Help me complete my debut short film "The Motive"!

One detective. One murderer. One death.

He did it. But...why?

WHO AM I?

Hello! My name is Jorge Molina. I am originally from Mexico City and have lived in Los Angeles for more than a decade. I have worked extensively inside the film festival circuit as a programmer (including places like Tribeca, LALIFF, NewFest, and Frameline), as well as a writer on various projects.

I wrote and executive produced the short “Muy Gay Too Mexicano,” which became available on HBOMax, the creator of the award-season murder mystery scripted podcast “Just to Be Nominated", and most recently the co-writer of the Sonoro whodunnit podcast "A Murder in Montecito", starring and executive produced by Gina Torres. And I am finally taking the leap to direct my first short film!

THE PROJECT

The Motive is a love letter to the classic murder mysteries that birthed my love of storytelling: Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes, Alfred Hitchcock, and the many (many!) afternoons spent playing Clue or watching Murder on the Orient Express.

I also like to think it’s a little more than that, and it’s an attempt to break down the need (my need, in particular) to make sense of things that more often than not don’t.

THE CAST AND CREW

An incredible group of artists has joined the team (seriously, sometimes I can’t believe how lucky I got to land these people), whose credits include film and TV projects like The Studio, The Bikeriders, Bros, and American Fiction, and working with people like Renee Rapp, Ariana Grande, and Coldplay. The short will be led by the amazing Brendan Scannell (Heathers, Bonding) and Brandon Shypkowski (9-1-1 Lone Star).

And this Orient Express took off fast! The film has been completely shot, and as of summer of 2025, we are in final post-production stages.

YOUR HELP

The Motive is entirely self-funded so far. I decided that if I wanted to make it, I had to do it myself. Our budget has gotten us about 80% of the way there, enough to take us through production and the start of post. I’m looking to complete the final stretch, all of which will go to cover post-production costs and the start of a robust film festival strategy.

If you are able to make a donation (of any amount. Literally anything helps!), you will continue having my eternal gratitude; this time officially up on the big screen.