Whispers of the Veil
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Action, Thriller
Short Film | After two Veil Walkers suddenly disappear, NujXeej, an elite Veil Walker, must embark on an unauthorized suicide mission to bring them back while navigating the secret society of The Order of the Thread.
Whispers of the Veil
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Action, Thriller
1 Campaigns | California, United States
28 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$5,170
Goal: $10,000 for production
Short Film | After two Veil Walkers suddenly disappear, NujXeej, an elite Veil Walker, must embark on an unauthorized suicide mission to bring them back while navigating the secret society of The Order of the Thread.
Participating In
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
In the quiet spaces between worlds, a secret society known as The Order of the Thread has endured for centuries, safeguarding the fragile seam between the physical and spiritual realms.
To preserve balance, they deploy Veil Walkers -- trained, gifted individuals with rare spiritual connections -- to confront what slips through.
Their work protects us from forces beyond our understanding. If they fail, the consequences would be catastrophic. But if they succeed, no one will ever know.
After a routine assignment spirals into something far more volatile, NujXeej, a seasoned Veil Walker, is forced to confront a presence that challenges not only his authority, but his understanding of the balance he's sworn to protect. As ritual and resistance collide in the shadows of the city, the line between justice and consequence blurs.
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The idea for this film actually came to me in a dream back in 2023. I dreamt that I was going over to my cousin's house. I felt that there was something darker lurking underneath, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Once I entered, there was a dark, ominous presence pulling me towards a bedroom at the end of the hall. I ran over and tried to open it. However, it felt like something was restricting me. My shaman aunt comes running through with her charms, gongs, and chanting, and kicks the door open. Inside... two corpses on the floor, walls rotting with decay, and a demonic shrine in the closet. Then... I woke up.
It was intense...creepy... but super cool! I had no idea what to think, but I knew I had to make this idea into a film!
The connection between the intensity and action of the dream and the mix of Hmong Shamanism immediately drew me in.
Although this film is more for entertainment, it also has another role: To bring Hmong American Stories into mainstream media and inspire other filmmakers with similar backgrounds as me to pursue their voices.
.png)
Throughout mainstream media, AAPI representation has been severely underrepresented. From 2007-2019, in a study of 1,300 top-grossing Hollywood films, only about 5.9% of speaking characters were Asian or Pacific Islanders. And only 3.4% of these films had an AAPI lead or co-lead role. Furthermore, Hmong Americans fall even shorter than that. Over the past few years, there have been only a few notable Hmong American-centered films.
Hmong American Centered Films
These are some films that address the Hmong American experience; however, I want to explore this project with a fantastical perspective, which has rarely been done. As a Hmong American filmmaker, I want to be able to help make Hmong Americans' stories and voices acceptable as sources of entertainment rather than just education. We have stories and ideas that can be entertaining, too. And I want to create that space for future filmmakers of not just my own community but others as well.
Therefore, by supporting this film, you're not only helping one story come to life, but you're also a part of pushing for a more Hmong American representation.
.png)
Whispers of the Veil blends the gritty urban thrillers of The Raid: Redemption (2011) with the action-packed, mythology-rooted, fantastical world-building feel of anime like Jujutsu Kaisen (2020) and Demon Slayer (2019). Its dark undertones with fantastical cinematic and beautifully choreographed action style draw from Brian Tang's Kodama (2023).
The world feels grounded—but ancient forces linger beneath it.
.png)
Crowdfunding allows this film to exist independently—without compromising tone, casting, or cultural authenticity.
Your support allows us to:
- Pay the cast and crew fairly
- Execute safe, controlled action sequences
- Invest in production design and wardrobe
- Record professional sound design and original score
- Complete high-quality post-production and festival submission
It’s about making something intentional.
Our production goal is $10,000, and we need to reach at least 80% to get funded. These funds will cover the BASICS OF PRODUCTION - cast and crew, food, equipment, production design, locations, permits, and insurance.
$10,000 Breakdown (Estimated):
Production (Crew, Cast, Locations) – 48.4%
Production Design / Wardrobe / Props – $12.9%
Action & Safety Coordination – 16.1%
Insurance – 6.5%
Post-Production (Editing, Sound, Color) – 9.7%
Festival Submissions & Deliverables – 6.5%
Every dollar moves the film forward.
