Stories of Hope and Care
Short Films with Big Impact
Life is made of moments and sometimes those moments change our lives forever.
A brief interaction with a loved one, a friend, an acquaintance or even a stranger can motivate a huge shift in one’s life.
These stories are about those junctures in time. Someone’s life is at a crossroads and they don’t even know it.
Meet the Cast
Monique Horton
Katti
Monique Horton has appeared in several film, TV, and theatre productions. You may have seen her in The CHI, Chicago Fire and Chicago PD, to name a few. She is a recent member of the Screen Actor’s Guild. Born and based in Chicago, Monique studied Acting & Improv at Second City, Vagabond, MA School of Acting and also The Actor’s Gym in ATL. Prior to acting she worked as an architect, project manager and university administrator. Monique is a wife and mom of 2 wonderful children.
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Gary Smiley
Mr. Patti
Gary Smiley can be seen in commercials for a western suburban HVAC company, a James Patterson book, Get Covered Illinois, Anywhere Pickleball, and WBEZ Chicago. He has three feature-length films coming out late 2025-early 2026: Local Area Network, Buddy:
This is My Story, and Dark Soul River. He has been researching his family's history in Tipperary and Galway, Ireland; as well as Londonderry and County Donegal, Northern Ireland.
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Shawn Dodd
Mr. Weaver
Shawn Dodd, a seasoned Nashville demo singer, has recently transitioned into the Chicago acting scene bringing his versatile skills to film, television, voiceover, and theatre. Known for dynamic character roles and compelling vocal work, he lends his voice and strong presence to a wide range of roles across the industry.
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Meet the Producers
Producer, Writer, Director
Karla Braithwaite
Karla Braithwaite is a veteran of independent video production, with decades of experience writing, producing, directing, editing, and creating visual effects.
After decades in commercial production, Karla is now focused on narrative filmmaking. Her work centers on stories of endurance, empathy, and transformation—films that invite viewers to witness the beauty of persistence in the face of adversity. Through short-form projects, Karla is refining her directorial voice and building toward her first feature-length film. Each piece is a testament to her belief that storytelling can move hearts, shift perspectives, and build connection.
Producer, AD, Script Supervisor
Stephanie Franz
Stephanie Franz is an award winning, NYC based artist. Her passion for storytelling has led to a range of creative roles in a variety of mediums. She spent a number of years in the theater as a performer before receiving her MS in Digital Imaging and Design from NYU. Recently she’s been focusing on writing and directing live-action projects. She enjoyed working on Karla Braithwaite’s Katti & Mr. Patti as a Producer, AD and Script Supervisor.
Meet the Production Team
Production
Valarie Johnson
Val "The Voice" Johnson
Val "The Voice" Johnson is a seasoned media professional with a strong background in production, post-production, and photography. Val is the executive producer of The Pull Up Podcast Show with Coach Tony Thompson, returning for its 4th season, and the host of The Interludes Podcast, now kicking off its 10th season to spotlight creative entrepreneurs, filmmakers, and musicians. She also co-hosts the weekly entertainment show, Interludes Extra presents Talk On Tuesdays, alongside Coach Tony Thompson.
Musical Composition
Original Score by SÖNUM
CROSSROADS Music Services
For NYC-based composers Sonia Wang and Johnum Palado, their duo SÖNUM is an eclectic creative voice for their love of storytelling on the screen. Despite their varied backgrounds in classical performance, church music, and theatre work, they have found a unique vernacular of minimalist ideas and improvisational strokes that translates into any visual medium.
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Post Production Sound
Marisa Ewing
Hemlock Creek Productions
Marisa is an award-winning dialogue editor, sound designer, composer, and mixing/mastering engineer, based in Chicago. She founded Hemlock Creek Productions in January 2020 to help meet the rising demand for remote audio editing. Marisa has worked on a wide variety of projects, including podcasts, video games, and film. She is also comfortable working across genres, including horror, chat shows, and comedy.
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“Caregivers”, a film about caregiving — “Caregivers” gives us a look at a very small but encouraging moment in the lives of two strangers who are each helping their elderly parent use the public bathroom.
​​Interesting in contribution to this production or joining the production team?