Details
Union:
Union or Non union
Area of media:
Film School
Network:
Paid?:
No
Rates:
Unpaid Student Production
Deadline:
Dec 5, 2025
Auditions:
Self tapes by request
Callbacks:
In-person @ 180 Mill St
Shooting starts:
Feb 1, 2026
Shooting finishes:
Feb 9, 2026 Weekends
Shooting locations:
Toronto
Cities for response:
Toronto
Comments
We can accept union and non-union actors through our student agreement with ACTRA. This is a non-paying student film and no permit is required. Actors will receive a copy of the finished film for their demo reel. We will offer on set meals and transportation to set if needed.
Storyline
A Shoebox Phoenix is a grounded coming of age short film with a fantasy approach. It follows Malcolm, a quiet and imaginative 10-year-old boy navigating the ups and downs of childhood while struggling to complete his poem for school. After witnessing a mysterious burst of light in a parking lot, Malcolm discovers an injured, glowing bird that he believes to be a Phoenix. As he cares for the creature, he devises a plan to sell his favourite pair of shoes to his best friend in order to cover the veterinary fee. This brief magical encounter gives him the needed inspiration to complete his class poem.
Roles
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Lead | Malcolm | Male 8 - 12 Years old |
Description Ethnicity: Mixed or Black. MALCOLM is soft-spoken and observant, caught between the chaos of the adults around him and his opinionated friends. Often found sketching in his notebook, Malcolm finds comfort in comic books and daydreaming his own fantasies. When he finds an injured bird it sparks a sense of purpose, and he works desperately to help it. Deeply intelligent, he often chooses to keep his words for himself. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | Austin | Male 25 - 33 Years old |
Description AUSTIN is a young father who’s still trying to figure it out. Deeply caring, he tries his best to connect with his son Malcolm through their mutual love of comic books and fantasy. Nonetheless, the pressures of his personal life often lead him to being distant and short tempered. Austin is sarcastic and warm, struggling to balance the weight of what he thinks an ideal father should be. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | Monet | Female 28 - 33 Years old |
Description Ethnicity: Mixed or Black. MONET is grounded, but tired. An excellent single mother, she feels she carries the majority of the emotional burden of raising Malcolm. Anchored in adult life, she provides stability but struggles to see the magic of Malcolm's world. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | Benji | Male 12 - 13 Years old |
Description BENJI is Malcolm’s loud, opinionated, and performative best friend. Benji wants everyone to think highly of him, and won’t miss an opportunity to let you know. Funny, quick witted and cartoonish, he’s crucial to the climax of the film as his main goal is to acquire Malcolm’s prized Heely shoes. Some coarse language required. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | Uzair | Male 8 - 10 Years old |
Description UZAIR is sweet, gentle, and a little anxious. Soft spoken with a stutter, he’s a caring friend that doesn’t tolerate bullying. The anchor of the friend group, his kind honesty often leads him to bickering with Benji’s rowdiness. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | VETERINARIAN | All 40 - 70 Years old |
Description THE VETERINARIAN is warm and eccentric, treating Malcom like an adult. Open Minded and humorous, she takes her job of caring for animals very seriously, always doing her best to nurture them back to health. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | Nancy | Female 50 - 60 Years old |
Description Ethnicity: Black. Malcoms Grandmother, NANCY is full of attitude, blunt honesty, and chaotic love. Her sternness is an extension of her love, meaning she often gets the last word in an argument. Nancy is charismatic and sharp, always delivering the punchline when the opportunity arises. | ||