Rebound
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, Sport
Rebound highlights female basketball players, a perspective often overlooked in sports films. Focusing on an Asian-American protagonist, the story explores her determination to make the team, while touching on universal themes of friendship, teamwork, and perseverance.
Rebound
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, Sport
1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $27,125 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
99 supporters | followers
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Rebound highlights female basketball players, a perspective often overlooked in sports films. Focusing on an Asian-American protagonist, the story explores her determination to make the team, while touching on universal themes of friendship, teamwork, and perseverance.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
When her best friend makes the varsity basketball team instead of her, Julia must control her jealousy to maintain their friendship.
Julia, a determined high school sophomore, dreams of making her school’s girls’ varsity basketball team alongside her best friend, Taylor. When the tryout results are posted, Taylor makes the varsity team, while Julia is placed on the junior varsity (JV) team, leaving her heartbroken. Despite the setback, Julia tries to focus on her game, but the reality of being separated from her best friend weighs heavily on her.
As the season begins, the new JV coach, Coach Kasey, announces that things will be different this year, and Julia struggles to find her place. During her first game, Julia doesn’t get the starting spot, but when she is finally put in, she shows both promise and vulnerability with her plays. Meanwhile, Taylor, now fully immersed in her varsity responsibilities, becomes increasingly distant, leaving Julia feeling abandoned. When Julia reaches out to Taylor for help with a geometry test, she gets no response, and her frustration grows, leading to a confrontation when they meet in the locker room.
Things come to a head when Julia injures her knee during a game, and Taylor, despite their tension, is the first to rush to her aid. After helping Julia to the medic room, the two girls reconcile, apologizing for their misunderstandings. Through this moment of vulnerability, their friendship is restored, and they both learn the value of supporting one another—on and off the court.
Director's Statement
Rebound is a personal story for me, inspired by my own journey through basketball and the friendships that shaped it. I started playing basketball in fifth grade, and it quickly became a game-changer in my life, teaching me teamwork, work ethic, and tenacity. Despite being short, I was determined to try out for my high school team. During my freshman season, it became clear that my height and skills weren't competitive compared to my teammates, and by sophomore year, I was cut from the team while my friends made it. That was a tough heartbreak, watching my friends continue on with something I loved but lost.
Getting cut from the team turned out to be a blessing in disguise, though—it pushed me toward a new passion: filmmaking. While I don’t play basketball anymore, the lessons I learned—teamwork, work ethic, and resilience—continue to guide me in everything I do. I’ve been developing this story since 2020, going through multiple drafts, and I’m thrilled with the latest version. Rebound is more than just my story; it’s a chance to tell a universal tale of friendship, dreams, and the challenges we face in sports.
What makes this film especially timely is the rising spotlight on women’s basketball. With players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Cameron Brink leading the charge, the Women’s NCAA Championship broke viewing records, with 24 million viewers in 2019. The WNBA is also growing rapidly, fueled by an incredibly talented rookie class. There’s never been a better time to tell a story that celebrates female athletes and the power of friendship through the lens of basketball.
Tones of Rebound
Rebound will feel like a warm, nostalgic memory of the early 2010s, while thematically it will resemble a blend of Kelly Fremon Craig’s The Edge of Seventeen (2016) and Gina Prince-Bythewood’s Love & Basketball (2000).
The budget for Rebound has been carefully allocated to align with the story’s needs and support our creative vision. A significant portion of our budget is dedicated to wardrobe, ensuring that the costumes accurately reflect the world of the film. Each line item has been thoughtfully considered to bring our concept to life, from securing skilled talent and essential equipment to covering key costs such as insurance, location fees, and post-production. We’ve also set aside a contingency fund to address any unexpected expenses, keeping us on track and ensuring a high-quality finished product. This budget demonstrates our commitment to producing a professional, impactful short film that will resonate with and engage audiences.
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Costumes
Costs $3,700
Our principal actors and background actors need costumes that fit their private school and basketball environments.
Lighting Rentals for Day 1
Costs $540
Lights! In order to achieve a beautiful, cinematic look, we need the proper lighting and grip equipment.
