The Inevitable Continued Progress of Existence (SHORT FILM)

THE STORY

Our film follows Clovis, a cripplingly nostalgic photographer who lives vicariously through the subjects of his photographs. After a tragic accident in which his mother passed away, he comes across a bizarre craigslist posting in which a man is seeking help locating his missing wife in San Francisco. He jumps at the opportunity to cosplay as a private detective and eventually finds his mark, Emily.

Emily is the perfect candidate for Clovis to live through; she embodies everything that he lacks. She says whatever pops into her head, does whatever she feels like, and follows her impulses wherever they take her. Over the course of a day in San Francisco, Clovis follows Emily as she interacts with the city and the eccentric characters that dwell beneath its surface. Clovis eventually follows her all the way to the karaoke bar where she works as a bartender, leading to a confrontation and a fleeting moment of connection.

DIRECTORS' NOTE

We know how much of a colossal effort making a film is, even a short one, and we can't do it alone, so...that's where you come in! We are humbly asking for help in making our vision a reality. Whether that comes in the form of a donation small or large, every dollar counts. If you are unable to donate, we totally understand; even simply sharing this page with others is extremely helpful. We deeply appreciate you taking the time to check out our page and are grateful for any help we can get. THANK YOU!

THE FILMMAKERS

WRITER/DIRECTORS - Itai Rinat & Ezra Chaltiel

Itai and Ezra are childhood friends who have dreamed of making a film together since they were in middle school.

Itai 's passion for film was developed as a toddler escaping his moms office and running around the halls of Pixar. He graduated from Wesleyan University's College of Film and the Moving Image in 2021.

Ezra is currently finishing up his film degree at California College of the Arts. Ezra is a visual artist and filmmaker deeply influenced by a family tradition of creativity. Passionate about the transformative power of film, he navigates the shifting boundaries of storytelling, experimenting with form and perception to engage audiences in new ways.

Our passion for cinema has always been an integral part of our bond, and we finally decided to take a leap of faith and make our first short film together!

(Casper the parrot is acting in the movie as well!)

PRODUCER - Ethan Grossman

A lover of sliced deli meats, temperate climates and perfectly scheduled errand outings, Ethan currently resides in Queens, New York where he can comfortably find at least one and a half of these things.

A career filmmaker, Ethan directs, produces, manages and coordinates video & photo shoots for a wide array of projects: from documentaries, music videos, narrative shorts, fashion editorials and e-commerce. His films have screened around the world at festivals like the San Francisco Short Film Festival, the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY) and GenreBlast.

Born and raised in the Bay Area, Ethan, Itai and Ezra are lifelong friends. Their creative collaboration has been in the works for many years so it’s an honor to see their relationship blossom to new explorative heights on this production.

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY - A.J. Marson

A.J. is an Oakland-based freelance cinematographer, known for his work on a wide range of projects, from commercials to feature films and documentaries. His experience includes projects like The Way We Speak, Kat Crime (Post Production), and the HBO documentary Nuclear Family. With a passion for visual storytelling and a strong foundation in both technical and creative aspects of cinematography, A.J. brings a unique perspective to every project he works on.

LEAD ROLES

CLOVIS - Harry Slattery

Harry is an actor from New York City. After spending time in 2024 working on Frank Gilroy's 'The Subject was Roses', he has turned his attention towards more screen work in 2025.

EMILY (casting still in progress)

WHAT YOUR DONATIONS WILL GO TO

We've updated our goal! Thanks to our community's extremely generous support, we are now seeking $15,000. While this number is a more accurate reflection of our total expenditures, our directors will still be self-financing a significant portion of TICPE's budget, even if we meet this new goal. Every dollar helps this creative endeavor!

DONATION TIERS

(Itai's ceramics instagram for reference: https://www.instagram.com/ir_ceramics/ )

TIMELINE

Dec-Mar 2025: Pre-production

Apr 2025: Principal Photography

May-Aug 2025: Post Production

Sep 2025-Aug 2026: Film Festival Run