The Case of the Missing Afikomen

My name is Zane Swift and I’m looking for donations to make my thesis film at USC.

The Case of the Missing Afikomen is USC’s FIRST interactive thesis film. The film is being made by a team of talented individuals from the MFA Production Program in the School of Cinematic Arts.

On the night of Passover dinner, Freddy, a ten year old wanna-be detective, needs to find a way to see his dad in the hospital. Freddy plans to use a Passover tradition, the hidden Afikomen, to score a few dollars and sneak away on a bus ride to see his dad. At the same time his family is trying to get Freddy to fully embrace this important family tradition.

Audience members choose how Freddy goes about finding the Afikomen– does he search alone or turn to family members for clues?

Growing up celebrating Jewish holidays I was always confused why there were no movies about them. Every year I would see Christmas movies with important themes about valuing family and tradition and I noticed that those were the same things I was being taught to value in the holidays I celebrated. And yet, Jewish holidays were never used as the backdrop for the stories. It’s important to me to tell this story during Passover because I know there are so many people with such fond memories of the holiday. At the same time, I know this film will be enjoyable for everyone because the themes we value during holidays are ultimately universal.

Like Freddy, I too had a parent in the hospital for extended periods of time when I was growing up. This film is also a love letter to the family that supported me through those difficult times.

We cannot make this film without your support. Donations will go directly to financing key aspects of the filmmaking process such as getting food for our large crew of volunteers, buying prop food to accurately portray the passover tradition, and getting a house that will bring Freddy’s detective mystery to life as well as represent the warm family-holiday feeling.

I am beyond grateful to bring this story to life and I can’t wait to share the film with everyone!