Hello! My name is J. Seth Estes, and I’m a junior film student at Wright State University preparing to direct my junior thesis film this summer. LAYOVER is a personal project of mine inspired by a true story from my grandfather’s life, a single unexpected night that changed how he saw the world.

Set in 1966, LAYOVER is a dramatic short film that follows Paul Webb, a young man returning home from the Vietnam War. When an airline strike leaves him stranded overnight in an unfamiliar city, Paul is forced to navigate isolation and the emotional weight of coming home from war.

During his layover, he encounters a marginalized stranger, and despite the social divisions of the era, the two form an unexpected connection. Over the course of one night, they help each other discover empathy in a time when hostility was often the first response.

This film explores themes of human connection and compassion across differences. As a filmmaker, I want to tell stories that remind audiences of our shared humanity, even in divided times, and LAYOVER is my opportunity to bring a meaningful and personal story to the screen.