A FILM BY - ASPIRATION PRODUCTIONS
A struggling family tries to recreate their past but makes a colossal decision that alters their
future irrevocably.
This story follows a close-knit family standing at a pivotal crossroads. Jay and Liz Ellis are a
married couple with a baby boy named Khari. While Jay is a laid-back, content man, his wife,
Liz, and his determined mother, Beenie, share ambitious dreams for Khari and their family. They
long to reclaim the comfortable lifestyle they once knew. They make a bold choice to achieve
their vision. As their desires and priorities clash, the family’s journey unfolds in a heartfelt
exploration of ambition, sacrifice, and the bonds that hold them together.
Short films offer artists a powerful medium to tell meaningful stories and engage deeply with
audiences. However, the financial demand of production—covering locations, editing, music,
lodging, food, travel, props, festival fees, and more—can be overwhelming. Your support, in any
amount, can play a vital role in making this film a reality. Every contribution brings us closer to
sharing a story that could inspire, move, and connect people.
Thank you!
We are thrilled to have you join us on the incredible journey as we bring this engaging and
unpredictable story to life together. Your support means the world to us, and we would be so
grateful if you could share this project with your network to help spread the word. Thank you for
being an essential part of our adventure!
$10.00+ and Tag our campaign link to Friends & Family on Social Media – You will receive A
Thank You! Every dollar counts.
$25.00+ and Tag our campaign link to Friends & Family on Social Media – You will receive A
Thank You! And a shoutout on FB as a donor.
$50+ and Tag our campaign link to Friends & Family on Social Media – You will receive A Thank You! A shoutout on FB and IG as a donor.
$100.00+! and Tag our campaign link to Friends & Family on Social Media – You will receive A
Thank You! A shoutout on FB and an Invitation to the Premier Screening. (In person or Online
TBD)
$500.00+ - You will receive All of the above, plus A video recorded Thank You from selected
Cast or Crew. A Digital Poster. Plus, select seats for you and a guest if we have a Premier
Screening in a theater. (In person or Online TBD)
$1000.00+ - You will receive All of the above, A video recorded Thank You from selected Cast
and Crew. Plus, select seats for you and a guest if we have a Premier Screening in a theater. (In
person or Online TBD) A day on the set.
$2500.00+ You will receive All of the above, an early viewing, and an Associate Producer
Credit.*
$5000.00+ All of the above, A VIP Experience at the Premiere if we open in a theater, an
Autographed copy of Aspirations—The Script, An autographed photo by selected cast or crew,
and an Executive Producer Credit.*
*By contributing $2,500 or more to this campaign, you will receive an Associate Producer credit
in the film. This credit is honorary and does not grant any rights, warranties, creative control,
decision-making authority, financial interest, ownership, or legal association with the film or
Aspirations Productions LLC. The credit is solely a recognition of your generous support and
does not entitle you to royalties, profit participation, or any other benefits beyond those explicitly
stated in this campaign. Aspirations Productions LLC retains all rights, ownership, and control
over the film and its related materials.
"Aspirations Productions LLC is raising funds for the production of Aspirations. While we are committed to completing the project as described, unforeseen circumstances such as production delays, budget constraints, or creative changes may impact the timeline and final outcome. Backers acknowledge that contributions are voluntary and do not guarantee specific results beyond the rewards outlined in this campaign. All funds will be used for the stated purpose of film production and any associated fees, taxes, or expenses related to the film or Aspirations Productions LLC. No refunds will be issued once funds are allocated."
"We appreciate your support in bringing [Aspirations to life! All rewards will be fulfilled as described; however, estimated delivery dates are subject to change due to production schedules and unforeseen circumstances. If any reward becomes unavailable, we will provide a comparable alternative of equal value. We are not responsible for lost or undeliverable shipments due to incorrect backer information. Please ensure your mailing address is accurate when submitting your pledge."
"This is a donation-based crowdfunding campaign. Contributions do not grant any ownership, equity, or profit-sharing rights in Aspirations Productions LLC, Aspirations, or any future revenues generated by the film. This campaign is not an investment opportunity, and no financial returns are promised or implied."
"Aspirations Productions LLC is a for-profit company. Contributions may be considered taxable business income. We are not a nonprofit organization, and donations are not tax-deductible. If your reward includes physical merchandise, applicable sales tax may be collected based on New York State laws. Backers understand that their support is voluntary and does not create a contractual obligation for specific results beyond reward fulfillment."
