The End is Nigh is a short verité documentary following the journey of students Beaux, Andy, and Axel as they plan one of the biggest college parties of the year, the Graduation Center of The Universe Party (COUP).

They have been elected to host the event by the New College of Florida student body during a Student Government meeting after pitching their theme and sharing their previous experiences hosting Valentine’s Day & Halloween COUPs, the other two times a year when the parties are hosted.

ACOUPALYPSE will be a once-in-a-lifetime party, taking place all over the campus and honoring the rich history of COUPs, which have been a tradition since the 70s and were previously known as Palm Court Parties.

ANDY

Andy is a seasoned COUP host and campus reporter. A writer for the student newspaper and archivist for the student government, he has been dedicated to documenting the shifting culture at New College during a time of upheaval. Known for blending journalism with community organizing, Andy sees live music and student traditions as vital to keeping campus spirit alive. His perspective as both a reporter and a host provides a unique window into how students resist erasure through art, memory, and collective joy.

BEAUX

Beaux spent three years at New College immersed in student life and activism. From organizing an alternative commencement to designing this year’s apocalyptic-themed party, Beaux channeled political upheaval into cathartic art. A returning COUP host, Beaux views the zombie theme as a reclamation of dehumanization, a way of turning pain into performance, and protest into celebration. Beaux’s role as a host, organizer, and designer reflects the resilience of students who are determined to leave behind a culture worth remembering, even as the institution around them changes.

AXEL

Axel is graduating with an Associate’s after a single year at New College, but his impact has been shaped by community tradition. In an impressive achievement, this will be his second time planning the event after being a host of the Valentine’s Day party. All in less than one year at the college! For Axel, the project is less about individual achievement and more about carrying forward collective memory. He describes COUP as a night where strangers become lifelong friends, proof that even brief connections can define a community’s legacy.

Celi Mitidieri | Director, Producer, Cinematographer (Instagram, Website)

Celi Mitidieri is the documentary director and producer behind Culture War, which has received recognition from over 10 festivals across the United States as well as a Telly Award and a College Television Award nomination. With a passion for stories that create a lasting community impact, her work uses the power of documentary photography and filmmaking to spark reflection and inspire social change. 

A recent graduate of Ringling College of Art and Design, Celi earned a BFA in Film with minors in Business of Art and Design, Photography and Imaging, Creative Writing, and Film Studies.

Currently, Celi works as an LA-based freelancer in documentary production, directing, and cinematography, partnering with brands that aim to illuminate untold stories, celebrating resilience and human connection in an ever-changing world.

Milena Montero | Producer (Instagram, Website)

Milena Montero is an Argentine producer and filmmaker based in Los Angeles. She is drawn to stories that spark dialogue and inspire social impact, with experience spanning documentaries, television, films, and branded content. Her work has screened at more than 20 film festivals worldwide and earned recognition, including Telly Awards, ADDY Awards, and a Student Emmy nomination.

Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Milena later studied in China before moving to the United States to pursue filmmaking. A graduate of Ringling College of Art and Design with a BFA in Film and Branded Entertainment, she approaches storytelling with a global perspective and a curiosity for underrepresented voices. 

Currently, she works as a freelance producer across documentary and narrative projects, collaborating with filmmakers and brands committed to meaningful, purpose-driven storytelling.

Zach Hess | Editor (Instagram, Website)

An LA-based editor, Zachary Hess, has expertise in editing and assistant editing for feature documentaries and in the behind-the-scenes film marketing space. Zach’s love for human stories and cinema as a visual language emboldens their creativity and fuels their passion as a collaborator in the filmmaking process. Confident in their emotional compass, they bring their all to push the very most out of the films they work on.

Zach’s filmography includes four feature documentaries and 20 short films, with one of his recent shorts being a semifinalist for the Student Academy Awards. 

