Witch, Please!
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
Drama, Fantasy
An Atlanta woman and her friends race against time to fulfill a magical prophecy before a celestial event erases their chance at redemption.
Witch, Please!
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
Drama, Fantasy
1 Campaigns | Georgia, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $16,540 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
109 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
An Atlanta woman and her friends race against time to fulfill a magical prophecy before a celestial event erases their chance at redemption.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
When a foreboding figure from Kira's recurring nightmares begins reaching for her from faraway realms, she enlists the help of her best friends to unveil the figure's identity. As truths about their shared ancestral lineage arise, the girls discover their magic powers and assemble to perform a time-sensitive ritual before a major celestial event steals their chance to redeem a past mistake.
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A star local reporter and the host of her friends' weekly girls night - KIRA DAWSON has long possessed a talent for communicating and connecting with people. When she begins having recurring nightmares that a veiled beekeeper chases her through the forest, Kira gains the sense that an entity she cannot fully perceive is urgent to gain her attention. Kira must rely on the help of her friends to figure out the mystery of their magical ancestry, master their powers, and complete a once-in-a-lifetime ritual that will impact their families for generations to come.
"Witch Please!" is akin to lighthearted fantasies like Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Charmed while taking comedic inspiration from Black female-centered ensemble-comedies like Insecure and Harlem. The film is a visual adventure, full of engaging magic sequences, lore about the power of the Black night sky, and the bonds of sisterhood. We want to highlight black women in bright beautiful colors, in their living rooms, backyards, and forested naturescapes. We're excited to make a film about Black witches who gain and use their powers on their own terms.
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The magic in "Witch, Please!" will be dynamic, ethereal, and radiantly vibrant—a visual symphony that captivates and inspires. These powers, discovered and embraced by our characters throughout the story, are meant to evoke wonder rather than fear. It’s crucial to us that the visual representation of this magic steers clear of traditional tropes of darkness or foreboding. Instead, our magic will glow with life, reflecting the beauty of the narrative from which it originates and the resilience of those who uphold it across generations. Each spark, shimmer, and glow will serve as a visual metaphor for the strength, unity, and boundless potential of the characters, creating a sense of awe and reverence for the magic that binds them together.
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For generations, the world of fantasy has been a dazzling playground of magic and wonder—witches and wizards, dragons and knights, mermaids and fairies—but one thing has remained glaringly consistent: these worlds are often imagined as white. When Black characters appear, they are too often relegated to the sidelines, serving someone else’s story, rarely stepping into the light as the hero.
At Just Us Media, we believe it’s time to change that. We believe Black women deserve to see themselves as central figures in the fantastical, as heroines of epic tales filled with magic and power. That’s why we’re creating Witch, Please!—a bold, vibrant short film that carves out space for Black women in the fantasy genre.
Our story is more than entertainment; it’s a reclamation. Witch, Please! celebrates the spiritual connections, stories, and practices of our ancestors—threads of cultural heritage often lost to Black Americans over time. It also honors the beauty and strength of Black sisterhood, weaving together a narrative about the power of unity, resilience, and redemption.
This project has already garnered attention, including being named a finalist for the prestigious 2024 Roy W. Dean Short Film Grant and the Film Impact Georgia Filmmakers Grant (Cycle 10). With your help, we can take it even further.
Your support will propel Witch, Please! into the next stage of production, allowing us to hire a talented crew, cast dynamic actors, secure breathtaking locations, and bring our dazzling vision to life. Beyond creating this short film, we have ambitious plans to expand Witch, Please! into a series and share it on the 2026 festival circuit, ensuring its story—and its magic—reaches a global audience.
This isn’t just a film; it’s a movement. A chance to reshape how fantasy is imagined and who gets to dream within it. Join us in creating a new kind of magic, one where Black women thrive, lead, and inspire.
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JASMINE ALYCE - CREATOR & EP
SIRRAYA BILLINGS - CO- EP & CREATIVE PRODUCER
ASHLI WASHINGTON - DIRECTOR
If we don't raise a minimum of 80% of our Seed & Spark funding goal, we won't receive any of our funding–every action taken helps and gets us one step closer to making "Witch, Please!" a reality. Below are a few ways you can help us reach our goal and social media prompt options you can copy/paste/personalize to help spread the word:
- DONATE: Every little bit counts.
- SHARE: Share our Seed and Spark page with your family, friends, and followers
- FOLLOW: Follow us on Instagram @WitchPleaseFilm and @Just.Us.Media to stay in the know
Social Media Post-Option 1:
I’m so excited to support Just Us Media as they bring their upcoming short film, Witch, Please, to life! This film promises to captivate audiences with a fresh, bold take on modern-day magic and sisterhood. But they can’t do it without you!