"All contributions to this campaign are final. Due to the nature of independent filmmaking, we cannot offer refunds once funds are allocated toward production expenses. If significant production challenges arise, we will communicate updates to backers and make every effort to complete the project as planned.”
Ronald is a pastor, speaker, and multi-talented musician and singer with a deep passion for inspiring others through faith and creativity. With a background in acting, he has graced both the stage and screen, bringing stories to life with authenticity and emotion. His love for the arts has always intertwined with his ministry, using music and performance to connect with audiences on a profound level. Now, as he prepares to step back into acting for an upcoming short film, Ronald is excited to merge his experience and faith-driven storytelling to create a powerful and meaningful performance.
Anchal Dhir is an Indian NYC-based actress and classically trained singer. She is in her second year of Meisner acting training under Bruce McCarty at the William Esper Studio. Earned two Encouragement Awards from the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition in the NYC District. Her recent credits include a reading of the new Opera Custom of the Coast (Savita Halappanavar) at The National Sawdust, which will premiere at the Kilkenny Arts Festival in Ireland, The Baker's Wife (Dominique) at VLOG, and Pirates of Penzance (Mabel) at Ithaca College. In addition to performing, Anchal is a filmmaker with her newest work "COME UNTO HIM" to be released soon!
Kathi never set out to be a director, a producer, or a casting director. She simply wanted to write dazzling screenplays full of snappy dialogue, intricate plots, and draw-dropping historical fiction movies about extraordinary women. But Hollywood, in all its wisdom, clearly has other plans for her. After years of watching her scripts disappear into the development void— where they house themselves in her computer, on her desk, on the kitchen table, on the living room couch, and in her dreams... Kathi had the epiphany that if she wanted to see her stories on screen, she had to do the unthinkable: make them herself. Her first three films, “No Monster in the Closet,” “Peanut Butterdrop Ice Cream,” and “Sunday,” she was able to produce financially quite quickly, but today the success of her new film. “Aspirations,” she is relying on the kindness of friends, family, strangers, and the grace of God. Thank you for your generosity!
Katy Frame is a cinematographer, director, and editor. She has worked on a diverse range of subjects and formats, from comedic TV pilots to music videos to dramatic shorts to presidential campaign projects and everything in between. She especially loves to work directly with writers, comedians, musicians, and other creative people to bring their projects to life. She has a special place in her heart for female-forward productions, and she brings an exuberant and loving energy to each project she works on.
Rojonna Luv, a native of New Haven, CT, has been a creative force since the age of one, when she first began exploring the world of Dance. With a foundation in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Modern, Tap, Hip Hop, West African, and Musical Theater, Rojonna’s artistic journey unfolded naturally. Throughout her youth, she honed her craft at Art schools and Theater camps, igniting a deep passion for ACTING, WRITING, and ENTERTAINING. Rojonna’s desire to push the boundaries of storytelling led her to study filmmaking at Richard Lawson Studios, and she recently graduated from NYU’s prestigious Tisch School of the Arts Film & TV program, further developing her skills in both Film and Television.
Self-described as an *ARTIVIST*, Rojonna has written, directed, and produced both short and feature films, while also owning and operating her very own Dance Studio. She is now expanding her expertise in the entertainment world with Disney Theatrical Group, where she’s a key part of the production team. With boundless creativity and ambition, Rojonna is thrilled to be contributing her talents to the upcoming *Aspirations* film, where she looks forward to playing a pivotal role in bringing this exciting project to life.
Xiaoyu (Sabrina) Wu, 26, based in NYC. Graduated from Emerson College in the major of Media Art Production in 2022. In the past 3 years, as location sound and post mixer, I have done over 50+ productions, including short films, feature films, documentaries, and commercials.
Robin P. Hemmings holds a BA in Theatre Dance with Honors and a Master of Education (MEd). However, Robin has been a clothing and costume designer since her earlier days in high school, where her focus of study was clothing and architectural design. She has created garments for her personal use and clients and created costumes for the arts departments at school, dance studios, and theatre houses throughout the New York City tri-state. She also has her own line of crocheted outerwear accessories and home designs that show off her personal style. Robin's flair and passion for fashion can be seen in all the design projects she takes part in. As part of the Aspirations team as the costume designer, Robin is thrilled to be able to share her vision of incorporating costumes that will capture the essence of the film's time period. Her eye for costume embodies this ability, bringing the viewer closer to the characters of the Aspirations.
