Private Project

Harpazo

The friendship between two rebellious teens is turned on its head when their isolated desert community announces the imminent rapture.

Facing parallel but private crises (of faith, sexuality, and gender identity), Zeke and Harpo clash - rebuffing in the other what they cannot accept in themselves - and diverge onto two starkly different paths, each leading to a frightening and uncertain future.

A queer, surreal coming-of-age story for the “doomer” generation.

  • Anna O'Donnell
    Director/Producer
  • Jamie Munsey
    Writer/Producer
  • James Fletcher Thompson
    Executive Producers
  • Riley Bartolomeo
    Executive Producers
  • Maezi Kacey
    Key Cast
    "Zeke"
  • Jamie Munsey
    Key Cast
    "Harpo"
  • Ivan Mayor
    Key Cast
    "Preacher"
  • Gwendolyn Laub
    Key Cast
    "Joy"
  • Wilky Lau
    Key Cast
    "Zeke's Dad"
  • Samuel Estrada
    Key Cast
    "Ben"
  • Miguel Sanchez
    Key Cast
    "Josh"
  • X Carr
    Key Cast
    "Astronaut"
  • Cinthya Rey
    Key Cast
    "Polar Bear"
  • Lulu Dustin Maxfield
    Key Cast
    "Father Time"
  • Jay Whitmore
    Key Cast
    "Businessman"
  • Tanner Kerrins
    Key Cast
    "Street Preacher"
  • Andy Haskins
    Key Cast
    "Radio Host"
  • Matty Beavers
    Director of Photography/Colorist
  • Karl Soelter
    Sound Recordist
  • Maezi Kacey
    Composer/Sound Editor
  • Lexa Gress
    Composer/Lead Animator
  • Jamie Munsey
    Editor/VFX
  • X Carr
    Script Supervisor
  • Tristian Ibarra
    1st Assistant Camera
  • King Zabb
    2nd Assistant Camera
  • Kevin Key
    1st Drone Operator
  • Richard Edwards
    2nd Drone Operator
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama, Serio-Comedy, Dramedy, Indie, Coming of age, Magical Realism, Surrealism
  • Runtime:
    24 minutes 46 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 5, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.78:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Berlin Lift-Off Film Festival
    Berlin
    Germany
    March 23, 2023
    (Screenplay Contest, No Screening)
    Best Screenplay - Winner
  • Script Awards LA
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    January 29, 2022
    (Screenplay Contest, No Screening)
    Best First-time Screenwriter - Winner
  • San Fransisco Arthouse Short Festival
    San Francisco, CA
    United States
    May 9, 2022
    (Screenplay Contest, No Screening)
    Best Screenplay - Semi Finalist
  • Scriptwrite Short Script Contest
    Online Event
    United States
    February 17, 2022
    (Screenplay Contest, No Screening)
    Best Script - Quarter Finalist
Director Biography

Anna O’Donnell is a writer, director, & producer based in Los Angeles. She enjoys sharing stories with themes of womanhood and girlhood, coming of age, and the intricacies of mother-daughter relationships and friendships. Anna is in her third and final year as an MFA candidate at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts in Film & Television Production with a focus in writing, directing, and producing.

She was selected as the Director Mentee for Sean Wang’s feature debut Dìdi (弟弟) (2024), which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and won U.S. Dramatic Audience Award and the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Best Ensemble Cast. Dìdi was acquired by Focus Features and was released in theatres in July 2024. Her short film THE ISLAND won a Silver Remi Award at the 2023 WorldFest - Houston International Film Festival in the Original Dramatic Shorts Competition.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

"Harpazo" (the original biblical term for "to rapture"), was always going to be an ambitious short. In order to speak to the American cultural climate, we created our fictional town, with its own subculture, and its own doomsday-based folk religion - which, though fictional, becomes less absurdist by the day. From this microcosm, we zoom in on Zeke and Harpo, two closeted queer youth who embody the often tense and fractured way that queer people relate to each other under such oppressive circumstances.

We present this film at a time when existential threats such as climate change are ignored, self destruction is accelerated, and war is celebrated by those who believe it will bring about the Second Coming. As Harpo notes early on: "It's like they're done with this world. They want it to be over." "Harpazo," is for the so-called freaks who still have to live in this world, unsure if they will be welcome in the next one. It is both a platonic love story between two characters who are fractured, yet still seeking joy and redemption, and a love letter to those in our community who are called upon to create their own verses, parables, and mythologies - to find salvation in ourselves and the worlds we build together.

Many thanks for your time and consideration!

- Anna O'Donnell (Director/Producer) & Jamie Munsey (Writer/Producer)