The 5th Room follows the journey of Natalie, an agoraphobic woman who has a fear of leaving her home. Natalie's struggle with this anxiety disorder, a condition that affects an estimated 1.8 million U.S. Americans, has caused her to isolate herself inside her home for several years, abandoning a life once filled with love, joy, and family. She has built a community inside her home, but when a young child is in danger right in front of her house, can she overcome her fear to save a life?

Natalie is portrayed by a Black woman, which was an intentional casting decision. Addressing mental health in the Black/African-American and other communities of color can often be a barrier due to stigma, and lack of resources or awareness. Our film aims to touch on all those areas to help break down these barriers.

This script is a Screencraft Film Fund Competition Semifinalist.

One of the main themes of this film, Natalie being “trapped” inside her home, comes from a personal experience. There have been moments where I’ve felt a great deal of anxiety and depression resulting in me choosing not to leave my home for days. I chose comfort, routine, and perceived safety. Theoretically, I survived just fine, because the technological advances that have been setup for convenience, can be just as detrimental.  However, it is not in our nature to live in isolation, so we have to find a way to break free. I wanted to explore how this journey could look for someone living in that mindset.

The 5th Room is about trauma, mental health, and the power of friendship. It’s film about living through PTSD, but then hopefully breaking free of that trauma. Natalie is so dynamic even though she has made her world so small, and many will empathize with her story. With your support we’ll be able to bring Natalie’s story to life and help her break free.

The mininmum amount we need to raise to cover producton is $11,000.

• $13,000 will cover all currently budgeted production costs.
• $15,000 will cover post-production costs.
• $16,000 will cover contingency expenses and film festivals.

Please take a look at the Wishlist tab to see a breakdown our our expenses!

Charletta Rozzell
as Natalie

Natalie thrives on the love of her family. She is a strong and intelligent woman, supporting a loving husband and raising three children. Natalie, is also a woman who will carry on in the midst of struggle. Quick to encourage others to show vulnerability but slow to allow herself that same emotion, she is often looked as as the “Strong Black Woman.” But when she encounters a significant trauma affecting her entire family, she struggles to allow herself to process her trauma and instead gets trapped in a cycle of reliving her past.

Shakira Reedus
as Lexie 

Lexie is the best friend we all need. Becoming besties in college, Lexie and Natalie have shared many groundbreaking life experiences together - marriages, new births, loss, and struggles. But when Natalie experiences the most traumatizing event in her life, Lexie’s support is unwavering and patient. Lexie knows that healing is a marathon, not a sprint. Even if the most she can do is make a simple phone call to ask if Natalie's okay she’ll be there for as long as she needs.

Jarrel Cudjoe
as Devin

Devin is the funny and loving husband of Natalie and father of Nicole and twin toddlers. Normally, he is a workaholic who will go above and beyond to support his family of five. However, he knows family comes first and will take a back seat to support Natalie in her dreams and spend time with his children when needed.

Harlem Sophia
as Nicole 

Nicole is the smart and funny five year old daughter of Natalie and Devin, and cheerful big sister to twin baby brothers. She loves swings at playground, cheese pizza, mimicking the fight poses of Okoye and Shuri from Wakanda, and playing with her pet fish.

Jordan Hunter
as Isaiah 

Isaiah, a savior by birth name, is the compassionate paramedic called to support Natalie during her journey. His goal with every life he encounters is to help and counsel people to good health. He may be the voice Natalie needs to overcome her anxiety.

Tanisha Nicole

Supporting Actress