Experiencing Interruptions?

How To Win: The New American Dream

Magic is a nerdy high school senior tired of being in the "friend zone". When a golden opportunity opens up, he takes a major risk to win it all.

  • Rhasaan Nichols
    Director
    Letters To My Sister: Chenee Speaks!
  • Rhasaan Nichols
    Writer
    Letters To My Sister: Chenee Speaks!
  • Rhasaan Nichols
    Producer
    Letters To My Sister: Chenee Speaks!
  • Cameron Brown
    Key Cast
  • Brittany McKeithan
    Key Cast
  • Terrell Donnell Sledge
    Key Cast
  • Alice Wills
    Key Cast
  • Hyresh Davis
    Key Cast
  • Jabez Griggs
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Comedy, Romantic Comedy
  • Runtime:
    16 minutes 33 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 30, 2015
  • Production Budget:
    20,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival
    Martha's Vineyard
    August 14, 2015
    World Premiere
Director Biography - Rhasaan Nichols

Rhasaan Nichols decided to become a doctor at a young age. That dream carried him through a disadvantaged childhood all the way up to the Ivy League. At Yale, he discovered a love for film and changed his focus from medicine to movies. He developed a niche in documentary, and created intimate stories about cultural issues and the human experience.

In 2008, upon graduating with a B.A. in Film Studies, Rhasaan founded Nichols Makes Sense Productions with a vision to produce innovative media that seeks truth inspires its viewers and demands change.

His documentary feature, Letters to My Sister won the HBO Award for Best Documentary at the 2013 Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival. His latest short, How To Win: The New American Dream is his calling card into the world of narrative filmmaking.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

How To Win: The New American Dream is a universal story about an underdog on a mission to impress the girl of his dreams. I made this film because I wanted to change the conversation on young Black men. I feel like oftentimes, Black teens are seen as criminals or at-risk youth. How To Win portrays these kids just being kids, which is a privilege too often not afforded to them. Plus, this is a story about a young brother in love and how often do we get to see that?

I put every dollar and every favor I had in this world into this short film. There is no doubt in my heart that this film will grow into something sensational-- namely a hit series.

Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you!

Cheers,
Rhasaan