Pepperonia: A Coming-of-Age Fantasy Film

A film by Shaina Feldman

Pepperonia 2 builds on the legacy of our award-winning debut feature and opens the door to a larger story universe—Dream Planets—where each chapter explores a new world through a distinctly human lens.

On the night of her quinceañera, one choice pulls her into a dream world she may not return from.

Juniper Santos is a teenage girl swept into a surreal dream world where memory, identity, and imagination collide. To make it back before the celebration ends, she must confront who she is becoming—or risk losing herself forever.

We are currently in active pre-production—scouting locations, casting, hiring crew, and preparing to shoot this summer in Kentucky.🍕 PROJECT STORY

🎥 THE STORY

On the night of her quinceañera, Juniper is expected to step into the next version of her life. Instead, she finds herself pulled into a surreal dream world—one that feels as playful as it is deeply personal.

As she moves through this strange landscape, she encounters echoes of memory, family, and the forces that shaped her—on a journey that unfolds over the course of a single night.

🌎 WHY THIS STORY, RIGHT NOW

We’re living in a moment where people are craving joy, connection, and stories that feel alive.

Pepperonia is rooted in that energy. It’s a celebration of imagination, humor, and emotional truth—told through the lens of a quinceañera, a rite of passage that is deeply meaningful and yet rarely centered on screen.

Despite how culturally significant quinceañeras are, there are very few films that explore them as a cinematic event. Stories about turning sixteen have existed for decades, but this moment—this tradition—has been largely overlooked.

As a Latina who experienced a quinceañera that was chaotic, magical, and life-changing, I’m drawing directly from memory to tell this story with honesty, humor, and heart.

🏆 TRACK RECORD

Pepperonia is not starting from scratch.

The original film:

• Best Feature Film — Atlanta Children’s Film Festival (2024)
• Best Actress — Seattle Film Festival (2024)
• Special Recognition — Treasure Coast International Film Festival (2024)
• Official selections and nominations internationally, including South Korea
• Currently in distribution with 1919 Distribution

Watch the trailer for the original Pepperonia below:

This is the world we’re expanding.

As a filmmaker and professor at Western Kentucky University since 2021, I’ve also:

• Overseen 200+ student films across multiple genres
• Mentored projects recognized globally, including Student Academy Award nominations
• Supported students advancing to top graduate programs and national competitions

We know how to make films—and how to finish them.

🎓 BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION

This film is also an opportunity to create a real bridge between education and the professional film industry.

As a professor at Western Kentucky University, I work closely with students who are preparing to enter the field. Pepperonia allows them to step onto a feature film set before they graduate—gaining hands-on experience that directly supports their transition into professional work.

It’s important to me that this set reflects not just how films are made, but how they can be made—with respect, preparation, collaboration, and genuine enjoyment of the craft.

We’re not only making a film—we’re building a space where emerging filmmakers can learn, contribute, and launch their careers with confidence.

🎬 WHAT WE’RE DOING NOW

We are currently in full pre-production, including:

• Casting and auditions
• Location scouting across Kentucky
• Hiring cast and crew
• Production design and visual planning

We are preparing to shoot this summer.

💰 WHAT THE FUNDS SUPPORT

All funds raised through this campaign go directly into production:

• Paying our cast and crew
• Feeding and supporting our team on set
• Securing locations
• Production design and building the world of Pepperonia
• Marketing and preparing the film for release

Every dollar goes on screen.

🚀 WHY KICKSTARTER

We’re not just asking for support—we’re inviting you to be part of bringing this film to life from the ground up.

Kickstarter allows us to:

• Build the film with our community
• Strengthen the scale and quality of production
• Bring this world to life at the level it deserves

If we exceed our goal, additional funds will go directly toward expanding the scope of the film.

🌌 THE BIGGER VISION

Pepperonia is part of a larger creative universe—Dream Planets—a series of interconnected stories exploring identity, memory, and transformation through imaginative worlds.

This film is the next step in building that universe.

🎯 THE ASK

We are ready to make this film.

We have the team, the plan, and the momentum.

Now we are offering you the opportunity to be a part of the magic!

About the director

Shaina Feldman is a Chilean American filmmaker and film professor based in Kentucky. Her work explores coming-of-age, identity, and emotional growth through imaginative, surreal worlds. Her debut feature, Pepperonia, has screened internationally, earning Best Feature Film at the Atlanta Children’s Film Festival and Best Actress at the Seattle Film Festival, and is currently in distribution with 1919 Distribution. Since 2021, she has taught film production at Western Kentucky University, where she has mentored over 200 student films recognized around the world.

This film is created through a fully human, collaborative filmmaking process.