University of Southern California, School of Cinematic Arts

In 2014, 24-year-old USC graduate student, Xinran Ji, was beaten to death by four teens when returning home from a study session. A lawyer, Rose Tsai, took it upon herself to tirelessly advocate on his behalf and represent his parents, as they attempt to understand the senseless tragedy together.

A young man in Oakland, California wakes with a heavy heart and decides to take a walk through the neighborhood to the local barbershop.

Jesse, a seventeen-year-old Iranian-American girl, musters the courage to tell her high school best friend, Roxanne, that she's in love with her. But when Roxanne invites out new girl Evelyn, Jesse's perfect night takes an unexpected turn.

After mistreatment at her law firm, a black female lawyer disguises herself as a white man.

Through spiritual encounters with a mystery man, a piano-playing boy learns a song in hopes of reconnecting with his grieving father.

In a time of mounting social unrest, a young Black woman faces a life-altering choice.

Kiki, a music producer and entrepreneur, is commissioned to create a rap beat for the eccentric and passively racist Naomi, who goes by the rap moniker Omi-O.

A rookie Air Force drone pilot finds himself increasingly attached to a target he watches from halfway around the world.

A police officer encounters a stranger waiting for an old friend.

Vicky (Xingyu) Gu explains the complexities of being immersed in a new culture and learning to communicate in another language.

Born and raised in the cult of the Chosen Colony, 16-year old Rebecca desperately wants to see the outside world. She plans an escape with the prophet Amos’ son, her lover, but is incidentally selected to be Amos’ new bride. Faced with the added pressure of the situation, the two attempt to commence their plan when they run into a new obstacle: Amos’ power to possess.

A passport photographer named Steven Forrest is petrified of death following the sudden demise of his fearless buddy in a martini accident.

A young woman is torn between two worlds: her day job cleaning planes and her dream of becoming a pilot. When she takes steps to pursue aviation, she is met with resistance and must fight against the odds to get her wings.

A frustrated Hollywood actress is doing an unusual “part-time job.”

Miles, a troubled 17 year old, morphs into an ape, while navigating a turbulent relationship with his possessive and strong-willed mother, Lucy. She helps him unleash and embrace his inner wild animal.

After an American-born Chinese struggles to fit in his new Chinese class, he confronts his mom about why he was never taught the language.

On a desolate farm, a couple's prayers are answered after a visitor offers them a sinister deal. Blinded by their joy, they struggle to realize that what they once desired may lead to their own unraveling.

With his reputation and a potential record deal on the line, Khalil confronts his opponent, Yung Reap, and defends his secret during a freestyle competition.

A short film about love and how one family is transformed when its patriarch is revealed to be transgender.

"Ladies Knight" is Joe Rothenberg's undergrad senior thesis project from USC's Hench Division of Animation and Digital Arts.