An ambitious studio assistant’s shot at advancement unravels when the young actress she’s ushering in - and the star she’s quietly replacing - force her to confront the human cost of the system she serves.

Please visit our WEBSITE: an exciting interactive introduction to DO NOT DISTURB.

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This short film intends to expose the complexities of workplace harassment in the entertainment industry. I hope to continue the conversation of the #MeToo movement as allegations of abuse continue to surface (Tyler Perry most recently has a $260 million lawsuit filed against him as of December 2025). The abuse at all levels of the industry is still present, but the already rich and successful often evade or adapt however it still exists in pernicious forms, from sexual harassment. I hope to expand the conversation from sexual harassment to systemic power imbalances.

We simultaneously want to carve a new path forward by building a working environment on the film that is safe and nurturing towards women. Representation of female directors in the top 100 highest grossing films has fallen to 8.1%, the lowest since 2018. We are in desperate need of more women behind the camera and retention of those same women by providing a safe workspace, which are both focuses of this project.

Kirsten Hansen: 

Kirsten is a graduate of Princeton University and received her MFA from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in the UK. She has performed and produced plays in theatres across Los Angeles, but DO NOT DISTURB is her first foray into screenwriting and film directing.

Brynn Mitchell: 

Brynn Mitchell is an award winning writer and filmmaker interested in big worlds and morally ambiguous female characters. She is a recent graduate from the American Film Institute Conservatory where she got her MFA in directing. Brynn has worked in the theater, editorial, commercial, and music video spaces around the country, and is passionate about allegory and the ability to tell relevant stories in unexplored worlds. She is a certified Intimacy Coordinator, photographer, and avid reader, excited to jump into new creative ventures.

Isabella Hilditch: 

Isabella Hilditch is an interdisciplinary creative working at the intersection of tech, entertainment, and the arts. Her practice spans both physical and digital production, turning spaces and screens into immersive storytelling experiences. A graduate of Princeton University, she brings a visual approach attentive to both atmosphere and narrative. Recent production credits include Art Within The Craft, a fine art show she founded for production designers; Portfolio Building for Creatives, a Readymag-supported workshop in London; and a range of production design credits across film, theater, and live performance.

Kai Philavanh is a Korean-Southeast Asian cinematographer born and raised in Colorado, and based in Los Angeles. Her interest in visual storytelling began with a background in photography and documentary, which led her to Syracuse University where she received a Bachelor’s in Film and Cinematic Arts. After graduating in 2022, she began her career as a rental house technician before transitioning to becoming a cinematographer. In 2024, she participated in the American Film Institute’s Cinematography Intensive for Women program sponsored by Panavision. She is a participant of the 2025-2026 ASC Vision Mentorship program under Patti Lee, ASC.

Didi Vekri
Production Designer

Didi Vekri is a rising senior at Princeton University from Athens, Greece, pursuing a degree in Visual Arts with minors in Theater and Linguistics. Didi is an active member of the theater and film communities on campus, working on multiple projects as a set, lighting, costume, or projection designer, and most recently directing a production of Fornés' Manual for a Desperate Crossing with the Program in Theater. She is so thrilled to be part of the Do Not Disturb team and learn how to make a real movie (that isn’t shot in between class hours)!

Our Donation Tiers:

$25 - A personalized thank you email from our writer/director, Kirsten Hansen.

$50 - Friend of the film - by donating this amount, you’ll get an advanced private copy to screen of film, and an invite to our official team & friends screening.

$250 - Backer Everything above, plus "Special Thanks" credit in the film's end roll. 

$1k -  Everything above, upgraded to "Associate Producer" credit, plus an invitation to a virtual Q&A with the director and key cast/crew after release.