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 The Long Walk, When the World Went Quiet is a coming-of-age zombie thriller about expressing independence, individuality, and the fear that comes with growing up.

Sixteen year old LEXI PARKER has survived ten years in a zombie apocalypse under the protection of her older brother, AARON, who carries the weight of surviving at all costs to keep her alive. When the siblings follow a mysterious radio signal into an abandoned school, an argument leads to the radio breaking. Silencing the outside world, it forces Lexi to navigate danger without the safety net she’s always relied on.

As the world grows quieter, Lexi must confront what it means to trust herself, make her own decisions, and prove she is capable. Through the lens of a zombie apocalypse, the story explores the balance between love and control, and the moment when protection becomes an obstacle to growth.

Why now, Why us?

This film comes from a deeply personal place. Director, Olivia Barnes, says,

“I grew up protected, loved, and supported but rarely trusted to stand on my own. Independence didn’t come naturally, it had to be fought for. That tension between safety and self-discovery is something many young people experience, especially at a moment when they are expected to grow up before they feel ready.

It feels like the right time to tell this story. We are living in a world where young people are constantly navigating uncertainty. The future, their voices, and their autonomy. 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”

Partnering with the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona allows us to bring this story to life through emerging filmmakers who understand what it means to be on the edge of adulthood. This film is not just about survival, it’s about how growth often begins in moments of silence, when no one is left to make the choice for you.

Production Details:

When the World Went Quiet is currently in Pre-Production.

We are finalizing our script and currently mapping out our plans for production. We hope to reach our goal and bring this story to the big screen!

Funding Goal: $8,000

Many go into filmmaking with projects within the millions. As students, everyone here is working on the project out of passion. Here, the budget will be essential to fund the following resources:

Below is a diagram of where the proceeds will go to help support this project. From crafty to providing our cast and crew resources. Every little bit counts!

How can you help?

You can click at the tab above and help fund our project! We appreciate any contributions to our film!

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Follow our journey on social media and see our journey from behind the scenes to our premiere at the University of Arizona!