A short film written/directed by Cole Sexton
Produced by Raphael Gavin
Logline:
The new head of a family of Black stage magicians takes part in an in-person live stream showdown after a masked hacktivist threatens to expose her family’s dark legacy.
Synopsis:
In the age of trial by social media, the greatest trick isn’t deception—it’s survival.
Mystelle Mourning, the new head of a legendary dynasty of Black stage magicians, lures a famous hacktivist into a trap: a live-streamed “interview” with Wadjida Willis known better by her online persona Showstopper, an anonymous online provocateur whose become infamous through her work exposing abusers, grifters, fraudsters, and overt corruption. But this is no ordinary takedown. As the stream goes live and the accusations fly, Mystelle realizes the attack isn’t just about her family’s claim to fame—it’s deeply personal. To protect her family’s name, she must outmaneuver her opponent not with illusions, but with cunning, savvy, and psychological tactics.