HELP US COMPLETE TO THE FAMILY OF VERLEAN BANKS
A SHORT FILM BY 10:19 PRODUCTIONS
Your support helps us finish post-production and prepare the film for top-tier festivals, bringing us one step closer to sharing this story with audiences everywhere.
Set in 1961 Nashville, To the Family of Verlean Banks follows a sixteen-year-old musician whose world shifts when she finds herself drawn into the rising Freedom Riders movement. As Verlean’s dream of attending conservatory collides with the political landscape around her, she must discover what courage looks like — and who she wants to become.
The film is grounded in real history, honoring the everyday people whose quiet acts of courage helped spark national change. This story offers a rare window into resilience, music, activism, and legacy.
WHAT IS TO THE FAMILY OF VERLEAN BANKS?
This film centers a pivotal chapter in Black history often told through the voices of adults, not through the eyes of young people whose lives were shaped by the movement.
To the Family of Verlean Banks speaks to:
reclaiming stories erased or minimized
the complexity of coming-of-age during political upheaval
the relationship between art and activism
the way ordinary people choose courage
As our country continues to navigate conversations around justice and identity, Verlean’s story feels especially resonant.
WHY THIS STORY MATTERS
WHERE WE ARE NOW
We wrapped production on To the Family of Verlean Banks on October 19, a date deeply meaningful to our founder and the namesake of 10:19 Productions. After a powerful week of filming — and many lessons, challenges, and moments of joy — we are now fully in post-production.
This stage includes:
editing
sound design and final mix
original score
color grading and finishing
accessibility captioning
festival-ready exports
Completing this work allows us to submit the film to top-tier festivals, the clearest pathway toward Oscar-qualifying opportunities.
JAHMIL EADY, DIRECTOR
Our remaining goal is to raise $20,000 to complete post-production and prepare the film for its festival run.
Your support directly funds:
editing and picture lock
sound design and mixing
music composition
color grading and finishing
captions and accessibility
final deliverables
festival submission fees
These final steps strengthen the film’s artistic quality and ensure Verlean’s story reaches the audiences who need it.
WHY WE NEED SUPPORT
WAYS TO SUPPORT
Every contribution moves this film forward.
$25: Covers one festival submission
$50: Helps mix a scene
$100: Supports editing and sound
$250: Be listed as a Friend of 10:19 Productions in the film credits
$500: Supports original score work
$1,000: Supports color grading and finishing
$5,000 - $10,000: Supports our path to Oscar-qualifying festivals.
Over $10,000: Please contact kiyonna@1019productions.com for more info
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
KiYonna Carr
PRODUCER
Tina Gulati
WRITER
Briana Cox
DIRECTOR
Jahmil Eady
FILM CONSULTANTS
Black Man Films: Roderick Lawrence, Salma Qarnain & Cameron Carr
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Eric Branco
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Laura Vargas
COSTUME DESIGNER
Lauren Levin
EDITOR
Christopher Hong
COMPOSTER
Alonso Pirio
SOUND MIXER / RECORDIST
Walid Alhamdy
FIRST ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Cameron Carr
CAST
Aliyah Mastin as Verlean Banks
Brittany Adebumola as Cela
Jeremy Noel as Raymond Banks
Shiro Kihagi as Mother Banks
Full credits will appear in the film’s end titles.
ABOUT 10:19 PRODUCTIONS
10:19 Productions is a creative studio committed to telling stories from underrepresented communities with care, intention, and boldness. We center collaboration, cultural specificity, and opportunities for emerging talent.
To the Family of Verlean Banks is our inaugural short film and the foundation of the future we are building.
THE PLATFORM WE’RE BUILDING (COMING SOON)
We’re building a platform that lets filmmakers share their stories directly with the audiences who want them and earn enough to keep creating without relying on traditional gatekeepers.
To the Family of Verlean Banks will be part of the foundation of this platform, alongside future projects from underrepresented creators.
If you’d like to follow our progress as the platform develops in 2026, sign up below.
KEY CREATIVE TEAM
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
KiYonna Carr
PRODUCER
Tina Gulati
WRITER
Briana Cox
DIRECTOR
Jahmil Eady
FILM CONSULTANTS
Black Man Films: Roderick Lawrence, Salma Qarnain & Cameron Carr
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Eric Branco
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Laura Vargas
COSTUMER DESIGNER
Lauren Levin
EDITOR
Christopher Hong
COMPOSTER
Alonso Pirio
SOUND MIXER / RECORDIST
Walid Alhamdy
FIRST ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Cameron Carr
CAST
Aliyah Mastin as Verlean Banks
Brittany Adebumola as Cela
Jeremy Noel as Raymond Banks
Shiro Kihagi as Mother Banks
Full credits will appear in the film’s end titles.
FISCAL SPONSORSHIP + DONATION DETAILS
All contributions are processed through validBodies Arts Project, Inc., a NYC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the fiscal sponsor for To the Family of Verlean Banks.
All donations are fully tax-deductible as allowed by law.
For gifts over $10,000, please contact kiyonna@1019productions.com.
FOLLOW THE JOURNEY
Stay connected with 10:19 Productions