.png)
While this is enough to get started, we dream of doing more. Meeting our goal will allow us to pay our team fairly and produce high-quality work. But if we exceed it, we'll unlock our STRETCH GOALS to take Whispers of the Veil to the NEXT LEVEL.
Here's how your contribution will MAKE AN IMPACT:
- $10,000: Covers basic production essentials (fair pay to cast and crew, food, insurance, locations, equipment, and improved production value).
- $15,000 - (Stretch Goal): Allows us to hire additional crew, upgrade equipment, and increase production design to capture the world of the story more effectively.
- $20,000 - $25,000 (Full Stretch Goal): Funds post-production (editing, sound mixing, music licensing, color grading, VFX) and support marketing and distribution
$25,000 TOTAL will cover PRODUCTION and POST-PRODUCTION and allow us to create a proof-of-concept that looks and feels beyond its cost.
.png)
.png)
Making an ambitious project like WHISPERS OF THE VEIL is a labor of love and effort. Requiring TIME, MONEY & SUPPORT. This budget isn't just about making a single film -- it's about proving the value of Hmong American stories in an industry that fails to acknowledge its existence.
Ways you can support this project and the team:
- Donate! Your support moves this project forward. Every contribution directly helps us honor and bring this story to life. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a real impact.
- Follow! Click “Follow” on Seed&Spark (it’s more important than you think!). We want to share every step of making Whispers of the Veil with you. Scroll up and follow along.
- Follow our social media as well!
- Share! Share our campaign and social media posts — every repost, tag, and conversation helps bring this story to more people who might connect with it.
With your support, we can make Whispers of the Veil visually stunning, feel authentic, and inspire others to share their creative stories!
Will you answer the call to join The Order?
Follow us on INSTAGRAM: @3PIECEUS.Entertainment
Follow us on FACEBOOK: @3 PIECEUS Entertainment
Thank you for the support,
The Whisper of the Veil Team
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Food
Costs $200
To keep energy high on set, the cast and crew will need food to keep them going.
Post Production
Costs $1,200
This will help fund: Editing, Sound design, Coloring, Visual Effects, etc.
Production Design
Costs $1,800
The film is naturalistic, mixed with supernatural fantasy. To match this, we need to make sure the sets are designed correctly to match.
Location
Costs $700
To ensure we get a location that matches the supernatural look, we need to be able to book the right places for the right amount of time.
Crew
Costs $1,700
The crew, the behind-the-scenes people. They are the ones who make it happen and should be compensated for their hard work.
Camera/lighting
Costs $1,200
Additional lights, Camera lenses - Anamorphic and Cine lenses, improved camera body (ex. Sony FX3)
Actors
Costs $2,500
The actors deliver the voice of the story. Without the right actors, the voice is lost.
Sound
Costs $700
Sound is half of a film. This will ensure that we can get the right microphones to capture the audio of the world we're trying to build.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Writer/Director/Producer: Phee Chai Xiong
Born and raised in Madison, WI, Phee Chai fell in love with cinema during his college career. After graduating with his Communications degree, he pursued his filmmaking journey. First, he went to Minnesota and found some success. He co-created 3PIECEUS Entertainment with his sister, got one of their short films into the 42nd Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival in 2023, and another got third place in the Film Lab's 19th annual 72 Hour Shootout at the Asian American International Film Festival in 2023. Now he resides in Los Angeles, still pursuing his passions for filmmaking to push the boundaries of storytelling, focused on Asian American narratives.
Actor/Producer: Dara Xiong
Dara Xiong is a Hmong American filmmaker and actor. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Theatre and Drama from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Post-college, she moved to St. Paul, MN, to continue pursuing acting, and that's where she also found her love for filmmaking. Together with her brother, they created 3PIECEUS Entertainment, where they make short films. Now, she resides in Los Angeles, where you guessed it, still standing strong with her love of film. Her passion lies in storytelling, whether that's behind or in front of the camera. And her purpose lies in telling Asian American narratives in ways that challenge the stereotypes and explore human relationships, connections, and hope.
Director of Photography: Kak Lee
Kak Lee's epic cinema journey began in the rural mountains of Laos, which led to refugee camps in Thailand. After a few years, his family eventually emigrated to the United States. Those stark images experienced during his formative years in Asia never left him when he developed a keen interest in filmmaking. Having worked in various production capacities starting from a local cable access station in Merced, CA, he found his passion in the craft of cinematography. Upon receiving a BA in film studies from Minnesota State University, Moorhead, and an MFA in Cinematography from Chapman University, he has since gone on to shoot various projects, from short films, music videos, industrial films, documentaries, and features. Never one to rest on his laurels, Kak consistently seeks out challenging projects to create beautiful visual narratives.
