Experiencing Interruptions?

Shelter

"Shelter" follows college senior and recluse, Ora, on her tumultuous, romantic, and frustrating journey towards healing after a traumatic experience threatens her sense of safety, space, and autonomy.

  • Zahri Josita Jackson
    Director
  • Zahri Josita Jackson
    Writer
  • Zion Callaham
    Producer
  • Zahri Josita Jackson
    Key Cast
    "Ora"
  • Micaiah Vargas
    Key Cast
    "Alex"
  • Alberto Gonzalez Jr.
    Key Cast
    "Josh"
  • Dee Harper
    Key Cast
    "Aliyah"
  • James Frederick
    Key Cast
    "Man"
  • Ava Emilione
    Cinematographer
  • Irina Lazouski
    Sound Mixer
  • Amaechi Kofoworola
    Production Assistant
  • Marcy Robinson
    Colorist
    Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story and DePalma, Ang Lee’s Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk and Gemini Man, award-winning documentary The Truffle Hunters, and Mary Harron's horror series The Expecting
  • Duanna
    Original Score
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 23 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 24, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    600 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - New York University
Director Biography - Zahri Josita Jackson

Zahri Josita Jackson is a 21-year-old Jamaican-American filmmaker, actress, and NYU student from Prince George’s County, MD. Her movies explore themes of loneliness, Black woman- and girlhood, and mental wellness. Originally from the D.C. metropolitan area, onscreen worlds rarely reflected the world she experienced, fueling her mission to saturate the mediasphere with content that reflects and empowers her communities. Between co-directing and creating for the digital zine and creative studio, TEAM Mag, directing branded content, and her own visual media practice, Zahri is dedicated to telling the three-dimensional stories of her intersectional communities. She is a 2021 Gucci Changemakers Scholar and has landed roles at Culture.House Media and Showtime Networks.

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Director Statement

With "Shelter", I wanted to tell a story of healing that was reflective of my own journey navigating violence against women. Many women understand the fear that comes along with just leaving the house and, unfortunately, even the protection of shelter isn't enough to keep the harm away. Making this film was an elixir of sorts for me to process my own emotions and I hope the story resonates and helps others dealing with similar trauma. Though the harm we see in the film is not extremely violent, Ora's reaction to it, locking herself away in the safety of her bedroom, is indicative of the way the smallest transgressions against our womanhood add up day by day, forcing us to make unconscious and conscious decisions that make us feel safe again—even if it comes with a cost.