Runtime: 12–15 mins. | Genre: Coming of Age, Family Drama | Anticipated Release: Summer 2026

Listen Linda follows 67-year-old twins, Linda and Patty, as they set off on a road trip from Columbus, Ohio, to Orlando, Florida, to confront a lifetime of shared identity as they prepare to part ways for the first time.

Delivering an authentic, uplifting story for women, sisters, and twins of all ages, reimagining the coming-of-age genre through the eyes of 67-year-old women. This film is for those who seek honest, character-driven narratives, celebrating family, growth, and self-discovery with warmth and realism. By centering on later life journeys, Listen Linda affirms that stories of self-discovery should not be defined by any age, offering audiences a heartfelt and deeply resonant family drama.

Story

The character's journey is inspired by Ashley's grandmother, a woman who has never fit the mold of a typical grandmother. She’s the type to turn on every speaker at Best Buy just for fun, or rewire her golf cart to make it go faster. Beneath her mischief, though, is a deeply sentimental spirit—someone who feels everything fully yet lives without hesitation. The film is rooted in her transition from Columbus, Ohio, to The Villages, Florida, where she embraced her independence for the first time at sixty. Her words—“For the first time in my life, I don’t have to take care of anyone but myself, and I'm learning how”—capture the heart of her journey and the film’s central theme: it’s never too late to start living for yourself.

Film Inspiration: Thelma & Louise (1991) and Mrs. Harris Goes To Paris (2022)

Characters

Linda and Patty’s story draws inspiration from Ashley's experience as a twin navigating the transition from shared identity to individuality. When she and her twin sister left for college, it was both thrilling and disorienting to redefine who they were apart from each other. That emotional tension fuels this piece—the push and pull between independence and connection. Through Linda and Patty, we explore how letting go of a part of yourself can ultimately lead to self-discovery.

Film Inspiration:  His Three Daughters (2023), The Lost Daughter (2021), and The Last Showgirl (2024)

Visuals

The overall lighting style of Listen Linda is heavily inspired by 80s–00s Americana, embracing warm, soft, naturalistic tones that feel nostalgic yet grounded.

Film Inspiration:  Lady Bird (2017), Booksmart (2019), The Holdovers (2023), Beautiful Boy (2018), Bones and All (2022)

Artists

Vivian Majer - Street Photography 1940-1970)

Sally Mann, Immediate Family Series, Still Photography (1990)

Norman Rockwell, The Charwomen in the Theater, Painting (1946)

Our team has collaborated on several projects together, forming a close-knit creative partnership built on trust and shared experience. Building on this foundation, we are partnering with a diverse group of artists and filmmakers to engage our community to bring this project to life. Learn about some of our crew below.

Meet the Writer, Director and Producer: Ashley Ralph

Ashley Ralph is a Los Angeles, CA, and Savannah, GA based film Writer and Director, currently completing her B.F.A. in Film and Television at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). She believes that the most powerful stories are those in which the audience catches a glimpse of themselves on screen. As a storyteller who expresses herself through filmmaking, she strives to capture the beauty in imperfection — crafting worlds shaped by flawed, deeply human characters and raw, unfiltered emotion. Ashley has contributed to over 60 productions at SCAD, including a total of 13 directed pieces. Her work is rooted in honesty, professionalism, and connection, built on collaboration that feels both professional and personal.

Meet the Associate Producer: Autumn Bishop

Autumn Leif is a senior student filmmaker at the Savannah College of Art and Design, graduating with a B.F.A. in Film and Television and Double Minoring in Producing and Business. She is from a small town called Shiner, Texas, where she was raised to love storytelling and leadership. Autumn has worked as a Producer on many student film sets, taking on roles ranging from Unit Production Manager to Line Producer to Creative Producer. She enjoys telling stories that are motivational and encouraging to her audience, typically leaning towards comedy or slice-of-life films.

Meet the Cinematographer: Nelli Safina

Nelli Safina is a Film & TV major with a minor in Cinematography. She moved to the U.S. at 15 to pursue her passion for filmmaking. Since then, she has contributed to 50+ productions worldwide, with her work showcased at prestigious venues such as AMC Theaters, Los Angeles Fashion Week, and the Chinese Theatre. At SCAD, Nelli founded and leads the Cinematography Club, supervised by acclaimed cinematographer Alan Caso, ASC. Nelli is drawn to stories that challenge her and feel deeply personal projects where she can bring a fresh perspective and make a meaningful impact.

Budget Breakdown

To bring this film to life, we are crowdfunding $15,000 to cover essential production costs, including talent housing, rates and travel, locations, on-set operations, production design, costumes, post-production, and distribution. We have already raised $2,300 and need your help to reach the remaining $12,700. For more information, click “Wishlist” at the top of this page.While every contribution means the world to us, spreading the word about Listen Linda with friends and family is another powerful way to support.

Stay Connected and Support the Film

• Show your support by contributing through the incentives listed to the right and help us reach the 80% goal required for the Seed&Spark green light
• Spread the word by following and sharing this campaign
• Following our Instagram, @listenlinda and Facebook, @listenlinda, film
• For any questions or concerns, contact us at [email protected]

We appreciate your time and support.

Sincerely,

The Listen Linda Crew