Help Bring 'YES' the short film to Completion!

"YES", A Short Film By Randi Barros

YES, a narrative short film, tells the story of two young girls who come together after having very different - yet traumatic - experiences of their own. One, Mia, has been unable to speak since losing both of her parents in a fire. She is jolted out of her grief when she discovers an immigrant mother and daughter, Ana and Mariela, hiding in her backyard and must decide what to do. The film is a moving tale of migration, healing, and human connection, told through the eyes of two eight-year-old girls.

Our Goals for "YES".

WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US AND HELP US COMPLETE PRODUCTION ON "YES."

America today - and always - has been a land where people from all around the globe have come to build a new life. Yet, tragically today immigration has been polarized based on political bias, not human experience. Each person who leaves their country to find home in a new one carries a complex and unique story, and these stories cry out to be heard by open minds and hearts.

The filmmakers, who hail from all around the globe as well, have joined Randi Barros and committed to this creative journey: the short film YES. The hope is that you, the viewers, will connect to these characters and discover a shared humanity.

WHAT WE NEED TO COMPLETE POST PRODUCTION SO WE CAN BRING "YES" TO AN AUDIENCE.

Production wrapped in April, and editing is nearly done. We are now raising funds to finish post-production. Your much needed donations will cover sound mixing, color-correction, scoring, dubbing, purchasing clips of helicopters, licensing, title design, and promotional materials.

10% PLEDGE TO ACLU SOCAL AS PART OF YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO "YES"

To encourage your support for YES, however large or small, and to show our gratitude for the work they do, we pledge to donate 10% of every donation to the ACLU SoCal office which protects and ensures immigrant rights. Your donations towards finishing YES will continue helping people long after the film is completed.

The ACLU of Southern California is at the forefront of local, state and national efforts to protect all immigrants – citizens and non-citizens alike – from unlawful imprisonment, discrimination and law enforcement abuses, and to ensure that they are afforded their due process rights to a fair hearing and access to legal assistance in immigration proceedings. (Note: The ACLU was not involved in any aspect of the making or promotion of this film. Our donation is simply a show of gratitude for the difficult work they do for immigrant rights). For more info about what they do, please visit their website .

About Randi Barros - Director, Writer, and Editor

An award-winning screenwriter and film editor, Randi’s character driven stories often focus on misfits, rebels, and unexpected moments of beauty. Her feature screenplay, THE CHICKEN FESTIVAL, a Nicholl semifinalist, is in development. Her feature and television scripts have been honored by CineStory, The Writers Lab, Athena, Austin, The Grey List, Final Draft, and more. Recent editing projects include the feature documentary, HEAVEN STOOD STILL: THE INCARNATIONS OF WILLY DEVILLE, currently touring festivals and theaters worldwide and multi-award-winning films, LIVES WELL LIVED and TRUSTING CHLOE. Randi teaches Storytelling and Filmmaking at Cal Poly University. She attended the MFA Film Program at Columbia University School of the Arts and received her MFA in Screen and Television Writing from Stephens College.

Meet the Team

We have an incredible team of filmmakers from across the country and around the world, without whose help and hard work we wouldn't have made it this far.

Hollis Sherman-Pepe, Producer

Hollis Sherman-Pepe, a seasoned film writer-director-producer, boasts over fifteen years of industry experience marked by acclaim. Known for her diverse portfolio spanning various genres, Hollis thrives on the creative nuances inherent in filmmaking. With a passion for weaving intricate narratives, she finds the journey of creation as gratifying as the final product. Currently helming her debut feature-length film TENANTS OF CARVER HILL she continues to challenge herself while expressing her artistic vision.

Jennie Lew Tugend, Executive Producer

Jennie Lew Tugend has produced some of the industry’s most memorable franchises: FREE WILLY 1, 2, 3, LETHAL WEAPON 1, 2, 3, and HBO’s TALES FROM THE CRYPT. Tugend’s producer credits also include RADIO FLYER, SCROOGED, LOCAL BOYS, STAR KID, RETURN TO ME, ONE MISSED CALL, Showtime’s MASTER OF HORROR, and she was instrumental in the development and production of THE GOONIES and THE LOST BOYS. In 2020, Tugend Executive Produced the independent feature film ALBATROSS, directed by Myles Yaksich, and is currently in development on the feature film adaptation of New York Times best-selling novel, HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET. Tugend is a member of the Producer’s branch of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences and the Producers Guild of America.

Curtis Yap, Director of Photography

Curtis Yap grew up with visions of his Filipino grandfather fighting in WWII, insecurity with his Filipino and Mexican roots, and watching movies for comfort. He studied literature and film at UC Berkeley, where he served as a cinematographer on several senior thesis films. While he knows that films won’t solve society’s problems, he believes they can at least bring about the possibility that anything can be solved. He currently works as a gaffer at Dhar Mann Studios in Los Angeles.

Adele Maschi, Production Designer

Adele Maschi, a passionate Production Designer from Milano, Italy, obtained her MFA in Film and TV Production at USC in 2020 and has been freelancing in London and Los Angeles ever since. She feels drawn to projects that have high entertainment value but at the same time challenge the audience to reflect on social issues.

Anish Saini, Assistant Director

Anish Saini was raised in the suburbs of Mumbai, the city that taught him how to dream. Anish graduated with a Bachelors of Mass Media and made short films for intercollegiate events. In 2018 he followed his dream and moved to Los Angeles, where he's pursuing a MFA and working as an assistant director and gaffer.

