Ghosts Do Buy Tickets is a 25-minute narrative short film about a young Jewish screenwriter in New York, haunted by rejection and by the ghost of Michael Curtiz, the Golden Age director of Casablanca. When producers reject his work, telling him "Ghosts don't buy tickets, kid," he begins to spiral until Curtiz appears as a spectral mentor. This is a haunting, ironic, and poetic exploration of legacy, resilience, and the Jewish contribution to Hollywood's dream machine. Like the films of Wilder or Lubitsch, it draws its power not from explanation or trauma, but from irony, imagination, and poetry.
Production and Timeline
- Shooting: February 2026 over 10 days
- Locations: Primarily Paris with two essential days in Los Angeles
- Post-production: 7 weeks including editing, sound, color grading, and 35mm lab work
- Delivery: DCP and 35mm master ready by June 2026
Artistic Vision
The film will be shot on 35mm with support from Panavision and Kodak as an act of resistance in the age of AI. Celluloid reminds us that storytelling human, physical, imperfect still matters.
Distribution Strategy
The film will begin a 3 to 6 month Oscar-qualifying run, featuring:
- Theatrical release at Laemmle theaters and Academy Theater in Los Angeles
- North American festival circuit targeting Tribeca, Sundance, Palm Springs, and AFI Fest
- Screenings at Jewish cultural centers, film schools, and universities
Budget and Financing
- Total budget: $300,000
- Currently seeking: Funding from Jewish cultural foundations.
Ghosts Do Buy Tickets is more than a film it is a cultural act that honors the past while speaking to a new generation of storytellers. Where there is a great story, there is hope.
Learn More: https://tddantoy.manussite.space/