Cinematography for Actors InstituteFiscal Sponsorship
When a disheveled New Yorker named Jesse stumbles across a sinister video on social media, they unwittingly awaken a malevolent entity that demands an unthinkable sacrifice to spare Jesse’s loved ones.
On a late-night social media scroll, Jesse and their girlfriend Amber stumble upon a creepy, glitched-out video featuring a bizarre, distorted entity. Jesse laughs it off, dismissing it as just another viral prank.
But when terrifying things start happening in real life, they realize this is no joke. The entity has a chilling ultimatum: keep scrolling, or risk dooming those they care about.
As the horror escalates with a twisted sense of humor, Jesse becomes trapped in a surreal nightmare, torn between saving themselves, protecting Amber and their friends, and escaping the demon’s curse.
Doom Scroll explores the intersection of digital addiction, identity, and human connection in a world dominated by screens. The film draws from the all too familiar act of doom scrolling, of mindlessly consuming disturbing or anxiety inducing content online. By turning that behavior into a literal curse, we’re reframing a passive digital habit as an active threat.
Our protagonist, Jesse, is a non-binary college student navigating a world where social connection and mental decompression are frequently found online. Their emotional isolation and dependency on digital spaces make them the perfect target for this supernatural entity. The story metaphorically addresses how unchecked social media usage can erode self-awareness and real world relationships. As co-directors, we are both young filmmakers who’ve grown up embedded in digital culture.
We’re not moralizing the phenomenon, but merely asking questions. Why do we keep scrolling? What are we trying to find? And what are we losing in the process? This project is timely because our collective relationship with social media has reached a breaking point of overwhelming addiction combined with content that does more harm than good.
Gen Z and Millennials in particular are reckoning with its addictive qualities, mental health consequences, and the fine line between connection and consumption. We’re telling a story that’s spooky and funny but also deeply personal and relevant.
Kate is a rising Tisch senior, majoring in Dramatic Writing and minoring in Producing. She’s directed Man-Eater and Spaghetti Man Ate My Dreams and brings sharp, stylish instincts to every project. Key Credits: – “Man-Eater” (Writer/Director, Short Film) – “Spaghetti Man Ate My Dreams” (Writer/Director, Short Film) – “The Inner Circle” (Producer, Short Film)
Eliana is a rising senior at NYU Tisch, majoring in Dramatic Writing with a Producing minor. She’s in production or pre-production for multiple films including "Pa-sapphic Islanders" and the feature documentary "The Leftovers". "Doom Scroll" is her directorial debut. Key Credits: – Becoming Slender (Producer, Short Proof-of-Concept) – The Leftovers (Producer, Feature Documentary) – Devil’s Instrument (Producer, Short Film)
Kate is a rising senior at NYU Tisch, majoring in Dramatic Writing with a minor in Producing. She specializes in managing logistics while also contributing creatively, especially on projects with comedic and/or surreal elements. Key Credits: – Doom Scroll (Producer, Short Film) – Little Lamb (Producer, Experimental Short Film) – Girl Doll (Producer, Short Film)
Fabrizio is a Brooklyn-based filmmaker and producer known for intimate, character-driven films. His past work includes "Silver Anniversary" and "Stalking the Bogeyman", which screened at over 30 festivals. Key Credits: – Silver Anniversary (Producer) – Stalking the Bogeyman (Producer) – On Point (Producer)
Every gift goes to this project through Cinematography for Actors Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
