Storeman
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
Drama
A homeless former basketball star selling snacks to afford medical care crosses paths with a privileged high school player, sparking an unexpected bond. As their lives collide, both confront pride, hardship, and the power of community while finding hope in an unlikely friendship.
Storeman
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
Drama
40 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$4,675
Goal: $20,000 for production
A homeless former basketball star selling snacks to afford medical care crosses paths with a privileged high school player, sparking an unexpected bond. As their lives collide, both confront pride, hardship, and the power of community while finding hope in an unlikely friendship.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Storeman is a grounded sports drama about pride, resilience, community, and the struggle to accept help. Set against the streets of Atlanta, the story follows Leon “Storeman” Brown, a homeless former basketball star who sells snacks from his bike while quietly battling a worsening illness. After crossing paths with CJ, a privileged high school basketball player, Leon is forced to confront the life he lost and the walls he built to survive. As their unlikely connection grows, Storeman explores Black masculinity, economic hardship, and the belief that asking for help is a sign of weakness—ultimately showing that even the strongest people need a village.
The World
Directors Statement
Kevin Washington Jr. was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, a city deeply rooted in Black entrepreneurship. Growing up, he witnessed firsthand the many ways Black people create opportunities for themselves, from corporate professionals to those selling goods on the side of the street. To him, Black entrepreneurship takes many forms, but at its core, it reflects a shared determination to make a way with what is available.
Storeman is inspired by a real man who regularly visited Washington Jr.’s barbershop—a homeless man who sold snacks every day. Through this story, Washington Jr. hopes to shed light on a side of Atlanta that many people may never experience while exploring issues facing Black men, particularly toxic masculinity and the belief that they must overcome everything alone. Storeman ultimately emphasizes the importance of community and the idea that even the strongest individuals need a village.
WHY NOW?
Stories like Storeman are often overlooked.
We rarely see Atlanta portrayed through the perspective of the people working to survive on its streets, or stories that examine the complicated relationship between pride, masculinity, and accepting help. Storeman gives a face and a voice to someone who is often invisible.
The film also captures a side of Atlanta that deserves to be preserved on screen: a city where entrepreneurship takes many forms, and where community can become a lifeline.
WHAT YOUR SUPPORT DOES
$20,000 is the minimum production budget to shoot this ambitious short film!
Your support provides our filmmaking team with the resources necessary to execute Storeman at the level envisioned in the script and visual treatment. It allows us to secure the equipment, locations, crew, and post-production services needed to complete the project while allowing emerging filmmakers to gain professional experience across the full production process.
Funding also allows our team to execute the film’s 16mm visual approach, production design, sound, and Atlanta-based locations with the technical precision required to create an authentic cinematic world.
Beyond the physical production, your support helps us develop a sustainable filmmaking practice—building credits, strengthening our portfolios, expanding our professional networks, and creating a completed project that can be submitted to festivals and shared with audiences.
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/storeman.film/?hl=en
WHY US?
Storeman is a story rooted in Atlanta, community, and lived experience. Writer/director Kevin Washington Jr. grew up witnessing the many forms of Black entrepreneurship in his hometown—from corporate professionals to people making a living on the streets. The story is also inspired by a real homeless man who regularly came to Kevin’s barbershop selling snacks.
Through this film, we have the opportunity to tell an authentic story about pride, vulnerability, community, and the pressure to survive alone. Storeman challenges the idea that asking for help is a weakness and explores the importance of having a village—especially for Black men.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Film Festivals
Costs $500
Festival submission fees to help bring Storeman to audiences and industry professionals.
Makeup
Costs $250
To provide professional makeup services and supplies needed to prepare our cast for production.
Costumes
Costs $350
To source and prepare wardrobe that authentically reflects each character, their background, and the world of Atlanta.
Stunts
Costs $525
To safely coordinate and execute the film’s stunt sequences, ensuring the cast and crew can perform physically demanding scenes safely.
Walkies
Costs $600
To provide the production team with walkie-talkies for clear communication between departments throughout filming.
Craft Services
Costs $900
To provide snacks, beverages, coffee, and other on-set essentials to keep the cast and crew fueled between meals.
Film Permits and Insurance
Costs $1,000
Permits for filming in Atlanta locations and production insurance to protect the cast, crew, equipment, and locations throughout production.
Post-Production
Costs $2,850
Film Processing & Scanning, Editing, Coloring, Music, and Sound Mixing will support the full post-production process.
Crew Meals
Costs $3,000
To provide nutritious meals for our cast and crew throughout the five-day production, keeping everyone energized and supported on set.
Cast & Crew Travel/ Lodging
Costs $3,000
To provide accommodations for crew and cast members who require housing and travel during production.
