THE BOOKS is still in development. Help make this project come to life!
An intimate, speculative thriller. Set in the near future.
On the rural fringes of an authoritarian regime, 15 year Sloane risk everything to save a piece of history.
A short film in pre-production. Shot on location in Southern Vermont. September 2026. Adapted from the Scholastic Gold Key winning short story by 13 year old Vermonter, Arabella D. Frost.
Art as a protest
A mother’s act of radical listening turned into action to give voice to a generation which has no vote but will inherit the consequences of our government’s actions.
It doesn’t take much to imagine the world 15 year old Sloane finds herself in. NPR has aired its last episode, school funding has dried up, history has been rewritten and rebellions are struck down by the surveillance state. Yet in the rolling Green Mountains of Vermont the last liberal library sits hidden from view.
Our film is based on a novella written by a 13 year old Vermont girl a mere month before the US military struck Iran’s nuclear facilities in June 2025, which left us terrified, wondering what tomorrow might bring. This story lets us enter the mind of a teenager living on the rural fringes of an authoritarian regime; a girl trying to maintain a sense of normalcy and joy, making the ultimate sacrifice to save a piece of our collective history when everyones worst nightmare suddenly barrels towards America. You could call it the little sister of A House of Dynamite.
FUNDRAISING!
We have completed a successful first round of fundraising through Seed & Spark.
We are still fundraising. Our target for production and post is $75K. Help us reach our goal to tell this timely story.
LINK TO FISCAL SPONSOR: THE VERMONT PRODUCTION COLLECTIVE. All contributions are tax-deductible. Each contribution is subject to a 7% administration fee by VPC. (Larger donations encouraged through VPC).
For Direct Deposit (ACH), please use donation link above.
TEAM
Short Story Writer & Actor: Arabella D. Frost
Screenplay adaptation & Direction: Jeanine B. Frost
Producer: Alexis J. Vail
Producer: Naomi Ranz-Schleifer
Producer: Laina Barakat
Line Producer: Karlina Lyons
Cinematographer: Sean Kirby
Production Designer: Charlotte Royer
Assistant Director: Jo Dery
On-set Acting Coach: John Patrick