Announcement video
Synopsis
With the title based off of the hardcore anthem by Terror, Keepers of the Faith is a heartfelt coming-of-age drama set in a fading DIY punk venue known as The Safehouse. As rising rent, overdue bills, and personal struggles threaten its closure, a group of friends fights to save the place that once gave them purpose. Together, they navigate adulthood, identity, and the quiet heartbreak of letting go.
Told through the eyes of Dylan—a young man caught adrift between purpose and passion—the film explores themes of aging out, loyalty, and the ache of watching something you love unravel. With echoes of Clerks, SLC Punk!, and Short Term 12, it’s a love letter to underground culture, chosen family, and the spaces that raised us.
More than a film, it's a tribute to those who stuck around.
MEET THE KEEPERS
Dylan – 23, broke, bruised, and desperately trying to hold everything together. A lifer in the local scene, he’s poured everything into The Safehouse, even as it threatens to consume him.
Mark – 52, the grizzled caretaker of The Safehouse and its unofficial father figure. Behind the sarcasm and vintage shirt collection is a man whose heart (literally) can’t take much more.
Julian – 27, big-hearted and burnt out, struggling to balance scene loyalty with impending fatherhood and the pressure to "grow up."
Eli – 22, the cerebral one with a future at Columbia but a past rooted in the pit. Stuck between the life he’s building and the one he doesn’t want to leave behind.
personal Background
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been dreaming of a film that encapsulates crumbling under the pressure of what others’ have envisioned for your life, coming to terms with adulthood, and most importantly, the importance of finding your chosen family and that sense of unity that comes with being a part of the hardcore/punk music scene.
Growing up, I wrestled with the struggles of feeling like an outsider, never really fitting in anywhere. Years of being shoved and crammed into whatever box was deemed “normal” led to a growing resentment towards the concept of “fitting in”. At this point, my only solace rested in films. That was until I found hardcore around the age of 13. Immediately, I was embraced by others who not only looked like me, but more importantly felt that same pressure growing up, I finally felt like I belonged somewhere. Over the next few years, I was exposed to bands like Terror, Trapped Under Ice, Trash Talk, Touche Amore, etc. Living in San Diego, we would basically live at venues like Che Cafe, Epicenter, and SOMA on the weekend. Eventually, members of our friend group went on to start bands and play in the same venues we called home. Coming from a background of loving movies and being behind a camera, I took it upon myself to start shooting a lot of these shows in backyards, local venues, VFW halls, and the occasional church. I really started to appreciate the beauty in how the chaotic nature of these shows appeared through a camera lens. It was at this point I realized there is a story to be told in these rooms, and about these individuals. At the end of the day, it is my number one goal to accurately capture the passion and emotional catharsis that individuals express at these shows, and the ongoing spirit that lives in these rooms.
In 2015, I was accepted into the film program at Woodbury University in Burbank, CA. No matter what the focus of the project was, I felt a responsibility to put as much of myself into the project as I could. Since then, I’ve been freelancing as a director, editor, and occasional cinematographer for music videos, all while shooting hardcore and punk shows in my free time.
What are we looking for?
With independent feature films, it is common to create a short version of your feature screenplay, called a Proof of Concept. While in the grand scheme of things, Keepers of the Faith is meant to be a feature film, we would like to shoot a Proof of Concept beforehand in order to find funding on a larger scale, and potentially source producers, so we can shoot this thing on a budget it deserves.
We’re raising funds to bring Keepers of the Faith to life — a story about the people and places that shape us, and what it means to fight for them.
We're currently seeking:
Production Funds – Every dollar helps us cover essentials like gear rentals, location fees, crew, transportation, and meals. Our budget is modest but focused — we want every cent on screen.
Post-Production Support – Editing, color, sound design, and scoring all take time, talent, and resources. If you’re a post pro and want to get involved, hit us up!
In-Kind Donations – Got access to gear, locations, a van, catering, or even just a couch to crash on? We’d love to collaborate.
Executive Producers/Partners – If this story speaks to you and you want to help push it across the finish line in a bigger way, let’s talk.
More than anything, we're looking for people who believe in this story. Whether you contribute financially, share the campaign, or just send us some words of encouragement — it all helps us get this story out into the world.