A dramedy about three homeless friends, a mysterious bus and the hope of a better life.
DAYS LEFT
Your contribution supports the production of A Bus to the Stars through our fiscal sponsor, Film Independent.
Genre
Dramedy
DURATION
15.00 mins
AUDIENCE
All audiences
THEMES
Mental Health
Human Connection
the myth of the American Dream
Gilda, Nelly and Bepop are three homeless friends whose lives revolve around a bus stop they call home. Every day, they wake up to the same routine, performing small tasks to survive and attempting to connect with the people who pass by. The bus stop is their world, a place that gives them a sense of stability they have grown to depend on.
Their existence takes an unexpected turn when Hawk, an older homeless man with a reputation for tall tales, tells them about “the bus to the stars,” bound for the City of Angels, a place where dreams can come true. The news ignites a spark of hope and curiosity within our trio, challenging their acceptance of their current reality. Driven by the desire to seek a brighter future, they begin to dream of the City of Angels and search for the elusive bus that could take them there.
Will Gilda, Nelly and Bepop find the bus to the stars, reach the City of Angels and make their dreams come true?
“A BUS TO THE STARS” is a short film about homelessness, about three friends who have very little and still manage to dream big, about the things that keep us going, the people we choose to share the journey with, and about hope.
I wrote this script after volunteering in homeless shelters in Los Angeles. I went there thinking about what I could give, but what stayed with me were the people I met and the stories they shared with me.
Their lives were difficult, sometimes unimaginably so, but they were also funny, complicated, surprising and full of dreams.
A Bus to the Stars grew from those encounters. Gilda, Nelly and Bepop really existed at a bus stop on Sunset Boulevard. The story is imagined, but the humanity behind it is very real.
The 2026 Homeless Count estimates that over 73,000 people are experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County. In 2024 alone, 2,208 unhoused people died, an average of six people every day.
People experience homelessness for many reasons, including poverty, lack of affordable housing, loss of income, mental health challenges, substance abuse, domestic violence, family rejection and aging out of foster care.
Homelessness is a reality we encounter every day and yet often choose not to see. A Bus to the Stars raises awareness through a heartfelt story accessible to both adult and younger audiences. Comedy and a hint of fantasy soften the tragedy, allowing us to see these characters beyond their circumstances and connect with their humanity.
My aim is simple: to make us look at the people we so often walk past, see the human beings behind homelessness and, hopefully, inspire change.
WE’RE READY TO MAKE IT HAPPEN
The script is locked, the creative direction is defined, and we’re now building our cast and crew with the goal of shooting in Los Angeles before the end of the year.
Our CROWDFUNDING PRODUCTION GOAL is $30,000 to get the bus on the road.
The money raised through this campaign will go directly toward making the film: cast and crew, equipment, locations, transportation, production design, costumes, meals, insurance and everything else we need to get A Bus to the Stars in front of the camera.
Every contribution, big or small, gets us one step closer to making this film.
WHERE THE $$$ GOES
CAST (12%): Principal actors, background performers, SAG contributions and talent payroll.
CREW (22%): Producers, assistant directors, script supervisor, production assistants, set safety personnel and payroll.
PRODUCTION EXPENSES (43%): Camera, lighting, production design, costumes, hair and makeup, sound, equipment, props, set dressing, insurance, supplies and contingency.
LOCATIONS & LOGISTICS (16%): Locations, permits, transportation, bus rental, catering and craft services.
FILM INDEPENDENT (7%): Fiscal sponsorship administration fee.
THERE IS MORE THAN ONE WAY TO PUT FUEL IN THE BUS
CONTRIBUTE
Make a contribution and help us raise the funds we need to bring A Bus to the Stars to the screen. No amount is too small or too big, every dollar counts.
*A BUS TO THE STARS is a sponsored project of FILM INDEPENDENT, a non profit independent media and arts organization. Film Independent will receive grants for the charitable purposes of A BUS TO THE STARS, provide oversight to ensure that grant funds are used in accordance with grant agreements, and provide reports as required by the grantor. Contributions for the charitable purposes of A BUS TO THE STARS are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
OFFER SOMETHING FROM OUR WISHLIST
Have something the production needs? Equipment, locations, transportation, meals, services or other resources can make just as much of a difference.
SPREAD THE WORD
Share the campaign, send it to a friend, post it, talk about it. The more people who hear about the film, the closer we get to making it.
CHOOSE YOUR SEAT AND GET ON THE BUS
This film was inspired by people experiencing homelessness, so we want to give something back to the community that inspired it.
Through our campaign, contributions will also help provide meals and essential hygiene items to people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles.
When we reach our crowdfunding goal, we begin giving back to the HOLLYWOOD FOOD COALITION. And with every new milestone, we give a little more.
| When We Raise | We Give Back |
|---|---|
| $30,000 | 50 meals |
| $35,000 | 100 meals |
| $40,000 | 150 meals |
| $45,000 | 200 meals |
| $50,000 | 250 meals |
*Quantities are cumulative. Meal totals increase with each fundraising milestone.
