WHISTLE
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
Horror, Teen
Loosely based on my childhood in New Orleans, Whistle is a grounded horror story about an out-of-place teen girl in a group of boys, who’s doubted by everyone, until a dark force singles her out. To survive, she must find the courage to trust her spiritual strength, fight back, and protect them all.
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Loosely based on my childhood in New Orleans, Whistle is a grounded horror story about an out-of-place teen girl in a group of boys, who’s doubted by everyone, until a dark force singles her out. To survive, she must find the courage to trust her spiritual strength, fight back, and protect them all.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Whistle follows Aaliyah, a 14-year-old Black girl spending a hot summer day in the woods with her older brother Theo and his friends, Devon and Nick. Aaliyah doesn’t really fit in with them. She’s younger, quieter, more observant. She keeps her thoughts to herself, especially the ones about what she sees… and hears.
When the boys light up and Aaliyah wanders off, she discovers something disturbing: a strange symbol carved into a tree and a man. He’s eerily still, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, watching her in the woods. He doesn’t speak much, but his presence is suffocating. And when he does "speak," it’s not out loud. It's as if he’s in her mind.
From that moment on, something changes and Aaliyah realizes that this man—The Whistler—feeds on spiritual energy. He hunts those who “shine.” He wants her.
Aaliyah
The youngest of the group. Quiet, thoughtful, intuitive. She “shines” in ways she doesn't fully understand. A spiritual girl who sees what others miss.
Theo
Her older brother. Funny, protective, but sometimes dismissive. He’s just trying to enjoy the day with his boys, unaware of what’s stalking them.
Devon
Theo’s goofy best friend. Loud, impulsive, and charming, but also the most vulnerable.
Nick
Kind, careful, and balances the chaos. He’s the glue of the group.
The Whistler
A supernatural force who lures in spiritually sensitive kids and feeds on their energy. His power is tied to a mysterious hat marked with an ancient symbol. He doesn’t chase. He waits.
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Nostalgic – A warm summer day with bikes, banter, and sibling energy slowly turns ominous. The energy of this youthful group reminds the viewer of what it felt like to be a teen.
Quietly unnerving – The fear builds slowly, hiding in the stillness, in the way someone stands too still for too long, or how a whistle cuts through the wind at the wrong time.
Spiritual and psychological – The horror doesn’t just come from what’s seen, but what’s felt. Aaliyah’s intuition and clairaudience make her sensitive to things the others can’t detect.
Why Me?
This story is very loosely based on my childhood summers growing up in New Orleans with my older brother.
We’d ride our bikes in the neighborhood everyday with our friends, finding change around our house, begging our parents for money to buy some snacks from the corner store, and staying out all day until the streetlights came on. We MUST be inside by the time they flicker on. Of course, being young kids, we were curious about our environment, and we sometimes disregarded our parents’ warnings not to ride too far off and to not talk to strangers in the neighborhood.
The teens in this story do just that, and unfortunately causes bigger problems than being scolded once they get home. My goal with this short is to portray characters that look like myself and the kids I grew up with. I want to give us a chilling story that isn’t rooted in any societal horrors, just plain old chills and monsters.
Why Now?
I’m making Whistle now because I’m finally ready to tell the kind of story I wish I had growing up, one where a quiet Black girl gets to be the center of something strange and terrifying, not just the sidekick or the warning.
In a media landscape saturated with trauma-centered narratives about Blackness, I want Whistle to offer something different: horror rooted in intuition, spirituality, and sibling dynamic, not oppression. It’s important right now to show Black teens, especially girls, not only surviving, but shining even when the world around them tries to dim their light.
Follow the Journey
We’ll be posting weekly updates, casting reveals, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and spooky vibes all summer and fall.
Instagram: @whistle_shortfilm
Support the Film
We are shooting Whistle in Atlanta this fall. Every dollar goes toward making a beautiful, impactful, and eerie short film, crafted with love by an independent team of young artists.
Join us to bring Whistle to life.
Your support helps fund:
- Equipment and gear
- Cast and crew pay
- Wardrobe, props, and practical effects
- Post-production and original score
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations
Costs $3,000
The perfect location sets the tone for the entire film!
Casting
Costs $3,000
Finding the perfect actors for each role isn't cheap! We want to pay them appropriately.
Equipment
Costs $1,500
We plan to rent some gear to help make this film look as incredible as possible!