Lighting Rentals for Day 2
Costs $540
Lights! In order to achieve a beautiful, cinematic look, we need the proper lighting and grip equipment.
Lighting Rentals for Day 3
Costs $540
Lights! In order to achieve a beautiful, cinematic look, we need the proper lighting and grip equipment.
Lighting Rental for Day 5
Costs $540
Lights! In order to achieve a beautiful, cinematic look, we need the proper lighting and grip equipment.
Lighting Rental for Day 6
Costs $540
Lights! In order to achieve a beautiful, cinematic look, we need the proper lighting and grip equipment.
Production Design
Costs $1,500
It's important for our production design (set, props) to create a sense of authentic, environmental realism.
External Hard Drive
Costs $450
We need an external hard drive to securely store and back up all our footage, ensuring nothing is lost during production and post-production
Backup Hard Drive
Costs $450
In filmmaking, backups are crucial to protect footage from accidental loss, corruption, or hardware failure, ensuring no scenes are lost.
Camera Department for Day 6
Costs $540
How can we film a film without a camera and lenses? We’d love to rent a camera and special lenses each day of our shoot!
Music Composition
Costs $1,000
We are working with a recent MFA graduate of USC Thornton School of Music to compose music just for Rebound.
Post-Production
Costs $1,600
Help us pay for post-production fees like paying for an editor and renting sound editing rooms.
Transportation
Costs $1,450
In order to transport all of our rented camera and lighting gear, we need to rent a van and reimburse for gas payments.
Crew Costs
Costs $2,000
We've secured talented heads of departments for sound and our DP. Please help us pay for their kit fees.
Samsung Solid State Drive 4TB (SSD)
Costs $300
SSDs are the fastest drives and will allow our editor to work quickly on our editing software
Crafty for Set
Costs $500
In addition to meals, we want to keep our cast and crew happy with a bunch of yummy snacks and drinks.
Film Festival fees
Costs $510
Once we complete Rebound, we will submit to as many film festivals as possible! We can't wait to share Rebound with the world!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Cast and Crew Meals for Day 5
Costs $450
We thank our cast and crew for working on our low-budget projects by feeding them delicious, hot meals.
Basketball Gym Location for Day 3
Costs $800
All of our pivotal moments happen in the basketball gym! This location is our dream location and they are also flexible with our dates.
Basketball Gym Location Rental for Day 4
Costs $800
All of our pivotal moments happen in the basketball gym! This location is our dream location and they are also flexible with our dates.
School Location Rental for Day 5
Costs $500
We are looking to use a classroom, hallway, and coach's office on the USC campus which charges us a reduced rate to film here.
House Location Rental for Day 6
Costs $1,200
Renting a house, even for a day, is expensive in Los Angeles. You'll help us be able to film the scenes that start our story!
Cast and Crew Meals for Day 1
Costs $450
We thank our cast and crew for working on our low-budget projects by feeding them delicious, hot meals.
Cast and Crew Meals for Day 2
Costs $450
We thank our cast and crew for working on our low-budget projects by feeding them delicious, hot meals.
Cast and Crew Meals Day 3
Costs $450
We thank our cast and crew for working on our low-budget projects by feeding them delicious, hot meals.
Cast and Crew Meals for Day 4
Costs $450
We thank our cast and crew for working on our low-budget projects by feeding them delicious, hot meals.
Basketball Gym Location Rental for Day 2
Costs $800
All of our pivotal moments happen in the basketball gym! This location is our dream location and they are also flexible with our dates.
Cast and Crew Meals for Day 6
Costs $450
We thank our cast and crew for working on our low-budget projects by feeding them delicious, hot meals.
Camera Department for Day 1
Costs $540
How can we film a film without a camera and lenses? We’d love to rent a camera and special lenses each day of our shoot!
Camera Department for Day 2
Costs $540
How can we film a film without a camera and lenses? We’d love to rent a camera and special lenses each day of our shoot!