*Cast and key collaborators will be announced soon.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
In the quiet spaces between worlds, a secret society known as The Order of the Thread has endured for centuries, safeguarding the fragile seam between the physical and spiritual realms.
To preserve balance, they deploy Veil Walkers -- trained, gifted individuals with rare spiritual connections -- to confront what slips through.
Their work protects us from forces beyond our understanding. If they fail, the consequences would be catastrophic. But if they succeed, no one will ever know.
After a routine assignment spirals into something far more volatile, NujXeej, a seasoned Veil Walker, is forced to confront a presence that challenges not only his authority, but his understanding of the balance he's sworn to protect. As ritual and resistance collide in the shadows of the city, the line between justice and consequence blurs.
The idea for this film actually came to me in a dream back in 2023. I dreamt that I was going over to my cousin's house. I felt that there was something darker lurking underneath, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Once I entered, there was a dark, ominous presence pulling me towards a bedroom at the end of the hall. I ran over and tried to open it. However, it felt like something was restricting me. My shaman aunt comes running through with her charms, gongs, and chanting, and kicks the door open. Inside... two corpses on the floor, walls rotting with decay, and a demonic shrine in the closet. Then... I woke up.
It was intense...creepy... but super cool! I had no idea what to think, but I knew I had to make this idea into a film!
The connection between the intensity and action of the dream and the mix of Hmong Shamanism immediately drew me in.
Although this film is more for entertainment, it also has another role: To bring Hmong American Stories into mainstream media and inspire other filmmakers with similar backgrounds as me to pursue their voices.
Throughout mainstream media, AAPI representation has been severely underrepresented. From 2007-2019, in a study of 1,300 top-grossing Hollywood films, only about 5.9% of speaking characters were Asian or Pacific Islanders. And only 3.4% of these films had an AAPI lead or co-lead role. Furthermore, Hmong Americans fall even shorter than that. Over the past few years, there have been only a few notable Hmong American-centered films.
Hmong American Centered Films
These are some films that address the Hmong American experience; however, I want to explore this project with a fantastical perspective, which has rarely been done. As a Hmong American filmmaker, I want to be able to help make Hmong Americans' stories and voices acceptable as sources of entertainment rather than just education. We have stories and ideas that can be entertaining, too. And I want to create that space for future filmmakers of not just my own community but others as well.
Therefore, by supporting this film, you're not only helping one story come to life, but you're also a part of pushing for a more Hmong American representation.
Whispers of the Veil blends the gritty urban thrillers of The Raid: Redemption (2011) with the action-packed, mythology-rooted, fantastical world-building feel of anime like Jujutsu Kaisen (2020) and Demon Slayer (2019). Its dark undertones with fantastical cinematic and beautifully choreographed action style draw from Brian Tang's Kodama (2023).
The world feels grounded—but ancient forces linger beneath it.
Crowdfunding allows this film to exist independently—without compromising tone, casting, or cultural authenticity.
Your support allows us to:
- Pay the cast and crew fairly
- Execute safe, controlled action sequences
- Invest in production design and wardrobe
- Record professional sound design and original score
- Complete high-quality post-production and festival submission
It’s about making something intentional.
Our production goal is $10,000, and we need to reach at least 80% to get funded. These funds will cover the BASICS OF PRODUCTION - cast and crew, food, equipment, production design, locations, permits, and insurance.
$10,000 Breakdown (Estimated):
Production (Crew, Cast, Locations) – 48.4%
Production Design / Wardrobe / Props – $12.9%
Action & Safety Coordination – 16.1%
Insurance – 6.5%
Post-Production (Editing, Sound, Color) – 9.7%
Festival Submissions & Deliverables – 6.5%
Every dollar moves the film forward.
While this is enough to get started, we dream of doing more. Meeting our goal will allow us to pay our team fairly and produce high-quality work. But if we exceed it, we'll unlock our STRETCH GOALS to take Whispers of the Veil to the NEXT LEVEL.
Here's how your contribution will MAKE AN IMPACT:
- $10,000: Covers basic production essentials (fair pay to cast and crew, food, insurance, locations, equipment, and improved production value).
