"A rat in a maze is free to go anywhere, as long as it stays inside the maze." - Margaret Atwood

THE DATE

Is a mind-bending, sci-fi story with high-octane action deeply grounded in humanity.

A broken girl on the edge of giving up - v.s. - the lethal secret operative that broke her.

She wears a wig, a fake smile, and an AI echo of her dead father on her wrist.

A wholesome attempt at human connection dissolves into a tactical trap.

WHAT HAPPENS?

In a dystopian future where The United Nation's Angels (U.N.A) govern the entire world through the convincing façade of "peacekeepers", a fugitive surviving in isolation risks her cover for a night of human connection. As her first interactions with society trigger distorted flashbacks and visions, she realizes her date is a lethal trap set by the regime she's desperate to escape. There's an intense fight scene, a heartfelt moment of humanity, and a call to action before the credits roll.

WHO IS ANNA?

Abducted as a child by U.N.A., Anna was raised on a lie: that her family was slaughtered by political extremists and the U.N.A. was her only sanctuary. For five years, they trained her to be the perfect heartless agent. For seven more, she served as an elite assassin fueled by a manufactured desire for revenge. When the truth finally revealed itself to her, Anna fled into deep isolation.

Her only companion: a homemade A.I. system modeled after her dead father.

Her home: the rat infested abandoned subway lines.

As the crushing weight of solitude pushes her toward a breaking point, she risks everything for human connection. By the end of the night, she discovers a newfound purpose that will spark the beginning of her mission in the feature film.

WHAT'S NEXT?

When Anna discovers the world renowned peacekeeping organization she’s been serving [U.N.A.] masks plans of global domination 

- and are behind all U.N.A. agents “orphan” origin stories - 

she changes her identity and goes into isolated hiding... After a close call with U.N.A., Anna begins to de-code messages she's receiving through distorted memories and learns that the daughter she hasn't had yet is sending them from a space station in the future. 

Anna’s mission: Relive her deepest trauma firsthand in order to alter the past, take down U.N.A., and save the world from nuclear destruction.

THE FULL VISION

This short is the first ten pages of a much larger story. We are already looking toward the horizon:

1. The Feature: The main event, expanding on the "memory as a time machine" technology to take down U.N.A.
2. The Prequel: Exploring Anna’s origins, her U.N.A. training, and the day her world shattered.
3. The Sequel: The fallout of the war with U.N.A. and the new threats facing the future.

THE VIBES?

A proof of concept for a raw, messy, terrifying, grounded, tense, vulnerable, and heartbreaking feature film.

It will have the intensity of John Wick: Ballerina, the heart and humanity of Hamnet, the mystery of Arrival, with Mission Impossible stakes.

When we think of action, science fiction, and thrillers, we often think of stories told through the eyes of strong men.

THIS FILM IS FEMALE.

Driven by a woman navigating trauma and grief while the stakes could not be higher.

Created by predominantly female filmmakers.

*A NOTE FROM THE CREATOR*

My acting process has always been about diving deep into the heart of a story. After thousands of hours on professional feature film sets, I realized that to go even deeper, I need to write the story myself. With The Date, I’m on a mission to build a world that demands the kind of presence I’m known for, proving that an action story grounded in truth and humanity has the most visceral impact.

As we prepare to film in New York City this May, we need a community to stand with us. Your contribution allows us to maintain a professional standard of excellence while prioritizing perspectives that are often overlooked. We aren't just making a short film; we are building a foundation for a cinematic universe that is ground breaking and female-forward. My promise to you is transparency, excellence, and relentless momentum. Every dollar raised through this campaign goes directly onto the screen: funding the practical effects, the high-stakes stunts, and the immersive world-building required to make The Date feel as massive as the story it tells.

THE TIMELINE

May 2026: Principal Photography in NYC.

Summer/Fall 2026: Post-production (editing, sound design, and VFX).

Late 2026 - 2027: The Festival Circuit. We plan to take The Date to premier film festivals worldwide to build the "proof of concept" buzz needed to greenlight the feature.

The Global Premiere: Once our festival run is complete, the short film will be released publicly on YouTube for our entire community to view. We will also host an in-person screening event in NYC.

THE REACH

If we surpass our initial funding goal, every additional cent will be funneled into Production Value. Specifically, hitting our stretch goal allows us to extend our shoot by one full day. An extra day on set means more time for complex choreography, more "cinematic" coverage, and the breathing room to ensure every frame is polished to a professional, "silver screen" standard.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

Here is how you can help us cross the finish line:

1. PLEDGE: Choose a reward level that speaks to you. Whether it’s a digital download or your name in the credits, every bit counts.
2. FOLLOW: Hit the "Follow" button on this page to get real-time updates from our set in May.
3. SHARE: The "algorithms" are fickle, but personal recommendations are powerful. Send this page to one person who loves sci-fi, female-led action, or independent film.

To the South Florida natives and the advocates of women in the arts: this is an invitation to join the journey. When you contribute, your name goes in the credits as a permanent part of this film’s legacy. Together, we can remind the industry that art and talent from our diverse communities have the power to change the world.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Nikki Nunziato

Writer | Producer | Lead Actress