BACKYARD / DESERT
A feature film directed by Ethan Felizzari-Castillo
Based on the play BACKYARD/DESERT by Nancy Irene Kelly
SUMMARY.
When a female border patrol agent, Pammy, finds a young migrant in the Yuma Desert, the foundation on which her life has been built slowly begins to erode. The haunting encounter forces her to question her choices, career and relationships. Torn between the comfort of her unexamined values and a growing awareness of the human ties that transcend all borders, she must make a wrenching decision in order to follow her truth.
Backyard/Desert aims to shed light on the human aspects of immigration and the moral dilemmas faced by those enforcing outdated border policies, prompting audiences to reflect on the complexities of the immigration crisis and the humanity behind those seeking a new life.
ABOUT THE FILM.
Backyard/Desert is a drama/psychological thriller by Nancy Irene Kelly & Ethan Felizzari-Castillo (who also serves as Director) starring Academy Award Nominee Eric Roberts (Runaway Train, The Dark Knight), Rosie Dean (Final Act), Juanes Montoya (HBO's Fantasmas), Peter-William Jamieson (Evening Caller) and Disney's David DeLuise (Wizards of Waverly Place) joined by an all-star crew & creative team.
Produced by CK Films and joined by Executive Producer Paul Zaentz (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The Talented Mr. Ripley), a titan of independent cinema, and Producer, Eugenia Melián, known for her visionary work across film, fashion, and music. Additionally, the film is co-produced by Arte Video (Italy) and Buffalo8 (Netflix’s Woman of the Hour) and is supported by the Arizona Commerce Authority (AZ Film Office), Monsoon Productions (Tucson) and VisitYuma. Read more about our team here.
Want to partner with the film as a production company, distributor or investor? Let’s tell an important story, the true indie film way. Email us at films@ckproductionsnewyork.com.
Backyard/Desert is a fiscally sponsored project of Film Independent, a non-profit independent media arts organization. Contributions for the charitable purposes of Backyard/Desert must be made payable to Film Independent and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Learn more & support the film here.
*All photos featured throughout the website are stills from the film.
A film about the human ties that transcend all borders.
Make an impact today
Backyard/Desert is more than a film — it’s a story with real-world social impact.
That’s why we’ve partnered with two nonprofits at the heart of our mission. Every contribution to our Social Impact Commitments fuels our production, creates lasting social change, and gives you the opportunity to directly impact both art and community.
We are fiscally sponsored by Film Independent, allowing you to make a tax-deductible donation that supports both our film and Film Independent’s global mission of uplifting indie filmmakers and independent cinema.
Also, in Tucson, AZ (where we are filming), we’ve joined forces with San Miguel High School’s El Otro Lado program, providing film education that empowers students to use storytelling as activism while deepening their immersion in the realities of the migrant crisis. Donations can be made to the collaborative program here. All donations will be tax-deductible and benefit both El Otro Lado and our film.
BECOME AN INVESTOR
Become a proud investor & member of our film on WeFunder — a platform that allows our community to have ownership of our film for as little as $100! Click here to learn more.
Want to become a private investor or Executive Producer with more customized terms? Send us an email here.
A Message From the Director
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT.
“I got involved with Backyard/Desert at a crucial point in my life back in 2018 when it only existed as a play. As a Latino creative, I found myself longing to find a theatrical piece that spoke to the issue of immigration the way this piece does.
So why THIS film & why NOW?
I was so intrigued by Backyard/Desert from the moment the project was pitched to me. The piece haunted me. It presented such a nuanced, deeply human portrait of immigration, but from a truly unique lens I had never seen before. It captured the point of view from two people caught in the middle of a messed up system. Too often, stories about immigration rely on trauma porn or savior tropes. This isn’t that. Our protagonist isn’t heroic or villainous, she’s lost. She is the system. And when she begins to crack, so does the myth of American exceptionalism.
This piece is so unbelievably important as it helps highlight many extremely relevant social issues, but from a perspective that I believe can be extremely impactful for audiences everywhere. Getting the opportunity to adapt it for the screen with Nancy has been a joy and we cannot wait to see this film come to fruition.”
-Ethan Felizzari-Castillo (Director & Producer)
Download our Camera Deck by Cinematographer, Luke Pengelly.
CREDITS.
BASED ON THE PLAY BACKYARD/DESERT BY NANCY IRENE KELLY
Adapted by Nancy Irene Kelly & Ethan Felizzari-Castillo
Directed by Ethan Felizzari-Castillo
Starring Academy Award Nominee Eric Roberts (Runaway Train, The Dark Knight), Rosie Dean (Final Act), Juanes Montoya (Fantasmas), Peter-William Jamieson (Bloodshot Heart) and David DeLuise (Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place)
Director of Photography Luke Pengelly
Produced by Eugenia Melian, Juanes Montoya, Stefanie Colón, Adam Del Valle & Ethan Felizzari-Castillo
Executive Produced by Paul Zaentz
Executive Produced by Matthew Helderman, Luke Taylor, Grady Craig, Adam Harris Engelhard
Executive Produced by Doug Morabito and Alex Walling
Co-Produced & Production Design by Alessandra Manias
Score by Katherine Beggs
Featuring An Original Song by Matthew Herbert
Edited by Stephen Phillipi
Primary Production Companies CK Films (NY), Buffalo8 Productions (US), Teatro Della Pace Films (US), Monsoon Productions (AZ) & Arte Video (Italy)