Basketball Gym Location Rental for Day 1
Costs $800
All of our pivotal moments happen in the basketball gym! This location is our dream location and they are also flexible with our dates.
Camera Department for Day 3
Costs $540
How can we film a film without a camera and lenses? We’d love to rent a camera and special lenses each day of our shoot!
Camera Department for Day 4
Costs $540
How can we film a film without a camera and lenses? We’d love to rent a camera and special lenses each day of our shoot!
Camera Department for Day 5
Costs $540
How can we film a film without a camera and lenses? We’d love to rent a camera and special lenses each day of our shoot!
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Anna O'Donnell
Writer/ Director of Rebound
Anna O'Donnell is a writer-director-producer from Houston, TX. She received a B.S. in Radio Television Film at The University of Texas at Austin (Hook 'Em Horns!). She is currently working on her MFA in Film and Television Production at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts (Fight On!). Anna enjoys sharing stories with themes of women and girlhood, coming of age, and the intricacies of mother-daughter relationships.
When she's not reading, writing, or studying films, she enjoys cheering on USC's women's and men's basketball teams!
Most notably, Anna was selected to be the Director Mentee for writer-director Sean Wang’s feature debut Dìdi (弟弟) (2024), which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and won the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award. Dìdi was released theatrically in July 2024.
Shreya Jha
Producer
Born and brought up in Ahmedabad, India, Shreya Jha, is currently a Los Angeles-based filmmaker, who has established herself as a dynamic storyteller with a portfolio of over 10 short films across diverse genres, wherein she has had the opportunity to collaborate with renowned actors such as Ranjita Chakravarthy (Never Have I Ever, Netflix) and Dileep Rao (Avatar and Inception). Her work has earned national and international recognition for its innovative approach and vibrant, boundary-pushing narratives. Hence, earning her a feature in The Daily Guardian, The Times of India, and an interview on the India TV national news. Shreya’s goal as a Producer is to help tell stories which resonate with audiences around the globe.
An alumna of the prestigious Academy Gold Rising program, Shreya is currently part of the Mentorship Program, where she works under the guidance of renowned Screenwriter and Director, Mr. Phil Robinson (Field Of Dreams, 1989). Her professional growth is further supported by mentorship from influential industry figures, including Creative Executives such as Mike Downing of Mandalay Entertainment.
Josh Ebrahimi
Producer
Joshua Ebrahimi, born to Iranian Jewish refugees, grew up in Queens, NY, and later in Great Neck. After earning a Political Science degree from Binghamton University and working in digital advertising, a solo backpacking trip reignited his passion for filmmaking. He recently graduated from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, where he produced two thesis films and directed his own thesis project. Joshua is drawn to psychological stories that explore the human condition and reckoning with hidden truths. In his free time, he enjoys watching old movies at revival theaters, biking by the beach, and uncovering LA’s underground food gems—but don’t call him a foodie.
Grace Gallaraga
Producer
Grace Gallarraga is from Orange County, California but grew up for the first 15 years of her life in New York. She is currently a third year graduate student at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, pursing an MFA in film and television production. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in film studies. She is interested in pursing a career in writing and producing in the film industry. Grace has always been passionate about telling stories that are centered around the themes of coming of age, romance, comedy and drama.
Matty Beavers
DP
Central California native Matty grew up with a passion for photography and videography. In 2023, he graduated from USC School of Cinematic Arts in Film & Television Production where he focused on cinematography. He quickly became a sought cinematographer as his skills and talent were immediately evident. During his time at USC, he was the director of photography for at least two capstone films, multiple thesis films, and various outside projects.
Katie Lantz
Casting Director
Katie Lantz (CSA) is an experienced casting director based in Los Angeles with over a decade of industry expertise. She has worked on a diverse range of high-profile projects, including Avatar: The Last Airbender (Season 2) and Survival of the Thickest, for which she received a nomination for the prestigious Artios Award from the Casting Society of America.
In addition to her work on television and film, Katie has cast numerous short films that have garnered critical acclaim, further demonstrating her keen eye for talent and her ability to bring characters to life in a way that resonates with both audiences and creatives alike.
