NIMBY – the film
In a post-pandemic world obsessed with longevity, personal freedom, and social status, NIMBY taps into our collective anxiety around aging, control, and survival. It uses humor and horror to spotlight the selfishness hidden behind neighborly smiles.
$5010
pledged of $15,000 goal
4
backers
59
days to go
THE STORY
A seemingly lighthearted suburban birthday dinner unravels into chaos when the birthday boy reveals he may have discovered the fountain of youth—in his neighbor’s backyard. What begins as neighborly banter devolves into desperation, betrayal, and bloodshed as morality, mortality, and privilege collide.
GENRE & TONE
SATIRICAL THRILLER: Think The Invitation meets The Twilight Zone—with sharp dialogue, claustrophobic tension, and a razor-edge critique of suburban hypocrisy, masculinity, and entitlement.
THE HOOK
In a single location with a handful of characters, NIMBY delivers escalating tension, timely commentary, and explosive drama. It’s a contained, high-impact short that examines what happens when the myth of eternal life collides with the myth of the American Dream—all inside a dining room.
THEME
At its core, NIMBY explores the idea that fear of death—and the ego that comes with it—can corrupt even the most familiar relationships. It skewers toxic masculinity, performative morality, and the rot beneath polite suburbia.
VISUAL STYLE
Single-location, stage-like realism with stylized tension. The camera should move like a guest at the dinner table— eavesdropping, trapped, intimate. Color palette starts warm and desaturated, growing colder and harsher as tension rises. Think: Hereditary meets August: Osage County.
CASTING NOTES
A strong ensemble of 40-something actors with serious comedic and dramatic chops. The script demands nuance— characters must be likable, infuriating, charming, and dangerous, often all at once. Ideal for recognizable character actors in a prestige short.
CHARACTERS
SAM
Gentle, introspective, and a little odd. Sam’s a scientist at heart, fascinated by nature and quietly carrying emotional weight. He’s the moral center of the group—and the one whose discovery tears everyone apart.
DAVE
A rigid, tightly wound off-duty police officer with a chip on his shoulder. Dave masks deep insecurity with sarcasm, control, and a short fuse. Jealous, territorial, and convinced he’s the moral backbone of the group.
MARY
Warm, sharp, and quietly independent. Mary is trying to reclaim parts of herself—her vitality, her identity. She’s not afraid to call her husband, Dave, out but often tries to keep the peace until things go too far. She’s the emotional conscience of the group.
JOE
Charming, confident, and maybe just a little too smooth. Joe’s the group’s resident skeptic and smart ass, always armed with a quip. His teasing hides real tension—especially with Dave. Whether or not something happened with Mary, he enjoys living in that gray area.
REBECCA
Deeply religious, Rebecca straddles two identities: one shaped by faith, and one by personal transformation. She quotes scripture but isn’t above pettiness. Her desire for eternal life is framed as righteous, but might mask unresolved insecurities and a hunger for legitimacy.
PRODUCTION SCOPE
Running Time: 15 Minutes
Budget Range: $15-25K
Shooting Days: 2
Location: Single suburban home
Cast: 8 main speaking roles
FX: Minimal practical effects (blood, prop gun, broken glass)
FILM FESTIVALS
NIMBY is built for top-tier short film fests—Sundance, Tribeca, SXSW, Palm Springs—where socially conscious, darkly funny, sharply written short films thrive. Its castable ensemble and explosive finale make it ideal for standout programming.
THE ASK
We are currently seeking $15,000 in production funding to bring NIMBY to life. The funds will cover talent, crew, location, production design, post-production, and festival submissions. With the script locked and casting underway, your support helps move us into production by Fall 2025.
THE TEAM
LIL MALINICH — Director
Lil Malinich is an actress, director, producer and acting coach based in NYC. Her diverse body of stage work includes classic and contemporary plays including Uncle Vanya, Timberlake: American Pulp, Life Without Parole, and the biographical play Fruits Unheard Of in which she portrayed American photographer Diane Arbus. Feature film and TV credits include Construction and Paradise, “All My Children,” “Gotham,” “Law & Order” and season 4 of “Godfather of Harlem.” Lil directed and produced the NYC premiere of The Way I Am, a one-woman show inspired by the life and work of Barbra Streisand as well as They Called Me Rita inspired by Rita Hayworth which premiered at the United Solo Festival. For the Verve Project she directed Laundry & Bourbon and Mercury at Theatre Row. For the New York Theatre Festival, Lil directed Lucy & Lucy which won Best Production and Best Actress Awards and at the Chain Theatre, Talk Therapy. Lil is currently the acting instructor at the Joffrey Ballet School and . She also coaches Forest Whitaker: Projects include Big George Foreman, “Andor,” “Emperor of Ocean Park” and “Godfather of Harlem.” The Main Event, a short film
BRENDAN VAN METER — Director/Producer
LENNON NERSESIAN — Writer/Producer
Lennon Nersesian is an NY Emmy‐nominated writer, film editor, and producer, and the author of five novels. He earned his nomination for PBS music programming, producing Art of Music with Sheryl Crow at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the concert series Soundcheck, Live at Analog, Front&Center, and With, which have showcased legendary artists such as PeterFrampton, HankWilliams, BillyStrings, GaryClark Jr., DariusRucker, AC/DC, John Mellencamp, MollyTuttle, and BruceSpringsteen, to name a few. Lennon edited the acclaimed documentaries Two: The Story of Roman&Nyro, chronicling music legend DesmondChild’s ten‐year journey to parenthood, and produced the feature documentary CatnipNation and the high-ranking Witness to 9/11: In the Shadows of Ground Zero. Lennon also co wrote the feature-length screenplays National Pastime and Atom, both semifinalists at the Austin Screenplay and Teleplay Competition, and teaches producing and editing labs at Sarah Lawrence College.
CONTACT
Support Our Film
It takes a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to make a film. We appreciate your support at any level, and here you can support the project without reward.
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• Private streaming link to Watch the Finished Film before it’s released
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• Digital Downloads! Movie poster & production stills
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• Access to a Virtual Q&A with the director and cast
• A limited-edition Physical Movie Poster mailed to your door (27″ x 40″)
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• Visit the Set (if local) or a virtual set tour
• Your Name in the End Credits under “Associate Producer”
• Your Name on IMDb as “Associate Producer” -
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• Your Name in the End Credits under “Producer”
• Your Name on IMDb as “Producer”
• VIP invite to a festival screening or premiere (with a +1)
• Personalized thank-you video from the cast and crew