The End is Nigh is a celebration of what it means to preserve community and self-expression amidst a growing storm of conservatism and the right’s upending of our spaces of higher learning. When voices are being stamped out and homogenized, a film that exudes liberated expression at such a volume is a delight in both artistry and an ardent statement that this is what New College meant to generations of young adults.

The End is Nigh is a coming-of-age documentary that unfolds within the charged atmosphere of New College of Florida (NCF), a campus caught in the middle of today’s culture wars. While a film student at Ringling College, I was drawn to this story as it speaks to the urgency of a generation confronting political attacks on their right to learn, express themselves, and define their own future.

My previous short, Culture War, focuses on the NCF community and documents the Florida government’s efforts to reshape the school into a conservative institution. A year later, the urgency of what is happening there has only intensified. I returned to New College to capture a new side of the story: a bittersweet moment of joy and resilience in the face of opposition.

Through vérité camerawork, my vision is to immerse audiences in the chaotic brilliance of this community. Rather than document the culture war from a distance, I aim to complement that narrative with a ground-level record of how students resist through joy, creativity, and collective action.

At its heart, The End is Nigh is both a time capsule and a rallying cry. It preserves a fleeting yet iconic tradition while reminding us that, in the face of censorship and control, art itself becomes a weapon of survival.

We’re raising $12,000 to complete post-production and share the film with the world. Every dollar goes directly into finishing the film and making sure the resilience of New College students is seen and remembered.

⚡️ Insurance - $1000: Errors & Omissions Insurance protects the film legally, ensuring we can screen, distribute, and share The End is Nigh safely and widely.

⚡️Archival Producer - $750: An archival producer will source, clear, and license historic media to capture New College’s legacy and connect past to present.

⚡️Graphic Designer - $500: Crafts posters, campaign graphics, and digital assets to embody COUP’s spirit and reach wider audiences.

⚡️Editor - $1,500: Turning hours of footage into a powerful story of resilience and joy, our editor will help us craft the emotional heart of this film.

⚡️Motion Designer - $1,000: A 30‑second animated sequence and polished title design to honor COUP’s 50‑year legacy in a visually striking way.

⚡️ Colorist - $1,500: Professional color grading will bring out the vibrancy of costumes, lights, and Florida colors, making the celebration visually striking.

⚡️ Composer - $1,500: A custom score will elevate the film’s emotional impact into one unforgettable soundtrack.

⚡️ Sound Design & Mix - $1,500: Professional sound design and mixing will immerse viewers in the party, from quiet planning moments to the high energy of the night.

⚡️ Festival Submissions & Attendance - $1,500: Help us take this story beyond Florida! These funds cover festival fees and travel, so we can bring the film to audiences nationwide.

⚡️ Impact Campaign - $1250: We want this film to spark dialogue. These funds support panels and events exploring education freedom, queer joy, and resilience.

⚡️ Cash Pledge: Not sure which part to fund? Cash pledges go where they’re needed most.

We’re on a mission to bring The End is Nigh to as many people as possible, sparking bi-partisan conversations and connections around themes portrayed in the film, such as freedom of expression. 

Over the next two years, our key goals are:

• Outreach: Reach 10,000 students, connecting young audiences with the story and themes of The End is Nigh.
• Screening Series: Screen the film in all 50 states, ensuring the story reaches communities nationwide.
• Community Engagement: Foster meaningful conversations and connections, encouraging audiences to reflect on the issues the film explores and share their perspectives.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

MAKE A PLEDGE

• Whether you love documentaries, believe in spotlighting student voices, or just want a front-row seat to the apocalypse, your support makes this film possible.

SPONSOR THE END (AND THE BEGINNING)

• Check our Wishlist to directly fund the edit, sound, color, or even our impact campaign. Claim bragging rights for keeping student culture alive.

SPREAD THE WORD (Instagram, Facebook)

• Share our campaign, follow us, tag us, and help us go viral. Every post and shout-out brings us closer to preserving New College’s legacy.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to The End is Nigh through our fiscal sponsor, Creative Visions, please reach out to [email protected]