South Shore Sonata

South Shore Sonata is an experimental short film blending spoken word, contemporary dance, and striking black-and-white imagery to explore the political realities shaping Chicago’s South Shore. Told from the perspective of African American women in Chicago, the film unfolds over a jazz score layered with news sound bites including references to recent ICE raids impacting immigrant communities across the city, creating a powerful meditation on power, resistance, and collective resilience.

  • Kayla Cymone Sullers
    Director
  • Kayla Cymone Sullers
    Producer
    Beauty Beyond The Lens
  • Jewel Imani Baker
    Producer
    Jewel in Focus
  • Craig Maltby
    Producer
    Magnanimous Rentals
  • Diamond Turner
    Key Cast
    "Contemporary Dancer #3"
  • La'Jada Stewart
    Key Cast
    "Contemporary Dancer #2"
  • Sydney Kemper
    Key Cast
    "Contemporary Dancer #1"
  • Kee Stein
    Writer
  • William Midgett II
    1st Assistant Camera
  • Lamar Farr
    Music Supervisor
  • Sincere "Twxnoo" Townsend
    Creative Consultant
  • Kyla "Ms Mamas" Turner
    Creative Consultant
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Short
  • Genres:
    Poetic, Drama, Political
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 6 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 29, 2026
  • Production Budget:
    6,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Canon C400
  • Film Color:
    Black & White
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Kayla Cymone Sullers

Kayla Sullers is a Chicago-based filmmaker, cinematographer, creative director, and educator. She is among the 1% of Black women members of IATSE Local 600, bringing high-level camera department expertise to a range of productions.

Her work spans narrative, documentary, and commercial filmmaking, with contributions to projects across major platforms and networks, including Netflix, Hulu, FOX, Apple TV, Disney, and media initiatives connected to Kamala Harris.

In parallel with her production career, she serves as a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Cinema & Film Production Instructor, designing industry-aligned curriculum and mentoring emerging filmmakers. As a freelance creative director, she collaborates with artists and brands to develop visual identities and execute compelling, story-driven content.

Her approach is rooted in technical precision, cultural awareness, and a commitment to impactful, ethical visual storytelling.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I am a born-and-raised Chicago native from the South Shore community and a proud product of Chicago Public Schools. My connection to this neighborhood runs deep, shaped by my time at Powell Paideia Academy and South Shore International College Prep, and later at Grambling State University.

On August 22, 2025, I listened as Donald Trump spoke about Chicago from the Oval Office in a way that felt disconnected from the reality of the communities I know and love. Weeks later, Operation Blitz unfolded just steps from my own neighborhood, leaving residents to bear its impact with little space for healing or restoration.

In response, I picked up my camera. South Shore Sonata is my way of documenting, processing, and giving voice to the emotional and political realities unfolding within my community.