Zydeco! Zydeco! Zydeco!
Houston, Texas | Film Short
Romance, Drama
In a time when so many feel emotionally exhausted and disconnected, Zydeco! Zydeco! Zydeco! explores how music, community, and love can help us find our way back. This film reminds us that joy isn't just a feeling—it's a choice, and a commitment we decide to keep.
Zydeco! Zydeco! Zydeco!
Houston, Texas | Film Short
Romance, Drama
1 Campaigns | Texas, United States
5 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$265
Goal: $12,000 for production
In a time when so many feel emotionally exhausted and disconnected, Zydeco! Zydeco! Zydeco! explores how music, community, and love can help us find our way back. This film reminds us that joy isn't just a feeling—it's a choice, and a commitment we decide to keep.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
It's about choosing joy even if life is messy.
Zydeco! Zydeco!Zydeco! follows Jamilah, a young woman whose identity has been consumed by caregiving and responsibility. Once the life of every dance floor, she now spends her days caring for her ailing mother, slowly losing herself beneath the weight of life's demands.
When her best friends, Jasmine and Daisha, convince her to attend a Zydeco gathering, she's reluctant to go. But one unexpected encounter changes everything. There, she meets Monti, a charming yet gritty cowboy from Louisiana whose simple invitation to dance becomes the beginning of a journey toward healing, love, and rediscovering the joy she's forgotten.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Houston's Zydeco culture, Zydeco! Zydeco! Zydeco! is a celebration of Black joy, music, community, and the transformative power of human connection. It's a story that reminds us that even when life feels heavy, joy isn't simply a feeling. It's a choice, and a commitment we decide to keep.
Jamilah King “Diva” (LEAD)
A compassionate caregiver who has forgotten how to live for herself. She used to be the life of the party, but life has made her mother's primary caretaker. She’s isolated herself and finds it hard to find a reason to celebrate her birthday. She must rediscover why she keeps dancing—even when life is messy. She’s been dancing Zydeco since she was in pull-ups, known as The Diva in her group. She begins a journey back to herself when she meets a stranger who shifts her perspective on life, but first she must decide what happiness looks like.
Monti Hill (Lead)
A Louisiana cowboy whose optimism and boastful confidence challenge Jamilah’s guarded heart. He’s from Lafayette, Louisiana, a multifaceted veteran who chooses positivity after seeing so much negativity in life. He’s a party boy at heart, but a deep thinker in private. When he realizes how much support Jamilah truly needs, he slows down his initial intentions, shifting from a stranger to someone who shares an intimate night with her.
Rashida King (Supporting)
Jamilah’s ailing mother, was once the Queen of Zydeco in Houston, but she’s had to settle into an indoor life. She feels guilty about how her illness has crippled Jamilah’s life and wants her to live freely—especially on her birthday. She just wants to see her baby girl be happy.
Daisha Black (Supporting)
The friend who reminds everyone to enjoy life while they can. She nudges Jamilah out of the house to celebrate her birthday. A free spirit, she’s never afraid to speak her mind.
Jasmine Romero (Supporting)
Jamilah’s whimsical sheltered best friend, always getting pulled onto the dance floor. She’s Jamilah’s biggest cheerleader and just wants to see her happy.
Michael “Bull” (Supporting)
A big teddy bear that drinks too much and is known for his aggressive lead style of dancing.
In Houston, Texas, a huge pavilion in a park with a stage and a band. Showing the majestic beauty of the forest and the backwoods where the party takes place. Think a hot day in July, an uncle in sandals. You can smell Jamaican Me Crazy wine coolers and hot sauce from the catfish. A cheap, portable kiddie pool for the kids, and aunties with portable fans, cooling their foreheads under summer wigs. The dirty two-step. A man with a gut who knows what to do with a washboard and a harmonica. Lovers knocking boots in the back of a F-150 truck.
The Visual Look
WHY ME?
This isn't my first time making a film. My thesis short,
Hot Water Brew, introduced me to the festival circuit and taught me what it takes to bring a story to life.
Since then, I've worked across productions in Los Angeles as a First Assistant Director, Script Supervisor, Production Coordinator, and Line Producer. The question was never whether I could make another film.
It was whether I had a story that mattered enough.
I found that story here.
Where Will This Be Seen?
Our goal is not only to complete a powerful short film, but to create a proof of concept for a potential feature-length story that expands this world and these characters. After completion, we plan to submit the film to highly regarded festivals and showcases, including Tier A festivals such as Sundance, SXSW, and Tribeca, while also sharing the film with our community through screenings with supporters and organizations like Black Cinema Club HTX.Our long-term goal is to expand the film’s reach through distribution opportunities, including digital and streaming platforms, while using this project as a foundation to continue building a directorial voice, pursue fellowship opportunities, and bring more culturally rooted stories to audiences.
