About the film
Logline:
Dr. Midknight is a short film about a respected psychologist who loses his daughter to suicide. Haunted by guilt and silence, he stands ready to end his own life — until he meets a young woman on the brink, forcing him to choose between despair and redemption.
Synopsis
Dr. Alexander Knight, a successful psychologist, has built his career on helping others navigate their darkest moments, relying on Stoic philosophy to maintain his composure. But when his own daughter dies by suicide, his carefully constructed world shatters.
As grief consumes him, Dr. Knight prepares to end his life — only to encounter Bianca, a stranger standing at the edge of her own despair. In an intimate and high-stakes night, two lives intertwine: one seeking to escape, the other desperate for redemption. Through their fragile connection, they may discover that the act of saving another can be the path to saving oneself.
Inspiration for the Dr. midknight short film
I’m making Dr. Midknight because I’ve lived the silence it explores.
Why me? As a filmmaker shaped by both personal loss and Stoic philosophy, I’m drawn to stories that ask what it truly means to endure. I’ve seen how easy it is to wear a mask of composure while quietly breaking inside, and to realize how unaware people can be. That’s why this story matters to me—it’s deeply personal, but also universal.
Why this story? Dr. Midknight shows what happens when two people on the edge—one ready to give up, one desperate to escape—find a lifeline in each other. It’s a reminder that listening, even for one moment, can change the course of a life.
Why now? Conversations around mental health can’t wait. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people, and silence is often the biggest accomplice. This film is not just a story—it’s a call for empathy, for checking in, for realizing that sometimes the strongest face in the room could be the one in most need of saving.
The world doesn’t need just another film—it needs this film. A story that tells us: silence is not safety, and connection is survival.
Laurd Milian
Crowdfunding Video
Cast
Dr. Knight - TBA
A stoic psychologist whose carefully ordered life collapses after his daughter’s suicide. Haunted by guilt, he is forced to confront his own despair when fate places another soul in his care.
Bianca - Bianca Foscht
A young woman battling addiction and shame, she stands at the edge of a cliff ready to end it all. Her encounter with Dr. Knight becomes a fragile lifeline between surrender and survival.
Vanessa - TBA
Dr. Knight’s ex-wife and mother of their daughter, she embodies raw grief and anger. Her fractured relationship with Dr. Knight exposes the unspoken wounds of their family.
John - Miachael Alva
A young father and Dr. Knight’s patient, his quiet anxiety about parenthood mirrors Knight’s own failures as a father. Their sessions provide echoes of what Knight has lost—and what he might still save.
Crew
Laurd Milian
Writer, director & producer
Cuban-born filmmaker and founder of Royal Calm Entertainment, Laurd Milian graduated Summa Cum Laude from The Los Angeles Film School and was selected for the Academy Gold Rising program. His award-winning films explore philosophical storytelling that questions humanity and resilience.
Jay Beckett
Producer
A director, actor, and producer trained at The Los Angeles Film School, Jay Beckett has created award-winning shorts such as Daddy and Say Grace. Through his company 2nd Act Films, he champions bold narratives with a strong commitment to storytelling
Nick Azzaro
Director of Photography
Los Angeles-based cinematographer originally from Italy, Nick Azzaro’s work has screened at festivals like HollyShorts and LA Shorts. An Academy Gold Rising alum and Associate Member of the Society of Camera Operators, he combines technical mastery with emotional sensitivity to craft visually expressive stories.
Ray Taylor
Production Designer
A production designer and art department lead, Ray Taylor has shaped shorts, music videos, and national campaigns with a sharp eye for immersive detail. An Academy Gold Rising mentor, Ray specializes in visual design that elevates narrative and character
Learn More & Support the Film
If you’d like to explore more of Dr. Midknight, the Short film, in greater depth — including its themes, visual style, and impact strategy — we invite you to review our Pitch Deck, attached below. It offers an inside look at the creative vision and the social conversations this film is designed to spark.
We are proud to be fiscally sponsored by Grateful Film Funds, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This means that all contributions to Dr. Midknight are tax-deductible, and every donation directly supports bringing this powerful story to the screen.
Your support helps us cover essential production costs, from cast and crew to equipment, locations, and festival submissions. Donors also join our journey with special perks and acknowledgments, from behind-the-scenes updates to exclusive credits in the film.