The Moth & The Fly
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Comedy, Adventure
Parwana, an arrogant pyramid salesman, must battle surreal happenings on the streets of L.A in order to find parking and make it to a huge sale. Through a cryptic tamale lady and a host of obstacles, Parwana is exposed to different modes of being and must choose what type of person to become.
The Moth & The Fly
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Comedy, Adventure
1 Campaigns | California, United States
12 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$3,155
Goal: $14,000 for production
Parwana, an arrogant pyramid salesman, must battle surreal happenings on the streets of L.A in order to find parking and make it to a huge sale. Through a cryptic tamale lady and a host of obstacles, Parwana is exposed to different modes of being and must choose what type of person to become.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
The Moth & The Fly came from experiencing selfishness and loneliness in cities. The community around us are often kept at arms’ length. This was coupled with my love for Sufi fables where an unwitting person is swept into a journey that pushes them to connect to others and tests their character.
We begin on an ordinary Tuesday morning, L.A sprouts to life with the call of the local tamale lady, ESPERANZA (65). She doles out breakfast along with cryptic advice to her customers.
At the same time, PARWANA (30), a morally (and financially) bankrupt pyramid salesman drives Uber to make ends meet. Parwana believes in nothing but the power of the dollar. However, her commitment to quick cash has led her to 'investing' in a product nobody wants to buy.
In the middle of her Uber ride, she receives a call with an offer to buy her stock and lift her out of debt. She drops everything (including her passenger) and rushes over. But! This first misstep immediately results in a minor fender bender with Esperanza. Esperanza sends her off with cryptic advice.
As soon as Parwana arrives at her location, there is not a single parking spot to be found. Thus, Parwana's journey begins. She faces various surrealities, from bureaucracy to ghosts. She must navigate her responses: will she become a better person or will she find parking?
Having been an immigrant twice, and worked across fields of science, publishing and film, I hope to create stories that explore the evolution of cultures or subjects beyond their historical borders. I am a filmmaker from London, so coming to L.A was a culture shock for me. The inane bureaucracy, reliance on cars and the lack of connection when travelling from place to place all stuck out to me. This brought me to The Moth & The Fly: the style of the film reflects both my experiences as an outsider in L.A but also my upbringing. My love for Indian stories, with their execution in poetry and the tradition of mythology have played a huge role in shaping my creativity. On the other hand, my experience as an actor in British theatre and now as a filmmaker at USC, have compelled me to transpose these Eastern stories onto a Western three act structure.
The thematic background to this script was inspired by the Sufi poem, The Conference of the Birds, but my approach to the material is through comedy and magical realism. The protagonist’s character is inspired by Glengarry Glen Ross, in an attempt to put a glib salesman in situations she can’t talk her way out of. The visual gags of insects and surreal parking signs hope to add to the comedy as well as mysticism.
The visual style will reflect the film’s blend of magical realism and the absurdity of the situation. Any interactions with Esperanza will be dreamlike: saturated colours, soft light and slow camera movements, accompanied with music that incorporates her tamale call. In contrast, Protagonist’s encounters with other characters will be faster paced–with a more comedic, erratic camera and increased cuts. The fable-like tone of the story lends itself to a vibrant colour palette. The production design and costumes will be bright and saturated.
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We want to incorporate L.A as if it were a character, using its vivid sun, sprawling murals and eclectic architecture to accentuate the feeling of a magical world one can get lost in.
.png)
This short is a proof of concept for our feature ‘The Moth and the Fly’. In the short film, Parwana chooses the path of selfishness but in the feature she will go on a more expansive journey that leads to unexpected enlightenment. We were lucky to be a finalist in the Indian Film Festival of L.A’s Pitch Competition in 2025 and we hope to continue to garner belief in our project by making a proof of concept. We are excited to make this short film so that we can prove our abilities in making this genre-bending, adventure film on the streets of L.A, and so that investors feel confident to fund out feature film.
The budget for The Moth and the Fly has been carefully structured to meet the production’s logistical and technical needs. A significant portion is allocated to securing permits and street closures, as the majority of the film takes place outdoors on the streets of Los Angeles. Additionally, a portion of the budget is dedicated to LED wall usage for key scenes that require a controlled, simulated environment.
Other major costs include production design, VFX, wardrobe, equipment rentals, insurance, cast and crew fees, and post-production services such as editing, color, and sound design. Every expense has been thoughtfully planned to ensure a smooth, professional production that stays on schedule and delivers high-quality results.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Location- Day 1
Costs $3,500
The main obstacle for our protagonist is to find parking hence we need to film on real locations with plenty of cars and lock down a street.
Location Day 2
Costs $3,500
The main obstacle for our protagonist is to find parking hence we need to film on real locations with plenty of cars and lock down a street.