Here’s how you can help:
1️⃣ Follow their journey – Hit that follow button and stay updated on all things Witch, Please.
2️⃣ Spread the word – Share this post with your friends and family who love indie films and empowering stories.
3️⃣ Contribute to the magic – Support their Seed & Spark campaign to help make Witch, Please a reality. Every dollar counts!
Click here to learn more and donate: https://seedandspark.com/fund/witch-please
Let’s make movie magic together! #WitchPleaseFilm #SupportIndieFilm #FilmMagic #IndieFilmSupport
Social Media Post-Option 2:
Witch, Please is the latest short film from Just Us Media. This fantasy-filled story is all about discovering your power and unexpectedly connecting with the past while fighting to keep your future alive.
They’re calling on supporters like YOU to help bring this vision to life!
Here’s how you can join the magic:
1️⃣ Follow the journey – Stay in the loop on all things Witch, Please.
2️⃣ Share the love – Spread the word to fellow indie film fans.
3️⃣ Fuel the dream – Donate to their Seed & Spark campaign. Every bit helps them create a film we’ll all be proud of!
Click to support and learn more: https://seedandspark.com/fund/witch-please
Let’s help this incredible team bring their vision to life! #WitchPleaseFilm #IndieFilmMagic #SupportCreativity
Thank you so much for checking out our campaign!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Crew
Costs $8,500
Just uS Media is dedicated to paying crew for their time and needs your enchanted donations to keep them brewing up magic!
Location
Costs $1,800
Your support in covering our location fees will help us bring our short film to life and create a truly magical experience for our audience.
Equipment
Costs $1,150
Without the right equipment, our short film won’t get off the ground—so help us conjure the essentials we need to make movie magic happen!
Art Dept/Props/Wardrobe
Costs $3,300
Support us in creating an enchanting world by contributing to our art department, props, and wardrobe teams.
Talent
Costs $3,800
With your support, we'll be able to summon the perfect cast (and be able to pay them).
Production Meals, Hard Drives, & Incidentals
Costs $1,450
The smaller things that often go unnoticed as necessities, but help keep production moving.
Share this update!
About This Team
THE TEAM
Jasmine Alyce (Creator/EP): By day, she's an integrated producer, by night, she's an independent producer. Jasmine's interest in the arts and creative storytelling can be traced back to the first time her grandmother took her to see a ballet (The Nutcracker) when she was 3 years old. From that moment, she knew she wanted to be a ballerina and although that dream didn't pan out (but she did end up performing in The Nutcracker for a big chunk of her childhood), her love for creative arts and storytelling continued to grow and was nurtured during her high school years at DeKalb School of the Arts.
After graduating from Georgia State with a BA in Journalism, she got her foot in the entertainment industry door being hired as a Production Assistant on the Emmy Award-winning FX series "Archer." The world of Entertainment News caught her eye during the heyday of MTV's "TRL", and she put her degree to use in that arena (and still does from time to time), but veered back onto the production track and has worked with brands including Google, TLC, Barbie, WE tv, Rice Krispies Treats, Infiniti, P&G and more.
Now, she's taking a cue from Issa Rae and stepping into the independent producing world. After producing her first successful indie photography shoot and event with its brainchild Sirraya Billings, the two joined forces to create Just uS Media, a production company centered around telling non-traumatic genre stories that center on Black and POC characters.
Sirraya Billings (Creative Producer/EP): Sirraya emerges as a multifaceted creative, seamlessly navigating the realms of costume design, creative direction, and styling. With a solid foundation established in visual merchandising, she dedicated six years to honing her skills across diverse brands. During this time, Sirraya managed multiple departments, leveraging her expertise in educating teams on seasonal trends, upcoming campaigns, and brand standards. Her strategic approach involved implementing visual identities based on brand guidelines, launching successful campaigns, and tracking KPIs to meet budgetary goals and drive sales.
In addition to her visual merchandising career, Sirraya further honed her skills by assisting established stylists with celebrity clientele, and actively participating in fittings, photoshoots, and events. This invaluable experience added an extra layer to her expertise, providing insight into the intricacies of working with high-profile individuals in the fashion and entertainment industry.
In 2016, Sirraya transitioned into the film and TV industry, joining IATSE 479. Since then, she has contributed her talents to notable projects such as the Oscar-winning film "Wakanda Forever," "Spiderman: No Way Home," and the eagerly anticipated "Challengers," among others.
