WHEN THE WORLD WENT QUIET

"In an infected apocalypse, a brother and sister must settle their differences to survive, while she fights to prove she’s built for this world."

Mission Statement

Our mission is to tell a story to anyone who has struggled to find their independence, not just to be trusted by others, but to prove to themselves they are capable. This film uses a zombie apocalypse as a filter to explore what it means to grow up and be trusted by the people who love us most.

The Story

Where The Last of Us meets an intimate, character-driven survival thriller, When the World Went Quiet follows sixteen-year-old Lexi Parker, who has spent the last ten years surviving the apocalypse under the watch of her older brother, Aaron.

Aaron has dedicated himself to keeping Lexi alive at all costs, but that protection has come with control. When the siblings follow a mysterious radio signal into an abandoned school, a conflict between them leads to the radio breaking, cutting off the outside world and forcing Lexi into a terrifying new reality.

With the world growing quieter around them, Lexi must learn to trust herself, make her own choices, and prove that she is capable of surviving on her own terms.

Through the lens of a zombie apocalypse, When the World Went Quiet explores the fragile line between love and control, and the moment when protection can become the very thing holding someone back.

Why This Story Matters

This film comes from a deeply personal place for writer and director Olivia Barnes:

-- “I grew up protected, loved, and supported, but not always trusted to stand fully on my own. Independence did not come naturally. It had to be fought for. That tension between safety and self-discovery is something so many young people know intimately, especially at a stage in life where they are expected to grow up before they feel ready.

-- By placing this coming-of-age story inside a zombie apocalypse, the film externalizes that emotional chaos and strips the world down to its essentials: trust, choice, responsibility, and survival.”

Created in collaboration with student filmmakers at the University of Arizona, this project reflects the ambition, passion, and creativity of emerging artists telling stories from the edge of adulthood. This is not just a film about surviving the end of the world. It is a film about becoming yourself when no one else can make the choice for you.

Where We Are Now

When the World Went Quiet has officially completed production and is now in POST-PRODUCTION.

Thanks to the incredible work of our cast and crew, we brought this ambitious story to life during principal photography. Now, we are in the final stage of shaping the film into the strongest version it can be, and we are still seeking support to help us cross the finish line.

This next stage is where the film truly comes together.

What Your Support Will Help Fund

Our current fundraising goal is focused on the essential finishing stages of post-production, including:

As student filmmakers, this project has been powered by passion, collaboration, and an enormous amount of dedication. Every contribution helps us give this film the professional finish it deserves and supports the work of the artists who made it possible.

Funding Goal: $5,000

For many films, budgets reach into the millions. For us, every dollar goes directly toward completing the film at the highest level possible. This funding will help ensure that When the World Went Quiet is not only finished, but finished with care, intention, and the cinematic quality this story deserves.

How You Can Help

If you would like to support When the World Went Quiet, there are a few meaningful ways to help:

Donate

Any contribution, no matter the size, directly supports the completion of the film.

Share the Campaign

Reposting and sharing this page helps us reach a wider audience and makes a huge difference.

Spread the Word

Tell your friends, family, and anyone who believes in independent filmmaking and emerging artists.

Follow Our Journey

Follow along on social media on Instagram @whentheworldwentquietfilm and @sombrapicturesllc as we share behind-the-scenes moments, post-production updates, and the road to our premiere.

Thank you for believing in this story and helping us bring When the World Went Quiet to life.