NEXUS
New York City, New York | Film Short
Thriller, Sci-Fi
When Violet uncovers her photographer boyfriend Isaak’s infidelity with his new muse Celeste, she spirals into a dark obsession that blurs the lines of admiration, envy, and attraction. Nexus explores the toxic beauty standards imposed by social media, personified in the film as “the Void.”
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This campaign raised $8,165 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
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When Violet uncovers her photographer boyfriend Isaak’s infidelity with his new muse Celeste, she spirals into a dark obsession that blurs the lines of admiration, envy, and attraction. Nexus explores the toxic beauty standards imposed by social media, personified in the film as “the Void.”
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
THE STORY
Comparison kills.
Nexus is a psychological, sci-fi thriller that explores the toxicity of social media through the eyes of Violet, a nineteen year old stylist, who slowly spirals upon discovering her photographer boyfriend Isaak’s infidelity with his new muse, Celeste. Devastated and consumed by jealousy, she becomes fixated on Celeste, embarking on a dark journey of obsession. Through the lens of social media, which is personified as "the Void," Violet interacts with Celeste’s meticulously curated life, stalking her every move and striving to emulate her beauty.
As Violet continues to immerse herself in this toxic digital landscape, the relentless pressure of beauty standards wraps her self-perception, leading to a rapid deterioration of her mental health. The lines between admiration and envy blur, plunging her deeper into despair as she grapples with the painful question of her own worth in a world obsessed with appearance.
Ultimately, our film urges audiences to consider the ramifications of social media on our identities and relationships, as we mindlessly consume hundreds of videos of short form content across Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter on a daily basis. The images and videos of influencer’s lives populated across these platforms are not sustainable within real life, so what happens when we convince ourselves that we need to keep up?
THE CHARACTERS
Violet
Female. 19. African American with a brown- dark complexion. She is a young stylist whose world crumbles after she discovers that her photographer boyfriend is cheating on her with a model. We follow her as she becomes fixated on the other woman in an attempt to become her.
Isaak
Male. 25-30. Violet's boyfriend - a pretentious photographer. He disregards her as he focuses on his new Muse, Celeste, striving to have his cake and eat it too.
Celeste
Female. 19. Black with lighter complexion. An ethereal beauty that captivates everyone who lays eyes on her. She finds herself in the middle of a tumultuous relationship between Violet and Isaak.
THE INSPIRATION
Requiem for A Dream (2000), Black Swan (2010), and Neon Demon (2016) were the biggest visual inspirations for the film. Specifically, how each of the films externalize the internal psyche that is both beautiful yet unsettling.
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
This story was born out of my own experiences, as well as those of others close to me, touching on issues like eating disorders, mental health, and the pressures of beauty standards. Growing up in the digital age, I have watched how social media can have a destructive impact on one’s mental health–as it did mine. Upon entering the modeling world, I experienced a whirlwind of excitement and misery, intensifying EVERYTHING. Constantly being compared bred a toxic cycle with myself and others around me in addition to jilting my self-perception.
In today's world, this cycle of comparison online leads many down a path of despair, confusion, and sometimes even fatal consequences.
As a young Black woman, I am constantly put in situations that force me to question my worth and visibility, so these struggles resonate deeply with me. The film allows me, as a visual storyteller, to reach others who know these experiences all too well. Body dysmorphia, emotional manipulation, and even abuse are all challenges I've faced in these situations—finding myself comparing who I was to an ideal that others projected onto me. I mourn for that version of myself who didn’t see herself clearly, and through this project, I hope to capture the reality of her innermost thoughts and emotional journey.
Ultimately, many of our mental health struggles are shaped by the environments we’re in, not by inherent faults of our own. This film seeks to reveal reality and resonate with those who feel unseen, misunderstood, and alone in this digital age.
THE BUDGET
So far we've been awarded $1,325 from the Tisch Film & TV Senior Thesis allotment but we're still hoping to raise $14,095 to cover the remainder of our budget! If you're curious about how you'll be supporting us, check out our graphic above. We are currently in the preproduction phase, and this fundraiser would help to cover our food, transportation, rentals for the camera, production design, and more! All of these are integral to building the world of the story and ensuring our cast and crew are well taken care of.
