Support Zachary Kennedy’s film, TRUE LOVE

Writer/Director/Producer’s Statement:

TRUE LOVE is a love story with a small hint of the supernatural. What if the love you always dreamed of, but was never possible, became yours - in an instant? What, if anything, could compel you to consider letting that love go? The Universe flipped a switch to give you what you want, but what if you can't live with the cost it came with? Is it possible to undo this? At what point is the ultimate expression of love letting someone go - and where would you go from there?

When the first two people I thought of for this project (you'll meet them below) honored me by joining me in telling this story, I took it as a sign that it was time for me to bring this vision I've had for more than 2 years to reality. As I continue to assemble my team and move towards production later this year, we're seeking your support to make the project possible. All donations will be deeply appreciated, and we look forward to sharing a film that we, the creative team, and you, our dear supporters, can all be proud of.

The Team:

Zachary Kennedy (Writer/Director/Producer)

Zachary Kennedy is an LA-based writer, director and producer with roots in Maryland and Maine, where he identified at an early age that his primary goals in life were to meet as many of the cast and crew behind the now-30 years running POWER RANGERS franchise, along with other idols of his, like Jon Favreau, Gwyneth Paltrow and Natalie Portman - and - to be a filmmaker working in both the indie and action blockbuster worlds, ideally merging the two, infusing spectacle films like TRANSFORMERS with the deeply emotional storytelling and representation found in films like MOONLIGHT.

So far, he has achieved all but one of those goals (the latter is in progress) before & during his time studying film at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, and while interning for companies making films he loves, like Rideback and Legendary, where he got to learn how great blockbusters come together (THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE and DETECTIVE PIKACHU among them).

Post-USC, he’s been working for filmmakers and executives across companies like James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment, Inc. (AVATAR, AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER), on Marvel Studios’ [UPCOMING VERY TOP SECRET PROJECT], and New Regency Productions (THE CREATOR, BARBARIAN, WIDOWS, AD ASTRA).

Juliana Khanjian (Producer)

Juliana Khanjian, an Armenian-American filmmaker from Los Angeles, CA, pursued her passion for storytelling at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts while gaining experience as a production assistant on commercial sets and collaborating with industry icons such as Norman Lear and Gregg Araki.

Finding meaning from a personal loss, Juliana wrote, directed, & produced “in-between,” a short film exploring the emotional turmoil of a young woman grappling with ALS, earning her recognition at several film festivals.

Her dedication to the craft earned her credits as both producer and second unit drone director on the independent feature, Gigi & Nate, which received theatrical distribution through Roadside Attractions.

She currently collaborates with an HBO-based showrunner across their vast development slate while developing her next project, Little Armenia, a feature set in her hometown, highlighting marginalized communities with authenticity and compassion.

Austin Bugarin (Actor)

Austin Bugarin is an Asian-American actor, born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. His passion for acting was nurtured by his beloved Aunty, who took him to his first modeling jobs when he was a baby. His focus turned to basketball, which he played competitively from the age of 5 through high school. As he went from Varsity Captain of his high school basketball team to studying at the University of Southern California, he regained his love for acting, and decided to pursue it as a career, inspired by romantic comedies like SIXTEEN CANDLES and action films like SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING. He’s always looking for the next big adventure film, and to be part of telling the next great love story.

His screen credits include the Netflix series, MEDICAL POLICE (a spinoff from Adult Swim’s CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL series) and the independent feature, MAX & ME, a coming-of-age romance with a supernatural twist, from Executive Producer Tim Andrew (TEEN WOLF). Most recently, he starred in SOBER SITTER, a psychedelic comedy short, which was an Official Selection at the Independent Filmmakers Showcase LA Film Fest, FirstGlance Film Festival and the Independent Shorts Awards. His TV commercial work includes spots for Dick’s Sporting Goods and the NFL, and on social, he’s headlined campaigns for Jack in the Box and Red Bull.

He is currently studying at the Joe Anthony Acting Studio and previously studied at Lauren Patrice Nadler Studios (among others), where in addition to his studies, he was part of an improv comedy troupe. Outside of his work, he loves to spend time with his friends and family, and to keep up with the latest fashion trends & models.