Adaptability stands as Sirraya's superpower, and her prominent goal is to transcend conventional titles and fields, becoming a creative force with a varied and prosperous career. Networking to explore diverse creative industries, including fashion, commercials, film/TV, and music, Sirraya envisions offering forward-thinking style and design projects that elevate women creatives to the forefront, championing their talent and unique perspectives in the ever-evolving creative field.
Driven by a quest for freedom, Sirraya's life path is paved with creativity, and her first self-funded visual project pays homage to the late singer Minnie Riperton through made-to-order garments, photography, and set design. Her future goal is to continue creating across multiple disciplines, establishing herself as a versatile and influential presence in the creative landscape.
Ashli Washington (Director): Ashli J. Washington stands as a force at the intersection of filmmaking, creative direction, and photography. She made waves with her captivating short film Photosynthesis, celebrated at film festivals nationwide and garnered her the Best Director Award at the 2024 Magnolia Film Festival. Ashli is the founder + creative director of Reflection404, a production + entertainment company dedicated to crafting narratives that amplify and celebrate the rich tapestry of the Black experience, with a particular focus on the brilliance of Black women.
Adesola Thomas (Writer): Adesola Thomas is an Atlanta-raised, Brooklyn-based Nigerian-American writer-director. She makes films about Black domestic life, climate reality, and queer Southern subcultures to examine care and interdependence as essential practices for a livable life. Her work is spurred by her reverence of the two metro Atlanta environs that reared her, the interfaith Nigerian immigrant community and the queer punk environmental scene. In the words of Larry David, what a combo!
In 2022, Adesola received her Masters in Screenwriting & Playwriting from the University of St Andrews where she was a Robert T Jones Fellow. For her writing and direction of flounder. a two-act climate catastrophe comedy, she was nominated for Best Play and Best Script at the 2022 Golden Seashell Theater Awards. For her creation of flounder., coordination of a climate resilience dance and sustainable art exhibition, Adesola was shortlisted for the St Andrews Enterprising Mind of the Year Award. She bookended her Masters program with television and film development internships at A24.
Adesola is the head writer for Sapphic Cyborgs, a forthcoming audio drama about a family of Black anthropomorphic trees who migrate to outer space from Earth. She is the NY Producer for Letterboxd (LB), where she writes for their film journal, Journal and produces video interviews during festivals (Sundance, NYFF, Tribeca).
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
When a foreboding figure from Kira's recurring nightmares begins reaching for her from faraway realms, she enlists the help of her best friends to unveil the figure's identity. As truths about their shared ancestral lineage arise, the girls discover their magic powers and assemble to perform a time-sensitive ritual before a major celestial event steals their chance to redeem a past mistake.
A star local reporter and the host of her friends' weekly girls night - KIRA DAWSON has long possessed a talent for communicating and connecting with people. When she begins having recurring nightmares that a veiled beekeeper chases her through the forest, Kira gains the sense that an entity she cannot fully perceive is urgent to gain her attention. Kira must rely on the help of her friends to figure out the mystery of their magical ancestry, master their powers, and complete a once-in-a-lifetime ritual that will impact their families for generations to come.
"Witch Please!" is akin to lighthearted fantasies like Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Charmed while taking comedic inspiration from Black female-centered ensemble-comedies like Insecure and Harlem. The film is a visual adventure, full of engaging magic sequences, lore about the power of the Black night sky, and the bonds of sisterhood. We want to highlight black women in bright beautiful colors, in their living rooms, backyards, and forested naturescapes. We're excited to make a film about Black witches who gain and use their powers on their own terms.
The magic in "Witch, Please!" will be dynamic, ethereal, and radiantly vibrant—a visual symphony that captivates and inspires. These powers, discovered and embraced by our characters throughout the story, are meant to evoke wonder rather than fear. It’s crucial to us that the visual representation of this magic steers clear of traditional tropes of darkness or foreboding. Instead, our magic will glow with life, reflecting the beauty of the narrative from which it originates and the resilience of those who uphold it across generations. Each spark, shimmer, and glow will serve as a visual metaphor for the strength, unity, and boundless potential of the characters, creating a sense of awe and reverence for the magic that binds them together.
For generations, the world of fantasy has been a dazzling playground of magic and wonder—witches and wizards, dragons and knights, mermaids and fairies—but one thing has remained glaringly consistent: these worlds are often imagined as white. When Black characters appear, they are too often relegated to the sidelines, serving someone else’s story, rarely stepping into the light as the hero.
