Nita

A recent divorcé and single mom, Bernita "Nita" Coleman feels stuck and adrift in an unplanned identity. When fate intervenes, offering a chance to rekindle a youthful romance, Nita must reckon with the woman she was, mourn the life she lost, and decide what—or who—is really worth starting over for.

  • Fatima Loeliger
    Director
  • Fatima Loeliger
    Writer
  • Fatima Loeliger
    Producer
  • James Francis Ginty
    Producer
    Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight, Surrogates, K-19: Widowmaker
  • Devin Carey
    Producer
  • Amanda Crown
    Producer
  • Christina Elmore
    Key Cast
    "Nita"
    Insecure, The Last Ship, Fruitvale Station
  • James Francis Ginty
    Key Cast
    "Paul"
    Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight, Surrogates, K-19: Widowmaker
  • Tobie Windham
    Key Cast
    "David "
    Barry, Satisfaction, What If He Wins
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Dramedy, Romance, Family
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 7 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 21, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    15,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - New York University
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Fatima Loeliger

A New York University MFA/MBA candidate and a Harvard University graduate, Fatima Loeliger’s distinctive voice and innovative approach have garnered her acclaim as a rising star in film and narrative production. Prior to attending NYU, Fatima produced the short film, CREATED SLEEP TRANSMISSIONS (2022), winning ‘Best Short Film’ at Michael Moore's Traverse City Film Festival, and as Co-Founder at The Magi Company, Fatima has cultivated a space for bold, character-driven narratives that explore diverse perspectives.

Fatima's work blends sharp social commentary with deeply personal storytelling, broadening the cinematic landscape with originality and purpose. With a commitment to expanding the narrative scope of film, Fatima seeks to amplify underrepresented voices and explore the human condition through the lens of identity. During her time at NYU, Fatima has produced over 15 short films of next generation directors and has written and directed her first short film, NITA.

Born and raised in Northern California, Fatima now resides in New York City with her beloved chihuahua, Spartacus.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

As the child of divorced and dating parents, I grew up with a front-row seat to the tension between holding it together and starting over. My parents loved me deeply, but they were also adults trying to rewrite lives that hadn’t gone according to plan. While those years were not without friction, one of the greatest gifts of growing up has been the compassion I’ve found for their experiences, and—as a woman—particularly for the experiences of my mother.

NITA is a film about second chances. It’s about the quiet courage it takes to rebuild a life amidst the mess—the yearning for inspiration, connection, and clarity when the blueprint disappears. Nita is a woman like many others: a devoted mother searching for meaning and desperately wanting to do right by those she loves.

Visually, NITA is rooted in the Bay Area of California. It revels in the soft light, coastal colors, and emotional textures of a place as complex as its people. Natural light and gentle framing invite the audience into Nita’s world as quiet observers, while performances ground the story in an intimacy that feels both real and familiar. With a touch of magical realism and emotional sincerity, NITA blends the whimsical with the mundane, expanding how romance and reinvention are seen on screen—and who gets to long, to stumble, and hope again.