Production Equipment
Costs $7,000
Providing the equipment, lighting, sound, props, and set details needed to create Storeman’s cinematic visual style and authentic world.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
From left to right
Kelsey Henderson is an Atlanta-born writer and producer who crafts intimate, emotionally resonant stories about grief, love, and family—both blood and chosen—in worlds that are messy, complicated, and deeply human. She writes hour-long dramas and half-hour dramedies that explore resilience, intimacy, and the complexities of the human experience. A summa cum laude graduate of Spelman College with a B.A. in English, Kelsey earned her M.F.A. in Producing from the University of Southern California's Peter Stark Producing Program, where she was a Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation Scholar. Kelsey produces works across narrative, audio, and editorial mediums, and has interned at leading mission-driven production companies, including Hello Sunshine, Gloria Sanchez Productions, Royal Ties Productions, and Story House. Kelsey will join the incoming August class of the UTA Agent Trainee Program, where she plans to work in television literary representation. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Kevin Washington Jr. is a writer/director born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, now based in Los Angeles. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Cinema, Television, and Emerging Media Studies from Morehouse College. During his time in undergrad, he won the 2022 Georgia Power Rising Star Student Scholarship for his work. Outside of his own work, he’s been fortunate to have worked for NBCUniversal during the 2024 Paris Olympics in Paris, France, and was a production administration intern at Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group, gaining pre-production and on-set experience working on feature films like Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Jumanji: Open World. He’s currently pursuing his Master of Fine Arts in Film & Television Production at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts to further his knowledge and connections in the film and entertainment industry. He is a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Nia Rae Lambert, known professionally as Nia Rae, is an LA-based producer and director. She is an honors graduate of Spelman College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Documentary Filmmaking. Nia works across both documentary and narrative film, with her documentary work centering on untold community stories and her fiction leaning toward comedic narratives about young people overcoming obstacles in pursuit of self-acceptance. Her projects frequently feature marginalized communities as lead characters—stories in which diversity exists organically rather than as the central takeaway. Her work as been featured as the Official Selection of the Maryland Film Festival, Winner of the Black Public Media x HBCU Now Festival, and a nominee of The Southeast Student Emmys. In addition to film, her dedication to service and excellence has earned her numerous accolades, including the MLK Legacy Award from the Chicago Bulls and honors from Prudential and the Environmental Protection Agency under President Biden. She is currently pursuing her Master of Fine Arts in Producing for Film, Television, and New Media at the University of Southern California’s Peter Stark Producing Program to hone in on her passion for independent filmmaking. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Storeman is a grounded sports drama about pride, resilience, community, and the struggle to accept help. Set against the streets of Atlanta, the story follows Leon “Storeman” Brown, a homeless former basketball star who sells snacks from his bike while quietly battling a worsening illness. After crossing paths with CJ, a privileged high school basketball player, Leon is forced to confront the life he lost and the walls he built to survive. As their unlikely connection grows, Storeman explores Black masculinity, economic hardship, and the belief that asking for help is a sign of weakness—ultimately showing that even the strongest people need a village.
The World
Directors Statement
Kevin Washington Jr. was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, a city deeply rooted in Black entrepreneurship. Growing up, he witnessed firsthand the many ways Black people create opportunities for themselves, from corporate professionals to those selling goods on the side of the street. To him, Black entrepreneurship takes many forms, but at its core, it reflects a shared determination to make a way with what is available.
Storeman is inspired by a real man who regularly visited Washington Jr.’s barbershop—a homeless man who sold snacks every day. Through this story, Washington Jr. hopes to shed light on a side of Atlanta that many people may never experience while exploring issues facing Black men, particularly toxic masculinity and the belief that they must overcome everything alone. Storeman ultimately emphasizes the importance of community and the idea that even the strongest individuals need a village.
WHY NOW?
Stories like Storeman are often overlooked.
We rarely see Atlanta portrayed through the perspective of the people working to survive on its streets, or stories that examine the complicated relationship between pride, masculinity, and accepting help. Storeman gives a face and a voice to someone who is often invisible.
The film also captures a side of Atlanta that deserves to be preserved on screen: a city where entrepreneurship takes many forms, and where community can become a lifeline.
WHAT YOUR SUPPORT DOES
$20,000 is the minimum production budget to shoot this ambitious short film!
Your support provides our filmmaking team with the resources necessary to execute Storeman at the level envisioned in the script and visual treatment. It allows us to secure the equipment, locations, crew, and post-production services needed to complete the project while allowing emerging filmmakers to gain professional experience across the full production process.
