Coming Soon · A Short Film
A Calm,
Cool Face
A story of two brothers and the weight of what is left unsaid.
A new independent short film launching a crowdfunding campaign on Seed & Spark. Join our community today to secure exclusive behind-the-scenes access and a free digital download of the official script following our premiere.
Logline
During a nostalgic weekend at their childhood beach, an observant young man struggles to decode his brother's increasingly erratic behavior, and begins to suspect his brother is hiding something that could change both of their lives forever.
Synopsis
Mitchell and his younger brother Darrell take a nostalgic trip to the beach boardwalk their mother used to bring them to as children. What begins as a carefree weekend — music, laughter, arcades, old memories — slowly reveals a deeper emotional undercurrent as Mitchell notices unsettling changes in his brother's behavior.
Darrell, once withdrawn and anxious, suddenly moves through the world with reckless confidence. As the brothers reconnect along the shoreline, buried emotions and unspoken pain surface between them. Mitchell begins to realize that his brother is hiding something, and the truth threatens to change both of their lives forever.
Why This Film Matters
A Calm, Cool Face is a short dramatic film exploring brotherhood and concealed depression. It examines how emotional suffering can remain hidden behind humor, affection, and ordinary moments.
Designed as both a cinematic work and a conversation catalyst, the project aims to support dialogue around mental health awareness, emotional isolation, and the importance of destigmatizing mental illness. We plan to submit to film festivals and to partner with nonprofit organizations centered around mental illness to facilitate community screenings and make a social impact with our story.
The Filmmakers
D.C. Lewis
Writer and co-director; D.C. is drawn to telling grounded stories in cinematic ways. His film Eye to Eye won the award for Best Documentary at the 2023 Manhattan Independent Film Festival.
Aaron Wilson Watson
Co-creator, co-director & cinematographer; Aaron has a passion for storytelling through compelling and visually striking content. He served as the Deputy Director of Video for the Biden-Harris Administration.
Cordelia Donovan
Producer; Cordelia is a dynamic entrepreneur, advocate and independent producer with a unique blend of strength and charm. Her production credits include Respect the Jux, a crime thriller streaming on Starz and Amazon Prime.
Stay Close to the Film
We would love your support!
Our crowdfunding campaign to raise production funds for A Calm, Cool Face starts very soon! This campaign will allow us to shoot the film and cover all filming expenses!
Leave your name and email to receive a free digital copy of the script after the film's premiere, exclusive behind the scenes updates, as well as a notification the second our campaign goes live! Supporting us on Day 1 of our campaign launch will be essential to its success, and our earliest Day 1 backers will receive their name in the credits!
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