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Logline

After being uprooted from their isolated doomsday cult, two best friends are thrust into the modern world and forced to find sanctuary in Los Angeles.

Synopsis

The film starts with anxious Hannah and wide-eyed Eve in the back of a cop car. The girls have just been rescued from an isolated doomsday cult. The cop stops at a gas station, where the girls discover an auspicious magazine ad for Disneyland: a promising sanctuary, the Happiest Place On Earth. When briefly left alone, the girls bolt out of the store, and are offered a ride by a group of troublesome stoners. This favor comes to an end quickly when Hannah and Eve’s hot dog nausea takes over, vomiting all over the car.

Ditched by the boys, Hannah and Eve are left on their own and covered in filth. They spot a Good Will across the street showcasing the hottest outfits Hannah and Eve have never seen before. Hopelessly curious, the girls head inside. In the store, Hannah and Eve expand their understanding of the modern world with every new experience and relationship. This is the first time they openly explore their femininity. It’s heaven, until someone knocks over a mysterious pile of clothing and out falls a bag, and inside: a gun.

This means bad news. With a robber holding everyone at gunpoint, Hannah and Eve decide to let their confidence roar. Our buddy hero’s battle the robber, who quickly gets the upper hand – until BOOM…an accident. Now with blood on their hands, literally, the girls flee the scene and book it to The Happiest Place On Earth.
 

Meet the Filmmakers

Scarlett Bress – Writer/Actor
Scarlett Bress is an LA based actress/writer, and recent alum from USC’s School of Dramatic Arts. Last year, she starred in Our Country’s Good at The South Pasadena Theatre, and portrayed Hailey on We Stay Looking produced by Issa Rae.

Olivia Singer – Writer/Actor
Olivia Singer is a LA based actor, writer and comic. Her most recent work was at the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival. She is a USC School of Dramatic Arts alumni.

Drew Denny – Director
A 2023 Sundance Institute grantee, Drew Denny centers female and queer characters in narrative, doc, commercial and multimedia projects. Harper’s Bazaar called her one-woman show turned Academy Award nominated podcast Asking For It “a Fleabag fix in a post-Fleabag world,” and Marta Kaufman’s shingle OK Goodnight is producing her documentary Queer Habits — following drag queen nuns who save a rural homophobic community from ruin. Her first narrative feature The Most Fun I’ve Ever Had With My Pants On won Best Feature, Best First Feature and Best Cinematography in its 50-festival run, earning her a spot in The Advocate’s “40 Under 40” list, where she was named “an auteur to watch.” Her action comedy film Momster, starring Amanda Plummer and Brianna Hildebrand, premiered in Competition at the Tribeca Film Festival where it was called “Tarantino and Nicolas Refn’s queer feminist love child.” Denny earned a BFA in Cinema and Television Production from the University of Southern California and an MA in Aesthetics and Politics from California Institute of the Arts. She moonlights in a band called HIPS and runs the non profit Allies in Arts which supports artists who are female, BIPOC and LGBTQ+.

Ino Yang Popper – Director of Photography
Ino Yang Popper is a cinematographer based in Los Angeles, and a lecturer for the Advanced Cinematography program of the Department of Cinema and Television Arts at California State University, Northridge. Ino is a recent Cinematography program graduate in the class of 2020 at the American Film Institute, during which, her 35mm film Border was selected into the Telluride Film Festival. She holds a BA in Directing & Editing from Beijing Film Academy and an MFA in Directing & Screenwriting from the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing. She previously worked as an editor for 12 years in China. Most recently, Ino was selected as a cinematography fellow for Film Independent’s Project Involve 2021 program, during which, she was selected as a Panavision grant and fellowship recipient. Both of her films from the program were screened at the DGA theatre. Over the past 17 years working in the film industry in both China and the U.S., Ino integrated her experience in directing, editing, and screenwriting into advancing the craft of cinematography with a unique voice in visual storytelling.

Isabella Dake – Producer
Isabella Dake wears multiple hats as a producer, actress, and talent executive. She is a USC Film/Theatre School alumna and California native. Currently she is producing independent projects, high-budget YouTube series and is the Director of Talent Success at a digital start-up, NextFan. Isabella was previously Head of Talent for production company, Invisible Narratives. She has worked on social media campaigns for top influencer brands and various films including Michael Bay’s Songbird. Off-screen, she’s an avid concert-goer and beach lover. Bella is dedicated to producing captivating and innovative stories.

Rodric David – Executive Producer
Rodric, a visionary serial entrepreneur, dedicated 15 years to the convergence of technology and entertainment. In 2013, he founded Thunder Studios, expanding services from a 6-acre production hub. Thunder Gaming, initiated in 2015, marked Rodric’s entry into esports, while co-founding Infinite Reality (iR) in 2018 aimed at revolutionizing entertainment distribution through photorealistic 3D environments.

In a landmark $1.2 billion acquisition in January 2022, Display Social absorbed Thunder Studios, Thunder Gaming, and iR, rebranding them as Infinite Reality. As President, Rodric orchestrated the $470 million acquisition of ReKT Global in July 2022. Post a $1.85 billion acquisition of Infinite Reality by SPAC Newbury Street in December 2022, Rodric resigned to lead innovation through Thunder Venture Equity, Inc.

A thought leader in Web3 technology and USC School of Dramatic Arts graduate, Rodric actively shapes the next generation through speaking engagements and USCSDA Board of Councilors membership. Notably, his executive producer credits include 9/11, Paradise Cove, A Fighting Season, Sweetwater, and Kristen Stewart’s Come Swim. In March 2023, USCSDA collaborated with Thunder Studios for the global Metaverse broadcast of the musical Urinetown, illustrating Rodric’s commitment to the convergence of technology and live performance.

Tanya Turak – Executive Producer
As the founder and driving force behind a fully-female political advertising firm Evolve Media, Tanya has dedicated her career to empowering women in both the creative and political realms. Tanya’s unwavering commitment to excellence and her pioneering spirit have not only earned her accolades in her field but have also set a precedent for future generations of women in film and politics. Through her leadership, creativity, and advocacy, Tanya Turak continues to leave an indelible mark on the landscapes of both the silver screen and the political arena, championing the causes surrounding reproductive rights and safety, climate issues and public education funding, among others, while inspiring those around her to do the same.

Willis McCord – Line Producer
Willis is a Virginia raised, Los Angeles based Producer. He produced the festival nominated thriller Honeymoon, Missouri, horror short film, Psychosis, which received distribution by DUST, and Meow, Meredith. In addition to freelance producing, he works in Physical Production at Universal Pictures. He also previously assisted the Below The Line department of ICM Partners and supported the Executive Producer of Marvel’s, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the 10 Rings.

Lindsey Byster – Associate Producer
Lindsey Byster is an LA based producer and director. She currently works as a development coordinator at Mission Control Media and is a proud graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts.

Natalie Hurt – Associate Producer
Natalie Hurt is an LA-based producer, writer, actor, and recent USC SDA graduate. Her past experience includes working as Executive Assistant for the CEO of Griffin Talent and as Casting Assistant for CBS. She is currently an Executive Assistant at Platinum Financial Management.

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Contact

For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.