Shot in the middle of the pandemic during the school shutdowns, our minimal crew was allowed to film on location at West Side High School in Newark, New Jersey. A capsule of a moment in history where kids were no longer able to be among friends, in a place that provided much more than an education. Thanks to Principal Akbar Cook for being a beacon of hope and community for these kids.

Haya Waseem is a Pakistani-Canadian director, raised in Switzerland, and living in Brooklyn. Since completing her debut narrative feature, Quickening, which premiered to critical acclaim at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2021, Haya is developing her second feature and directing commercials globally.