Experiencing Interruptions?

And I Stay

And I Stay follows three childhood friends: Chase, Noah, and Hudson, as they reconnect during winter break by sneaking into their old elementary school. As they explore and reflect on their memories, the differences in their paths after high school become clear. Chase and Noah are enjoying the freedom of college life, and Hudson feels stuck working at his family’s hardware store and struggles with the fear of being left behind.

What starts as a fun night of jokes and nostalgia shifts into an honest confession about the challenges of growing up. Through humor and vulnerability, the three friends realize that their bond is still strong, even as life pulls them in different directions.

  • Courtney Kiolbassa Talty
    Director
  • Jp Kiolbasa Talty
    Director
    The Violinist, Henry Needs A Cat
  • Caleb Mathura
    Writer
  • Braden King
    Writer
  • Jordan Lexington
    Producer
  • Eishe Kiley
    Producer
  • Mark Kiley
    Producer
  • Braden King
    Producer
  • Caleb Mathura
    Producer
  • Charlie Lockwood
    Key Cast
    "Hudson"
    Lotus Green, Greetings from America!, Mid-20s Crisis
  • Caleb Mathura
    Key Cast
    "Noah"
    Motherland, From the Furnace
  • Braden Allen King
    Key Cast
    "Chase"
    Loopers, Over on Athens Street, Makes Perfect
  • Willis Williams
    Key Cast
    "Mr. Martin"
    Bros, The Hating Game, Werewolves Within
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 33 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 24, 2025
  • Country of Origin:
    United States, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Courtney Kiolbassa Talty, Jp Kiolbasa Talty

Courtney Kiolbassa Talty is an NYC-based writer, director, actor, copywriter, and birder from San Antonio, TX. She's written spoken word poetry, fiction, nonfiction, plays, and short films, as well as marketing copy for brands including NYU Steinhardt and Humana. She recently starred in Arranged at Theater 71 and Kevin Tai's Sweet. Her current project is a feature-length script, "All or Nun." Learn more at CourtKiol.com

Jp Kiolbassa Talty is a painter, director, animator, artist, fly fisherman, and aspiring fisheries biologist from Niceville, FL, now based in NYC. He recently directed the pilot episode of the Based on a True Saint documentary series, "The Violinist," has created for brands including Rocket League and Snapchat, and paints the vibrancy of urban living while yearning for the river. Learn more at JpTalty.com, and find his art on Instagram, @taltiitude.

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Director Statement

*Writers Statement*

Our mission as first-time screenwriters was to tell a story that felt both personal and universal, one that resonates with anyone who has ever struggled to navigate the transitions of growing up. It explores the weight of unspoken feelings and how these emotions can either isolate us or bring us closer together. By breaking the silence, the characters discover a deeper connection, reminding us all that being honest about how we feel isn’t a weakness, but a strength.

Our hope is that this film sparks a dialogue, especially for young people, about the importance of emotional honesty. We want to encourage people to share their feelings with one another, to say, I miss you, or I’m struggling, without fear of judgment. Growing up is hard enough; navigating it alone is even harder.