ZEKE is a comedy thriller about a man who gets his hairline messed up by a well-respected barber and keeps going back… until one visit pushes him past the point of no return. The film flips the idea of “getting groomed” in a barbershop into a metaphor for emotional manipulation — the kind used by people in power, who it’s hard to say “no” to. By sharing this film, we aim to bring people together, helping them meet eye to eye, share a laugh, and spark meaningful dialogue.

The film stars Hassan Johnson (HBO’s The Wire, Netflix’s Survival of the Thickest), Sam Jay (NBC’s SNL, HBO’s Pause with Sam Jay), Kerry Coddett (Showtime’s Flatbush Misdemeanors, Hulu’s Ramy), and Stephen Cofield Jr. (The Equalizer, Amazon Prime’s Harlem). Behind the camera is Cinematographer Olga Vazquez (Cannes, Venice, HBO Max, Amazon), Editor Cori Wapnowska (Peabody Award winner, Netflix, HBO, Showtime), Grammy-winning Sound Designer Vinny Alfano (Netflix, HBO), Senior Colorist Maria Carretero (Sundance, Cannes Lions-winning campaigns), and Producer Yah-mari Cole (Amazon Prime). Together, this team brings depth, craft, and vision to every frame of ZEKE.

Growing up, my Caribbean grandmother often said, “Laugh and cry live in the same house.” When I was young, it was usually her way of warning me that if I was playing too recklessly, consequences were just around the corner. As I got older, I realized it was more than just a saying. It became a philosophy that shapes how I tell stories.

For me, comedy has always been a way to process pain and open the door to truth. I do not hand audiences easy answers. I offer perspectives that push people to look inward, sit with discomfort, and talk about things we often avoid. Stories like ZEKE do not just entertain. They spark conversations that too often stay hidden behind closed doors and help communities meet eye to eye.

I believe people who laugh together can face hard truths together. Comedy can reach skeptics who might look away from survivors’ stories and invite them to listen. But for stories like this to make an impact, they have to be seen. That is why we are raising funds to bring ZEKE to festivals, community screenings, and wider audiences so this film can reach the rooms and conversations where it matters most.

-Kerry Coddett, Writer and Director of ZEKE

Hear From Our Director, Kerry Coddett: Why This Film Matters and Where Your Support Goes

Help Us Raise $50,000 to Bring ZEKE to Audiences Everywhere

We are an independent team that has already poured our time, talent, and fifty thousand dollars of our own money into bringing ZEKE to life.

The film is made and ready, and now we need your help to raise $50,000 to match that investment so we can share ZEKE with the audiences it was created for. Does $50K sound wild to market and distribute a short film? We understand. We thought the same thing. But when we broke down what it takes to get this story seen the right way — festival submissions, travel, press, trailers, posters — the math added up quickly. Without strong marketing and promotion, even the best indie films can disappear quietly. In this industry, best practice is to reserve at about fifty percent of a project’s total budget for distribution and outreach. For ZEKE, that means matching what it cost to make the film so it can reach the screens and conversations it was made for.

We set out to deliver a film with high production value that does justice to our story, our cast and crew, and everyone who has supported this work. By giving today, you help make sure ZEKE reaches more screens, sparks more conversations, and finds the community it was meant for.

Your support covers what comes next. It helps us submit to top festivals, travel for screenings and Q&As, hire publicists to secure press, create trailers and posters, and build the momentum that keeps doors open for ZEKE and future stories.

As artists, we want to spark change. As filmmakers, we are here to start the conversations people avoid. This story is finished and ready to be seen, and your support makes that possible.

Thank you for standing with us and helping bring ZEKE to the world. Every contribution moves this story forward.

YOUR SUPPORT HELPS US:

Submit to top-tier film festivals and cover related fees
Travel with cast and crew to festivals for screenings, talkbacks, and networking
Hire publicists to get press and amplify visibility
Create trailers, posters, and promotional materials
Build industry momentum that opens doors to future opportunities for ZEKE and beyond

THE BUDGET

🎬 $25 - COMMUNITY SUPPORTER

You’re part of the family now!
Get an OFFICIAL THANK YOU on our website and exclusive behind-the-scenes updates and photos.

🎬 $100 - DIGITAL INSIDER

Bragging rights unlocked!

Get EARLY DIGITAL ACCESS to the film before anyone else,
All the perks from COMMUNITY SUPPORTER.

🎬 $250 - SPECIAL THANKS

Time to flex!

You’ll receive a custom Zeke T-Shirt
One ticket to our PRIVATE SCREENING + Q&A
All the perks from DIGITAL INSIDER.

🎬 $500 - COLLECTOR’S EDITION

Get the royal treatment with:

A custom Zeke Hoodie
Two tickets to our PRIVATE SCREENING + Q&A
A SIGNED DIGITAL POSTER of the cast
All perks from SPECIAL THANKS

Basically, you’re collecting these perks like rare trading cards.

🎬 $2,500 - MADE POSSIBLE BY

Your name, big and bold, will appear under “MADE POSSIBLE BY” in the film’s credits, social media and website. Plus:
A SIGNED SCRIPT
All perks from COLLECTOR’S EDITION

You're officially a legend.

🎬 $5,000 - ASSOCIATE PRODUCER

You're officially an ASSOCIATE PRODUCER, which means:

Your name in the film’s credits
An IMDb CREDIT (because, duh)
A filmmaker’s pass to a festival screening of your choice
Your name on a special ASSOCIATE PRODUCER END CARD
All perks from MADE POSSIBLE BY

You're a real-deal filmmaker now.

🎬 $10,000 - EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

You've made it to the top. As an EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, you get:

Your name on an EXECUTIVE PRODUCER END CARD (like a boss)
TWO FILMMAKER’S PASSES to a festival of your choice
The IMDb CREDIT
Everything from ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Plus more, contact us at hello@grandmashaus.com to discuss.

You're basically running this show now.

LET'S GET IN TOUCH

Website: ZekeTheFilm.com | Instagram: @ZekeTheFilm | Email: hello@grandmashaus.com

Help Bring Zeke to Audiences Everywhere

Donate today to help us take ZEKE to more festivals, more screens, and more audiences.