Location- Day 3
Costs $1,500
For majority of the film our protagonist is driving, while talking and conducts intense U-turns/stunts, for which we need the LED wall.
Location- Day 4
Costs $1,500
For majority of the film our protagonist is driving, while talking and conducts intense U-turns/stunts, for which we need the LED wall.
Casting
Costs $4,000
Help us find our dream cast members who we'd want to pay for their tremendous hard work and dedication.
Share this update!
About This Team
MEET THE TEAM OF The Moth & The Fly:
Vankshita Mishra is a filmmaker, actor & curator based in L.A. and London. After completing a bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences (Physics & Chemistry) at Durham University, she worked freelance in film and publishing well as briefly with Greenpeace UK. In 2022, Vankshita was selected for a Fulbright BAFTA Scholarship to pursue an MFA in Film Production at the University of Southern California. While pursuing her Master’s she has been awarded the BAFTA-Pigott Scholarship and an Alfred P. Sloan Writing Award.
Born and raised in Ahmedabad, India, Shreya Jha is currently pursuing a Master’s in Film and TV at USC. As a Los Angeles-based filmmaker, she has built a strong portfolio of over 10 short films, earning recognition on the BAFTA longlis. An alumna of the prestigious Academy Gold Rising program, she is also part of the Mentorship Program, working with acclaimed filmmaker Phil Robinson (Field of Dreams, 1989). In addition, she gained industry experience interning at Mandalay Entertainment under the mentorship of creative executives Mike Downing and Jordan Moldo. Building on her diverse body of work, she further refined her industry experience by producing Blue Top, a short film for Renee Frigo, Creative Producer at Oak Street Pictures, the company behind Nine Days, which premiered at Sundance.
Grace Galarraga is from Orange County, California but grew up for the first 15 years of her life in New York. She is currently a third year graduate student at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, pursing an MFA in film and television production. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in film studies. She has always had a passion for storytelling, whether it be fiction or non-fiction. Building a career in writing and producing in the film industry, Grace has always been drawn to tell stories that are centered around the themes of growing up, handling change, and nostalgia.
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Hailing from the vibrant, classic streets of Old Delhi, Sehran Khan is a writer, director, and producer whose short films and music videos have garnered millions of views worldwide. His storytelling blends lyrical imagery with hard-hitting themes, creating work that is both emotionally moving and thought-provog. As a producer, he has worked across the USA, India, and Mexico, bringing to life commercials, music videos, and short films.
Long You
Co-Writer
Long You is a filmmaker and writer from Compton, California. He received his bachelor’s degree in English from Amherst College. He is currently pursuing an MFA in Film Production from the University of Southern California on the USC William Randolph Hearst Endowed Scholarship Fund. Most recently, Long’s short film “The Museum of the 21st Century” won first prize at the USC time capsule 2050 awards.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
The Moth & The Fly came from experiencing selfishness and loneliness in cities. The community around us are often kept at arms’ length. This was coupled with my love for Sufi fables where an unwitting person is swept into a journey that pushes them to connect to others and tests their character.
We begin on an ordinary Tuesday morning, L.A sprouts to life with the call of the local tamale lady, ESPERANZA (65). She doles out breakfast along with cryptic advice to her customers.
At the same time, PARWANA (30), a morally (and financially) bankrupt pyramid salesman drives Uber to make ends meet. Parwana believes in nothing but the power of the dollar. However, her commitment to quick cash has led her to 'investing' in a product nobody wants to buy.
In the middle of her Uber ride, she receives a call with an offer to buy her stock and lift her out of debt. She drops everything (including her passenger) and rushes over. But! This first misstep immediately results in a minor fender bender with Esperanza. Esperanza sends her off with cryptic advice.
As soon as Parwana arrives at her location, there is not a single parking spot to be found. Thus, Parwana's journey begins. She faces various surrealities, from bureaucracy to ghosts. She must navigate her responses: will she become a better person or will she find parking?
Having been an immigrant twice, and worked across fields of science, publishing and film, I hope to create stories that explore the evolution of cultures or subjects beyond their historical borders. I am a filmmaker from London, so coming to L.A was a culture shock for me. The inane bureaucracy, reliance on cars and the lack of connection when travelling from place to place all stuck out to me. This brought me to The Moth & The Fly: the style of the film reflects both my experiences as an outsider in L.A but also my upbringing. My love for Indian stories, with their execution in poetry and the tradition of mythology have played a huge role in shaping my creativity. On the other hand, my experience as an actor in British theatre and now as a filmmaker at USC, have compelled me to transpose these Eastern stories onto a Western three act structure.
The thematic background to this script was inspired by the Sufi poem, The Conference of the Birds, but my approach to the material is through comedy and magical realism. The protagonist’s character is inspired by Glengarry Glen Ross, in an attempt to put a glib salesman in situations she can’t talk her way out of. The visual gags of insects and surreal parking signs hope to add to the comedy as well as mysticism.