No matter how much you end up donating, you will receive a special thanks in the end credits of our film for your help. To see how you can receive additional benefits and insider information, check out our incentives!
WHY YOU?
We need your help in order to bring our film to life and eagerly invite you to join us on this journey. Regardless of any differences in physicality or identity, we've all likely faced instances of insecurity or loneliness that are similar to what our protagonist Violet experiences--from Gen Z to beyond. These universal issues have only been exacerbated through digital spaces, and as social media continues to mutate the ways we perceive others and ourselves, we believe that you, as audience members, deserve stories that keep pace with the changing times. Nexus provides a nuanced and multi-layered commentary on these prevalent issues by also investigating important topics like race, gender, and mental health. While isolation threatens to grow, it's crucial for us to create a story that promotes open dialogue and builds community.
Our hope is that you share this vision through supporting our film, resonating with its themes, and ENTERING THE VOID.
HOW YOU CAN HELP!
- FOLLOW us on Instagram @nexusthefilm, where we will be posting updates and more information about our film!
- DONATE any amount, and if you can’t, we would love it if you could share our link to friends, family, etc.!
- JOIN us on our journey of bringing this story to life! If you are based in the NYC area come participate in our film as an extra – email [email protected]. Also, If you have resources you want to share or questions, don’t be afraid to email [email protected]!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Hair, Makeup, & Wardrobe
Costs $800
Fashion and makeup play a big part in our film, so we would greatly appreciate any help in achieving the Nexus look!
Production Design
Costs $1,750
Given the sci-fi components of our film, we need your help to effectively fund the supplies that go behind building our surrealist sets!
Transportation & Travel
Costs $2,050
We are filming across multiple locations across NYC, and we need your help to ensure our cast, crew, and equipment are transported safely!
Catering and Craft Services
Costs $3,400
This is especially important to us– keeping our cast and crew well fed, nourished, and taken care of! Any contributions would be amazing.
Share this update!
About This Team
Niya Leigh
Writer, Director, & Producer
Niya Leigh is an African-American filmmaker and multimedia artist based in New York City. She is the writer and director of the psychological sci-fi short film Nexus. Niya aims to create projects with a surrealist edge, integrating the untold stories of the BIPOC community into new mediums. Her films excavate the world through the lens of these unheard voices, satirizing cultural landscapes from both the past and present. Niya strives to be an innovative force for her generation through her filmmaking and artistry.
As a senior studying Film and Television at NYU, Niya has built a community of collaborators across various disciplines to tell stories. She has recently been granted the Tisch ProFunds Grant for her conceptual album “Into the Void” an immersive experience to illustrate the internet sonically and visually which will be exhibited this coming April in collaboration with artists @pinkcontrails and @byoirt.
Through her dedication to amplifying marginalized voices and challenging societal norms, Niya seeks to inspire others to embrace their unique stories and is thrilled to share this one with the world, hoping to foster a more inclusive and empathetic
Chiemeka Offor
Producer
Chiemeka Offor is a Nigerian-American multidisciplinary artist based in New York City, working across experimental film, editorial photography, and painting. Her art celebrates Black women, exploring their experiences, resilience, and the impact of Western beauty standards. Frequently using self-portraiture, she amplifies her voice and those of her community, aiming to bring young Black women to the forefront.
Inspired by Afro-futurism, surrealism, and her dreams, Chiemeka merges fashion photography with visual activism through dramatic light, color, and distortion. Her work has appeared in Cultured, i-D, Vogue Italia, and Frieze. She joined the Converse All-Stars team in 2020 and was named one of PhotoVogue’s “Next Great Fashion Imagemakers.” She showcased her work at the 2022 PhotoVogue Festival in Milan and had her directorial debut with her documentary Black Dreams at the 31st New York African Film Festival at Lincoln Center in May. Currently studying Film and Television at NYU Tisch, Chiemeka is building inclusive, intersectional worlds through art.
