Project Description: A feature film by Chinese American filmmaker Jingjing Tian, supported by Sundance Institute, Jerome Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts, and The Gotham Film & Media Institute. Story: When Lee destroys the only friendship she has outside of her volatile family, she must find a new way to escape.

Roles:

• Lee (8-12, female, Asian) - Lead role. Knowledge of Mandarin a plus but not a must. Lee is playful, creative, and compassionate. A happy go lucky child who has recently moved to Texas from China. She just wants to swim, sing, and draw like a normal kid, but even those basic things are too much to ask of the adults around her. She wants her parents to get along and be happy but when their frustrations and stresses are turned towards her, she becomes angry and confused as her parents punish her for even the smallest asks. As life begins to weigh down on her, she begins to self-isolate and hurt others inadvertently. Yet, she is resilient and brave.

• John (8-12, male, Black/African descent) - Supporting role. John is kind, perceptive, and loyal. Kind and thoughtful, he has a great big heart and wants to help others. He is Lee’s best friend and a talented artist. He sees himself as his mother’s confidante and protector. Because he sees himself as the man of the house, he has grown up and become responsible too early in life, and feels a sense of responsibility for others, sometimes to his detriment. But he will instill boundaries and walk away if someone hurts him and betrays him. He wants a friend who will be as loyal to him as he is to others.

Dates: TBC

Compensation: US $1,300-5,500 (flat rate)

Submission Instructions:

• Email for more information.

Please note that casting is handled by respective casting agencies and not Babel Film Workshop. If you would like support from us, please send us an email.