The visual style will reflect the film’s blend of magical realism and the absurdity of the situation. Any interactions with Esperanza will be dreamlike: saturated colours, soft light and slow camera movements, accompanied with music that incorporates her tamale call. In contrast, Protagonist’s encounters with other characters will be faster paced–with a more comedic, erratic camera and increased cuts. The fable-like tone of the story lends itself to a vibrant colour palette. The production design and costumes will be bright and saturated.
We want to incorporate L.A as if it were a character, using its vivid sun, sprawling murals and eclectic architecture to accentuate the feeling of a magical world one can get lost in.
This short is a proof of concept for our feature ‘The Moth and the Fly’. In the short film, Parwana chooses the path of selfishness but in the feature she will go on a more expansive journey that leads to unexpected enlightenment. We were lucky to be a finalist in the Indian Film Festival of L.A’s Pitch Competition in 2025 and we hope to continue to garner belief in our project by making a proof of concept. We are excited to make this short film so that we can prove our abilities in making this genre-bending, adventure film on the streets of L.A, and so that investors feel confident to fund out feature film.
The budget for The Moth and the Fly has been carefully structured to meet the production’s logistical and technical needs. A significant portion is allocated to securing permits and street closures, as the majority of the film takes place outdoors on the streets of Los Angeles. Additionally, a portion of the budget is dedicated to LED wall usage for key scenes that require a controlled, simulated environment.
Other major costs include production design, VFX, wardrobe, equipment rentals, insurance, cast and crew fees, and post-production services such as editing, color, and sound design. Every expense has been thoughtfully planned to ensure a smooth, professional production that stays on schedule and delivers high-quality results.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Location- Day 1
Costs $3,500
The main obstacle for our protagonist is to find parking hence we need to film on real locations with plenty of cars and lock down a street.
Location Day 2
Costs $3,500
The main obstacle for our protagonist is to find parking hence we need to film on real locations with plenty of cars and lock down a street.
Location- Day 3
Costs $1,500
For majority of the film our protagonist is driving, while talking and conducts intense U-turns/stunts, for which we need the LED wall.
Location- Day 4
Costs $1,500
For majority of the film our protagonist is driving, while talking and conducts intense U-turns/stunts, for which we need the LED wall.
Casting
Costs $4,000
Help us find our dream cast members who we'd want to pay for their tremendous hard work and dedication.
Share this update!
About This Team
MEET THE TEAM OF The Moth & The Fly:
Vankshita Mishra is a filmmaker, actor & curator based in L.A. and London. After completing a bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences (Physics & Chemistry) at Durham University, she worked freelance in film and publishing well as briefly with Greenpeace UK. In 2022, Vankshita was selected for a Fulbright BAFTA Scholarship to pursue an MFA in Film Production at the University of Southern California. While pursuing her Master’s she has been awarded the BAFTA-Pigott Scholarship and an Alfred P. Sloan Writing Award.
Born and raised in Ahmedabad, India, Shreya Jha is currently pursuing a Master’s in Film and TV at USC. As a Los Angeles-based filmmaker, she has built a strong portfolio of over 10 short films, earning recognition on the BAFTA longlis. An alumna of the prestigious Academy Gold Rising program, she is also part of the Mentorship Program, working with acclaimed filmmaker Phil Robinson (Field of Dreams, 1989). In addition, she gained industry experience interning at Mandalay Entertainment under the mentorship of creative executives Mike Downing and Jordan Moldo. Building on her diverse body of work, she further refined her industry experience by producing Blue Top, a short film for Renee Frigo, Creative Producer at Oak Street Pictures, the company behind Nine Days, which premiered at Sundance.
Grace Galarraga is from Orange County, California but grew up for the first 15 years of her life in New York. She is currently a third year graduate student at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, pursing an MFA in film and television production. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in film studies. She has always had a passion for storytelling, whether it be fiction or non-fiction. Building a career in writing and producing in the film industry, Grace has always been drawn to tell stories that are centered around the themes of growing up, handling change, and nostalgia.
Hailing from the vibrant, classic streets of Old Delhi, Sehran Khan is a writer, director, and producer whose short films and music videos have garnered millions of views worldwide. His storytelling blends lyrical imagery with hard-hitting themes, creating work that is both emotionally moving and thought-provog. As a producer, he has worked across the USA, India, and Mexico, bringing to life commercials, music videos, and short films.
Long You
Co-Writer
Long You is a filmmaker and writer from Compton, California. He received his bachelor’s degree in English from Amherst College. He is currently pursuing an MFA in Film Production from the University of Southern California on the USC William Randolph Hearst Endowed Scholarship Fund. Most recently, Long’s short film “The Museum of the 21st Century” won first prize at the USC time capsule 2050 awards.