At Just Us Media, we believe it’s time to change that. We believe Black women deserve to see themselves as central figures in the fantastical, as heroines of epic tales filled with magic and power. That’s why we’re creating Witch, Please!—a bold, vibrant short film that carves out space for Black women in the fantasy genre.
Our story is more than entertainment; it’s a reclamation. Witch, Please! celebrates the spiritual connections, stories, and practices of our ancestors—threads of cultural heritage often lost to Black Americans over time. It also honors the beauty and strength of Black sisterhood, weaving together a narrative about the power of unity, resilience, and redemption.
This project has already garnered attention, including being named a finalist for the prestigious 2024 Roy W. Dean Short Film Grant and the Film Impact Georgia Filmmakers Grant (Cycle 10). With your help, we can take it even further.
Your support will propel Witch, Please! into the next stage of production, allowing us to hire a talented crew, cast dynamic actors, secure breathtaking locations, and bring our dazzling vision to life. Beyond creating this short film, we have ambitious plans to expand Witch, Please! into a series and share it on the 2026 festival circuit, ensuring its story—and its magic—reaches a global audience.
This isn’t just a film; it’s a movement. A chance to reshape how fantasy is imagined and who gets to dream within it. Join us in creating a new kind of magic, one where Black women thrive, lead, and inspire.
JASMINE ALYCE - CREATOR & EP
SIRRAYA BILLINGS - CO- EP & CREATIVE PRODUCER
ASHLI WASHINGTON - DIRECTOR
If we don't raise a minimum of 80% of our Seed & Spark funding goal, we won't receive any of our funding–every action taken helps and gets us one step closer to making "Witch, Please!" a reality. Below are a few ways you can help us reach our goal and social media prompt options you can copy/paste/personalize to help spread the word:
- DONATE: Every little bit counts.
- SHARE: Share our Seed and Spark page with your family, friends, and followers
- FOLLOW: Follow us on Instagram @WitchPleaseFilm and @Just.Us.Media to stay in the know
Social Media Post-Option 1:
I’m so excited to support Just Us Media as they bring their upcoming short film, Witch, Please, to life! This film promises to captivate audiences with a fresh, bold take on modern-day magic and sisterhood. But they can’t do it without you!
Here’s how you can help:
1️⃣ Follow their journey – Hit that follow button and stay updated on all things Witch, Please.
2️⃣ Spread the word – Share this post with your friends and family who love indie films and empowering stories.
3️⃣ Contribute to the magic – Support their Seed & Spark campaign to help make Witch, Please a reality. Every dollar counts!
Click here to learn more and donate: https://seedandspark.com/fund/witch-please
Let’s make movie magic together! #WitchPleaseFilm #SupportIndieFilm #FilmMagic #IndieFilmSupport
Social Media Post-Option 2:
Witch, Please is the latest short film from Just Us Media. This fantasy-filled story is all about discovering your power and unexpectedly connecting with the past while fighting to keep your future alive.
They’re calling on supporters like YOU to help bring this vision to life!
Here’s how you can join the magic:
1️⃣ Follow the journey – Stay in the loop on all things Witch, Please.
2️⃣ Share the love – Spread the word to fellow indie film fans.
3️⃣ Fuel the dream – Donate to their Seed & Spark campaign. Every bit helps them create a film we’ll all be proud of!
Click to support and learn more: https://seedandspark.com/fund/witch-please
Let’s help this incredible team bring their vision to life! #WitchPleaseFilm #IndieFilmMagic #SupportCreativity
Thank you so much for checking out our campaign!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Crew
Costs $8,500
Just uS Media is dedicated to paying crew for their time and needs your enchanted donations to keep them brewing up magic!
Location
Costs $1,800
Your support in covering our location fees will help us bring our short film to life and create a truly magical experience for our audience.
Equipment
Costs $1,150
Without the right equipment, our short film won’t get off the ground—so help us conjure the essentials we need to make movie magic happen!
Art Dept/Props/Wardrobe
Costs $3,300
Support us in creating an enchanting world by contributing to our art department, props, and wardrobe teams.
Talent
Costs $3,800
With your support, we'll be able to summon the perfect cast (and be able to pay them).
Production Meals, Hard Drives, & Incidentals
Costs $1,450
The smaller things that often go unnoticed as necessities, but help keep production moving.
Share this update!
