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NEW ORLEANS PITCH 2024 NARRATIVE FINALISTS AND PROJECTS

 

Demi Anais Robert, Louisiana

Demi Anais is a New Orleans bred filmmaker with a passion for telling rich, character-driven stories that explore genre conventions. Demi was formally introduced to filmmaking while attending The Willow High School. She was a student in their four year Media Arts program (2009 – 2013) through which she was introduced to Still Photography, Stop Motion, Documentary, and Narrative filmmaking. During the program, Demi was able to make two award winning short films, ‘What You See Is What You Get’ (2012) and ‘Asking Amber’ (2013).

Demi began working as an extra and after graduating in 2017 from Tulane University with her Finance degree, she was lucky to get an opportunity to day play as a PA on ‘Green Book’ (2018). From there she began working in the Camera department and eventually joined IATSE Local 600 in 2021. After four years of set work and independent study, in 2022 Demi took a step away from the camera department to learn as a Director’s Assistant on AMC’s ‘Interview with the Vampire’ (2023). This position allowed her to get a closer view of productions from prep to post and also introduced her to Stunt Work and Acting. Being a Director’s Assistant afforded Demi the knowledge she needed to Direct again and that year she completed her short film ‘Vodou’ (2023). Demi also began working as a Videographer to further hone her voice. Currently, Demi is in preproduction with her fourth short film, ‘Memory Walk’, which is expected to begin production in 2024.

Project Title: Memory Walk (Narrative Short)
In a future where reliving your own memories has been commoditized, a traumatized track star gets lost in the past.

 

Justice Singleton, Louisiana | FIRST PLACE

Justice Singleton (pronouns he/him) is a black trans educator, screenwriter, director, actor, poet, stand-up comedian and drag burlesque artist who lives in New Orleans. Originally from Los Angeles, Justice was Inspired by his spiritual faith to create a meditative writers’ program called Justify Writers Room. The workshops enlists BIPOC creators to build community and dismantle “writer’s block”, inspire radical education and systemic storytelling. In addition to working as a television and film imagineer, Justice performs stand-up comedy and co-stars in a podcast called Imposter Syndrome Survivor’s Club with Amelian Kashiro Hamilton. The podcast is spiritual audio exploring “Imposter Syndrome” within the creative industry. Currently, Justice Singleton spends time writing television, teaching workshops, producing and performing in New Orleans.

Project Title: Cockroach (Narrative Short)
A trans sex worker plans change when his late night hook up turns into a bounty hunt for a cockroach

 

Nolam Plaas, Louisiana | SECOND PLACE

Nolam was born in LaPlace, Louisiana, and attended Southern University and then American Conservatory Theater. After filming ‘this weary flesh’, his short script, Nolam realized being involved in every facet of filmmaking — writing, directing, acting, and producing — would be his path forward. Nolam aims to create stories that challenge structure. He hopes to push for and eventually create a new kind of cinema with the vibrant and relevant stories that he has in mind.

Project Title: pecan. (Narrative Feature)
Junie, a boy from Cancer Alley, Louisiana, is on the precipice of becoming a man. Influenced by his religious yet promiscuous uncle, his peers, and newfound access to porn, Junie attempts to maintain an intimate relationship with his girlfriend, Monique, but his quest for manhood may compromise all that they’ve cultivated.

 

Stevee-Rayne Warren, Louisiana

Stevee-Rayne Warren is the Workforce Program Director at NOVAC, where through consulting partnerships with major studios, she manages community-based job placement programs locally and across the country. Stevee-Rayne is also creative and field producer. She has a passion for socially moving stories and for cultivating and supporting individuals from different backgrounds to create them. Being a North Baton Rouge native, where there are limited opportunities to work in production, she is deeply invested in assisting those outside of Hollywood or larger production markets break into the film and television industry. Prior to her current position, she worked for the Louisiana Department of Health. Along with consulting for Disney, NBCUniversal, and Warner Bros. Discovery, Stevee-Rayne also managed multi-department paid internship programs for ESSENCE FESTIVAL and THE WALKING DEAD. Stevee-Rayne graduated from Southern University with a BA in English Literature and Liberal Arts. She is also an ABFF Greenlighters Academy alumna. She is currently based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and is the mother of a nine year old daughter.

Project Title: Bless Your Heart (Narrative Feature)
Two former high school marching band enemies reconnect at homecoming and unpack their unresolved childhood issues in their gentrifying hometown.

 

Zain Hashmat & Haley Kastner, Louisiana

Zain is a film worker and film programmer based in New Orleans. He is deeply interested in contemporary Southern stories told through a tender, comedic lens that heightens the everyday. His work explores contemporary struggles through a nostalgic viewpoint rooted in film history, the machinations of the cinema, and Southern culture. Much like his favorite films, he’s short and sweet.

Haley is a filmmaker and production manager based in New Orleans, LA. She’s worked on various film and commercial productions and produced within festivals and live events in the area. Born and raised in south Louisiana, she aims to help carve spaces in the art world that amplify stories from the American South. Her passions lie in community engagement and artist resource support, both of which guide her producing ideals. Haley has a deep interest in utilizing film as a means of preservation and connection. Outside of making and watching movies, she loves reading humor essays and petting neighborhood cats.

Project Title: Feast (Narrative Short)
At Thanksgiving dinner, a young Pakistani man grapples with his tumultuous relationship to food while navigating his family’s constant judgments and criticisms.