Katie’s approach to casting is rooted in collaboration. She is dedicated to helping directors shape a world in which their characters feel authentic and true to the story, ensuring that every role is a perfect fit for the vision at hand.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
When her best friend makes the varsity basketball team instead of her, Julia must control her jealousy to maintain their friendship.
Julia, a determined high school sophomore, dreams of making her school’s girls’ varsity basketball team alongside her best friend, Taylor. When the tryout results are posted, Taylor makes the varsity team, while Julia is placed on the junior varsity (JV) team, leaving her heartbroken. Despite the setback, Julia tries to focus on her game, but the reality of being separated from her best friend weighs heavily on her.
As the season begins, the new JV coach, Coach Kasey, announces that things will be different this year, and Julia struggles to find her place. During her first game, Julia doesn’t get the starting spot, but when she is finally put in, she shows both promise and vulnerability with her plays. Meanwhile, Taylor, now fully immersed in her varsity responsibilities, becomes increasingly distant, leaving Julia feeling abandoned. When Julia reaches out to Taylor for help with a geometry test, she gets no response, and her frustration grows, leading to a confrontation when they meet in the locker room.
Things come to a head when Julia injures her knee during a game, and Taylor, despite their tension, is the first to rush to her aid. After helping Julia to the medic room, the two girls reconcile, apologizing for their misunderstandings. Through this moment of vulnerability, their friendship is restored, and they both learn the value of supporting one another—on and off the court.
Director's Statement
Rebound is a personal story for me, inspired by my own journey through basketball and the friendships that shaped it. I started playing basketball in fifth grade, and it quickly became a game-changer in my life, teaching me teamwork, work ethic, and tenacity. Despite being short, I was determined to try out for my high school team. During my freshman season, it became clear that my height and skills weren't competitive compared to my teammates, and by sophomore year, I was cut from the team while my friends made it. That was a tough heartbreak, watching my friends continue on with something I loved but lost.
Getting cut from the team turned out to be a blessing in disguise, though—it pushed me toward a new passion: filmmaking. While I don’t play basketball anymore, the lessons I learned—teamwork, work ethic, and resilience—continue to guide me in everything I do. I’ve been developing this story since 2020, going through multiple drafts, and I’m thrilled with the latest version. Rebound is more than just my story; it’s a chance to tell a universal tale of friendship, dreams, and the challenges we face in sports.
What makes this film especially timely is the rising spotlight on women’s basketball. With players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Cameron Brink leading the charge, the Women’s NCAA Championship broke viewing records, with 24 million viewers in 2019. The WNBA is also growing rapidly, fueled by an incredibly talented rookie class. There’s never been a better time to tell a story that celebrates female athletes and the power of friendship through the lens of basketball.
Tones of Rebound
Rebound will feel like a warm, nostalgic memory of the early 2010s, while thematically it will resemble a blend of Kelly Fremon Craig’s The Edge of Seventeen (2016) and Gina Prince-Bythewood’s Love & Basketball (2000).
The budget for Rebound has been carefully allocated to align with the story’s needs and support our creative vision. A significant portion of our budget is dedicated to wardrobe, ensuring that the costumes accurately reflect the world of the film. Each line item has been thoughtfully considered to bring our concept to life, from securing skilled talent and essential equipment to covering key costs such as insurance, location fees, and post-production. We’ve also set aside a contingency fund to address any unexpected expenses, keeping us on track and ensuring a high-quality finished product. This budget demonstrates our commitment to producing a professional, impactful short film that will resonate with and engage audiences.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Costumes
Costs $3,700
Our principal actors and background actors need costumes that fit their private school and basketball environments.
Lighting Rentals for Day 1
Costs $540
Lights! In order to achieve a beautiful, cinematic look, we need the proper lighting and grip equipment.
Lighting Rentals for Day 2
Costs $540
Lights! In order to achieve a beautiful, cinematic look, we need the proper lighting and grip equipment.