Adeline Ferolo
Producer
Adeline Ferolo is a senior at NYU Tisch majoring in Dramatic Writing with minors in Spanish and Producing. Adeline enjoys contributing to stories that feature weird, genre-blending concepts and characters not often portrayed on screen. Right now, she is working on a short doc in Brooklyn exploring the stigma of stripping and pole dancing, titled Independance. She is also the co-founder and lead producer of Rhapsody Riot Play Fest, the first music-inspired short works festival at Tisch!
Bella Jiang
Producer
Bella Jiang is a Chinese American storyteller and senior at NYU majoring in Media, Culture, and Communication with minors in Creative Writing and Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology. She is passionate about the intersections of art and social change, specifically by amplifying marginalized voices and responsible representation. This ethos has guided her through positions at Warner Bros. Discovery and JV8, where she worked on projects by Yorgos Lanthimos and the Safdie Brothers.
When she is not furthering her interests in film and television, she can be found writing her novel. Most recently, she studied under critically acclaimed authors Raven Leilani and Tess Gunty, accepted into each of their MFA-level fiction seminars at NYU Creative Writing.
She is currently based in New York City and is originally from Fremont, California.
Isabella Maaliki
Producer
Isabella Maaliki is a Cuban-Lebanese filmmaker and senior at NYU Tisch, pursuing a degree in Film & TV. Her work seeks to amplify the voices of women, people of color, immigrants, and the queer community, aiming to provoke social change and foster critical dialogue through compelling narratives. A multi-hyphenate artist, she is passionate about supporting storytelling in all its forms. Recently nominated for Best Student Director at the Indie Shorts Fest she has her latest film making its way through the festival circuit.
Currently a development intern at Vertigo Entertainment, Isabella is continuing to gain hands-on experience with high-profile projects and expanding her industry knowledge. She previously worked with two-time Golden Globe-winning manager Emily Gerson Saines, contributing to talent development. In addition, Isabella has moderated Q&A sessions with cult filmmaker Tommy Wiseau and appeared in promotional videos alongside legendary TV writer Phillip Rosenthal for Goldbelly Studios.
Jason Wang
Cinematographer
Jason is a director of photography based in New York, who has shot dozens of narratives and is a recipient of the Arri Volker Bahnemann Award. Inspired by filmmakers like Andrea Arnold, Lynne Ramsay, and Sean Baker, he strives to focus on authenticity and staying true to the world and characters. He is excited to collaborate with director Niya and bring this amazing and thrilling story to life.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
THE STORY
Comparison kills.
Nexus is a psychological, sci-fi thriller that explores the toxicity of social media through the eyes of Violet, a nineteen year old stylist, who slowly spirals upon discovering her photographer boyfriend Isaak’s infidelity with his new muse, Celeste. Devastated and consumed by jealousy, she becomes fixated on Celeste, embarking on a dark journey of obsession. Through the lens of social media, which is personified as "the Void," Violet interacts with Celeste’s meticulously curated life, stalking her every move and striving to emulate her beauty.
As Violet continues to immerse herself in this toxic digital landscape, the relentless pressure of beauty standards wraps her self-perception, leading to a rapid deterioration of her mental health. The lines between admiration and envy blur, plunging her deeper into despair as she grapples with the painful question of her own worth in a world obsessed with appearance.
Ultimately, our film urges audiences to consider the ramifications of social media on our identities and relationships, as we mindlessly consume hundreds of videos of short form content across Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter on a daily basis. The images and videos of influencer’s lives populated across these platforms are not sustainable within real life, so what happens when we convince ourselves that we need to keep up?
THE CHARACTERS
Violet
Female. 19. African American with a brown- dark complexion. She is a young stylist whose world crumbles after she discovers that her photographer boyfriend is cheating on her with a model. We follow her as she becomes fixated on the other woman in an attempt to become her.
Isaak
Male. 25-30. Violet's boyfriend - a pretentious photographer. He disregards her as he focuses on his new Muse, Celeste, striving to have his cake and eat it too.
Celeste
Female. 19. Black with lighter complexion. An ethereal beauty that captivates everyone who lays eyes on her. She finds herself in the middle of a tumultuous relationship between Violet and Isaak.