- $15,000 - (Stretch Goal): Allows us to hire additional crew, upgrade equipment, and increase production design to capture the world of the story more effectively.
- $20,000 - $25,000 (Full Stretch Goal): Funds post-production (editing, sound mixing, music licensing, color grading, VFX) and support marketing and distribution
$25,000 TOTAL will cover PRODUCTION and POST-PRODUCTION and allow us to create a proof-of-concept that looks and feels beyond its cost.
Making an ambitious project like WHISPERS OF THE VEIL is a labor of love and effort. Requiring TIME, MONEY & SUPPORT. This budget isn't just about making a single film -- it's about proving the value of Hmong American stories in an industry that fails to acknowledge its existence.
Ways you can support this project and the team:
- Donate! Your support moves this project forward. Every contribution directly helps us honor and bring this story to life. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a real impact.
- Follow! Click “Follow” on Seed&Spark (it’s more important than you think!). We want to share every step of making Whispers of the Veil with you. Scroll up and follow along.
- Follow our social media as well!
- Share! Share our campaign and social media posts — every repost, tag, and conversation helps bring this story to more people who might connect with it.
With your support, we can make Whispers of the Veil visually stunning, feel authentic, and inspire others to share their creative stories!
Will you answer the call to join The Order?
Follow us on INSTAGRAM: @3PIECEUS.Entertainment
Follow us on FACEBOOK: @3 PIECEUS Entertainment
Thank you for the support,
The Whisper of the Veil Team
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Food
Costs $200
To keep energy high on set, the cast and crew will need food to keep them going.
Post Production
Costs $1,200
This will help fund: Editing, Sound design, Coloring, Visual Effects, etc.
Production Design
Costs $1,800
The film is naturalistic, mixed with supernatural fantasy. To match this, we need to make sure the sets are designed correctly to match.
Location
Costs $700
To ensure we get a location that matches the supernatural look, we need to be able to book the right places for the right amount of time.
Crew
Costs $1,700
The crew, the behind-the-scenes people. They are the ones who make it happen and should be compensated for their hard work.
Camera/lighting
Costs $1,200
Additional lights, Camera lenses - Anamorphic and Cine lenses, improved camera body (ex. Sony FX3)
Actors
Costs $2,500
The actors deliver the voice of the story. Without the right actors, the voice is lost.
Sound
Costs $700
Sound is half of a film. This will ensure that we can get the right microphones to capture the audio of the world we're trying to build.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Writer/Director/Producer: Phee Chai Xiong
Born and raised in Madison, WI, Phee Chai fell in love with cinema during his college career. After graduating with his Communications degree, he pursued his filmmaking journey. First, he went to Minnesota and found some success. He co-created 3PIECEUS Entertainment with his sister, got one of their short films into the 42nd Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival in 2023, and another got third place in the Film Lab's 19th annual 72 Hour Shootout at the Asian American International Film Festival in 2023. Now he resides in Los Angeles, still pursuing his passions for filmmaking to push the boundaries of storytelling, focused on Asian American narratives.
Actor/Producer: Dara Xiong
Dara Xiong is a Hmong American filmmaker and actor. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Theatre and Drama from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Post-college, she moved to St. Paul, MN, to continue pursuing acting, and that's where she also found her love for filmmaking. Together with her brother, they created 3PIECEUS Entertainment, where they make short films. Now, she resides in Los Angeles, where you guessed it, still standing strong with her love of film. Her passion lies in storytelling, whether that's behind or in front of the camera. And her purpose lies in telling Asian American narratives in ways that challenge the stereotypes and explore human relationships, connections, and hope.
Director of Photography: Kak Lee
Kak Lee's epic cinema journey began in the rural mountains of Laos, which led to refugee camps in Thailand. After a few years, his family eventually emigrated to the United States. Those stark images experienced during his formative years in Asia never left him when he developed a keen interest in filmmaking. Having worked in various production capacities starting from a local cable access station in Merced, CA, he found his passion in the craft of cinematography. Upon receiving a BA in film studies from Minnesota State University, Moorhead, and an MFA in Cinematography from Chapman University, he has since gone on to shoot various projects, from short films, music videos, industrial films, documentaries, and features. Never one to rest on his laurels, Kak consistently seeks out challenging projects to create beautiful visual narratives.
*Cast and key collaborators will be announced soon.