Casting Call: Absent

Casting calls list

Short Film

Absent

Details

Union:

Non union

Area of media:

Short Film

Network:

Paid?:

Rates:

Lodging will be provided if needed, meals provided, and transportation costs will be reimbursed. Actors will receive an honorarium, IMDb credits will be provided, as well as a copy of the film. Film will be submitted to film festivals.

Deadline:

June 23, 2025

Auditions:

Auditions will be via self-tapes

Callbacks:

Callbacks will be held via Zoom

Shooting starts:

Sept 15, 2025

Shooting finishes:

Sept 18, 2025

Shooting locations:

Production will occur in the Niagara Region (Thorold/St. Catherine's)

Cities for response:

Toronto

Comments

Filming will take place from September 15-19, 2025 and will occur in the Niagara Region. Rehearsals and Production Meetings will occur over Zoom/Google Meets throughout the Summer.

This film will be directed by Kayla Neves, the writer of 'Absent.' She will also be starring in the film as Evelyn. Actors submitting for Steven and Jordan are recommended to bare similar features to Kayla, although it is not necessary for submissions.

Storyline

Casting ‘Absent’ - A Drama Short Film. Synopsis: Evelyn’s 21st birthday is around the corner, and all her father, Steven, wants is for her birthday to go perfectly. After their mother’s continuous cancellations in their plans, Evelyn and her brother, Jordan don’t have much hope in her anymore, although they still hold onto who she used to be. To make up for Laura’s mistakes, Steven plans out a surprise, in hopes that she can redeem herself

Roles

Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Lead	Steven	Male 50 - 55 Years old
Description (White) Steven is a driven, family-oriented, compassionate man, and a very wholesome and dedicated father to his two kids. Ever since him and his wife divorced 7 years ago, he has worked hard at raising Evelyn and Jordan all by himself. All he wants is for his family to be happy, and tries his best to make sure they stay that way
Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Lead	Jordan	Male 20 - 24 Years old
Description (White) Jordan is a witty, honest, and considerate young man, the older of the two siblings, and the typical jokester of the family. He can be described as the “comedic relief” of the film. He is very close with his family, besides his mother. Despite missing his mother’s presence, he has given up on their relationship and wishes his sister would do the same. He is not afraid to hide his true feelings but will in order to keep his sister happy
Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Supporting	Dylan	Male 20 - 23 Years old
Description (Any Ethnicity) Dylan is a devoted, well-intentioned, honest young man and the boyfriend to Evelyn. He fits right into her family, and only wants the best for her. Dylan tends to get caught up in Evelyn’s mother drama and hates to see how this all affects his girlfriend. He wants to be honest with her about his disliking towards her mother but knows that sometimes telling the truth can be more harmful than keeping his thoughts to himself. (Actor needed for 1 day on set) NOTE: 1 scene shares a kiss between him and Evelyn, so actor must be comfortable with sharing a kiss
Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Supporting	Laura	Female 45 - 55 Years old
Description (Voiceover Role) Laura is a distant, oblivious, and unreliable woman, and the mother to Jordan and Evelyn. When her and Steven got divorced, she moved out and wanted to restart her life over, this unfortunately causing her to drift away from her kids. She never meant to cause a rift in their relationship, and even though she knows she isn’t as present in their lives as she should be, she sees no harm in her absence, and doesn’t acknowledge the damage that it has done to her children’s lives, still seeing herself as this wonderful mother who loves her kids NOTES: Laura's voice is heard through voicemails + phone calls to Evelyn Actor will be asked to send in a picture of themself, as it will be seen in the film

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