The Listener
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Sci-Fi, Thriller
The Listener turns a simple rehearsal into a confrontation about truth and validation. It explores why we need others to believe us in order to believe ourselves, using humor and discomfort to reflect a very human fear of not being seen.
The Listener
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Sci-Fi, Thriller
1 Campaigns |
6 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$1,100
Goal: $6,000 for development
The Listener turns a simple rehearsal into a confrontation about truth and validation. It explores why we need others to believe us in order to believe ourselves, using humor and discomfort to reflect a very human fear of not being seen.
Participating In
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
A human-seeming alien, misread as impaired, disrupts an acting rehearsal by refusing to lie, exposing the cost of passing as human.
June is a quiet custodian in an acting studio. She resets the room after each class, observes carefully, speaks precisely, and keeps to herself.
When Charlotte, an ambitious actress preparing for a career-defining audition, asks June to listen to her rehearsal, a simple favor turns volatile.
June listens the only way she knows how, literally. She responds not with encouragement or performance etiquette, but with blunt physiological observations. Charlotte, accustomed to managing perception and control, is initially amused by June’s honesty. But as the rehearsal continues, the balance of power begins to shift.
In a space where emotion is shaped for performance, unfiltered truth becomes dangerous, not only for the person being watched, but for the one who cannot stop seeing.
The Listener is a contained psychological science fiction short that uses silence, behavior, and subtle physical shifts to explore what happens when an outsider tries to learn how to be human and discovers that truth, without performance, comes at a cost.
WHY THIS FILM. WHY ME. WHY NOW.
I grew up in Iran, where identity and voice can be constrained, and where difference is often misunderstood. Living between cultures shaped my awareness of how quickly silence can be misread and how often we are pressured to perform in order to belong.
The Listener comes from that lived experience. It explores what happens when someone cannot emotionally adjust to ease the room.
In a time when identity is constantly categorized and curated, this story feels urgent. It invites us to question the cost of belonging, and whether honesty without performance still has a place.
WHERE YOUR SUPPORT GOES
We are currently in pre-production for a contained studio shoot planned for August 2026. Casting is underway, and we are assembling a focused, minimal crew to execute this film with precision and care.
Funds raised through this campaign will directly support:
• Studio location rental
• Crew (DP, AC, Sound Mixer, Gaffer, PA)
• Production insurance
• Equipment and lighting
• Post-production (editing, sound design, color correction)
• Festival submission fees
This campaign allows us to bring The Listener to life at a professional level while maintaining creative independence.
TIMELINE & DELIVERY
Production is scheduled for August 2026.
Post-production will take approximately 2–3 months.
We are targeting completion in early 2027.
Backers will receive:
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates
• Early access to a private screening link
• Digital access upon completion
• Festival premiere updates
You will see the impact of your support.
IF WE SURPASS OUR GOAL
If we exceed 100% funding, additional funds will go toward:
• Enhanced sound design and finishing
• Expanded festival outreach
• Marketing materials and press assets
This short also serves as a proof of concept for a feature-length version currently in development, and stronger production value now directly supports that future expansion.
THE RALLY
We are participating in Seed&Spark’s Rally. Reaching our goal within the campaign window unlocks additional platform visibility and promotional support.
That means:
Following matters.
Sharing matters.
Even small pledges matter.
If this story resonates with you, help us build momentum.
Pledge. Follow. Share.
AI DISCLOSURE
For this campaign, AI tools were used to assist in generating early concept imagery and a brief opening clip for the pitch video. These materials were created to help visualize tone and atmosphere during the crowdfunding phase.
The film itself will be shot live-action with a human cast and crew. AI was used solely for campaign presentation and conceptual support.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Core Crew
Costs $1,500
A small professional crew ensures clean sound and controlled lighting in a dialogue driven film.
Production Sound
Costs $700
Because this film depends on performance and dialogue, clear audio is essential to the audience experience.
Location & Insurance
Costs $1,225
Securing a controlled space allows consistent lighting and uninterrupted performances.
Camera & Lighting Package
Costs $500
Minimal but precise lighting creates the tense atmosphere of the film.
Set Dressing & Props
Costs $250
Small visual details make the space feel real and lived in.
Editing & Sound Mix
Costs $625
Careful editing and sound design shape the tension and pacing of the film.
Festival & Deliverables
Costs $300
To share the finished film with audiences and industry through festival submissions.
Meals for Cast & Crew
Costs $300
Feeding the team keeps the set focused and efficient during long shooting hours.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
I am a Los Angeles based writer, actor, and director focused on character driven storytelling. For this short I am developing the project independently at this stage, shaping the creative vision before assembling a small production team for the shoot.
