"My Dearest Amena" Short Film

THE STORY:
In every culture, there are generational expectations many can relate to. In My Dearest Amena, a young Indian woman, Neera, is faced with the difficult decision to either sacrifice attending her dream university in London or following love abroad where another considerable future awaits. Neera’s eccentric Auntie, who understands Neera’s plight, bestows upon her a collection of enchanted letters from generations past that comforts Neera as she contemplates her decision. By the end of the collection, Neera feels confident in her choice, that is until a life altering moment leaves her stunned, forcing her to reevaluate the future she just chose…

 

 

Our film tells a bold story that we’re hopeful will encourage people of all backgrounds, who have ever felt any kind of generational pressures or obligation, to recognize that there is always a choice. We invite you to partner with us on this incredible journey to help bring to life this culturally relevant story, filled with heart and humor.

 

CAST:

 

NIKITA MEHTA (Neera) is a UK-based actor known for Blinded by the Light, Boogie Man, the popular BBC series Doctors, and the FOX Network hit 24: Live Another Day with Kiefer Sutherland.

 

NIMRA BUCHA (Auntie Neena) is a Pakastani-British actor known for Marvel’s new series Ms. Marvel, the Churails a popular Pakistani drama series, and Aakhri Station a positively reviewed TV Mini-series that explores a different story based on women’s empowerment and social issues affecting women.

 

 

AKSHAY KUMAR (Ravi) is a London-based actor known for the FX Series DEVS created by Oscar nominated writer Alex Garland, Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi, the TV series The Halcyon, and the award winning tv series Homeland with Claire Danes.

 

 

FAITH EDWARDS (Dr. Ogden) is a London based actor known for the popular BBC series Doctors, UK medical drama series Holby City, Saint Maud, The Legend of Tarzan with Margo Robbie and Alexander Skarsgard.

 

Also Featuring: Gordon Warnecke, Debbie Kumar, and Harold Rose.

 

 

DIRECTOR / WRITERS / PRODUCERS:

 

DIRECTOR/WRITER:

SHAIDA KAZEMI is a London based Script Supervisor of Iranian decent who has worked alongside some wonderful directors and filmmakers on projects such as Ms. Marvel, Invasion, Survive, After Love, Tuesday, Lockwood & Co, and Saint Maud.

Shaida adores the collaborative nature of the film & television industry and appreciates the various skill sets required for visual story telling. Through her experiences as an artist, musician, teacher and creator, Shaida understands the balance of skills pertinent to connecting with audiences through the film medium.

Shaida Kazemi Primetime Interview

 

 

WRITER/PRODUCER:

JENNIFER ELMORE is an LA based Writer/Producer who has worked alongside some of the best creative minds in the business ranging from Creative Development to Production, Props, Art, Locations, and Set Dec.

Jennifer has worked on familiar titles such as Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War, Guardians of the Galaxy 2, Avengers Infinity War & End Game, Black Widow, Universal Pictures’ breakout hit Nobody and their upcoming releases NOPE & BEAST.

Her career goal is to bring to life bold stories with individual characters that deserve to be told.

 

 

PRODUCER:

JEN KISSOON is an Atlanta-based Producer and Production Coordinator, who has worked on titles such as Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War, Guardians of the Galaxy 2, Avengers Infinity War & End Game, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, Hillbilly Elegy, Respect, and The Haunted Mansion.

Her career focus is to collaborate with likeminded and likevisioned storytellers to bring to life compelling and relatable stories in a powerfully irresistible way.

 

 

Director's Statement: “My dearest Amena was born from my experience of growing up in a refugee family in a quaint English village. The juxtaposition of these cultures sparked an interest from an early age, of heritage as an influential factor in major life decisions, whether we are aware of them or not. I experienced first hand how the choices made by my mother directly informed my present reality and opportunity to make choices in the future. I am fascinated with the idea of women passing life lessons through generations and the impact of nature versus nurture.

This is what drew me to exploring this subject in the short. The story of a woman making a choice on her own with the inter-generational female figures of her past guiding her, is something I think about often. This short explores this concept through the idea of letter writing between generations to guide future choices. It is no coincidence that as a film maker I am drawn to stories about women inspiring change through generations. I am particularly drawn to women who have a personal story to tell and are facing a moral dilemma or unspoken truth, that is not fully realized.
With My Dearest Amena, I want to tell a story that I did not have access to when I was growing up that may have helped me and I want people to know that you are not alone, because there is a secret guidance from women in your past that may have been on the same journey.
I hope that people can relate to the elements in this film and connect to the hidden magic forces of our own histories.”

PERKS!!!!!!!!!
- $100 or more gets a hand written Thank You note from the Cast & Creative Team.

- $500 or more gets a special Thank You in the end Credits.

- $1000 or more gets a Digital signed copy of the Script & Look-book.

Thank You for your support!