She Who Lives
New York City
Project Details
At an Eid party, Shamyla finds herself feeling lonely and overwhelmed by the crowd of aunties and girls experiencing a sense of presence she is missing. She is only curious about two little girls who catch her eye every so often, playing and causing mischief. After accidentally burning herself with tea, she searches for a way out and discovers a magical room where she runs into a being, Ayesha, who was once her childhood friend. They reconnect, and Shamyla quickly becomes obsessed with the desire to see Ayesha’s face, which is concealed by a mask. Shamyla chases Ayesha out of the room through a portal into a field where Ayesha transforms into the little girl Shamyla once knew. While Shamyla is distracted by the dreamlike Eid party in the field, Ayesha runs away, and another little girl replaces her. Shamyla calls out to her, and when the girl turns around before disappearing into a sea of aunties, Shamyla sees that it is herself as a child. And that seems to be all the closure Shamyla needs to move through her grief, and returns to the party with a renewed sense of belonging.
Roles For This Project
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Short Film
Shamyla's Mom
$100/day
Woman
New York City
40 - 55
Non Union
Short Film
Submissions Due:
10/09/2026
SHAMYLA’S MOM, 40, is a South Asian woman who loves to socialize.
-
Short Film
Ayesha
$100/day
Woman
New York City
15 - 17
Non Union
Short Film
Submissions Due:
10/09/2026
AYESHA, 16, is Shamyla’s childhood best friend who has come to visit her from the other side. Always in a mask covering her face, she helps Shamyla get back into her body and moves as though she is a breeze.
-
Short Film
Elderly Woman
$100/day
Woman
New York City
60 - 75
Non Union
Short Film
Submissions Due:
10/09/2026
ELDERLY WOMAN, 70, is a sweet older woman with the energy of a loving grandmother.
-
Short Film
Child Shamyla
$100/day
Woman
New York City
9 - 11
Non Union
Short Film
Submissions Due:
10/09/2026
CHILD SHAMYLA, 9, is a goofy kid who likes to get into mischief with Child Ayesha.
-
Short Film
Aunty 1
$100/day
Woman
New York City
55 - 68
Non Union
Short Film
Submissions Due:
10/09/2026
AUNTY 1, 60, is a traditional Pakistani Muslim woman who often gives out unsolicited advice to anyone who will listen. Speaks Urdu.
-
Short Film
Child Ayesha
$100/day
Woman
New York City
9 - 11
Non Union
Short Film
Submissions Due:
10/09/2026
CHILD AYESHA, 9, is a playful kid who likes to get into mischief.
-
Short Film
Shamyla
$100/day
Woman
New York City
15 - 17
Non Union
Short Film
Submissions Due:
10/09/2026
SHAMYLA, 16, is a moody teenager often disassociating, navigating her grief after the death of her childhood best friend. She’s looking for closure and longs to be understood.
Similar Roles
Roles For This Project
-
Submissions Due:
10/09/2026
SHAMYLA’S MOM, 40, is a South Asian woman who loves to socialize.
-
Submissions Due:
10/09/2026
ELDERLY WOMAN, 70, is a sweet older woman with the energy of a loving grandmother.
-
Submissions Due:
10/09/2026
CHILD SHAMYLA, 9, is a goofy kid who likes to get into mischief with Child Ayesha.
-
Submissions Due:
10/09/2026
CHILD AYESHA, 9, is a playful kid who likes to get into mischief.