Post-Production
Costs $500
A film is only as good as its edit!
Publicity
Costs $1,000
We can't wait to share this film with film festivals all over!
Art Department
Costs $1,000
The look of the film really sets the mood and helps us immerse the audience!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Whistle follows Aaliyah, a 14-year-old Black girl spending a hot summer day in the woods with her older brother Theo and his friends, Devon and Nick. Aaliyah doesn’t really fit in with them. She’s younger, quieter, more observant. She keeps her thoughts to herself, especially the ones about what she sees… and hears.
When the boys light up and Aaliyah wanders off, she discovers something disturbing: a strange symbol carved into a tree and a man. He’s eerily still, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, watching her in the woods. He doesn’t speak much, but his presence is suffocating. And when he does "speak," it’s not out loud. It's as if he’s in her mind.
From that moment on, something changes and Aaliyah realizes that this man—The Whistler—feeds on spiritual energy. He hunts those who “shine.” He wants her.
Aaliyah
The youngest of the group. Quiet, thoughtful, intuitive. She “shines” in ways she doesn't fully understand. A spiritual girl who sees what others miss.
Theo
Her older brother. Funny, protective, but sometimes dismissive. He’s just trying to enjoy the day with his boys, unaware of what’s stalking them.
Devon
Theo’s goofy best friend. Loud, impulsive, and charming, but also the most vulnerable.
Nick
Kind, careful, and balances the chaos. He’s the glue of the group.
The Whistler
A supernatural force who lures in spiritually sensitive kids and feeds on their energy. His power is tied to a mysterious hat marked with an ancient symbol. He doesn’t chase. He waits.
Nostalgic – A warm summer day with bikes, banter, and sibling energy slowly turns ominous. The energy of this youthful group reminds the viewer of what it felt like to be a teen.
Quietly unnerving – The fear builds slowly, hiding in the stillness, in the way someone stands too still for too long, or how a whistle cuts through the wind at the wrong time.
Spiritual and psychological – The horror doesn’t just come from what’s seen, but what’s felt. Aaliyah’s intuition and clairaudience make her sensitive to things the others can’t detect.
Why Me?
This story is very loosely based on my childhood summers growing up in New Orleans with my older brother.
We’d ride our bikes in the neighborhood everyday with our friends, finding change around our house, begging our parents for money to buy some snacks from the corner store, and staying out all day until the streetlights came on. We MUST be inside by the time they flicker on. Of course, being young kids, we were curious about our environment, and we sometimes disregarded our parents’ warnings not to ride too far off and to not talk to strangers in the neighborhood.
The teens in this story do just that, and unfortunately causes bigger problems than being scolded once they get home. My goal with this short is to portray characters that look like myself and the kids I grew up with. I want to give us a chilling story that isn’t rooted in any societal horrors, just plain old chills and monsters.
Why Now?
I’m making Whistle now because I’m finally ready to tell the kind of story I wish I had growing up, one where a quiet Black girl gets to be the center of something strange and terrifying, not just the sidekick or the warning.
In a media landscape saturated with trauma-centered narratives about Blackness, I want Whistle to offer something different: horror rooted in intuition, spirituality, and sibling dynamic, not oppression. It’s important right now to show Black teens, especially girls, not only surviving, but shining even when the world around them tries to dim their light.
Follow the Journey
We’ll be posting weekly updates, casting reveals, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and spooky vibes all summer and fall.
Instagram: @whistle_shortfilm
Support the Film
We are shooting Whistle in Atlanta this fall. Every dollar goes toward making a beautiful, impactful, and eerie short film, crafted with love by an independent team of young artists.
Join us to bring Whistle to life.
Your support helps fund:
- Equipment and gear
- Cast and crew pay
- Wardrobe, props, and practical effects
- Post-production and original score
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations
Costs $3,000
The perfect location sets the tone for the entire film!
Casting
Costs $3,000
Finding the perfect actors for each role isn't cheap! We want to pay them appropriately.
Equipment
Costs $1,500
We plan to rent some gear to help make this film look as incredible as possible!
Post-Production
Costs $500
A film is only as good as its edit!
Publicity
Costs $1,000
We can't wait to share this film with film festivals all over!
Art Department
Costs $1,000
The look of the film really sets the mood and helps us immerse the audience!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!