Denise Deegan, 2nd Assistant Director & Script Consultant

Denise is an Irish novelist and PAGE Award-winning screenwriter who tackles issues of loss and injustice through a prism of light and humour. Her comedy short about homelessness, THE INNKEEPER, is on the festival circuit, winning awards/honourable mentions world wide. Denise writes on Ireland’s longest running continuing drama, and has two TV series and three features in development. Her novels have been published by Penguin Random House and Hachette.

Lucia Lopez, Production Design

Lucia Lopez is from Madrid, Spain. Her passion for films and how they are made brought her to Los Angeles to pursue acting. While there she discovered a love for production design and has been expanding her knowledge and experience ever since.

Rhett Bigler, Script Supervisor

Rhett Bigler is a bit of a global nomad. He was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, then lived in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, England, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Germany. His experience living in different cultures inspired him to become a writer. He had a 20-year run at a Fortune 500 tech company and along the way published three novels. His screenplays have placed in various screenwriting competitions. Rhett currently lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Carlos Plummer, Sound Mixer, Sound Designer

Carlos Plummer began making short films at the age of 8 with his brother, Kyle. By the time he reached high school, his efforts in filmmaking had earned him several student accolades at festivals across the country. While attending film school at Utah Tech University, Carlos honed his craft and acquired new skills in Assistant Directing and Sound Design. Carlos currently works alongside his brother Kyle at SuperImage, Ltd as a filmmaker and sound designer.

Kyle Plummer, Boom Operator, Colorist

Kyle Plummer is an award-winning filmmaker based in the beautiful Central Coast of California. Having worked on many short and feature length projects, Kyle has worn multiple hats, from cinematographer, to editor, to colorist on a wide variety of projects. He earned a BS in Communication and returned to San Luis Obispo to pursue film work through SuperImage, Ltd, a production company he runs with his brother, Carlos.

Sarai Devi Dasi, Student Assistant & 2nd Assistant Camera

Sarai Devi Dasi is a filmmaker, writer, and visual artist with a passion for telling untold stories and bringing people together. She has experience working on multiple short films and music videos, and just received a BFA in Art and Design from Cal Poly.

Richard Shay Lyon, Key Production Assistant

Richard Shay Lyon was born and raised on the Central Coast of California. He recently graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, with a degree in Media Studies, and is thrilled to be diving headfirst into the film and media industry. He has worked on a multitude of short films and other media projects, gaining experience in filmmaking from pre-to-post-production.

Deborah Ross, Post Production Associate Producer

With over 40 years in motion graphics and film title design, Deborah Ross brings her experience and passion for filmmaking to helping others complete their worthy projects. She has had the privilege of working on such prestigious films as The English Patient, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Michael Clayton, and Beavis and Butthead Do America.

Thank You

Thank you in advance for your support! It means so much to me and I am so excited to bring this film to fruition. Your donation, however small, will go a long way towards the goal of completing YES in time for upcoming film festival applications. Remember, we pledge to give a 10% share of every donation to the ACLU SoCal, so your donations will continue helping people long after YES the film is completed.

~ Randi Barros

Behind the scenes, on the set of YES:

Camera POV of Kira Guchko as Mia entering backyard shed.

Director Randi Barros working with actors (from L to R): Brian DeMarco as Bobby, Sarah Dickerson as Nicole, and Kira Guchko as Mia.

Director Randi Barros working with film crew.

Meet The Cast of YES

Kira Guchko (Mia) is an actress and professional dancer, who loves to express herself through acting and movement. She dances 18 hours a week, but in her free time, she loves art, reading, and watching films and TV.

Olivia London Leyva (Mariela) is a bilingual performing artist who enjoys acting, dancing, singing, voice-overs, reading, music, playing with friends, making smoothies, and “learning new things every day." She's starred in various national commercials and is an experienced dance performer.

Sarah Dickerson (Nicole) earned her Bachelor’s degree in Theatre from Cal Poly SLO. Her resume abounds with plays and short films. Aside from acting, Sarah is a fierce lover of horses, yoga and gardening. Being able to connect with people, animals, and the earth brings her the most joy.

Brian DeMarco (Bobby) is a reluctant yet devoted actor, musician, songwriter and music producer. He likes sad songs, short poems, and leisurely strolls in the moonlight.

Ale Cruz (Ana) is a bilingual actor who started her career as a musical theater performer at the age of 8, in Lima, Peru. Before transitioning her career to the US, she trained with some of the biggest names in the industry of South America. Recently, she's been featured in several commercials and in various independent productions. In addition to acting, Ale and her sister have opened an orphanage in Peru for girls that have been rescued from at-risk situations. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University; her mission is to connect the world through the power of stories and poetry.

Rochelle Vallese (Penelope) has successfully combined her artistic talent with the business of entertainment. She starred in and produced the sci-fi thriller LOST TIME, along with writing two vocal tracks for the soundtrack. Her outstanding performance in the film earned her the Grace Kelly Best Actor award at the West Coast Film Festival, and LOST TIME was chosen as the opening feature at the London Sci-Fi Film Festival. Rochelle also served as a producer on ROUTE 66: THE UNTOLD STORY OF WOMEN ON THE MOTHER ROAD, and is currently acting in film and multiple streaming series.