My work explores identity, perception, and emotional truth, often through contained psychological situations. Before filmmaking I published a memoir about my move from Iran to the United States, which shaped my interest in outsiders navigating unfamiliar systems.
With a background in acting, I approach directing through performance and behavior rather than spectacle. The Listener continues my interest in how people construct reality together and what happens when someone refuses to participate.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
A human-seeming alien, misread as impaired, disrupts an acting rehearsal by refusing to lie, exposing the cost of passing as human.
June is a quiet custodian in an acting studio. She resets the room after each class, observes carefully, speaks precisely, and keeps to herself.
When Charlotte, an ambitious actress preparing for a career-defining audition, asks June to listen to her rehearsal, a simple favor turns volatile.
June listens the only way she knows how, literally. She responds not with encouragement or performance etiquette, but with blunt physiological observations. Charlotte, accustomed to managing perception and control, is initially amused by June’s honesty. But as the rehearsal continues, the balance of power begins to shift.
In a space where emotion is shaped for performance, unfiltered truth becomes dangerous, not only for the person being watched, but for the one who cannot stop seeing.
The Listener is a contained psychological science fiction short that uses silence, behavior, and subtle physical shifts to explore what happens when an outsider tries to learn how to be human and discovers that truth, without performance, comes at a cost.
WHY THIS FILM. WHY ME. WHY NOW.
I grew up in Iran, where identity and voice can be constrained, and where difference is often misunderstood. Living between cultures shaped my awareness of how quickly silence can be misread and how often we are pressured to perform in order to belong.
The Listener comes from that lived experience. It explores what happens when someone cannot emotionally adjust to ease the room.
In a time when identity is constantly categorized and curated, this story feels urgent. It invites us to question the cost of belonging, and whether honesty without performance still has a place.
WHERE YOUR SUPPORT GOES
We are currently in pre-production for a contained studio shoot planned for August 2026. Casting is underway, and we are assembling a focused, minimal crew to execute this film with precision and care.
Funds raised through this campaign will directly support:
• Studio location rental
• Crew (DP, AC, Sound Mixer, Gaffer, PA)
• Production insurance
• Equipment and lighting
• Post-production (editing, sound design, color correction)
• Festival submission fees
This campaign allows us to bring The Listener to life at a professional level while maintaining creative independence.
TIMELINE & DELIVERY
Production is scheduled for August 2026.
Post-production will take approximately 2–3 months.
We are targeting completion in early 2027.
Backers will receive:
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates
• Early access to a private screening link
• Digital access upon completion
• Festival premiere updates
You will see the impact of your support.
IF WE SURPASS OUR GOAL
If we exceed 100% funding, additional funds will go toward:
• Enhanced sound design and finishing
• Expanded festival outreach
• Marketing materials and press assets
This short also serves as a proof of concept for a feature-length version currently in development, and stronger production value now directly supports that future expansion.
THE RALLY
We are participating in Seed&Spark’s Rally. Reaching our goal within the campaign window unlocks additional platform visibility and promotional support.
That means:
Following matters.
Sharing matters.
Even small pledges matter.
If this story resonates with you, help us build momentum.
Pledge. Follow. Share.
AI DISCLOSURE
For this campaign, AI tools were used to assist in generating early concept imagery and a brief opening clip for the pitch video. These materials were created to help visualize tone and atmosphere during the crowdfunding phase.
The film itself will be shot live-action with a human cast and crew. AI was used solely for campaign presentation and conceptual support.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Core Crew
Costs $1,500
A small professional crew ensures clean sound and controlled lighting in a dialogue driven film.
Production Sound
Costs $700
Because this film depends on performance and dialogue, clear audio is essential to the audience experience.
Location & Insurance
Costs $1,225
Securing a controlled space allows consistent lighting and uninterrupted performances.
Camera & Lighting Package
Costs $500
Minimal but precise lighting creates the tense atmosphere of the film.
Set Dressing & Props
Costs $250
Small visual details make the space feel real and lived in.
Editing & Sound Mix
Costs $625
Careful editing and sound design shape the tension and pacing of the film.
Festival & Deliverables
Costs $300
To share the finished film with audiences and industry through festival submissions.
Meals for Cast & Crew
Costs $300
Feeding the team keeps the set focused and efficient during long shooting hours.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
I am a Los Angeles based writer, actor, and director focused on character driven storytelling. For this short I am developing the project independently at this stage, shaping the creative vision before assembling a small production team for the shoot.
My work explores identity, perception, and emotional truth, often through contained psychological situations. Before filmmaking I published a memoir about my move from Iran to the United States, which shaped my interest in outsiders navigating unfamiliar systems.
With a background in acting, I approach directing through performance and behavior rather than spectacle. The Listener continues my interest in how people construct reality together and what happens when someone refuses to participate.