Our long-term goal is to expand the film’s reach through distribution opportunities, including digital and streaming platforms, while using this project as a foundation to continue building a directorial voice, pursue fellowship opportunities, and bring more culturally rooted stories to audiences.
What Will Your Contributions Cover?
Your contribution will help bring Zydeco! Zydeco! Zydeco! from the page to the screen while allowing us to create a professional-quality independent film. Funds raised will support essential production and post-production needs, including camera and equipment rentals, travel for key collaborators, authentic Zydeco musicians and dancers, costumes, production design, editing, color correction, sound design, marketing, festival submissions, and distribution efforts. Every contribution helps us honor Houston’s Zydeco culture, support the artists bringing this story to life, and create a film that celebrates Black joy, community, and the healing power of connection.
WHERE WE ARE NOW
We're currently in pre-production.
✔ Script complete
✔ Director attached
✔ BCCHTX Film Academy grant recipient
✔ Fiscal sponsorship through Hearts Productions
✔ Building our cast and crew
✔ Preparing for our October 1–4, 2026 production in Houston
Your support helps us cross the finish line.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
This campaign is about more than raising funds.
It's about building a community around this film.
Here's how you can make a difference:
🎬 Pledge to the campaign.
🪗 Follow us on Seed&Spark.
📲 Share the campaign with your friends and family.
💬 Tell someone why this story matters to you.
Every share, follow, and contribution helps bring Zydeco! Zydeco! Zydeco! one step closer to the dance floor.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
🌙 Paint the Night
Costs $1,500
Light our moonlit forest scenes with cinematic LED lighting, creating the warm, textured world where Jamila's transformation unfolds.
🎥 Let the Camera Dance
Costs $2,000
Help us secure an Alexa Mini LF camera package and premium lenses so every two-step, smile, and glance feels immersive and cinematic.
✈️ Airfare and lodging for 2 Key Crew Members
Costs $2,500
Fly in key collaborators whose expertise will help bring the film's vision to life.
🪗 Keep the Music Playing
Costs $2,000
Bring authentic Houston Zydeco to life with live musicians whose music is the heartbeat of this story.
Support setting Location
Costs $1,500
Filming over the course of three days and need support with securing the location.
🍽️ Meals & Craft Services
Costs $1,000
Help provide meals and snacks for the cast, crew, musicians, and dancers who make this film possible. (Food donations welcome!)
💃 Fill the Dance Floor
Costs $1,500
Support experienced Zydeco dancers who will bring the energy, rhythm, and authenticity of Houston's dance halls to the screen.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
THE TEAM
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
It's about choosing joy even if life is messy.
Zydeco! Zydeco!Zydeco! follows Jamilah, a young woman whose identity has been consumed by caregiving and responsibility. Once the life of every dance floor, she now spends her days caring for her ailing mother, slowly losing herself beneath the weight of life's demands.
When her best friends, Jasmine and Daisha, convince her to attend a Zydeco gathering, she's reluctant to go. But one unexpected encounter changes everything. There, she meets Monti, a charming yet gritty cowboy from Louisiana whose simple invitation to dance becomes the beginning of a journey toward healing, love, and rediscovering the joy she's forgotten.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Houston's Zydeco culture, Zydeco! Zydeco! Zydeco! is a celebration of Black joy, music, community, and the transformative power of human connection. It's a story that reminds us that even when life feels heavy, joy isn't simply a feeling. It's a choice, and a commitment we decide to keep.
Jamilah King “Diva” (LEAD)
A compassionate caregiver who has forgotten how to live for herself. She used to be the life of the party, but life has made her mother's primary caretaker. She’s isolated herself and finds it hard to find a reason to celebrate her birthday. She must rediscover why she keeps dancing—even when life is messy. She’s been dancing Zydeco since she was in pull-ups, known as The Diva in her group. She begins a journey back to herself when she meets a stranger who shifts her perspective on life, but first she must decide what happiness looks like.
Monti Hill (Lead)
A Louisiana cowboy whose optimism and boastful confidence challenge Jamilah’s guarded heart. He’s from Lafayette, Louisiana, a multifaceted veteran who chooses positivity after seeing so much negativity in life. He’s a party boy at heart, but a deep thinker in private. When he realizes how much support Jamilah truly needs, he slows down his initial intentions, shifting from a stranger to someone who shares an intimate night with her.
Rashida King (Supporting)
Jamilah’s ailing mother, was once the Queen of Zydeco in Houston, but she’s had to settle into an indoor life. She feels guilty about how her illness has crippled Jamilah’s life and wants her to live freely—especially on her birthday. She just wants to see her baby girl be happy.
