Hi Everyone!

I’m Will Kanny, a senior at Loyola Marymount University who is double-majoring in Production and Screenwriting. I have worked on Oscar-qualifying projects and gained professional experience through internships at L.A. Castle Studios and Untitled Entertainment.

As a student at LMU, I am required to create a self-funded short film, which allows each student to retain full ownership of their work. I was able to independently fund my previous project by working two jobs; however, this new film is more ambitious. I am thrilled to focus on my next project: What Was Mine.

What It's About

Logline: A top-ranked high school basketball athlete loses his scholarship offers after being associated with a deadly robbery attempt and must hustle to find a second chance.

Why This Story

This is based on a true story that my father told me. My father played collegiate basketball at the D-III level, and his teammate is the focus of this short film. This story has guided me through adolescence, and when I was accepted into film school, I knew this was the movie I had to make.

Meet the Team

Will Kanny (Writer/Director/Producer): Student director and producer with experience managing budgets, logistics, and teams on large-scale creative projects. His last directorial project was The Drudge (2025).

Jay Damaraju (Producer): Los Angeles-based producer who is dedicated to making true, impactful stories come to fruition on the silver screen.

Emma Smith (Associate Producer): Los Angeles-based writer, producer, and director with experience in student and independent short films, documentary, journalism, and theatre.

Ashley Brown (1st Assistant Director): LMU film production student and aspiring director/writer who has worked on over 20 LMU film sets and commercials. She has worked with both production and the camera department.

Cooper Bosland (Editor): Senior film production major at LMU. He has edited several student films and edits for LMUs Athletics program. Avid certified user.

Why We Need Help

What Was Mine is an independent, student-driven short that can only happen with your support. We’re raising funds to:

* Rent locations. This includes a convenience store and a basketball gymnasium.

* Build practical effects, costumes, and set dressings.

* Record original songs and create a compelling score.

* Pay our incredible cast. Feed our cast/crew for 3 days.

Every dollar goes directly into telling this story the best way we can.

The Budget

My goal is to raise $8,000. This is the minimum I need to make What Was Mine a reality. It includes cast & crew, production design, equipment, permits, location costs, post-production, music, and festival entries.

My stretch goal is $9,000. The additional funds would go toward securing higher-quality equipment and expanding our storytelling capabilities.

How You Can Help

1. Back the campaign: Every contribution, big or small, gets us closer to cameras rolling.

2. Share the project: Spread the word to friends, family, and communities who care about basketball and family.