In the Midst (2026) | An Independent Feature Film
Santa Cruz, California | Film Feature
Thriller, Drama
In the Midst follows a troubled con artist who becomes the target of the Russian mob after intervening in an assassination attempt. In a time where truth and ethics feel increasingly unstable, I’m making this film to explore moral uncertainty, survival, and conscience in today’s world.
In the Midst (2026) | An Independent Feature Film
Santa Cruz, California | Film Feature
Thriller, Drama
1 Campaigns | California, United States
25 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$1,616
Goal: $2,000 for festivals
In the Midst follows a troubled con artist who becomes the target of the Russian mob after intervening in an assassination attempt. In a time where truth and ethics feel increasingly unstable, I’m making this film to explore moral uncertainty, survival, and conscience in today’s world.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
SURVIVAL & CONSCIENCE
Surviving on the fringes of society, Kurt Miller is a homeless con artist and addict living in a tattered tent, numbed by a violent and unforgiving world.
Late one evening, his life takes a sudden, violent turn when he intervenes in an attempted assassination.
What begins as instinct pulls him into a deadly chain of events involving the Russian mob and a dangerous experimental drug operation, forcing him into a fight for survival while confronting the true cost of his choices.
CHARACTER & CORE THEMES
At its core, In the Midst is about moral collapse under pressure—what happens when survival and conscience no longer align, and every decision becomes a form of compromise.
I’m drawn to characters like Kurt because they exist in moral gray areas that are rarely explored honestly. He is not meant to be a hero or a villain, but someone shaped by circumstance, addiction, and the need to keep going in a world that offers him very little stability or care.
WHY THIS STORY / WHY NOW
This story comes from thinking about the world we live in right now—where instability, violence, addiction, and displacement often feel closer to the surface of everyday life than we want to admit.
I want to explore how quickly morality can shift when people are pushed into survival mode, and how fragile our sense of right and wrong becomes when every choice carries consequences.
This film is my way of asking: What happens to empathy when doing the right thing has a price?
PRODUCTION & CAMPAIGN
I am making this film because I want to tell grounded, character-driven stories that feel immediate and human. This is a debut feature, built with a team committed to creating a tense, emotional thriller that prioritizes realism, performance, and atmosphere over spectacle.
Funds raised will go toward film festival submissions, DCP formatting, and final color grading. This will allow us to bring this feature film—developed and refined over the past three years of work—to festivals and audiences in its final, professional form.
FESTIVALS & RELEASE PLAN
Once completed, In the Midst will be submitted to film festivals to reach audiences who connect with intimate, morally complex thrillers—stories that linger beyond the final frame.
Backers will be part of that journey through production updates and early information about screenings and release.
Learn more about the project and follow updates: parsaghaffari.com
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Festival submission Fees
Costs $1,000
Submissions to festivals worldwide to bring In the Midst to audiences and industry professionals.
DCP Creation (Festival Delivery Format)
Costs $300
Creates the cinema-ready format required for festival projection screenings.
Final Color Grading / Picture Finishing
Costs $700
Final color work to ensure the film’s tone, mood, and visual consistency are fully realized.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
I am Parsa Ghaffari, the writer and director of In the Midst. My work focuses on character-driven, visually stylized storytelling that explores survival, morality, and emotional conflict. This project marks my transition into directing a full-length feature. We have now completed filming and are currently in post-production.
I worked with a small, dedicated crew that covered production, cinematography, sound, and on-set operations. Although the team was lean, everyone contributed with a strong focus and commitment, often taking on multiple responsibilities to keep the production efficient and on schedule. The collaboration on set was highly hands-on, with each member actively supporting the creative and technical demands of the shoot.
This approach allowed us to stay agile while maintaining a clear visual and narrative direction throughout production. Together, we are focused on bringing the film to a professional, festival-ready standard.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
SURVIVAL & CONSCIENCE
Surviving on the fringes of society, Kurt Miller is a homeless con artist and addict living in a tattered tent, numbed by a violent and unforgiving world.
Late one evening, his life takes a sudden, violent turn when he intervenes in an attempted assassination.
What begins as instinct pulls him into a deadly chain of events involving the Russian mob and a dangerous experimental drug operation, forcing him into a fight for survival while confronting the true cost of his choices.
CHARACTER & CORE THEMES
At its core, In the Midst is about moral collapse under pressure—what happens when survival and conscience no longer align, and every decision becomes a form of compromise.
I’m drawn to characters like Kurt because they exist in moral gray areas that are rarely explored honestly. He is not meant to be a hero or a villain, but someone shaped by circumstance, addiction, and the need to keep going in a world that offers him very little stability or care.
WHY THIS STORY / WHY NOW
This story comes from thinking about the world we live in right now—where instability, violence, addiction, and displacement often feel closer to the surface of everyday life than we want to admit.
I want to explore how quickly morality can shift when people are pushed into survival mode, and how fragile our sense of right and wrong becomes when every choice carries consequences.
This film is my way of asking: What happens to empathy when doing the right thing has a price?
PRODUCTION & CAMPAIGN
I am making this film because I want to tell grounded, character-driven stories that feel immediate and human. This is a debut feature, built with a team committed to creating a tense, emotional thriller that prioritizes realism, performance, and atmosphere over spectacle.
Funds raised will go toward film festival submissions, DCP formatting, and final color grading. This will allow us to bring this feature film—developed and refined over the past three years of work—to festivals and audiences in its final, professional form.
FESTIVALS & RELEASE PLAN
Once completed, In the Midst will be submitted to film festivals to reach audiences who connect with intimate, morally complex thrillers—stories that linger beyond the final frame.
Backers will be part of that journey through production updates and early information about screenings and release.
Learn more about the project and follow updates: parsaghaffari.com
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Festival submission Fees
Costs $1,000
Submissions to festivals worldwide to bring In the Midst to audiences and industry professionals.
DCP Creation (Festival Delivery Format)
Costs $300
Creates the cinema-ready format required for festival projection screenings.
Final Color Grading / Picture Finishing
Costs $700
Final color work to ensure the film’s tone, mood, and visual consistency are fully realized.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
I am Parsa Ghaffari, the writer and director of In the Midst. My work focuses on character-driven, visually stylized storytelling that explores survival, morality, and emotional conflict. This project marks my transition into directing a full-length feature. We have now completed filming and are currently in post-production.
I worked with a small, dedicated crew that covered production, cinematography, sound, and on-set operations. Although the team was lean, everyone contributed with a strong focus and commitment, often taking on multiple responsibilities to keep the production efficient and on schedule. The collaboration on set was highly hands-on, with each member actively supporting the creative and technical demands of the shoot.
This approach allowed us to stay agile while maintaining a clear visual and narrative direction throughout production. Together, we are focused on bringing the film to a professional, festival-ready standard.