Private Project

CHOICES

The short film CHOICES is a story about a woman who is torn by a decision to move to Africa for love. The lead character Zena Jordan an American media executive has her heart set on marrying the man of her dreams, Nigerian movie star Desmond Akua. But just days before she is to depart, Zena receives the news that her mother has cancer and may die.

  • Deborah Ray-Sims
    Director
    Former Producer/Writer, PBS
  • Deborah Ray-Sims
    Writer
    "Dreammakers" (screenplay), TV series writer for WTVS/PBS
  • Lyn Caziere
    Key Cast
  • a'Ali deSousa
    Key Cast
  • Monchel Sharp
    Key Cast
  • Tamara Lacey
    Key Cast
  • Emmanuel Enaigbe - DP, Lighting Technician
    Crew
  • Adi Freeman - Audio Engineer
    Crew
  • Antonio Leaks - Editor/Camera
    Crew
  • RaMaura LaRae - Prod. Asst., Script Supervisor
    Crew
  • Tamara Lacey - Production Assistant
    Crew
  • Willie J. Green - Make Up Artist
    Crew
  • Christopher Luster - Post Prod. Asst.
    Crew
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes 49 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 11, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • North Bay Art and Film Festival
    Benicia, CA
    United States
    October 7, 2017
    Official Selection for screening certificate
  • Global Shorts Film Festival
    Los Angeles. CA
    United States
    October 22, 2017
    Screening online
    "Special Mention" award
  • Sacramento International Film Festival
    Sacramento, CA
    United States
    April 28, 2018
    Official Selection
  • Best Short Film Competition
    La Jolla, CA
    United States
    October 2, 2018
    Award of Recognition: Women Filmmakers (2018).
  • San Diego Black Film Festival
    San Diego, CA
    United States
    February 2, 2019
    Official Selection, Nominee Best Short Film
Director Biography - Deborah Ray-Sims

Deborah is an award winning independent Producer/Writer/Director. She is recipient of The International Black Independent Film, Video & Screenplay Competition Screenplay Finalist award for the screenplay “Dreammakers” (Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Inc.), Her credits include former Series Producer/Writer for local Emmy nominated, award winning “Detroit Black Journal” and “Detroit Black News” of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) WTVS, where she produced news, public and cultural affairs programming. For PBS Deborah was recipient of the National Black Programming Consortium, “Prized Pieces” Award for the documentary “Mudra Afrique,” shot on location in Senegal West Africa. At PBS Deborah also produced the documentary, “Third New World Festival of the African Diaspora” shot on location in Suriname, South America. The American Black Journal Archives features a collection of programs produced by Deborah on the following website: http://abj.matrix.msu.edu/shows.php?year=1980 She also served as Television Training Instructor for the Nigerian Television Authority (Jacaranda International LTD), in Lagos Nigeria.

Deborah has under development a screenplay entitled “A Delicate Balance” to be produced as a feature film. As an independent producer/director she wrote and produced “Veterans on the Move”, and “Courageous Women: Echoing in Our Lives” which aired on Access Sacramento cable television. She also produced and wrote public service announcement “The Helping Hand” for the Black United Fund of Sacramento Valley Inc., and was Producer/Director/Writer/Videographer for feature special “Beyond the Mountaintop” for the National Brotherhood of Skiers.

She holds a B.A. in Television/Radio/Film from Michigan State University, and Masters of Science degree in Telecommunications Management from Golden Gate University. She also attended New York University’s Interactive Telecommunications graduate program, Tisch School of the Arts.

Go to http://www.hotmix106.com/podcast to hear a podcast of an interview recorded with Deborah as a featured guest on the Internet Radio show "Steppin' Out with the Arts" that aired Sept. 6, 2017.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

As a filmmaker I write stories that not only entertain but educate. I'll continue to produce and direct thought provoking inspirational films centered on intercultural themes and storylines. CHOICES is one of those stories.