Lily Estelle (she/they) is a New York-based freelance special effects makeup artist and recent graduate of New York University. She enjoys using makeup as a means of artistic expression, mainly through prosthetic creation, application, and practical effects. Credits include Blue, Like Green (2023), In Corpo (Off-Broadway), Fissures (2023), Journey to the West (2024), Sour Candy (2024), and If I Kill You (Music Video).
Niara Niles is a Brooklyn-based artist and recent graduate of the SUNY Purchase Film Conservatory. Her work centers around the human experience, primarily focusing on emotional connection and interpersonal relationships. She's had a passion for storytelling since the age of 7, and her goal is to create relatable art that can be shared across all platforms.
Bill serves as a consultant for Aspirations, providing expertise in finance and budget management. He recognizes the film’s potential to bring awareness to the community and is committed to supporting its success. He has led compliance teams, supervised over 500 representatives, and served as a liaison with regulators. His expertise in policy development, risk mitigation, and compliance training has helped firms align regulatory requirements with business objectives while fostering a culture of integrity and ethical conduct. Leveraging his extensive industry background, he is excited to contribute to Aspirations and help bring its vision to life
Petol Weekes is the founder and producer of Glass Flower Films. Originally from the island of Trinidad and Tobago, Petol came to New York with the sole purpose of pursuing acting, which she did in small theatre productions. She was cast in the Infinite Variety Production of 'A Piece of My Heart' by Shirley Lauro, which took her on an unexpected path. With IVP, she quickly became involved in producing and stayed with the company as an actress and co-producer of the play 'These Shining Lives' by Melanie Marnich and a co-producer of Eclipsed by Elizabeth Brogan and 'Censored on Final Approach' by Phyllis Ravel.
Petol realized her true passion when she was given an opportunity to work as a Line Producer on Orion Studios award-winning short film 'Metal Gear.’ She went on to write, direct, and produce the short film "Glass Flowers," which screened at various festivals in New York and Los Angeles.
She then branched out on her own by creating the production company Glass Flower Films LLC, which has a variety of projects at various stages of production, such as the Web series ‘The My Take Show’ and ‘Facts and 2 Cents’, Short Films “Glass Flowers’ and ‘Loving Billy' and Documentaries.
Aspiring Data Analyst | Exploring Tech, Project Management, & Finance | Graphic Design Experience Currently studying Data Analysis, I’m excited to apply my skills to the tech and finance industries. I’m eager to deepen my expertise and contribute to data-driven decision-making. With a foundation in graphic design, I bring a unique blend of analytical and creative thinking, helping me approach challenges with both precision and innovation. I’m actively seeking opportunities to grow and make a meaningful impact through data analysis and design. I'm excited to be a Production Assistant on Aspirations because I have a drive to learn new things and I have an eye for detailing the arts.
Kathi Kennedy is a writer, director, and producer. Her feature screenplays include Behind the Curtain of My Mind, About Face, Stories We Never Told, and In Sheep’s Clothing. Her shorts are Aspirations, At Night, Always, Black and White, Sunday, Nothing Else Matters, Peanut Butterdrop Ice Cream, Miami and Sweat, No Monster in the Closet, and webisodes, Zoonosis, and Sour.
With a passion for writing and a creative mindset, Kathi Kennedy is a versatile writer capable of producing content in various niches, from screenplays to stage plays to children's books or blog posts to product descriptions. Kathi Kennedy can create content that engages and informs your audience. Ms. Kennedy's directorial and producing credits include short films Peanut Butterdrop Ice Cream and No Monster in the Closet. Kathi is the Producer of Brigette ReDavid's Love's First Bullet. She's produced two of her own films, Peanut Butterdrop Ice Cream, No Monster in The Closet, and Loving Billy by Petol Weekes. Kathi is the Associate Producer for Glass Flowers by Petol Weekes and Molly by Brigette ReDavid.
A stripper steers her best friend's daughter from a life of danger and false hope, but the decision uproots both their lives.
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