Mission Statement 

We want to challenge the way environmental destruction is portrayed in film, moving beyond distant, impersonal narratives to something new, immediate, and deeply human. By blending speculative fiction with striking visual storytelling, we explore the collision of humanity and pollution. Through Pirate Nights, we seek to spark conversation, provoke reflection, and inspire a greater sense of urgency about the fragile future we are shaping.

The Story 

The world may look and function as we know it, but there’s a catch. In this dystopian reality, plastic isn’t just polluting the planet, it’s growing from people’s bodies. While disturbing, this condition has been normalized and the film explores the need for connection in a world fundamentally altered by climate disasters. At its core, the story reflects on how changes that once seemed surreal can become part of everyday life — and the challenges we face when forced to adapt to them.

Meet the Team

Joaquin Garcia, Writer/Director

Joaquin has always been drawn to storytelling and the ways it shapes people and communities. He first explored this passion through journalism focusing on local and investigative reporting in his home country of Ecuador—where he saw firsthand how powerful stories can create real impact. That’s also where he discovered documentary and film as creative and compelling ways to bring human stories to life. As a writer and filmmaker, Joaquin has primarily been interested in short films, a format that fascinates him for its versatility and the precision it demands. He has worked alongside prestigious directors in Ecuador and South America as an assistant writer, producer, and editor.  Now based in the United States, he is in his first year at Boston University’s MFA Screenwriting program, where he is developing projects for both film and television. In 2024, Joaquin’s work was recognized with first place at the Massachusetts Production Coalition (MPC) Student Media Summit for one of his short films.

Nefeli Koutsouki, Producer

Nefeli is a producer currently pursuing her BS in Film and Television at Boston University and specializing in producing. Nefeli's parents got her into film — they had a movie night every night. This is what connected them; they'd sit together, watch new films, each of them taking turns to choose what they'd watch. Her family also relocated a lot; She lived on three continents: Europe, Asia, and now North America. Along the way, she has amassed a wealth of stories, and film is the medium through which she can convey them in the most expressive way. Her summer internship at Another Age Productions in Newton, MA, allowed her to work closely with senior and executive producers, and it was there that she discovered her true passion for producing. Her current internship with Orsini Media further hones her producing skills as she tackles breaking down feature-length scripts and budgets. She has worked on a variety of sets, from indie short/feature films to docu-series, and recently won a film festival award at the Ridgefield Independent Film Festival 2024.

Claire Kim, Director of Photography
    Claire is a Korean-American DP from California. In her work, she likes to explore the complexities of generational relationships, youth, and displacement. Her biggest source of inspiration comes from children and elderly, who she finds to have the most mysterious and authentic views of the world. Coming from a fine arts background in painting and still-photography, 
Claire began studying cinematography to expand her narrative voice. Her transition to filmmaking as a formal career came from her love for the creative collaboration with that film production demands.

Amaya Pasto, Production Designer

From a young age, Amaya has been captivated by the power of visual storytelling.  What began as childhood shorts with her dad’s camcorder evolved into a passion for immersive, artfully crafted filmmaking. She is especially drawn to Film and TV that create entire worlds—where design, color, and atmosphere are just as vital as narrative. Since transferring to Boston University’s BS Film & Television program, Amaya has embraced every opportunity to collaborate with fellow filmmakers. Her work as a Production Design Assistant on an independent feature introduced her to professional sets, while directing a student film solidified her love for transforming ideas into tangible, cinematic experiences. Amaya is particularly passionate about working in television, with a strong interest in episodic storytelling and world-building. She thrives in collaborative spaces, where bold ideas take shape through the vision of a creative team.

Maria Jordan, 1st Assistant Director

From a young age, Maria developed a deep passion for film, fostered by early exposure to a diverse range of cinema that extended well beyond traditional children's movies. This experience cultivated a lasting fascination with the art of storytelling and the cinematic medium. Maria’s particularly drawn to films that delve into the emotional landscape of daily life—works that move beyond simple escapism to thoughtfully examine familiar yet often under appreciated facets of human experience. She finds profound meaning in narratives that emphasize the significance and emotional weight of seemingly "mundane" moments, as they capture the essence of shared human struggles and joys. Maria’s especially drawn to the collaborative aspect of filmmaking, the chance to work closely with actors and crew to shape authentic narratives. 

How you help us

With your donations, we can cover overall production costs ranging from meal expenses to equipment and production design. Here is a Budget Breakdown: 
 

Locations and Transportation: Our shoot takes us to three locations all over Boston: an apartment in Allston, an elegant bar in Fenway, and an alleyway Downtown. Our film needs funds to facilitate transportation for the crew, cast, and equipment and to cover location fees for shooting in each location.

Equipment: We are looking to create a high-quality short film with strong festival potential. To bring our dystopian aesthetic to life, our equipment, especially our lenses and camera accessories, have been hand-picked by our director of photography to bring out beautiful images. With your donation, you can help us invest in these tools to elevate the visual look of our story.

Meals: Our dedicated crew of 20+ film students will put in long hours to bring this film to life. Keeping everyone well-fed throughout the day is essential to ensure our cast and crew stay energized and nourished. 

Production Design/ SFX Makeup: The SFX makeup in Pirate Nights is at the heart of the film’s storytelling. The plastic growths emerging from human bodies visually represent the irreversible consequences of environmental collapse. Without high-quality SFX makeup and prosthetics, the core message of the film—the inescapability of environmental destruction—loses its impact. These effects bring the dystopian world to life in a realistic way, ensuring that audiences don’t just hear the message of the film but feel it on a deeper level. Investing in professional-grade prosthetics and a professional SFX makeup artist will ensure that this story is told in the most powerful, immersive way possible.

Festival Submissions: We aim to share our film with a wider audience by submitting it to festivals all over the country and also internationally, hoping it will resonate with people who see the urgency of environmental issues and the power to inspire change. Through festival screenings, we hope to spark conversations about sustainability, the intersection of humanity and technology, and the emotional weight of a world in transformation. 

Other Ways You Can Help

Let your friends and family know and follow our social media! It would be amazing if you could share our campaign on social media, tag us on Instagram at @piratenightsfilm for others to see or pass along our story to anyone close to you!