Lighting Rentals for Day 3
Costs $540
Lights! In order to achieve a beautiful, cinematic look, we need the proper lighting and grip equipment.
Lighting Rental for Day 5
Costs $540
Lights! In order to achieve a beautiful, cinematic look, we need the proper lighting and grip equipment.
Lighting Rental for Day 6
Costs $540
Lights! In order to achieve a beautiful, cinematic look, we need the proper lighting and grip equipment.
Production Design
Costs $1,500
It's important for our production design (set, props) to create a sense of authentic, environmental realism.
External Hard Drive
Costs $450
We need an external hard drive to securely store and back up all our footage, ensuring nothing is lost during production and post-production
Backup Hard Drive
Costs $450
In filmmaking, backups are crucial to protect footage from accidental loss, corruption, or hardware failure, ensuring no scenes are lost.
Camera Department for Day 6
Costs $540
How can we film a film without a camera and lenses? We’d love to rent a camera and special lenses each day of our shoot!
Music Composition
Costs $1,000
We are working with a recent MFA graduate of USC Thornton School of Music to compose music just for Rebound.
Post-Production
Costs $1,600
Help us pay for post-production fees like paying for an editor and renting sound editing rooms.
Transportation
Costs $1,450
In order to transport all of our rented camera and lighting gear, we need to rent a van and reimburse for gas payments.
Crew Costs
Costs $2,000
We've secured talented heads of departments for sound and our DP. Please help us pay for their kit fees.
Samsung Solid State Drive 4TB (SSD)
Costs $300
SSDs are the fastest drives and will allow our editor to work quickly on our editing software
Crafty for Set
Costs $500
In addition to meals, we want to keep our cast and crew happy with a bunch of yummy snacks and drinks.
Film Festival fees
Costs $510
Once we complete Rebound, we will submit to as many film festivals as possible! We can't wait to share Rebound with the world!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Cast and Crew Meals for Day 5
Costs $450
We thank our cast and crew for working on our low-budget projects by feeding them delicious, hot meals.
Basketball Gym Location for Day 3
Costs $800
All of our pivotal moments happen in the basketball gym! This location is our dream location and they are also flexible with our dates.
Basketball Gym Location Rental for Day 4
Costs $800
All of our pivotal moments happen in the basketball gym! This location is our dream location and they are also flexible with our dates.
School Location Rental for Day 5
Costs $500
We are looking to use a classroom, hallway, and coach's office on the USC campus which charges us a reduced rate to film here.
House Location Rental for Day 6
Costs $1,200
Renting a house, even for a day, is expensive in Los Angeles. You'll help us be able to film the scenes that start our story!
Cast and Crew Meals for Day 1
Costs $450
We thank our cast and crew for working on our low-budget projects by feeding them delicious, hot meals.
Cast and Crew Meals for Day 2
Costs $450
We thank our cast and crew for working on our low-budget projects by feeding them delicious, hot meals.
Cast and Crew Meals Day 3
Costs $450
We thank our cast and crew for working on our low-budget projects by feeding them delicious, hot meals.
Cast and Crew Meals for Day 4
Costs $450
We thank our cast and crew for working on our low-budget projects by feeding them delicious, hot meals.
Basketball Gym Location Rental for Day 2
Costs $800
All of our pivotal moments happen in the basketball gym! This location is our dream location and they are also flexible with our dates.
Cast and Crew Meals for Day 6
Costs $450
We thank our cast and crew for working on our low-budget projects by feeding them delicious, hot meals.
Camera Department for Day 1
Costs $540
How can we film a film without a camera and lenses? We’d love to rent a camera and special lenses each day of our shoot!
Camera Department for Day 2
Costs $540
How can we film a film without a camera and lenses? We’d love to rent a camera and special lenses each day of our shoot!
Basketball Gym Location Rental for Day 1
Costs $800
All of our pivotal moments happen in the basketball gym! This location is our dream location and they are also flexible with our dates.
Camera Department for Day 3
Costs $540
How can we film a film without a camera and lenses? We’d love to rent a camera and special lenses each day of our shoot!
