a film by CHRISTOPHER CUNETTO
how can you live if
you can’t live with
YOURSELF?
A drag queen haunted by addiction must battle vivid hallucinations to nail a life-changing performance.
Gideon Parks
Tall, muscular, and handsome - the stereotypical perfect gay guy. Uses his looks and privilege to get exactly what he wants. He is cunning, witty, jocular, seductive. Pushes boundaries to maintain his control.
Corri O’Hare
Androgynous or nonbinary. Kind and sensitive but lacks self-awareness. Corri is desperate to fill the void inside. They are tentative and reserved. Drag is their source of power and freedom.
CHARACTERS
Vic Rodgers
Punk rock/biker type. Relentlessly honest and grounded in love. She has seen so much - and doesn’t suffer bullshit or fools as a result. Struggles to find the line between tough love and reckless honesty.
Ryan McAllister
Kind and trustworthy demeanor. Genuinely interested in the success of those around him, and willing to put his neck on the line to give someone a chance at their dreams.
FILMMAKERS
Christopher Cunetto
Writer/Director/Producer
Christopher Cunetto is an award-winning writer, director, and editor based in Washington, DC. Beyond his work in commercial design and video, his narrative film has been screened at diverse venues - from the premiere of his short film Jeux, a love letter to DC LGBT nightlife, at local bar Number 9, to a selection of shorts celebrating Iberian poets at The Kennedy Center, to short films screening internationally. His latest short Safe Word is currently in festivals, including the Academy Award Qualifying fest Provincetown International Film Festival and Canadian Screen Award qualifying festival Inside Out Toronto.
“A filmmaker, artist, and designer by trade, I'm a passionate creative leader hell-bent on making things that move people. I have built a creative career on top of my passion for incredible visual experiences, my technical skills, my commitment to showing up and doing the hard work, and a belief that art and story are the most effective tools to inspire action in those around us.”
Christopher Recieved his B.F.A in Painting and Drawing from the Corocoran School of Art in Washington, DC and graduated Summa Cum Laude with an M.A. focused on Writing and Directing from American University in Washington, DC. He has supplemented his creative studies with the New York Studio Residency Program in Brooklyn, NY.
Mauricio Pita
Producer, “Ryan”
Mauricio Pita is an award-winning actor, producer, and director based in Washington, DC. His most recent film, Safe Word (HereTV, Stash Short Films), became a favorite on the 2023-24 queer film festival circuit, screening at prestigious festivals such as Toronto's Inside Out, the Provincetown International Film Festival, and Cinema Diverse in Palm Springs (Audience Favorite). The film also received awards and honorable mentions in major LGBTQ film festivals in Washington, DC, New York, and South Korea.
Other notable film credits include Orphée et Eurydice (InSeries Opera), Tu Yo Baño, Sexo, Ahora directed by Francisco Lupini (Cannes, Palm Springs), as well as Inside Voices and Waiting Room (Arena Stage).
Mauricio’s stage work includes devising the original play Safe Keeping, which toured Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia & Herzegovina; producing the Voices of Now festival at Arena Stage from 2019 to 2024; and directingBlood Wedding (GALA Hispanic Theatre) and The Smiles Behind (Kennedy Center/ENOUGH! Plays to End Gun Violence). As an actor, Mauricio has performed with Studio Theatre, The Kennedy Center, Manhattan Theatre Club, and more, while also appearing in national ad campaigns for DirecTV, Target, and Fisher-Price.
An occasional singer, Mauricio recently performed with three-time Latin Grammy winner Nathy Peluso and the American Pops Orchestra at the Hispanic Heritage Awards.
“I am captivated by seemingly small experiences that unlock giant discoveries and lead to universal questions. I aim to create films that stimulate conversations about mental health and foster social transformation, especially for the Queer and Latinx communities.”
Nina Young
Producer, Assistant Director
“My name is Nina Young. I’m a screenwriter, director, and producer from Detroit, MI with a passion for exploring the Black female identity through film. I write stories about Black women who find ways to maneuver through relationships, work, and all the murky parts of life. I believe that Black women deserve to have the space in Hollywood to explore, expand, and create their narrative.
In 2019, I earned my MFA in film from Howard University. Since then I have worked on a number of short independent films. Recently I served as the unit production manager and first assistant director on Leo Films’ Alemanji and associate produced Tepui Media’s award-winning short film Safe Word.
In the Fall of 2022, I wrapped post-production on my short film, The Problem with Erin- a story about a young woman who struggles with the decision to finalize her divorce.
Brandon Habuda
Director of Photography
Brandon Habuda is a Washington DC-area Director of Photography known for crafting visual narratives that deeply resonate with audiences. His work on the recent short film "Blackbird," directed by Sheila Avellino, highlights his commitment to exploring complex themes like mental health through cinematography, with Sheila stating: "Brandon's ability to capture subtle nuances in lighting and composition was instrumental in bringing our vision to life." Brandon approaches his craft with a focus on authenticity and intimacy.
His expertise as both a Camera Operator and DP enables him to blend technical precision with artistic innovation. His commercial work for clients such as Cartier, Bethesda Game Studios, and the U.S. Coast Guard showcases his versatility and skill, allowing his visual style to make an impact on diverse brands and audiences internationally.
By pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling in the indie and commercial film industry, Brandon strives to delve into profound emotional landscapes through his cinematography. He works to use authentic visual storytelling and innovative techniques to influence and inspire his clients and community, while leaving a lasting impact on audiences and developing his reputation as one of the area’s leading cinematographers.
TIMELINE
ONGOING
DEVELOPMENT AND
FUNDRAISING
AUG - NOV ‘24
PREPRODUCTION
NOV ‘24
PRODUCTION
NOV ‘24
EDIT
NOV-FEB ‘24
POSTPRODUCTION
FEB ‘25
VIP SCREENING +
FESTIVAL APPLICATIONS
DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Brian Cox, JR’s Bar, Agora DC, Andrew Isen
AlanMichael, Anonymous, Michael Bellavia, Jonathan Borgia, Abigail Cady, Christopher Cannon, Julie Casey, Troy Cassel, Jason Cline, Crystal Freeman, Shanara Gabrielle, Holly Hassett, Chloe Himmel, Nichole Lemmon, Rebecca Medrano, Timothy Metzner, Carl Rosendorf, and Seth Turner.
Generous Supporters
Special Thanks
Eli Downs, Lockhouse Studios
Ryan Aghabozorg, John Burrows, Flávio Cardão, Michael Carter, Ashtin Charles, Angèle Cipriotti, Ryan Daniels, Macilio De Jesus, Trenor Gould, AlanMichael, Rich Henry, Caroline Howe, Ben Hubbard, Francisco Javier, Yogita Jasani, Garrett Koller, Charlie Linder, Chazmen McCarter, Lindsey Miller, Daniel Muñoz, Heath Naylor, Bernard O’Connor, Dayan Reynolds, Chris Rios, Jose Rodriguez, Patrick Sasai, Matt Simmons, Corey Squibb, Jonathan Thomas, Johnny Wang, Anderson Wells, and B. Williams.
