Details
Union:
Non union
Area of media:
Short Film
Network:
Paid?:
Yes
Rates:
This is a non-union short film. The filmmaker is able to pay performers $200.00 CAD per shoot date
Deadline:
May 11, 2026
Shooting starts:
June 1, 2026 Tentative shoot dates are June 6 & 7 or June 13 &
Shooting finishes:
June 30, 2026 Will be a 2-day shoot in total
Shooting locations:
Toronto, ON, Canada
Cities for response:
Toronto
Storyline
In the midst of a regime change, Ramon, a warehouse worker, looks for a better job to ultimately prove to his partner Julie, a librarian, that he is still the breadwinner of the household. He plans a fancy dinner to celebrate their anniversary as a way to forget the rough patch their relationship has been through. However, Julie has other plans in mind: to protest The Ministry’s book bans at their central offices.
In the meantime, at the warehouse, manager Darlene distributes Bibles to schools in the wake of the regime change, and denies Ramon’s request for a raise. Instead she lectures him about the virtues of the regime and the rewards that await for those who are patient and loyal.
That very night, at home, Julie is at the kitchen sink trying to alleviate the pain caused by the tear gas. She explains to Ramon what happened and how she made it out of the protest turned riot. The discussion gets heated as Ramon’s resentment to Julie’s activism and non-conforming views brings old wounds – an affair – that Julie dismisses as insignificant.
The next day at the warehouse, Claire, a bureaucrat from Internal Affairs, pays a visit and offers a big reward for whoever gives up names and leads for the apprehension of the people implicated in the protest against book banning. As Ramon digests the shock of the news, Darlene tells Ramon to pack books located at the darkest corner of the warehouse. These forgotten books are destined to the furnace. Ramon takes a look at them and the vibrant colours bring a smile to his face for the very first time. He decides to save them.
After this act of rebellion, Ramon explains to Julie that The Ministry is after them. Meanwhile, Darlene, who is about to close shop gets a call from a deep and dark voice that reprehends her for letting banned books be distributed alongside Bibles. The lights blink, darkness grows larger and an omnipresent entity takes over Darlene and her last screams. Ramon and Julie decide to skip town and for the very first time Ramon joins Julie on her pursuit for justice.
In the meantime, at the warehouse, manager Darlene distributes Bibles to schools in the wake of the regime change, and denies Ramon’s request for a raise. Instead she lectures him about the virtues of the regime and the rewards that await for those who are patient and loyal.
That very night, at home, Julie is at the kitchen sink trying to alleviate the pain caused by the tear gas. She explains to Ramon what happened and how she made it out of the protest turned riot. The discussion gets heated as Ramon’s resentment to Julie’s activism and non-conforming views brings old wounds – an affair – that Julie dismisses as insignificant.
The next day at the warehouse, Claire, a bureaucrat from Internal Affairs, pays a visit and offers a big reward for whoever gives up names and leads for the apprehension of the people implicated in the protest against book banning. As Ramon digests the shock of the news, Darlene tells Ramon to pack books located at the darkest corner of the warehouse. These forgotten books are destined to the furnace. Ramon takes a look at them and the vibrant colours bring a smile to his face for the very first time. He decides to save them.
After this act of rebellion, Ramon explains to Julie that The Ministry is after them. Meanwhile, Darlene, who is about to close shop gets a call from a deep and dark voice that reprehends her for letting banned books be distributed alongside Bibles. The lights blink, darkness grows larger and an omnipresent entity takes over Darlene and her last screams. Ramon and Julie decide to skip town and for the very first time Ramon joins Julie on her pursuit for justice.
Roles
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Lead | RAMON | Male 28 - 40 Years old |
Description Latino, in his 30s. Warehouse worker. A naive, and passive man, who believes that following authority and sticking to the rules will always lead to a better outcome no matter what. For him the world gets reduced to the material; money is the answer to his problems in every aspect of his life. The idyllic white picket fence life is the goal to achieve, while morals and principles are too complicated to understand and commit to. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Supporting | JULIE | Female 28 - 40 Years old |
Description Open ethnicity, in her 30’s. Librarian. Most people would describe her as a generous and kind person with a strong sense of social justice, but behind doors a feeling of guilt creeps in. She wonders if her selfless decisions are enough to compensate for past wrongdoings. Nevertheless, she is convinced in the power of transforming people through books and when the government starts to ban books she and her friends decide to take the streets, despite putting her safety at risk. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | DARLENE | Female 50 - 60 Years old |
Description Open ethnicity, in her 50s, warehouse manager. A very strong, forceful, and extremely opinionated woman who is accustomed to imposing her wishes and views upon others. At the warehouse she is the enforcer of rules and enjoys the little power that her position grants her. For her, life is black and white and she believes the new regime is going to bring a Golden Age; a second chance to make it in life. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | CLAIRE | Female 30 - 45 Years old |
Description Open ethnicity, 30s, government bureaucrat, Internal Affairs. She is the smile and young face of the regime, but behind the face of good cop lies a cold and calculated character who won’t stop short of achieving her goals. She has been tasked by The Ministry to hunt down people in every branch of the government who might be related to the dissidence. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Voice-Over / Voice-Only | SILVERY VOICE | All 30 - 55 Years old |
Description Open ethnicity, voice over only. The preaching voice of the Ministry. Deep, dark. Goosebumps explode on your skin every time you hear it. | ||