Funding also allows our team to execute the film’s 16mm visual approach, production design, sound, and Atlanta-based locations with the technical precision required to create an authentic cinematic world.
Beyond the physical production, your support helps us develop a sustainable filmmaking practice—building credits, strengthening our portfolios, expanding our professional networks, and creating a completed project that can be submitted to festivals and shared with audiences.
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/storeman.film/?hl=en
WHY US?
Storeman is a story rooted in Atlanta, community, and lived experience. Writer/director Kevin Washington Jr. grew up witnessing the many forms of Black entrepreneurship in his hometown—from corporate professionals to people making a living on the streets. The story is also inspired by a real homeless man who regularly came to Kevin’s barbershop selling snacks.
Through this film, we have the opportunity to tell an authentic story about pride, vulnerability, community, and the pressure to survive alone. Storeman challenges the idea that asking for help is a weakness and explores the importance of having a village—especially for Black men.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Film Festivals
Costs $500
Festival submission fees to help bring Storeman to audiences and industry professionals.
Makeup
Costs $250
To provide professional makeup services and supplies needed to prepare our cast for production.
Costumes
Costs $350
To source and prepare wardrobe that authentically reflects each character, their background, and the world of Atlanta.
Stunts
Costs $525
To safely coordinate and execute the film’s stunt sequences, ensuring the cast and crew can perform physically demanding scenes safely.
Walkies
Costs $600
To provide the production team with walkie-talkies for clear communication between departments throughout filming.
Craft Services
Costs $900
To provide snacks, beverages, coffee, and other on-set essentials to keep the cast and crew fueled between meals.
Film Permits and Insurance
Costs $1,000
Permits for filming in Atlanta locations and production insurance to protect the cast, crew, equipment, and locations throughout production.
Post-Production
Costs $2,850
Film Processing & Scanning, Editing, Coloring, Music, and Sound Mixing will support the full post-production process.
Crew Meals
Costs $3,000
To provide nutritious meals for our cast and crew throughout the five-day production, keeping everyone energized and supported on set.
Cast & Crew Travel/ Lodging
Costs $3,000
To provide accommodations for crew and cast members who require housing and travel during production.
Production Equipment
Costs $7,000
Providing the equipment, lighting, sound, props, and set details needed to create Storeman’s cinematic visual style and authentic world.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
From left to right
Kelsey Henderson is an Atlanta-born writer and producer who crafts intimate, emotionally resonant stories about grief, love, and family—both blood and chosen—in worlds that are messy, complicated, and deeply human. She writes hour-long dramas and half-hour dramedies that explore resilience, intimacy, and the complexities of the human experience. A summa cum laude graduate of Spelman College with a B.A. in English, Kelsey earned her M.F.A. in Producing from the University of Southern California's Peter Stark Producing Program, where she was a Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation Scholar. Kelsey produces works across narrative, audio, and editorial mediums, and has interned at leading mission-driven production companies, including Hello Sunshine, Gloria Sanchez Productions, Royal Ties Productions, and Story House. Kelsey will join the incoming August class of the UTA Agent Trainee Program, where she plans to work in television literary representation. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Kevin Washington Jr. is a writer/director born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, now based in Los Angeles. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Cinema, Television, and Emerging Media Studies from Morehouse College. During his time in undergrad, he won the 2022 Georgia Power Rising Star Student Scholarship for his work. Outside of his own work, he’s been fortunate to have worked for NBCUniversal during the 2024 Paris Olympics in Paris, France, and was a production administration intern at Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group, gaining pre-production and on-set experience working on feature films like Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Jumanji: Open World. He’s currently pursuing his Master of Fine Arts in Film & Television Production at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts to further his knowledge and connections in the film and entertainment industry. He is a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Nia Rae Lambert, known professionally as Nia Rae, is an LA-based producer and director. She is an honors graduate of Spelman College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Documentary Filmmaking. Nia works across both documentary and narrative film, with her documentary work centering on untold community stories and her fiction leaning toward comedic narratives about young people overcoming obstacles in pursuit of self-acceptance. Her projects frequently feature marginalized communities as lead characters—stories in which diversity exists organically rather than as the central takeaway. Her work as been featured as the Official Selection of the Maryland Film Festival, Winner of the Black Public Media x HBCU Now Festival, and a nominee of The Southeast Student Emmys. In addition to film, her dedication to service and excellence has earned her numerous accolades, including the MLK Legacy Award from the Chicago Bulls and honors from Prudential and the Environmental Protection Agency under President Biden. She is currently pursuing her Master of Fine Arts in Producing for Film, Television, and New Media at the University of Southern California’s Peter Stark Producing Program to hone in on her passion for independent filmmaking. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.