Experiencing Interruptions?

Banned

In a dystopian near future, a female doctor will risk it all to protect women and their freedom of choice.

  • Nicole L. Thompson
    Director
  • Victoria Sharpe
    Writer
  • Jenae Hope
    Producer
  • Nicole L. Thompson
    Producer
  • Victoria Sharpe
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Political Fiction
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 18 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 6, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    6,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    4K
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Nicole L. Thompson

Nicole L. Thompson is a filmmaker born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. From a young age, she developed a passion for television and filmmaking. She received her Bachelor of Arts from The College of New Jersey where she majored in Communications Studies with a concentration in Radio/TV/Film. She also studied filmmaking at Northumbria University in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England.

Nicole began her career at SAG-AFTRA as the Digital Strategy & Production Coordinator where she filmed and edited videos for the union as well as assisted with providing digital strategies for the union's video content. She recently has filmed interviews on the red carpet and behind the scenes footage for the 22nd SAG Awards. While at SAG-AFTRA Nicole has filmed interviews of Kerry Washington, Carol Burnett, Mayor Eric Garcetti, and much more. Her short film Harlem Blues has screened at film festivals all over the country, including the Black Hollywood Education Resource Center Film Showcase, Films Reflecting Ourselves Film Festival, Sistas' Doin It For Themselves Film Festival, T.D. Jake's Megafest Film Festival and many more.

Nicole has just graduated from the University of Southern California with a Masters of Fine Arts in Film & TV Production, where she focused on directing at the School of Cinematic Arts. At USC she proudly served as the president of the African American Cinema Society for two years. Nicole was selected to participate in the AT&T SHAPE Create-A-Ton competition to direct the short film Summer of Justice at Warner Brother's Studio Backlot. Nicole was hired by NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving to serve as his personal cinematographer capturing footage for the film premiere of his movie Uncle Drew and also directing segments for Kyrie’s 2019 All Star Weekend Highlights.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

When the writer and executive producer (Victoria Sharpe) of the film approached me to direct the short film, I immediately said yes. The story stands for what I believe in - women's freedom of choice.

In 2019, there was a threat of abortions becoming illegal in several states in the United States. This caused an uproar on social media causing many women, young and old, even some famous, to courageously share their personal stories.
This inspired me to direct this film. The main character in the film, Dr. Akachi, reminds me of myself - powerful, courageous, and risk-taking in a male-dominated industry. Dr. Akachi fights for women's rights.
When I first read the story, I thought of "The Handmaid's Tale." The question of "what if" lingered in my mind. What if women no longer had the choice over their bodies?
Directing this film inspired me to always stand up for what I believe in and to be a woman of change.