Help Bring Summer of '76 to Life

We’re overwhelmed with gratitude to share that we’ve almost hit our fundraising goal! Thank you to everyone who contributed, shared, and believed in our vision. Your support means the world to us and is a powerful reminder of the community behind this story.

Because of your generosity, we’ve decided to raise our goal slightly, not out of greed, but to reduce limitations and give our team the freedom to bring this film to life at the level it deserves. Independent productions come with a mountain of expenses: equipment rentals, permits, insurance, location fees, post-production, and more, and every dollar truly helps. This short film is a passion project, and with your support, we’re not just making it, we’re making it right. Thank you for being part of this journey. We can’t wait to share what we’ve been building.

With love and gratitude

The Summer of ‘76 Team

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We’re Ashton Arbab, Francis Faye, and Matt Sato — three creatives in our 20s, coming together to tell a story that’s deeply personal to all of us. Between us, we’ve spent the better part of our lives acting, writing, directing, and working in different corners of the entertainment industry. What brought us together — and what keeps us going — is a shared love of storytelling, especially the kind that explores identity, friendship, and the complicated transition from adolescence to adulthood.

Our latest project is a short film called Summer of ’76 — a coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of 1970s America. It follows three teenagers on a road trip sparked by a lost mixtape, each of them navigating the space between who they’ve been and who they’re becoming. It’s a film about feeling directionless, about chasing things you can’t quite define, and about the kinds of friendships that shape you in unexpected ways.

This isn’t just a nostalgic look back. We’re interested in telling a story that feels emotionally real and grounded — one that reflects the confusion, hope, and vulnerability that comes with growing up. And while it’s set in the past, the themes we’re exploring feel especially relevant now: uncertainty about the future, the desire for connection, and the search for meaning in an overwhelming world.

We’ll be filming in Los Angeles this July, and that’s where you come in. Making a film — even a short one — takes a village. From securing authentic locations and period-accurate design, to paying for rentals and making sure every element of the production reflects the care we’re putting into the story, your support will help us bring this vision to life at the level it deserves.

If this kind of film resonates with you — if you’ve ever felt stuck, in transition, or unsure of where you're headed — we’d be honored to have you on this journey with us. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to making something we’re proud of. Something that hopefully sticks with people the way our favorite films have stuck with us.

As a thank you, all donations of $5 or more will be recognized in the film’s credits. Whether you're able to give a little or a lot, your support means the world to us — and we want to make sure you're part of this story too.

Thank you so much for reading, supporting, and sharing. We can’t wait to bring Summer of ’76 to the screen — and we’re grateful to have you as part of that process.

With appreciation,

Ashton, Francis, and Matt