Operation Illusion – A Sci-Fi Thriller

Hello! I’m Samantha Ahnen, a political scientist turned filmmaker. I’ve always been fascinated by the systems that shape our world, and filmmaking gave me a way to confront those big ideas head-on through characters, conflict, and emotion. For me, film isn’t just entertainment, it’s a way to reflect on society and imagine how we might change it.

For the past year, I’ve been a film student at NYFA (New York Film Academy), one of the leading institutions for film, production, and performing arts in New York City. After months of hands-on set work, intensive learning, and creative exploration, it’s finally time to debut my first official project: a 15-minute sci-fi short film titled Operation Illusion, set to release in mid-August.

Operation Illusion is a dystopian, high-concept story that serves as a proof of concept for a future feature film. We've officially cast our incredible actors after a rigorous audition process, secured some amazing locations around NYC, and brought on Luis Guerrero Noquez, a talented CGI artist based in Toronto whose credits include Star Wars: The Skeleton Crew. We also have hired a costume designer and makeup/ special effects artist to help create a visually striking world.

I’ve been incredibly lucky to build a team of skilled and passionate individuals ready to bring this vision to life. Now we just need the financial resources to make it happen. Filmmaking is no cheap feat, especially in the sci-fi genre. Micro shorts like mine can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $50,000 to produce. My goal is to raise $22,000 through GoFundMe to fund the entirety of my film.

It may sound ambitious, but with your support, whether through a donation or even just by sharing this post, we can bring this story to life and push this project off the ground. This film isn’t just a student requirement, it’s my official debut into the filmmaking industry. With distribution already in the works, creating a high-quality, professional project is my first real opportunity to open doors and establish myself in this field I’m so passionate about. Your support will help bring this vision to life and take it to audiences far beyond the classroom.

Donate to Operation Illusion and you can be in the credits on my film and be recognized on IMDb for helping make this film possible!