My name is Kyle Shah. I'm a fledgling filmmaker.

I believe that independent films don’t begin with big studios or red carpets — they begin with a story that refuses to stay quiet.

“Popular” is one of those stories.

Written and to be directed by Leilani Thompson, an incredibly passionate filmmaker/founder & CEO of Celestial Sea Productions, this short film is a darkly funny, unsettling, and deeply human look at the cost of belonging. In the spirit of Heathers and Welcome to the Dollhouse, with a touch of thriller beneath the surface, “Popular” explores what happens when the desire to be seen, loved, and accepted twists into something far more dangerous.

But before any camera can roll, before any actor can step into character, before any frame can be lit or any line can be spoken, there is the reality of independent filmmaking: everything must be built from the ground up.

Your support will help bring this story to life in the most tangible ways possible:

• Securing filming permits so we can legally and safely shoot

• Renting professional camera, sound, and lighting equipment

• Providing insurance to protect our cast, crew, and locations

• Paying talented actors who are giving their hearts and time

• Hiring editors, sound designers, and colorists to shape the final film

• Covering production design, wardrobe, transportation, meals, and post-production costs

• And much, much more!

In short: your contribution helps turn a script into a living, breathing film.

Celestial Sea Productions has already created meaningful work on a shoestring, fueled by love for storytelling and a belief that small voices deserve big chances. This campaign is about giving that vision the resources it needs to reach its full potential — to look professional, to sound immersive, and to stand proudly beside the films that inspired it. You can see some of their previous work by clicking any of the following links below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpTXIEcEqMI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpTXIEcEqMI

https://celestialseaproduc.wixsite.com/film?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YxZhcHBfa-WQPMTI0MDI0NTc0Mjg3NDE0

Every dollar tells this filmmaker: your story matters.

Every share tells her: your voice deserves to be heard.

Every act of generosity helps transform imagination into something real that audiences can experience, feel, and remember.

Thank you for helping us bring “Popular” to life — not just as a film, but as a dream realized through community, creativity, and the belief that powerful stories can come from anywhere.