Details
Union:
Union or Non union
Area of media:
Short Film
Network:
Paid?:
Yes
Rates:
UBCP ULB. Lead roles will be paid an honorarium of $200/ day, Supporting roles $125/ day.
Deadline:
Apr 15, 2026
Shooting starts:
May 19, 2026
Shooting finishes:
May 24, 2026
Shooting locations:
Vancouver
Cities for response:
Vancouver
Comments
"Based loosely on our own upbringing, we created this story to explore the layered reality of immigrant guilt: what it means to build a life for yourself on the shoulders of your parents, while carrying the weight of what, and who, was left behind. It is a love letter to immigrant parents everywhere, and an effort to portray Middle Eastern families as complex and fully human, challenging the narrow ways they are so often seen. Fully funded by both the Canada Council for the Arts and the BC Arts Council, the film, alongside its dramatic beats, really leans into the comedy, using the lively, eccentric world of a run-down bowling alley to bring humour and chaos to the story. Thank you, we appreciate your time!" Saba Askari
Storyline
During a chaotic final shift at her parents’ rundown bowling alley, a young Persian girl wrestles with guilt as she prepares to leave her immigrant parents for university.
Roles
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Lead | MAMAN | Female 45 - 70 Years old |
Description Persian. Native Farsi speaker. Strong, assertive. Maman is a sharp, no-nonsense mother who has spent her entire life holding everything together. She’s practical, blunt, and often unintentionally funny, but underneath is someone who has sacrificed a lot and doesn’t really have space to fall apart. She loves deeply, even when it comes out as control, criticism, and constant caretaking. The kind of person who will hand you food, tell you you’re doing everything wrong, and mean both as love. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Lead | BABA | Male 45 - 70 Years old |
Description Persian. Native Farsi speaker. Aloof, kind. In his own world. Baba is a gentle, soft-spoken man who used to be something more — educated, respected — and has quietly had to let that go. He’s kind, polite, and always trying to keep the peace, often at his own expense. He smiles through things he shouldn’t have to. There’s a quiet dignity to him, but also a sense that he’s been made smaller by his circumstances. He doesn’t fight back until he absolutely has to. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Supporting | SOUPS | Male 35 - 65 Years old |
Description White. Bowling alley patron. Funny and friendly at first, before inciting a racist fight at the climax.A regular at the alley. Loud, entitled, and way too comfortable. He thinks he’s funny and harmless, but crosses lines constantly — especially when it comes to race and respect. The kind of guy who doesn’t see himself as the problem, even when he clearly is. Quick to escalate when his ego gets bruised. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Supporting | SAFET | Male 35 - 65 Years old |
Description Eastern European. Bowling alley head chef. Funny.Rough around the edges, dry, and a bit unpredictable. He has that dark, slightly offbeat sense of humour that comes from having lived through things he doesn’t fully talk about. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything and doesn’t care if he comes off as rude. Underneath that, though, he’s observant and more empathetic than he lets on. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Supporting | DOUG | Male 35 - 65 Years old |
Description White. Bowling alley patron. Silly, a bit clueless. Karaoke aficionado. Needs great comedic chops.A regular at the alley who’s always a little too drunk and a little too loud, but not mean-spirited. He’s messy, inappropriate, and has zero sense of boundaries, but there’s something oddly endearing about him. He genuinely likes the people around him and wants to be included, even when he’s being a nuisance. | ||