The Kept

Logline:
When a girl finds a forgotten typewriter in a world where speech is auto-corrected by AI, each uncensored word she writes becomes an act of defiance — and a dangerous path to freedom.


Synopsis:
In a near-future world where every word is filtered by an AI called Vera, sixteen-year-old Ashley discovers her late grandfather’s typewriter — the only device left that doesn’t correct what she writes. As she begins secretly typing stories about the truths her government has buried, her words start to spread beyond her control, awakening a rebellion she can’t silence. But when the corporation closes in, Ashley must decide whether to protect herself or finish the story that could set her world free.

 

Director Bio:

Mecca McDonald is an up and coming creative and filmmaker with over a decade of experience. She spent most of her childhood pulling ideas out of thin air into reality. She had little to no resources, but nothing can stop the power of imagination. While completing her senior year at Johns Hopkins in 2021, she co-founded Pedestal, a dynamic production company. Mecca has directed and produced a diverse portfolio of music videos, short films, and more than 200 photoshoots, collaborating with top-tier brands like Apple, Adobe, and Coach. In total, she has executive produced and directed films, totaling over $220,000. Her first short, Liminality, premiered at the 2024 Essence Film Festival, where it won the prestigious Grand Jury Prize for Best Short Film.

 

 

Producer Bio:

Celeste O'Connor is an actress, emerging producer. A Johns Hopkins graduate in Public Health, they completed their degree in just 3.5 years—while filming four feature films. In 2021, they acted alongside Florence Pugh and Morgan Freeman in the feature, A Good Person, and they co-founded Pedestal, a production company specializing in bold visual story-telling made by and for women of color. By 2024, Celeste starred in major studio films including Marvel’s Madame Web and Sony’s Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.They have an eye for talent, an unstoppable creative drive, and the vision to execute from idea into reality. Their first short as a producer won their company Grand Jury prize at Essence Film Festival. The Kept will be their 5th short film as a producer.

The Kept

Logline:
When a girl finds a forgotten typewriter in a world where speech is auto-corrected by AI, each uncensored word she writes becomes an act of defiance — and a dangerous path to freedom.


Synopsis:
In a near-future world where every word is filtered by an AI called Vera, sixteen-year-old Ashley discovers her late grandfather’s typewriter — the only device left that doesn’t correct what she writes. As she begins secretly typing stories about the truths her government has buried, her words start to spread beyond her control, awakening a rebellion she can’t silence. But when the corporation closes in, Ashley must decide whether to protect herself or finish the story that could set her world free.

 

Director Bio:

Mecca McDonald is an up and coming creative and filmmaker with over a decade of experience. She spent most of her childhood pulling ideas out of thin air into reality. She had little to no resources, but nothing can stop the power of imagination. While completing her senior year at Johns Hopkins in 2021, she co-founded Pedestal, a dynamic production company. Mecca has directed and produced a diverse portfolio of music videos, short films, and more than 200 photoshoots, collaborating with top-tier brands like Apple, Adobe, and Coach. In total, she has executive produced and directed films, totaling over $220,000. Her first short, Liminality, premiered at the 2024 Essence Film Festival, where it won the prestigious Grand Jury Prize for Best Short Film.

 

 

Producer Bio:

Celeste O'Connor is an actress, emerging producer. A Johns Hopkins graduate in Public Health, they completed their degree in just 3.5 years—while filming four feature films. In 2021, they acted alongside Florence Pugh and Morgan Freeman in the feature, A Good Person, and they co-founded Pedestal, a production company specializing in bold visual story-telling made by and for women of color. By 2024, Celeste starred in major studio films including Marvel’s Madame Web and Sony’s Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.They have an eye for talent, an unstoppable creative drive, and the vision to execute from idea into reality. Their first short as a producer won their company Grand Jury prize at Essence Film Festival. The Kept will be their 5th short film as a producer.