IMAGINE YOU

Directors:

Writers:

Dez Davis

Producers:

Andy Hammond

Run Time:

0:18:35

Awarded for the following Category(s):

Awarded Category(s)

In the wake of a painful breakup, 20-something year old Mitch grapples with overwhelming feelings of inadequacy and isolation. Living in an era where technology boasts endless connectivity, Mitch finds himself paradoxically more alone than ever. As he navigates his daily life, he slips into elaborate daydreams — each fantasy offering a fleeting escape from his self-doubt and loneliness. Through these shifting fantasies, Imagine You delves into the crisis of modern masculinity, exploring how societal expectations contribute to a profound sense of isolation. Mitch's journey becomes a poignant reflection on the search for identity and connection in a landscape where real human interaction often takes a backseat to idealized projections of ourselves. As he confronts his inner turmoil, Mitch ultimately begins to understand the true nature of vulnerability and the importance of genuine human bonds.

Submitter Statement

IMAGINE YOU emerged from a unique place in my creative journey. The initial spark for the film came when a very good friend of mine asked if we could collaborate on a project where he could be the lead actor. At first, I wasn’t sure I could do it. Most of my films revolve around coming-of-age stories about young brown children or people who’ve shaped my life—characters I grew up with or that mirror my family. It felt daunting to create a film with a white male lead, a space I had not explored in my work before.

I took a step back and thought deeply about this challenge. It dawned on me that I’ve always told human stories—stories about the mind, the struggles we all face, and how our circumstances shape us. These are universal experiences. With *Imagine You*, I wanted to push myself beyond the boundaries I had subconsciously set and explore those human elements that connect us, regardless of race or background.

The film's tagline, "The mind is like a deep sea," became my anchor as I wrote. It is a meditation on the complexity of our inner worlds, how our thoughts, memories, and emotions can pull us in unexpected directions. In this film, I wanted to invite viewers to a world of fantasy—a reflection of how far the mind can wander to create alternate realities, particularly when reality becomes too difficult to face. This film explores how we often retreat to these imagined worlds as a form of escapism, crafting spaces that feel more comforting or ideal than the truths we wish to escape.

Visually, I sought to evoke this sense of fantasy and depth, using light, shadow, and surreal elements to mirror the limitless nature of our imaginations. *Imagine You* is a journey into the mind’s ability to create new realities, especially in moments of loss and uncertainty. While it may differ from my earlier work, this film continues my exploration of universal themes—loss, hope, and the ways we cope with our inner struggles. It marks my evolution as a storyteller, one now embracing broader human experiences and the power of fantasy to reveal our deepest truths

Key Cast

Joseph Shaver

Kristi Lauren

Alfonzo Sprigner

Other Credits

Executive Producers: Joseph Shaver

Director of Photography: Akina Van De Velde