Camera Department for Day 4
Costs $540
How can we film a film without a camera and lenses? We’d love to rent a camera and special lenses each day of our shoot!
Camera Department for Day 5
Costs $540
How can we film a film without a camera and lenses? We’d love to rent a camera and special lenses each day of our shoot!
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Anna O'Donnell
Writer/ Director of Rebound
Anna O'Donnell is a writer-director-producer from Houston, TX. She received a B.S. in Radio Television Film at The University of Texas at Austin (Hook 'Em Horns!). She is currently working on her MFA in Film and Television Production at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts (Fight On!). Anna enjoys sharing stories with themes of women and girlhood, coming of age, and the intricacies of mother-daughter relationships.
When she's not reading, writing, or studying films, she enjoys cheering on USC's women's and men's basketball teams!
Most notably, Anna was selected to be the Director Mentee for writer-director Sean Wang’s feature debut Dìdi (弟弟) (2024), which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and won the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award. Dìdi was released theatrically in July 2024.
Shreya Jha
Producer
Born and brought up in Ahmedabad, India, Shreya Jha, is currently a Los Angeles-based filmmaker, who has established herself as a dynamic storyteller with a portfolio of over 10 short films across diverse genres, wherein she has had the opportunity to collaborate with renowned actors such as Ranjita Chakravarthy (Never Have I Ever, Netflix) and Dileep Rao (Avatar and Inception). Her work has earned national and international recognition for its innovative approach and vibrant, boundary-pushing narratives. Hence, earning her a feature in The Daily Guardian, The Times of India, and an interview on the India TV national news. Shreya’s goal as a Producer is to help tell stories which resonate with audiences around the globe.
An alumna of the prestigious Academy Gold Rising program, Shreya is currently part of the Mentorship Program, where she works under the guidance of renowned Screenwriter and Director, Mr. Phil Robinson (Field Of Dreams, 1989). Her professional growth is further supported by mentorship from influential industry figures, including Creative Executives such as Mike Downing of Mandalay Entertainment.
Josh Ebrahimi
Producer
Joshua Ebrahimi, born to Iranian Jewish refugees, grew up in Queens, NY, and later in Great Neck. After earning a Political Science degree from Binghamton University and working in digital advertising, a solo backpacking trip reignited his passion for filmmaking. He recently graduated from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, where he produced two thesis films and directed his own thesis project. Joshua is drawn to psychological stories that explore the human condition and reckoning with hidden truths. In his free time, he enjoys watching old movies at revival theaters, biking by the beach, and uncovering LA’s underground food gems—but don’t call him a foodie.
Grace Gallaraga
Producer
Grace Gallarraga is from Orange County, California but grew up for the first 15 years of her life in New York. She is currently a third year graduate student at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, pursing an MFA in film and television production. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in film studies. She is interested in pursing a career in writing and producing in the film industry. Grace has always been passionate about telling stories that are centered around the themes of coming of age, romance, comedy and drama.
Matty Beavers
DP
Central California native Matty grew up with a passion for photography and videography. In 2023, he graduated from USC School of Cinematic Arts in Film & Television Production where he focused on cinematography. He quickly became a sought cinematographer as his skills and talent were immediately evident. During his time at USC, he was the director of photography for at least two capstone films, multiple thesis films, and various outside projects.
Katie Lantz
Casting Director
Katie Lantz (CSA) is an experienced casting director based in Los Angeles with over a decade of industry expertise. She has worked on a diverse range of high-profile projects, including Avatar: The Last Airbender (Season 2) and Survival of the Thickest, for which she received a nomination for the prestigious Artios Award from the Casting Society of America.
In addition to her work on television and film, Katie has cast numerous short films that have garnered critical acclaim, further demonstrating her keen eye for talent and her ability to bring characters to life in a way that resonates with both audiences and creatives alike.
Katie’s approach to casting is rooted in collaboration. She is dedicated to helping directors shape a world in which their characters feel authentic and true to the story, ensuring that every role is a perfect fit for the vision at hand.