Paper Planes
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, Family
A gentle 11 year old boy must grapple with his anxiety and classmates to overcome his 5th grade physical fitness test. Paper Planes explores childhood anxiety, body image, and resilience in a heartfelt story about courage, acceptance, and the quiet strength it takes to grow up.
57 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$10,470
Goal: $13,000 for pre-production
A gentle 11 year old boy must grapple with his anxiety and classmates to overcome his 5th grade physical fitness test. Paper Planes explores childhood anxiety, body image, and resilience in a heartfelt story about courage, acceptance, and the quiet strength it takes to grow up.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Paper Planes, tells the story of Fernando, an 11 year old Mexican-American 5th grade kid, and the week leading up to his physical fitness test. Not the most popular student in his class, Fernando struggles to find the confidence in himself to deal with his peers and the challenges of 5th grade. An introvert who doesn't say much due to a speech impediment, Fernando must find other ways to express himself.
Paper Planes is a project that is deeply personal. It comes from my own experiences growing up in the early 90's, and from raising my son, who is the same age as the film’s main character. I remember how hard that time was — the shift from childhood to adolescence, the pressure to fit in, the confusion of a changing body, and the weight of expectations.
For many young men of color, those years are even more complicated. We’re often told to be tough, to hide emotion, to carry everything quietly. Paper Planes challenges that idea. It shows a young boy learning that strength can also mean vulnerability — that it’s okay to feel, to stumble, and to keep going.
I believe stories like this matter — now more than ever. At a time when so many kids are struggling with anxiety and self-doubt, I want this film to offer empathy, hope, and representation. Supporting Paper Planes means helping tell a story that reminds us all that it’s okay to be who we are.
We are in pre-production, with a completed script, shot list, production schedule, and visual references. Our campaign goal will fund our production and post-production with filming scheduled for September 2026. Filmmaking is one of the most expensive art mediums. The reason is due to the amount of effort of so many individuals, cost of the equipment for quality productions, and the compensation for the people that know how to operate that equipment. Your support helps bring this vision to life.
This Campaign Will Fund:
Talent
Camera & lighting equipment
Crew
Food
Post-production
Festival submissions & outreach
Writer/ Director: Michael Centeno
Producer: Manny Jimenez
Director of Photography: Rigo Santoyo
Camera Operator: Junior Real
Our team brings together over 20 years of experience in film production.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Color Grading
Costs $650
Hiring a professional colorist to take our finished raw footage and give it the color grade it deserves.
Marketing and Promotions
Costs $1,000
Film Festival submission fees, poster art, and other publicity materials
Contingency and Insurance
Costs $1,350
Production insurance and any misc items that may arise.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Michael Centeno
Writer/Director
Hi, I’m Michael Centeno, writer and director of Paper Airplanes. I’m a filmmaker from the Northeast San Fernando Valley, inspired by the stories, people, and culture that shaped me. My work explores identity, belonging, and the quiet strength within our communities. As a self-taught filmmaker, I’m passionate about storytelling that connects and uplifts. With Paper Airplanes, I’m bringing a deeply personal story about childhood courage and resilience to the screen.
Rigo Santoyo
Director of Photography
Junior Real
Camera Operator
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Paper Planes, tells the story of Fernando, an 11 year old Mexican-American 5th grade kid, and the week leading up to his physical fitness test. Not the most popular student in his class, Fernando struggles to find the confidence in himself to deal with his peers and the challenges of 5th grade. An introvert who doesn't say much due to a speech impediment, Fernando must find other ways to express himself.
Paper Planes is a project that is deeply personal. It comes from my own experiences growing up in the early 90's, and from raising my son, who is the same age as the film’s main character. I remember how hard that time was — the shift from childhood to adolescence, the pressure to fit in, the confusion of a changing body, and the weight of expectations.
For many young men of color, those years are even more complicated. We’re often told to be tough, to hide emotion, to carry everything quietly. Paper Planes challenges that idea. It shows a young boy learning that strength can also mean vulnerability — that it’s okay to feel, to stumble, and to keep going.
I believe stories like this matter — now more than ever. At a time when so many kids are struggling with anxiety and self-doubt, I want this film to offer empathy, hope, and representation. Supporting Paper Planes means helping tell a story that reminds us all that it’s okay to be who we are.
We are in pre-production, with a completed script, shot list, production schedule, and visual references. Our campaign goal will fund our production and post-production with filming scheduled for September 2026. Filmmaking is one of the most expensive art mediums. The reason is due to the amount of effort of so many individuals, cost of the equipment for quality productions, and the compensation for the people that know how to operate that equipment. Your support helps bring this vision to life.
This Campaign Will Fund:
Talent
Camera & lighting equipment
Crew
Food
Post-production
Festival submissions & outreach
Writer/ Director: Michael Centeno
Producer: Manny Jimenez
Director of Photography: Rigo Santoyo
Camera Operator: Junior Real
Our team brings together over 20 years of experience in film production.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Color Grading
Costs $650
Hiring a professional colorist to take our finished raw footage and give it the color grade it deserves.
Marketing and Promotions
Costs $1,000
Film Festival submission fees, poster art, and other publicity materials
Contingency and Insurance
Costs $1,350
Production insurance and any misc items that may arise.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Michael Centeno
Writer/Director
Hi, I’m Michael Centeno, writer and director of Paper Airplanes. I’m a filmmaker from the Northeast San Fernando Valley, inspired by the stories, people, and culture that shaped me. My work explores identity, belonging, and the quiet strength within our communities. As a self-taught filmmaker, I’m passionate about storytelling that connects and uplifts. With Paper Airplanes, I’m bringing a deeply personal story about childhood courage and resilience to the screen.
Rigo Santoyo
Director of Photography
Junior Real
Camera Operator