FIRST
CHAIR
-a coming of age heartbreak
In that awkward stretch between Christmas and New Year’s, Emma sets out to make her last winter break of high school memorable. She heads to the beach with her friend Matt, where the two reveal they have feelings for each other.
The only problem: Matt has a girlfriend.
Despite this, the two kiss.
What was meant to be a memorable night, turns into one they wish they could forget.
Our Team
OUR STORY
7:30 AM — Band class begins. But Emma and Matt have already been there an hour, practicing a trumpet riff together as the rest of the students filter in.
Since breaking up with Alex, Emma has thrown herself into music, determined to steal first chair from Matt. He’s skeptical, but he knows she just might overtake him. Their teasing is cut short when Ali—Matt’s girlfriend—walks in and takes her seat, forcing distance between them.
Over winter break, Emma buries herself in practice, shutting out the outside world. Her mom eventually convinces her to take a break, and she ends up getting ice cream with Matt. There, she muses about how fleeting life is, how do we remember one moment to another? Emma laments that they probably won’t remember this night either. In an attempt to make this night one to remember, the two venture off to the beach.
At the beach, Emma and Matt open up about the uncertainty of growing up. In the midst of their musings, they admit their feelings for each other and share a kiss—despite Matt still being with Ali. When Matt leans in again, Emma pulls away. Embarrassed, Matt lashes out, blaming Emma for making him cheat, and she runs off, leaving him behind.
Back at school, Emma dreads seeing him again. When chair placements are posted, she discovers she’s earned first chair—with Matt now in second. They sit side by side, silent, never looking at one another.
This film grows out of that space—that messy, beautiful, awkward stretch of adolescence. Emma and Matt’s story isn’t just about young love; it’s about the confusion of learning how to name your feelings, the sting of timing that doesn’t work out, and the quiet bravery it takes to admit what you want. I want to capture not just the sweetness of firsts but also the embarrassment, because it’s in those cringeworthy, vulnerable moments that we start to understand ourselves.
At its heart, this film asks: how do we learn to navigate emotions we may not yet have the language for? For me, that question is the essence of growing up—and the reason I tell stories like this one.
Matt is everyone’s favorite laid-back guy. He and Emma have always been close, and while he’s never pushed for more, the thought’s crossed his mind. When she finally makes a move, he’s all in. But when she pulls back, his easygoing façade slips, and he feels betrayed.
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Emma is searching for meaning after her breakup with Alex. She pours her heartbreak into the trumpet, determined to win first chair from Matt. But a late-night talk over ice cream leads them to the beach, where she wonders if the answer lies in her oldest friendship—maybe even as something more.
COLOR & FRAMING
CHARACTER
PROGRESS
1.
PRE-PRODUCTION
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Fundraising and prep work.
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Assembling cast, crew, and resources.
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Funding deadline by Nov 18th 2025
NOW
2.
PRODUCTION
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Filming scheduled: Jan 21 to 30, 2026.
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Location: Los Angeles, California.
3.
POST-PRODUCTION
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Editing, sound design, color, and music.
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Final cut ready by July 2026.
4.
FESTIVAL RUN
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Submissions begin Summer 2026.
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Targeting top international festivals.
MAKE A DONATION
Your support helps us bring this AFI thesis film to life.
Every contribution goes directly into production, post-production, and festival submissions, so the story can reach its intended audiences.
WE NEED:
USD $55000
WE HAVE:
USD $15000
American Film Institute(AFI) is a 501(C) (3) nonprofit organization.
All donations go directly through AFI.
They may be 100% tax-deductible for U.S. citizens.
*Our project's previous tilte was 'Merry Christmas., Please Don't Call'. Please note that this name may still appear on the donation page, as the title change takes some time to process. We apologize for any inconvenience and truly appreciate your understanding.