"Pluck" is a stop motion surrealist horror short following the story of a talented athlete

at the height of her career as she struggles to hide a horrifying terminal diagnosis

that grotesquely begins to mutate her body into that of a chicken.

 

​Through Pluck, I intend to have my audience examine the tension and balance between nature vs. human control. I believe that death, as a natural process, is not the antithesis of a life well lived but that an indifference to suffering is. I hope the way in which this film explores issues relating to illness and bodily autonomy visually will affect how the audience perceives issues of choice and personal freedoms. As a woman with a significant chance of experiencing terminal illness due to my family history, I want to advocate for bodily autonomy at all stages of life, a political and human issue that feels increasingly pertinent in our current political climate. Amaia's story will also serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of having your sense of purpose too closely tied to your life's work and ambitions.​

 

As a woman working in animated horror, I am interested in how my work contributes to the cultivation of empathy and understanding of others in unique and visually arresting ways. With my last film, Mira, I used body horror to explore themes relating to the loss of self at the abuse of others. I intend to study this sub genre of horror within Pluck further as it relates to fears of terminal illness and suffering.

​​​

"Pluck" officially started production in 2025 after being awarded a Teri Rogers Film Grant by ArtKC and the Kansas City Film Office to support its early production expenses. The Teri Rogers Film Grants, presented by ArtsKC - Regional Arts Council and the Kansas City Film Office, were created to honor the late Teri Rogers, a woman who dedicated her life to uplifting creatives in Kansas City.

​

This project has additionally been supported with a 2026 Creative Capital Award, ensuring the project's completion. The 2026 Creative Capital Award, renowned for its recognition of original, ambitious project proposals for new artistic ideas, will support the creation of 49 new works in visual arts, film, dance, theater, music/jazz, and literature, as well as technology, multidisciplinary, and socially engaged forms in all disciplines. The Creative Capital Award supports the creation of risk-taking, groundbreaking new works by providing the awarded artist up to $50,000 in unrestricted project funding, plus professional development services and community-building opportunities. 

​

​

​

AWARDS AND GRANTS:

​

CREATIVE CAPITAL - 2026 AWARDEE - Creative Capital Nonprofit Organization, New York, NY

-One of 49 projects chosen out of 4,500+ for the 2026 Creative Capital Award cohort

 

BEST NARRATIVE SHORT SCRIPT - ‘PLUCK’ - Sidewalk Film Festival, Birmingham, AL

- Awarded a cash prize as the top winning Narrative Short Script out of 140 in competition

 

KILLER SHORTS SCREENPLAY CONTEST FINALIST - ‘PLUCK’ - Killer Shorts Contest, Los Angeles, CA

- One of ten 2025 finalists out of 1,200 submissions

 

TERI ROGERS FILM GRANT - ‘PLUCK’ - ArtsKC Regional Arts Council + KC Film Office, Kansas City, MO

- One of two 2024 awardees of the $10,000 Teri Rogers Film Grant