About Us

We are a team of dedicated Centennial College students producing our final 15-minute thesis film — and we need your help to bring it to life!

Shadows of Promise is an original short film written by our Producer, Matthew Paris, and directed by Deacon Dugwell. It tells the story of Anna, a young woman who must confront the grief of losing her boyfriend, Jake, and learn to embrace the life and friendships she still has around her.

Filmmaking is a beautiful but costly process — and as passionate college students, we’re often rich in creativity but short on funds. That’s why we’re turning to you for support. Every contribution, big or small, helps us make this film the best it can be.

Logline

Anna must overcome the tragic death of her boyfriend and find the courage to reconnect with the world.

Synopsis

After the sudden death of her boyfriend, Anna struggles to maintain the illusion that she’s fine while grief quietly consumes her. On New Year’s Eve, memories of love, loss, and unfulfilled promises collide, forcing her to decide whether she can finally take the first step forward into life again.

Our Crew

Director's Statement

Greetings! My name is Deacon Dugwell and I am the director of Shadows of Promise. This will officially be my first time directing a short film, and I am thrilled and excited to be able to bring this film to life.

The film, although not written by myself, holds a very deep meaning to me. I often describe myself as a romantic, and personally, I believe love is one of, if not the most special gift that we as humans have been given. This story is about grief, but I believe it is about love just as much. As we all know, unfortunately, you can’t have love without grief, and this story is the epitome of that cross between the two emotions. Whether you’ve fallen in love, been heartbroken, lost a family member, a friend, or just grieved in general, this story is for you.

This is very likely to be the last film I make during my time as a student, and I am committed to putting everything I got into it. I believe that myself and my crew are more than capable of making an incredible film and I can’t wait to see it happen.

Producer Statement

My name is Matthew Paris, and I’m the writer and producer of Shadows of Promise. This story grew from a desire to explore how people carry love, loss, and memory — not as separate things, but as something that bind us long after someone is gone. At its core, the film is about grief, but more importantly, it’s about the quiet strength it takes to keep moving forward.

As a writer, I’ve always been drawn to stories that linger in silence — the moments between words, the emotions we try to hide but can’t. Creating Shadows of Promise has been a deeply personal process, one that taught me how powerful vulnerability can be both on screen and behind the camera.

This project represents the culmination of everything I’ve learned as a student and collaborator — patience, empathy, and trust in the creative process. We poured our hearts into this film not because it was easy, but because it mattered. Shadows of Promise is a testament to why we tell stories: to remember, to feel, and to heal.

Production Costs Breakdown

Your donations will go directly toward:

Every dollar makes a difference — and if you’re unable to contribute financially, sharing our campaign means just as much. Thank you for helping us make Shadows of Promise a reality!