STORY

In an isolated religious commune, Bethany faces a life-altering choice when a rebellious outsider, Lucy, introduces her to a world beyond the farm. Now, Bethany must choose between a life of obedience rooted in fear or a chance at freedom and love.

Directors Statement

This is precisely the kind of story the world needs right now. Buried within it are strong, timely themes that reflect the realities we face today. The commune symbolizes the power of brainwashing and how our upbringing shapes our beliefs—without exposure to the outside world, the mind can become a trap.

This film reveals the painful truth that fear can overtake love, and that individualism is a choice, one that is often difficult and costly. I believe this is a story worth sharing because, while we’re all caught up in our thoughts, it’s time to step back, expand our thinking, and witness the power of control from an outsider’s perspective.

Although fictional, the themes and emotions woven into this film are deeply rooted in reality. I hope audiences will not only relate to them but also reflect on how these forces shape their own lives.

Social Relivance

Throughout the story, we witness Bethany’s faith being shaken and her worldview evolving as she begins to question everything she’s ever known. But it’s challenging to climb out of a rabbit hole when you’ve lived your entire life within it. From a non-objective perspective, it might appear easy just to leave the commune and find freedom — but in reality, it’s far more complex, especially when your entire identity is built around a belief system.
Lucy shows how individuality poses a threat to the stability of a structured group. Like many societies and communities, the commune maintains control through conformity. Lucy disrupts that structure, revealing the true power of self-expression.
At its core, this film explores themes of identity and belonging. It ultimately poses the question of whether love and opportunity can truly prevail in an environment so deeply shaped by psychological conditioning.

Current Production Phase

Awake is currently in pre-production. We’re awaiting the results of several grant proposals and scriptwriting competitions. We recently completed a successful crowdfunding campaign, raising nearly $4,000.
The majority of department head positions have been filled, and each team is actively preparing and planning for production. We’re also seeking additional sponsors; several local businesses have already stepped up to contribute meals for the crew and assist with costumes and production design. We are currently scouting locations and moving forward with casting. So far, over 300 actors have auditioned through Backstage alone, and we’re awaiting approval to post on Actors Access as well.
Filming is scheduled for Friday, February 20th through Sunday, February 22nd, 2026, and Friday, February 27th through Sunday, March 1st, 2026. Once filming wraps, the footage will be sent to the editor and the post-production team. We have until the end of August to achieve picture lock and be ready to submit to Sundance on September 1st.