THE INSPIRATION
Requiem for A Dream (2000), Black Swan (2010), and Neon Demon (2016) were the biggest visual inspirations for the film. Specifically, how each of the films externalize the internal psyche that is both beautiful yet unsettling.
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
This story was born out of my own experiences, as well as those of others close to me, touching on issues like eating disorders, mental health, and the pressures of beauty standards. Growing up in the digital age, I have watched how social media can have a destructive impact on one’s mental health–as it did mine. Upon entering the modeling world, I experienced a whirlwind of excitement and misery, intensifying EVERYTHING. Constantly being compared bred a toxic cycle with myself and others around me in addition to jilting my self-perception.
In today's world, this cycle of comparison online leads many down a path of despair, confusion, and sometimes even fatal consequences.
As a young Black woman, I am constantly put in situations that force me to question my worth and visibility, so these struggles resonate deeply with me. The film allows me, as a visual storyteller, to reach others who know these experiences all too well. Body dysmorphia, emotional manipulation, and even abuse are all challenges I've faced in these situations—finding myself comparing who I was to an ideal that others projected onto me. I mourn for that version of myself who didn’t see herself clearly, and through this project, I hope to capture the reality of her innermost thoughts and emotional journey.
Ultimately, many of our mental health struggles are shaped by the environments we’re in, not by inherent faults of our own. This film seeks to reveal reality and resonate with those who feel unseen, misunderstood, and alone in this digital age.
THE BUDGET
So far we've been awarded $1,325 from the Tisch Film & TV Senior Thesis allotment but we're still hoping to raise $14,095 to cover the remainder of our budget! If you're curious about how you'll be supporting us, check out our graphic above. We are currently in the preproduction phase, and this fundraiser would help to cover our food, transportation, rentals for the camera, production design, and more! All of these are integral to building the world of the story and ensuring our cast and crew are well taken care of.
No matter how much you end up donating, you will receive a special thanks in the end credits of our film for your help. To see how you can receive additional benefits and insider information, check out our incentives!
WHY YOU?
We need your help in order to bring our film to life and eagerly invite you to join us on this journey. Regardless of any differences in physicality or identity, we've all likely faced instances of insecurity or loneliness that are similar to what our protagonist Violet experiences--from Gen Z to beyond. These universal issues have only been exacerbated through digital spaces, and as social media continues to mutate the ways we perceive others and ourselves, we believe that you, as audience members, deserve stories that keep pace with the changing times. Nexus provides a nuanced and multi-layered commentary on these prevalent issues by also investigating important topics like race, gender, and mental health. While isolation threatens to grow, it's crucial for us to create a story that promotes open dialogue and builds community.
Our hope is that you share this vision through supporting our film, resonating with its themes, and ENTERING THE VOID.
HOW YOU CAN HELP!
- FOLLOW us on Instagram @nexusthefilm, where we will be posting updates and more information about our film!
- DONATE any amount, and if you can’t, we would love it if you could share our link to friends, family, etc.!
- JOIN us on our journey of bringing this story to life! If you are based in the NYC area come participate in our film as an extra – email [email protected]. Also, If you have resources you want to share or questions, don’t be afraid to email [email protected]!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Hair, Makeup, & Wardrobe
Costs $800
Fashion and makeup play a big part in our film, so we would greatly appreciate any help in achieving the Nexus look!
Production Design
Costs $1,750
Given the sci-fi components of our film, we need your help to effectively fund the supplies that go behind building our surrealist sets!
Transportation & Travel
Costs $2,050
We are filming across multiple locations across NYC, and we need your help to ensure our cast, crew, and equipment are transported safely!
Catering and Craft Services
Costs $3,400
This is especially important to us– keeping our cast and crew well fed, nourished, and taken care of! Any contributions would be amazing.
Share this update!
About This Team
Niya Leigh
Writer, Director, & Producer
Niya Leigh is an African-American filmmaker and multimedia artist based in New York City. She is the writer and director of the psychological sci-fi short film Nexus. Niya aims to create projects with a surrealist edge, integrating the untold stories of the BIPOC community into new mediums. Her films excavate the world through the lens of these unheard voices, satirizing cultural landscapes from both the past and present. Niya strives to be an innovative force for her generation through her filmmaking and artistry.