HELP US MAKE A FILM. HELP SOMEONE ALONG THE WAY.
CAN YOU HELP?
BECOME A SPONSOR
We’re looking for partners who believe in the film and would like to be part of its journey through production, promotion and beyond. Support can take many forms, from financial sponsorship to providing products, services, locations, equipment, transportation, hospitality or other resources that can help us bring the film to life. In return, we’d love to explore meaningful ways to recognize and involve our partners throughout the life of the project.
Interested in getting on board? Let’s talk.
SPONSORS ON BOARD
COXY – Writer, Director, E.P. Coxy was born in Italy and raised between Milan and Paris, where her passion for cinema ignited in childhood watching Federico Fellini’s films. She began her career in fashion, designing for Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Ferré, Cavalli and Missoni, while also directing video productions and fashion films. In 2012, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue her lifelong dream of working in film, entering the industry through the Costume Department and establishing herself as a Costume Designer. Her most notable credits include 20th Century Television/Hulu’s Washington Black and Dan Fogelman’s hit series Paradise. Alongside her work as a Costume Designer, Coxy writes and directs her own projects, with her sights set on a feature debut. Her latest short, The Imperfect Picture, won Best Romantic Short at the 2023 Independent Short Awards. In 2023, she also shadowed director Rob Seidenglanz on The Rookie: Feds.
LORENZO GRASSO – 1st AD. Born in Florence, Italy, Lorenzo Grasso earned a master’s degree in Psychology from Sapienza University of Rome before pursuing a career in filmmaking. With over 20 years of experience, he has worked as a First Assistant Director on international film and television productions across Europe and the United States. His credits include The Equalizer 3, Gomorrah, Comandante, Lucky, The Studio and Last Days. His work spans major studio productions and independent cinema, including films presented at Cannes, Venice, Sundance, Tribeca, Locarno and SXSW. Based in Los Angeles, Lorenzo brings extensive experience coordinating complex productions, working closely with directors, cast and crew to translate creative visions into reality.
FEDERICO CONFORTI – Editor. Federico Conforti is an award-winning picture editor based in Los Angeles, with credits spanning feature films, scripted television, documentaries, and short films. Originally from Italy, he began his career in Rome before moving to Los Angeles, where he has worked on independent films, studio and streaming productions, and award-winning documentary projects. His feature credits include They Call Me Jeeg Robot, for which he won the David di Donatello Award for Best Editing, and Breaking Point, directed by Luis Prieto for Thunder Road and Lionsgate. His documentary work includes Viva Verdi!, which received a 2026 Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song, as well as Emmy-nominated and Webby Award-winning projects. His short films have also received festival recognition and industry awards.
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Rick Worthy (Associate Producer) ● Christopher Canullo ● Ellen Goldsmith-Vein ● D.J. Goldberg ● Rob Seidenglanz ● Ethan Hull ● Janet Lee ● Marina Rocco ● Sébastien Régimbald ● Eddie Williams ● Luisa Ajello (associate producer) ● Luca Cianchetta ● Regan Moore
THANK YOU TO:
Enrica Ajello ● Giancarlo Rodoni ● Cindy Choi ● Carrie Spencer ● Charlotte Gavaris ● Sammi Rotibi ● Ernest Kingsley Jr. ● Marco Vaccarezza ● Alvaro Valente ● Simone Sello ● Elaine McKay ● Gabriel Beristain ● Manuela Calistri ● Courtney Allen ● Landen Moore ● Andrew Sutherland ● Maria Scenna ● Luca Severi ● Ivan Olita ● Simon Kassianides ● Alice Braccini ● Valentina Socci ● Martyna Dubensky ● Stefania Spampinato ● Martha J Nieto ● Gioia Libardoni ● Brianna Murphy ● Rachael Grant ● Gareth Taylor ● Michael Monks ● Heather Jenkins ● Giulia Marletta ● Mark Pintar ● Geoffrey Mallard ● Amanda Khan ● Angel Oquendo ● Tyrone Giordano ● Abby Victor ● Hayden Sullivan ● Marta Gastini ● Vittorio Carotenuto ● Andrew Conrad ● Matthieu Aquino ● Marco Mavilla ● Brigitta and Christian Hoeferle ● Amanda Buchanan Moorhead ● Ara Agnerian ● Massimo Geraci ● Marco Stangalino ● Iskra Sguera ● Adriana Rodriguez ●
Thank you for taking the time to discover A Bus to the Stars and the story behind it.
Whether you contribute, share the campaign, offer something from our wishlist or simply help us spread the word, you’re helping us get this film one step closer to the screen.
A BUS TO THE STARS IS ABOUT PEOPLE THE WORLD HAS LEARNED NOT TO SEE
PLEASE HELP ME BRING THEM TO THE BIG SCREEN.
