Title: In the Rearview
Type: Narrative Short Film
Project Description: Casting “In the Rear View,” a self-funded, character-driven dramatic short exploring memory, grief, and generational trauma. Logline: Set largely within the confines of a family SUV, the film follows a young woman as she navigates the emotional aftermath of her sister’s death and searches for a path forward. This story is inspired by true events.
Dates and Location: Shoots early October in the DMV area. Exact dates will be determined based on funding, scheduling, and cast availability.
Casting Needs: We are seeking South Asian actors for four principal roles –
Jade (Lead, Female, age range 18-28, PAID)
The family’s former golden child. Intelligent, ambitious, and armed with a sharp, sarcastic wit, Jade has spent years trying to hold herself and everyone around her together. The loss of her younger sister, Lily, leaves her untethered, forcing her to confront the grief, denial, and generational trauma woven through her family. A complex leading role requiring emotional depth, vulnerability, and strong dramatic range.
Note: Should be able to drive and have a license.
Lily (Supporting, Female, age range 18-28, PAID)
Magnetic, effortlessly funny, and impossible to ignore, she lights up every room she enters. Though often viewed as the family’s black sheep, her humor and larger-than-life personality become the glue holding everyone together. Beneath her charisma, however, she quietly grapples with mental health challenges and substance use struggles that few fully recognize. Appearing in memories and flashbacks, Lily’s presence reverberates throughout the story, revealing both the joy she brought to her family and the burdens she carried alone.
Charan (Supporting, Male, 30-55, PAID)
Opinionated, stubborn, and often unintentionally funny, he sees himself as the unquestioned authority within the family. Quick to anger and resistant to criticism, he expects others to accommodate him while avoiding difficult conversations himself. As grief and tension mount, Charan becomes increasingly detached from the reality unfolding around him, revealing the fragile foundation beneath his certainty.
Note: Must have strong comedic instincts and dramatic range. Indian/South Asian accent strongly preferred, as the character is a first-generation immigrant.
Varsha (Supporting, Female, 30-55, PAID)
She takes pride in keeping things running smoothly. Gentle, diplomatic, and deeply conflict-averse, she often steps in to ease tensions, not to resolve them, but to maintain the appearance that everything is okay. As cracks in the family become impossible to ignore, her instinct to preserve harmony reveals its hidden cost.
Note: Must be capable of balancing warmth, denial, and emotional complexity. Indian/South Asian accent strongly preferred, as the character is a first-generation immigrant.
Backstage Link to apply: https://www.backstage.com/casting/in-the-rear-view-3181693/
***If anyone interested doesn’t have a Backstage account, they’re welcome to email me directly at [email protected] with a headshot, resume, reel, and any other relevant portfolio materials, and I’d be happy to send over the audition information.
***The Virginia Film Office is not affiliated with this project and it is up to the participants to vet the production and get more details directly from the company.***