Private Project

Aeris

A young couple struggles to save the life of a store bought kitten they name Aeris.

  • Paul Castro Jr.
    Director
    Next Big Thing
  • Paul Castro Jr.
    Writer
    Barbie Boy, Next Big Thing, Untitled Gamer Comedy
  • Aly Miller
    Writer
    Barbie Boy, Next Big Thing, Untitled Gamer Comedy
  • Paul Castro Jr.
    Producer
    Next Big Thing, Untitled Gamer Comedy, Emmy and the Breakfast Club, Harvard on Hudson, Lapse
  • Aly Miller
    Producer
    Next Big Thing, Untitled Gamer Comedy, Emmy and the Breakfast Club
  • Frank Deal
    Key Cast
    Netflix's Gypsy, Better Call Saul, Non-Stop
  • Betsy Aidem
    Key Cast
    The Americans, Margaret
  • Paul Castro Jr.
    Key Cast
    The Skeleton Twins, People Places Things, Blue Bloods, Limitless
  • Arabella Oz
    Key Cast
    When the Starlight Ends, Hunter's Cove
  • Aly Miller
    Key Cast
    By the Dashboard Light, I'm Sticking With You, Emmy and The Breakfast Club
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    29 minutes 55 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 6, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 USD
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Sony FS7 2K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Official Selection - Santa Barbara International Film Festival
    Santa Barbara, California
    United States
  • Official Selection - Sofia Independent FIlm Festival
    Sofia
    Bulgaria
    European Premiere
  • Official Selection - Borrego Springs Film Festival
    Borrego Springs
    United States
    January 11, 2018
    North American Premiere
  • Laemmle NoHo Private Screening w/ Heaven on Earth
    North Hollywood
    United States
    July 7, 2017
  • Lincoln Center - Winn Feline Foundation Screening
    New York
    United States
    November 3, 2017
  • Best Narrative Short - Garden State Film Festival
    Asbury Park
    United States
    March 24, 2018
    New Jersey Premiere
    Best Narrative Short
  • Best Narrative Short - Canada International Film Festival
    Vancouver
    Canada
    March 25, 2018
    Canadian Premiere
    Best Narrative Short
Director Biography - Paul Castro Jr.

Born in Brooklyn NY, and raised on the Jersey Shore… Paul grew up in the small town of Hazlet in Monmouth County. With no prior experience, departed from his college trajectory of becoming a doctor and moved to New York City where he began his career as an Actor.

In 2014 Paul was awarded the “Rising Star Award' at the Garden State Film Festival for his various accomplishments as a young artist. In addition to his volume of work as an actor, working on films such as Jim Strouse’s comedy People Places, Things starring Jemaine Clement, The Skeleton Twins starring Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig and most recently The Buried Girl starring Oona Laurence and Brandon Larracuente… Paul wrote, directed and stared in his short film Aeris which went on to win Best Narrative Short at the 2018 Garden State Film Festival, the 2018 Canada International Film Festival, the Gold Kahuna Award at the Honolulu Film Awards, as well as official selections at the 2018 Santa Barbara International Film Festival. The film partnered with The Winn Feline Foundation (the largest feline research foundation in the world) and Heaven on Earth Society for Animals to raise awareness to cat health and animal rescue. Paul’s Original Series “Next Big Thing” a comedy about gamers is currently being shopped by Matador Content with CAA and his Narrative Documentary “Madonna and the Breakfast Club” in which he served as lead Producer is currently making domestic sales with Lotus Entertainment.

Other works include: CBS's Limitless, NBC's The Blacklist, Black Dog, Red Dog, directed and produced by James Franco, as well as the lead in Indies: Skook ("Best Narrative Feature" at the New Orleans Film Festival), and Buffalo Boys (“Best Coming of Age Film” at the Manhattan Film Festival) and the Vimeo Staff Pick Knives. Paul also appeared as "Kane" in the Off-Broadway revival of Love and Human Remains at Playwrights Horizons.

A graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts. An avid gamer, runner, proud Vegan, and cat dad. @PaulCastroJr

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

My partner Aly Miller and I made this film because we knew we had to give a voice for all those who have ever lost an animal. This film is based on the true events that happen to Aly and I with our kitten, Aeris. We only had her for 12 days, but even in that short period of time she changed our lives forever. FIP is a horrifying disease that effects so many cats, and takes them way too young... and yet, not many people really know about it. This is a film we hope the world will get to see, to understand there is so much more to having an animal than them merely becoming a pet. They become family. We are proud to be associated with the Winn Feline Foundation, the largest cat research foundation in the world. In addition to our sponsorship from Heaven on Earth Society for Animals, a non profit in LA who's pet sanctuary Perry's Places was funded by Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane. We appreciate you taking the time to consider our film.

Sincerely,
The Aeris Team.