Help Us Haunt the Screen – Support "No One Will Believe You"

What’s worse: seeing a ghost or realizing no one believes you’re in danger?

At its heart, No One Will Believe You is a ghost story. It’s a short horror film about being haunted by something supernatural, by the past, and by a presence that refuses to let go.

When Amy, a Chinese-American college freshman, moves across the world to start over, she finds herself trapped between two threats: a toxic long-distance relationship she can’t seem to escape and a ghost that lurks in her new home, unseen by everyone but her. The closer she gets to the truth, the more isolated she becomes.

I’m Eleanor Smith, the director of No One Will Believe You, and this is a film I am incredibly excited to be directing. Having grown up across six different countries in Asia before moving to the U.S., I know firsthand what it’s like to step into an unfamiliar world and feel disconnected from the people around you. I wrote this film about the kind of fear that lingers - fear that settles into your space, into your bones, into the places you should feel safe.

The film is heavily inspired by The Lovely Bones and Last Night in Soho, two stories that use horror to examine the dangers and fears that women face. Like Promising Young Woman and Jennifer’s Body, it also plays with tone - there’s a dark humour in the absurdity of navigating a new culture, but beneath the comedy lies something unsettling.

A Team of Passionate, Award-Winning Young Filmmakers

This is a project led by an exceptionally talented team of young filmmakers, each bringing a unique vision and expertise to the table, all of whom attend the prestigious University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts (SCA). Recognized as one of the best film schools in the world, SCA has produced some of the most influential filmmakers of our time, and we are proud to be continuing that legacy.

Eleanor Smith (Director, Writer) – Eleanor is an award-winning filmmaker and actor. She recently co-directed the short film Strings on location in Italy, for which she helped raise $108,000 to produce. Strings was accepted into over 20 international film festivals, including NFFTY and ScreamFest, and won multiple awards for Best Short Film and Best Young Director. The project received support from Gurinder Chadha, writer and director of Bend It Like Beckham. Eleanor also directed the documentary Instant Gimbap, which has been showcased at numerous film festivals, winning Best Documentary at the Arizona International Film Festival. In addition to her filmmaking, Eleanor has worked professionally as an actor, appearing in high-profile projects like Netflix’s XO, Kitty, the Korean web series Reset, and Samsung and LG campaigns with over 40 million views.

Ben Berman (Producer) – Ben is an accomplished playwright and producer. He is an alum of Interlochen Arts Academy, where he received a fine arts award. He has written and produced seven plays, including this year at the University of Southern California and The Secret Theater in New York City. He brings years of experience in theatrical storytelling and production management to the film.

Nika Wallach (Producer) – Nika has worked in film development at Wonderstreet Entertainment and was recognized for her directing work at the Tap Into Film 72-Hour Film Slam. She has a keen eye for shaping compelling narratives and ensuring projects reach their full potential.

Emma Yan (Producer) – Emma is an experienced producer and cinematographer with credits in dance films, live TV, and documentary work. She’s been hired by CEO Lincoln Harris to write a documentary and by industry executives for her technical skill and artistic vision, making her an invaluable part of the team.

This is a team that knows how to deliver powerful, cinematic storytelling. We’re young, but we’re not inexperienced - our work has played at major festivals, won awards, and connected with audiences around the world. No One Will Believe You is the next step in that journey, and we’re ready to make it happen.

Why We Need Your Support

Horror is a genre that demands atmosphere, precision, and bold storytelling. To fully realize our vision, we need funding to:

Why This Story Matters

At its core, No One Will Believe You is about fear - the fear of being alone in a new place, the fear of isolation, the fear of knowing something is wrong but being told you’re imagining it. It’s about the way past trauma lingers, shaping the way we navigate the world.

Horror has always been a vehicle for telling stories that people are afraid to say out loud - for women to tell stories about the things we’re told aren’t “serious enough” to be afraid of.

This is an ambitious horror film made by a team of filmmakers who are dedicated to telling impactful stories. If you believe in the power of genre filmmaking, if you love smart, unsettling horror, and if you want to help bring this ghost story to life, we would love your support.

Every donation, every share, and every conversation about this film helps us make No One Will Believe You a reality.

Because sometimes, the scariest thing isn’t what’s hiding in the dark - it’s knowing that no one will listen when you say it’s there.