SANDY is a bold, witty, and heartfelt short film about a South Asian teen navigating the clash between cultural expectations and self-identity at his all-boys school. When a secret relationship sparks a public scandal, Sandy is forced to reclaim his own narrative—on his own terms.

This 10-minute dramedy is more than just a short film—it’s the introduction to our TV series the South Asian Students Society (SASS) a larger story world celebrating the vibrancy, struggles, and triumphs of South Asian college students. With humor, heart, and cultural richness, SANDY challenges stereotypes and gives voice to a community often overlooked in mainstream media.

About Director/Writer: Shayon Maitra
Shayon Maitra is an award-winning South Asian writer, director, and editor with over a decade of experience in documentary, news, and entertainment. His work has been featured on CNN, PBS, BBC, HBO Max, and DSTV, with films screening at Berlinale, SXSW, Outfest LA, NewFest NY, and Flickers Rhode Island. As a Columbia MFA graduate, Shayon crafts compelling stories that blend humor and heart to explore identity, culture, and belonging. Skilled in Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere, After Effects, and Adobe Audition, he delivers impactful storytelling with precision and efficiency. Born in India and shaped by a global upbringing across Dubai, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, London, and Chicago, he now resides in Los Angeles.

About the Producer: Lindsey Brannon
Lindsey Brannon is a storyteller whose love for design and visual media blossomed during arts high school and continued to develop with annual visits to the Sundance Film Festival, where she was immersed in bold, thought-provoking narratives. After 15 years of success in finance and operations—spanning roles at J.P. Morgan and startups— she took a leap of faith to pursue storytelling full-time. Most recently, Lindsey was an Associate Producer and Production Coordinator for 109 Billion Followers, an indie film starring Olivia Simmons, Jake Ryan, Tony-winner Nina Arianda, and Oscar-winner J.K. Simmons. As a graduate of the University of Chicago and the New York Film Academy, Lindsey combines analytical and creative expertise to craft compelling and inclusive stories for the screen.

More Details
Filming: March/April 2025
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Status: We've got an amazing team working on the project and a great script! We're currently auditioning SANDY's cast and finishing hiring crew in LA.

Your support brings SANDY to life, funding production, festival submissions, and community screenings while championing authentic representation. Your generosity ensures this story reaches those who need to see themselves reflected on screen—and as a thank you, you'll receive special recognition, including Doodyaar swag, Indian pashmina shawls, and IMDb credit.

More than just a film, SANDY sparks meaningful conversations in schools, communities, and festivals, fostering dialogue around acceptance, diversity, and self-expression. Through screenings, university partnerships, and community events, it challenges stereotypes and helps build a more inclusive media landscape.

Our film plans to engage its audience through targeted social media campaigns, influencer partnerships, and festival screenings with live Q&As to foster dialogue on representation in South Asian culture. We will leverage Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter to share behind-the-scenes content, character-driven storytelling, and interactive discussions. Additionally, we plan to screen SANDY at film festivals, university events, and community screenings, creating a space for audiences to connect and share their experiences.

Partial Tax-Deductible Donations
SANDY - A Short Film is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the charitable purposes of SANDY must be made payable to “Fractured Atlas” only. 

If your contribution ($100 and above) qualifies for rewards, your donation is partially tax-deductible. Any contribution above the market value of your rewards is tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Share SANDY
We'd love for you to spread the word to your friends and family who want to support the arts, independent film making, and representation. Share the hashtag #SANDY on Instagram.

Join us in making SANDY a reality. Let’s tell stories that matter.