About This Team
THE TEAM
Jasmine Alyce (Creator/EP): By day, she's an integrated producer, by night, she's an independent producer. Jasmine's interest in the arts and creative storytelling can be traced back to the first time her grandmother took her to see a ballet (The Nutcracker) when she was 3 years old. From that moment, she knew she wanted to be a ballerina and although that dream didn't pan out (but she did end up performing in The Nutcracker for a big chunk of her childhood), her love for creative arts and storytelling continued to grow and was nurtured during her high school years at DeKalb School of the Arts.
After graduating from Georgia State with a BA in Journalism, she got her foot in the entertainment industry door being hired as a Production Assistant on the Emmy Award-winning FX series "Archer." The world of Entertainment News caught her eye during the heyday of MTV's "TRL", and she put her degree to use in that arena (and still does from time to time), but veered back onto the production track and has worked with brands including Google, TLC, Barbie, WE tv, Rice Krispies Treats, Infiniti, P&G and more.
Now, she's taking a cue from Issa Rae and stepping into the independent producing world. After producing her first successful indie photography shoot and event with its brainchild Sirraya Billings, the two joined forces to create Just uS Media, a production company centered around telling non-traumatic genre stories that center on Black and POC characters.
Sirraya Billings (Creative Producer/EP): Sirraya emerges as a multifaceted creative, seamlessly navigating the realms of costume design, creative direction, and styling. With a solid foundation established in visual merchandising, she dedicated six years to honing her skills across diverse brands. During this time, Sirraya managed multiple departments, leveraging her expertise in educating teams on seasonal trends, upcoming campaigns, and brand standards. Her strategic approach involved implementing visual identities based on brand guidelines, launching successful campaigns, and tracking KPIs to meet budgetary goals and drive sales.
In addition to her visual merchandising career, Sirraya further honed her skills by assisting established stylists with celebrity clientele, and actively participating in fittings, photoshoots, and events. This invaluable experience added an extra layer to her expertise, providing insight into the intricacies of working with high-profile individuals in the fashion and entertainment industry.
In 2016, Sirraya transitioned into the film and TV industry, joining IATSE 479. Since then, she has contributed her talents to notable projects such as the Oscar-winning film "Wakanda Forever," "Spiderman: No Way Home," and the eagerly anticipated "Challengers," among others.
Adaptability stands as Sirraya's superpower, and her prominent goal is to transcend conventional titles and fields, becoming a creative force with a varied and prosperous career. Networking to explore diverse creative industries, including fashion, commercials, film/TV, and music, Sirraya envisions offering forward-thinking style and design projects that elevate women creatives to the forefront, championing their talent and unique perspectives in the ever-evolving creative field.
Driven by a quest for freedom, Sirraya's life path is paved with creativity, and her first self-funded visual project pays homage to the late singer Minnie Riperton through made-to-order garments, photography, and set design. Her future goal is to continue creating across multiple disciplines, establishing herself as a versatile and influential presence in the creative landscape.
Ashli Washington (Director): Ashli J. Washington stands as a force at the intersection of filmmaking, creative direction, and photography. She made waves with her captivating short film Photosynthesis, celebrated at film festivals nationwide and garnered her the Best Director Award at the 2024 Magnolia Film Festival. Ashli is the founder + creative director of Reflection404, a production + entertainment company dedicated to crafting narratives that amplify and celebrate the rich tapestry of the Black experience, with a particular focus on the brilliance of Black women.
Adesola Thomas (Writer): Adesola Thomas is an Atlanta-raised, Brooklyn-based Nigerian-American writer-director. She makes films about Black domestic life, climate reality, and queer Southern subcultures to examine care and interdependence as essential practices for a livable life. Her work is spurred by her reverence of the two metro Atlanta environs that reared her, the interfaith Nigerian immigrant community and the queer punk environmental scene. In the words of Larry David, what a combo!
In 2022, Adesola received her Masters in Screenwriting & Playwriting from the University of St Andrews where she was a Robert T Jones Fellow. For her writing and direction of flounder. a two-act climate catastrophe comedy, she was nominated for Best Play and Best Script at the 2022 Golden Seashell Theater Awards. For her creation of flounder., coordination of a climate resilience dance and sustainable art exhibition, Adesola was shortlisted for the St Andrews Enterprising Mind of the Year Award. She bookended her Masters program with television and film development internships at A24.
Adesola is the head writer for Sapphic Cyborgs, a forthcoming audio drama about a family of Black anthropomorphic trees who migrate to outer space from Earth. She is the NY Producer for Letterboxd (LB), where she writes for their film journal, Journal and produces video interviews during festivals (Sundance, NYFF, Tribeca).