The Stem BFA Thesis (Student Short Film)

SYNOPSIS: The Stem is a short absurdist narrative film with elements of magical realism that tells a story about power, manipulation, abuse, retribution, agency, and friendship. The story follows a quiet young woman named Dahlia who struggles to trust her own instincts. At the start of the film, she meets a handsome and charming florist named Ellis who turns out to be a trickster. Ellis steals Dahlia's lips and turns them into a flower called psychotria elata, better known as Hooker’s Lips - because of their resemblance to real human lips. Dahlia wilts without her lips, becoming increasingly desperate to bring them back, until she teams up with her best friend, Saturn, to seek revenge and reclaim her voice.

The funds will go towards paying actors, feeding everyone on-set, as well as paying animators as they will be working on it throughout the year.