Daisha Black (Supporting)
The friend who reminds everyone to enjoy life while they can. She nudges Jamilah out of the house to celebrate her birthday. A free spirit, she’s never afraid to speak her mind.
Jasmine Romero (Supporting)
Jamilah’s whimsical sheltered best friend, always getting pulled onto the dance floor. She’s Jamilah’s biggest cheerleader and just wants to see her happy.
Michael “Bull” (Supporting)
A big teddy bear that drinks too much and is known for his aggressive lead style of dancing.
In Houston, Texas, a huge pavilion in a park with a stage and a band. Showing the majestic beauty of the forest and the backwoods where the party takes place. Think a hot day in July, an uncle in sandals. You can smell Jamaican Me Crazy wine coolers and hot sauce from the catfish. A cheap, portable kiddie pool for the kids, and aunties with portable fans, cooling their foreheads under summer wigs. The dirty two-step. A man with a gut who knows what to do with a washboard and a harmonica. Lovers knocking boots in the back of a F-150 truck.
The Visual Look
WHY ME?
This isn't my first time making a film. My thesis short,
Hot Water Brew, introduced me to the festival circuit and taught me what it takes to bring a story to life.
Since then, I've worked across productions in Los Angeles as a First Assistant Director, Script Supervisor, Production Coordinator, and Line Producer. The question was never whether I could make another film.
It was whether I had a story that mattered enough.
I found that story here.
Where Will This Be Seen?
Our goal is not only to complete a powerful short film, but to create a proof of concept for a potential feature-length story that expands this world and these characters. After completion, we plan to submit the film to highly regarded festivals and showcases, including Tier A festivals such as Sundance, SXSW, and Tribeca, while also sharing the film with our community through screenings with supporters and organizations like Black Cinema Club HTX.Our long-term goal is to expand the film’s reach through distribution opportunities, including digital and streaming platforms, while using this project as a foundation to continue building a directorial voice, pursue fellowship opportunities, and bring more culturally rooted stories to audiences.
Our long-term goal is to expand the film’s reach through distribution opportunities, including digital and streaming platforms, while using this project as a foundation to continue building a directorial voice, pursue fellowship opportunities, and bring more culturally rooted stories to audiences.
What Will Your Contributions Cover?
Your contribution will help bring Zydeco! Zydeco! Zydeco! from the page to the screen while allowing us to create a professional-quality independent film. Funds raised will support essential production and post-production needs, including camera and equipment rentals, travel for key collaborators, authentic Zydeco musicians and dancers, costumes, production design, editing, color correction, sound design, marketing, festival submissions, and distribution efforts. Every contribution helps us honor Houston’s Zydeco culture, support the artists bringing this story to life, and create a film that celebrates Black joy, community, and the healing power of connection.
WHERE WE ARE NOW
We're currently in pre-production.
✔ Script complete
✔ Director attached
✔ BCCHTX Film Academy grant recipient
✔ Fiscal sponsorship through Hearts Productions
✔ Building our cast and crew
✔ Preparing for our October 1–4, 2026 production in Houston
Your support helps us cross the finish line.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
This campaign is about more than raising funds.
It's about building a community around this film.
Here's how you can make a difference:
🎬 Pledge to the campaign.
🪗 Follow us on Seed&Spark.
📲 Share the campaign with your friends and family.
💬 Tell someone why this story matters to you.
Every share, follow, and contribution helps bring Zydeco! Zydeco! Zydeco! one step closer to the dance floor.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
🌙 Paint the Night
Costs $1,500
Light our moonlit forest scenes with cinematic LED lighting, creating the warm, textured world where Jamila's transformation unfolds.
🎥 Let the Camera Dance
Costs $2,000
Help us secure an Alexa Mini LF camera package and premium lenses so every two-step, smile, and glance feels immersive and cinematic.
✈️ Airfare and lodging for 2 Key Crew Members
Costs $2,500
Fly in key collaborators whose expertise will help bring the film's vision to life.
🪗 Keep the Music Playing
Costs $2,000
Bring authentic Houston Zydeco to life with live musicians whose music is the heartbeat of this story.
Support setting Location
Costs $1,500
Filming over the course of three days and need support with securing the location.
🍽️ Meals & Craft Services
Costs $1,000
Help provide meals and snacks for the cast, crew, musicians, and dancers who make this film possible. (Food donations welcome!)
💃 Fill the Dance Floor
Costs $1,500
Support experienced Zydeco dancers who will bring the energy, rhythm, and authenticity of Houston's dance halls to the screen.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
THE TEAM