festivals worldwide!
COMPOSER FEES
Costs $250
Support our incredible composers as they create the soundtrack for our film!
INCENTIVE FULFILLMENT & SHIPPING COSTS
Costs $263
Every frame of this film exists because of supporters like you. We want to be sure and have allocated costs for
RECOVER LOCATION FEES
Costs $1,500
Help us cover our location costs! This film wouldn't be the same without the incredible places that brought it to life!
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Valerie Michelle Chavez | Writer/Director
Valerie (she/her) is a versatile film production professional specializing in documentary/narrative directing, production design, and special effects makeup. Currently she is based out of Mission and Austin Texas. Her recent credits include production work on The Old House (dir. Joseph Chavez) and A Good Show (dir. Maddie Dau), as well as directing the narrative horror short Duende alongside Forbidden Steps! https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeriemchavez/
Ryan “Ray” Jimenez | Producer
Ryan specializes in producing, sound design, and editing. His creative credits include writing and directing the short film Pay It Forward and producing the horror short Pulling Teeth. Driven by a passion for genre storytelling, Ryan is excited to take Forbidden Steps to the next STEP! https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-zachary-jimenez/
Sasha Tavassoli | Associate Producer
Sasha is passionate and versed filmmaker with an interest in producing, writing, and directing. She is excited to continue bringing awareness to Forbidden Steps! https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasha-gabrielle-tavassoli-1b2b082b5/
Ivan Alejandro Rocha | Director of Photography
Ivan (he/him) is a Mexican-American film editor, cinematographer, director & creator based in Austin, Texas. Typically utilizing a surreal and horror lens, he captures those “small” yet deeply nostalgic and unforgettable feelings, inviting viewers to reflect on their own journeys of self-discovery through a manifested horror element that is both fun and terrifying. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivan-alejandro-rocha/
Emily Zamora | Production Designer
Emily (she/her) is an Austin-based production designer, art director, and documentary filmmaker originally from the Rio Grande Valley. Her recent production design credits include the narrative shorts Duende, Portraits, and Hitt. Beyond narrative film, Emily has directed documentaries exploring ATX reggaetón culture and aims to work professionally as a creative director or production designer in commercial production. https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyrzamora/
Kate Hernandez Duran | Distribution Coordinator & Campaign Manager
Kate (she/her) is an experienced film and television production professional with a background spanning art direction, producing, live broadcasting, and public relations. She has served as Executive Producer for an entertainment news show on Texas Student Television, art directed short films, and worked on set for Austin indie projects as well as major streaming series. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-hernandez/