Ms. Edna’s world is shattered when her daughter disappears. Desperate and determined, she finds herself trapped in a system that dismisses her pain. The Police Officer on duty questionably scrutinizes every detail of her report, his biases turning hope into a bitter trial. As the night wears on, another mother, Lisa, arrives, clinging to the fragile hope of reuniting with her missing child. For a fleeting moment, the shared grief between Ms. Edna and Lisa sparks a light in the darkness, a promise that their children might yet be found. But hope is brutally shattered when Lisa is informed that her child was found dead—not alive, as she had dared to dream.

Overcome with fear and anxiety Mr. Edna continues to plead with the Officer but her pleas fall on deaf ears. In a small, stark bathroom, a defiant act of self-preservation unfolds as she splashes water on her face. Ms. Edna walks away defeated. She steps into a bathroom to throw water on her face after the treacherous events of the night. In the mirror, she sees her cross necklace, one that matches her daughter's. Ms. Edna resolves that she will not let despair silence her voice. Instead, she will fight on, a relentless advocate for her daughter and every family marginalized by a broken system.

Drawing inspiration from American Son, our film embraces raw, unflinching dialogue and atmospheric settings that force us to confront the hard-hitting issues society often ignores. Like Moonlight, our story unfolds through deliberate, slow shots that communicate volumes in the quiet spaces between words, inviting viewers to feel the unspoken weight of loss and neglect. And in a nod to Get Out, we capture that pivotal, sunken moment—the scene where our protagonist is physically present, yet emotionally adrift, embodying the profound disconnect between a system that sees without truly understanding.

We are Donya Conley, writer and director of RUNAWAY, and Kalisa Lee, the producer of RUNAWAY. Our collaboration is built on years of friendship and shared passion. We met as freshmen in college and have been creative partners ever since. Having worked together before, we understand each other’s strengths and share a deep commitment to telling authentic, impactful stories. As passionate storytellers with a background in filmmaking, we are dedicated to creating films that spark conversation and inspire change.

Our bond as friends and storytellers fuels our drive to bring RUNAWAY to life with honesty, urgency, and heart.

RUNAWAY is more than a film—it’s a wake-up call. It tells the story of a determined mother who refuses to be silenced when her daughter goes missing, only to be dismissed by law enforcement. This story reflects a heartbreaking truth: families of missing persons of color are often left to search alone. Despite making up 40% of missing persons cases, people of color rarely receive the same media coverage or law enforcement urgency as white victims. Even worse, 9 out of 10 missing persons cases involving people of color are mislabeled as runaways—delaying critical search efforts and forcing families to become their own investigators, advocates, and warriors for justice.

We are telling this story because it matters. After all, these families matter, and we refuse to let these cases be ignored any longer.

The time to act is right now. Every day, more families face the devastating reality of a missing loved one—without the resources or support they need. We need your help to bring RUNAWAY to life. Every contribution—big or small—helps us tell this urgent story. By supporting this film, you are not only supporting independent filmmakers but also amplifying voices that have long been silenced. Your donation comes with exclusive perks! If you believe in highlighting these untold stories, now is the time to act. Together, we can ensure these voices are finally heard.

We are currently in pre-production for RUNAWAY, actively putting together our cast and crew, auditioning talent, securing locations, and gathering the necessary equipment to bring this powerful story to life. Our goal is to tell this story with deep empathy and authenticity, ensuring that every aspect reflects the reality of the families affected. We are committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for our cast and crew, creating an environment where creativity and collaboration flourish.