Donate to Ashley and Ryan's Film Project: A Grain of Sand

LOG LINE

Paloma, a grieving teen, crosses paths with a widowed writer and their unlikely encounter sparks a connection that helps them navigate grief and life through games of chess.

FILM SUMMARY

In A Grain of Sand, Paloma, a grief-stricken teenager, and Walt, a grumpy old man, carry the weight of unbearable loss—Paloma mourning the suicide of her best friend, Viktor, and Walt grieving the passing of his wife, Annie. Both see little reason to keep going until fate brings them together on a lonely bridge. What begins as a reluctant conversation slowly grows into an unlikely friendship, built on banter and a shared struggle with grief. As Paloma starts to mend her fractured relationship with her parents, Walt confronts the death of his wife. Through their friendship they learn to see the simple but beautiful little things in life, that make them want to keep living even without the people they thought life was worth living for. At the end of the film, they find the strength to keep moving forward, while they still have a lot to go—they no longer have to face grief alone.

Estimated run time: 20-30 minutes

WHY THIS STORY?

This story is about grief and friendship. Grief is often depicted flatly as sadness and depression, however, it can also be destructive and messy. This story is important as it sheds light on the quiet, often overlooked struggles of grief, loneliness, and suicidal ideation, showing that healing doesn’t come in grand, dramatic gestures but in small, human connections. It challenges the idea that grief is about "getting over" loss, but instead embracing the truth that grief never fully fades and meaning can be found in unlikely circumstances. Paloma and Walt come from different generations, yet their pain is universal, their relationship offers a raw, unfiltered look at the aftermath of loss and the power of simply being there for someone, reminding audiences that sometimes, the choice to keep going isn’t about knowing what the future holds but rather making it to the next chapter of life.

MEET THE DIRECTORS

Ashley Perez:

Hi! I'm Ashley Perez, a Film and Media Major, at the University of California, Berkeley. I am a full-time student and a dedicated filmmaker and storyteller from Los Angeles CA, who works towards activism and awareness through filmmaking. Since I was little, I loved the ways that movies can make us feel good, sad, happy, angry, scared, its the only form of art loved by everyone (everyone has a favorite movie). To me film, is a universal language where I can show what I am passionate about. I aim to make change, make someone's day a little better, and hopefully leave a mark on the film industry. I am involved in multiple film organizations on the UC Berkeley campus, including CAP, CALTV, BAFA, and the Latine Film Organization. I am a first generation Latina, who aims to implore other Latinos to join the film industry and leave their mark on the world! My films are always inclusive and represent the Latine experience, something that is often ignored or sterotyped in film, however, I want to change that. As a Mexican Salvadorian I am proud to represent the Latino culture. VIVA LOS LATINOS!!!

Ryan Walters:

Hello, my name is Ryan (she/her) and I am a senior studying Film/media at UC Berkeley! I have written/directed/produced one other film and worked on several other student films here at Berkeley. Filmmaking has been my biggest dream ever since I was a little girl and I often got in trouble for daydreaming in class, which now inspires my creative storytelling and share them with the world through film. I hope to make films that leave audiences thinking about their own life or change their perspectives. I am a member of CAP Club which is a film production club at Berkeley as well as a board member for Taylor Swift Society who handles public affairs. I am also half Korean and find inspiration in Korean Cinema which often reflects my cultural background and experiences. I aim to make films that are beautiful, inspirational and stylistic.

DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

A Grain of Sand is a film a student lead production in association with CAP club at Berkeley. The directors aims to make this film feel raw, intimate, and emotional, capturing the weight of loss and pain without sensationalizing or dramatizing it. But rather portray grief through a realistic and respectful depiction. Through stylistic cinematography and deeply emotional and human performances, our goal is to create a story that does not just talk about grief and suicide but spread awareness for the importance of mental health and human relationships. This film is for anyone who has ever felt alone in their struggles, a reminder that even the smallest moments, a shared game of chess, a passing conversation, can be enough to keep going.

MEET THE TEAM

Producer: Ryan Walters

Director of Photography: TBD

FUNDING GOALS

Production: $5,300