As a senior studying Film and Television at NYU, Niya has built a community of collaborators across various disciplines to tell stories. She has recently been granted the Tisch ProFunds Grant for her conceptual album “Into the Void” an immersive experience to illustrate the internet sonically and visually which will be exhibited this coming April in collaboration with artists @pinkcontrails and @byoirt.
Through her dedication to amplifying marginalized voices and challenging societal norms, Niya seeks to inspire others to embrace their unique stories and is thrilled to share this one with the world, hoping to foster a more inclusive and empathetic
Chiemeka Offor
Producer
Chiemeka Offor is a Nigerian-American multidisciplinary artist based in New York City, working across experimental film, editorial photography, and painting. Her art celebrates Black women, exploring their experiences, resilience, and the impact of Western beauty standards. Frequently using self-portraiture, she amplifies her voice and those of her community, aiming to bring young Black women to the forefront.
Inspired by Afro-futurism, surrealism, and her dreams, Chiemeka merges fashion photography with visual activism through dramatic light, color, and distortion. Her work has appeared in Cultured, i-D, Vogue Italia, and Frieze. She joined the Converse All-Stars team in 2020 and was named one of PhotoVogue’s “Next Great Fashion Imagemakers.” She showcased her work at the 2022 PhotoVogue Festival in Milan and had her directorial debut with her documentary Black Dreams at the 31st New York African Film Festival at Lincoln Center in May. Currently studying Film and Television at NYU Tisch, Chiemeka is building inclusive, intersectional worlds through art.
Adeline Ferolo
Producer
Adeline Ferolo is a senior at NYU Tisch majoring in Dramatic Writing with minors in Spanish and Producing. Adeline enjoys contributing to stories that feature weird, genre-blending concepts and characters not often portrayed on screen. Right now, she is working on a short doc in Brooklyn exploring the stigma of stripping and pole dancing, titled Independance. She is also the co-founder and lead producer of Rhapsody Riot Play Fest, the first music-inspired short works festival at Tisch!
Bella Jiang
Producer
Bella Jiang is a Chinese American storyteller and senior at NYU majoring in Media, Culture, and Communication with minors in Creative Writing and Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology. She is passionate about the intersections of art and social change, specifically by amplifying marginalized voices and responsible representation. This ethos has guided her through positions at Warner Bros. Discovery and JV8, where she worked on projects by Yorgos Lanthimos and the Safdie Brothers.
When she is not furthering her interests in film and television, she can be found writing her novel. Most recently, she studied under critically acclaimed authors Raven Leilani and Tess Gunty, accepted into each of their MFA-level fiction seminars at NYU Creative Writing.
She is currently based in New York City and is originally from Fremont, California.
Isabella Maaliki
Producer
Isabella Maaliki is a Cuban-Lebanese filmmaker and senior at NYU Tisch, pursuing a degree in Film & TV. Her work seeks to amplify the voices of women, people of color, immigrants, and the queer community, aiming to provoke social change and foster critical dialogue through compelling narratives. A multi-hyphenate artist, she is passionate about supporting storytelling in all its forms. Recently nominated for Best Student Director at the Indie Shorts Fest she has her latest film making its way through the festival circuit.
Currently a development intern at Vertigo Entertainment, Isabella is continuing to gain hands-on experience with high-profile projects and expanding her industry knowledge. She previously worked with two-time Golden Globe-winning manager Emily Gerson Saines, contributing to talent development. In addition, Isabella has moderated Q&A sessions with cult filmmaker Tommy Wiseau and appeared in promotional videos alongside legendary TV writer Phillip Rosenthal for Goldbelly Studios.
Jason Wang
Cinematographer
Jason is a director of photography based in New York, who has shot dozens of narratives and is a recipient of the Arri Volker Bahnemann Award. Inspired by filmmakers like Andrea Arnold, Lynne Ramsay, and Sean Baker, he strives to focus on authenticity and staying true to the world and characters. He is excited to collaborate with director Niya and bring this amazing and thrilling story to life.