As we embark on this project, we're putting every penny to good use. We've been very fortunate that many of the essentials necessary to bring this project to life have been donated. To have so many members of the creative community willing to participate at a reduced rate, or for a free lunch, is very flattering. The contributions we collect through our Seed&Spark efforts will be used toward filling in the financial gaps which have been outlined in the WISHLIST section of our proposal.

So what happens if we raise more than we need? Easy. We'll use any excess funds for post-production and to provide an honorarium to those who have participated in the project for little or no money.

When the project is complete, we'll be heading to the festival circuit. Thanks to the experience we've gained from our previous success at international festivals, we're confident we'll have a great run at several acclaimed festivals, with hopes of capturing the attention of investors who want to make ROB ROY into a feature film.

The Story

In the dead of night at a rundown bar, a tense and unexpected encounter unfolds. Kevin, an anxious young man, and Tara, his unsuspecting and curious date, arrive under mysterious circumstances, quickly finding themselves out of their depth. The grizzled bartender, Ray, watches the situation carefully as two dangerous strangers enter—men with sharp words, short tempers, and a sinister agenda.

As the night drags on, what begins as an uneasy meeting escalates into a high-stakes showdown where trust is a luxury, and every move carries weight. With tensions simmering and the threat of violence ever present, the bar becomes a claustrophobic arena where survival depends on quick thinking and calm under pressure.

The Genre

ROB ROY is a taut crime thriller with neo-noir elements, reminiscent of Reservoir Dogs and Collateral, where sharp dialogue and morally ambiguous characters drive the suspense. Set in a confined dive bar, the story explores themes of consequences, trust, and survival, as power dynamics shift and alliances blur under mounting pressure. With echoes of No Country for Old Men and The Departed, it dissects the ripple effects of choices in a tense, claustrophobic setting, blending dark humor and character-driven drama to deliver a gritty, atmospheric exploration of morality and high-stakes conflict.

The Team

A truly international production team. Rob Roy is a collaboration without boarders.

Director: Enrique A. Mendoza is an award-winning Guatemalan film director. He received a BS from Full Sail University, he started his career, creating content for Participant Media's digital arm, Take Part, before joining Pivot TV. His short films have premiered at prestigious international festivals, including SCAD Savannah Film Festival and Newport Beach Film Festival with "Glimpse," CURTAS festival de Imaxinario in Spain with "La Leyenda del Sombrerón," and AFRIFF in Nigeria with "The Project". When not behind the camera, Enrique can be found directing global marketing campaigns for Netflix, Hulu, and most recently, the anime streaming service Crunchyroll.

Previous Work Currently in festivals: FERVOR

Writer / Executive Producer: Renato “Ren” Olivieri

Renato "Ren" Olivieri graduated from the University of Victoria with a Kinesiology major and a Drama minor. Shortly after returning to Toronto to begin his acting career, Ren found himself teaching improv and writing sketch comedy at The Second City. Despite his early success as an actor, fear and insecurity nudged him into a two-decade career as a copywriter—until a layoff pushed him to pursue the dream he had been neglecting. He wrote, produced, and performed in THE TRADE, earning international acclaim and rekindling his passion for storytelling. Now he's hooked on bringing new stories to life.

Previous Work Currently in festivals: THE TRADE

Cinematographer: Andrew Curr began developing a photographic eye at a very early age; shooting action sports in his backyard in Muskoka. The passion for filmmaking blossomed and Andrew graduated from Sheridan College in 2013 and began working as a Camera Assistant in Toronto where he had the opportunity to learn from some of the best cinematographers in the industry. In 2018, Andrew began working full-time as a DOP and has shot scripted television, feature films and many commercials but his first love is documentary. Currently based in Hamilton, Ontario, most of Andrew’s 2024 has been spent on the road shooting two brand new documentary television shows including Blue Ant’s My Haunted Hometown.

Producer: Shannon Carl is a seasoned producer with 12 years in film and TV. A Sacramento native and CSU Long Beach alum, she launched her career at Participant Media before honing her storytelling skills at various agencies. She produced the award-winning short Glimpse and filmed the foreign-language La Leyenda del Sombrerón in Guatemala. With a passion for diverse voices, Shannon continues to push creative boundaries and craft compelling narratives.

Producer: Alastair Waithe is an award-winning creative producer located in the heart of Toronto’s film district. With over 20 years of experience in commercial, film & TV production, Alastair’s legendary work ethic, is matched with a collaborative approach to problem solving. By combining deep technical expertise with unparalleled creative ingenuity, Al consistently delivers exceptional results across every project. Al’s passion for fostering and mentoring the next generation of aspiring filmmakers, has created a unique and meaningful network of support that is recognized throughout the production industry in Canada.

Hair & Makeup: Lisa Mandel is an international makeup artist with a diverse portfolio of work that spans film, television, and the stages of Broadway; Lisa's reputation for being a "blood master" was born while creating the look for the "Evil Dead the Musical," which ran in Toronto, Montreal, New York and has recently gone global. While she's universally known for giving her subjects flawless skin and smoky eyes, Lisa's sense for the latest trends, coupled with her dedication to making her clients look and feel confident in their role, is paramount in the ever-evolving world of makeup artistry. Lisa's recognition has led to the mentorship of the next generation of makeup artists, ensuring her finely tuned aesthetics and legendary work ethic will be a part of the community for years to come.

Cast

Sean Power is Branson. Late 40s. Sketchy, loudmouth, usually calm but has a nasty temper.

Branson thinks he's smarter than everyone in the room. A product of the old-school, Branson makes no apologies for taking what he wants. Branson believes that if you want something, you take it. If someone tries to take something, they must suffer the consequences. As a part of an organized crime syndicate, Branson knows that he needs to keep a tight rein on his territory if he wants to keep it. 

Koldin Colie is Jimmy. Late 30s. Big and very strong, silent, intimidating.

Jimmy is Branson’s muscle, and they are always together. Jimmy is physically intimidating, covered in tattoos and never speaks. You always know where you stand with Jimmy because he can communicate clearly with a look.

Salma Khalidi is Tara. Mid 20s. Smart, athletic, attractive and bubbly.

Tara has an innate ability to appear innocent and helpless. However, she's really a force to be reckoned with. She is fearless in the face of danger and will accomplish anything she puts her mind to. People are instantly drawn to Tara because of her bright smile and playful demeanor. But make no mistake, when the chips are down, Tara is far more than just a pretty face.

Laurant Sayer is Kevin. Mid 20s. Clever, skinny, anxious, well-dressed.

Smart and likable on the surface, Kevin is born of privilege and has no idea what it means to put in a hard day's work. Kevin is entitled and delusional about his importance in the world, therefore, he has always expected things to go his way. When he decides to steal money from the local drug dealer, he just assumes he'll get away with it. When he doesn't, his true weasel-like nature shows.

Ren Olivieri is Ray. Early 50s. Weathered, calm and confident. Used to be fit.

Ray grew up on the streets of a small town. Over the years, he's managed to make a modest living for himself and his family by doing manual labor and odd jobs on the side. Ray is smart, strong, and composed enough that he probably could have done more with his life if he hadn't gotten his girlfriend (later wife) pregnant at a very young age. In a town rife with violence and drugs, it would have been easy for Ray to make bad choices. Ray's wife died after their second child was born. He knew that the only way to give them a better life was to be there for them. It's this sensibility that has helped Ray stay out of trouble, however, the same cannot be said for his son.