D A R E T O
B E L I E V E
DRU SMITH PRODUCTIONS | 2026 | Project Deck
A musical short film that carries a rhythmic battle for equality,
where every snap, slide, and spin serves as fight against injustice.
Short Film | 10-15 Minutes | 20-25K | 2026
Format | Min Runtime | Budget | Date
Logline
A shy timid kid who idolizes a legendary performer discovers a mysterious artifact that turns his love for dance into his own super power in a fight against social injustice.
Synopsis
In a city gripped by the cold hands of displacement and a neighborhood where "distrust" is the only thing neighbors share, young Damien survives by being a ghost. He is a shy dreamer who finds his only sense of belonging in old footage of his idol, Michael Jackson. While the world outside is loud with the sirens of social injustice and a bully who thrives on the neighborhood’s fear, Damien practices his footwork in the silence.
During a desperate escape from his bully, Damien discovers a forgotten artifact in an abandoned warehouse: a vintage red and yellow letterman jacket once worn by the King of Pop. The moment Damien slips it on, his fear of the world meets its match. The jacket is a musical passage, transforming his MJ-inspired choreography into his own superpowers.
But the jacket is more than a suit of armor; it’s a spark. As his bully begins to mirror the very systems of oppression that keep the world divided, Damien realizes that "Daring to Believe" is a revolutionary act. He must use his love for dance to prove that the greatest power isn't the fist that strikes, but the spirit that refuses to be broken. He isn't just fighting a bully; he’s reclaiming the soul of his block and its people.
This film is a high energy exploration of how internal passion becomes external power. My vision is to create a heightened reality where movement isn’t just expression, it’s an act of resistance.
Drawing from my background in music videos, branded content and film, the aesthetic will be kinetic and rhythmic. We will utilize a grounded-supernatural palette: the world of social injustice will feel warm and gritty, while the protagonist’s dance-fueled powers will be driven by high energy 16mm look. Sweeping camera movements and still cinematic shots will ensure the audience will live every beat of the choreography .
Inspired by the cultural resonance of John Singleton, Issa Rae, and Ryan Coogler, this film reflects the journey of finding one’s voice. By blending the energy of my idol Michael Jackson with a modern superhero framework, we are creating a hero who doesn't fight with fists, but with love and artistry.
Writer’s Vision
The Characters
Damien
Damien is a shy teenager who survives his harsh, divided neighborhood by staying invisible and studying Michael Jackson’s dance moves in private. His world changes when he discovers a vintage MJ letterman jacket that transforms his choreography into a source of power. Damien is driven by a deep need to reclaim his voice; he moves from seeking a quiet escape to actively fighting against the systems of oppression mirrored by his local bully. Ultimately, his motivation is to use the revolutionary act of "Daring to Believe" to heal his community and prove that the spirit of a neighborhood cannot be broken by fear or injustice.
Tommy
Inspired by his father’s role in local ICE raids, Tommy is a teenager on a mission. To ensure his own status remains unchallenged, he recruits two friends to help him target his classmate, Damien. For Tommy, it’s not just about the raids—it’s about a ruthless drive to keep people like Damien beneath him.
Audience
This story is designed to resonate across generations, specifically targeting Gen-Z and Millennial audiences (ages 12–35) who value social activism, self-expression, and creativity. It speaks directly to the "underdog" and the digital-native creative, finding a home with fans of high-energy urban dramas and supernatural coming-of-age stories. Bringing back the message from the late King of Pop, that in a world full of distrust, we must still
“DARE TO BELIEVE”.
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Team
Dru Smith
Writer + Director / Producer
Born in Denver, Colorado, Dru Smith is a filmmaker looking to touch the world through the art of film. His background includes directing and producing documentaries, music videos, and branded campaigns. He credits his inspiration to the likes of Michael Jackson, John Singleton, Issa Rae, Antoine Fuqua, and Ryan Coogler. Dru believes that building relationships with fellow creatives is essential, as telling the stories of others from behind the lens is a vital part of his own story. Work includes “Planting Seeds: The Green Spaces Story” Documentary (Fujifilm Collaboration), Freakazoid Music Video (2023 Music Video of the Year), and Doritos “Crash the Superbowl” Campaign. Collaborations include Sorel, Doritos, Diebruckeclub, About Blank, Lawrence and Larimer, Eternal Balance Candles, Migas Coffee, Black+ Blossomed, and LeMarke.
Brien Hollowell
Co-Director / Producer
Brien Hollowell is a Denver-born photographer, screenwriter, director, and producer. Work includes Saudi Aurora (short film) and collaborations with Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, Forbes Magazine, Google, and Crocs.
Manuel Aragon
Producer
Latinx writer, filmmaker, and photographer based in Denver Co. Work includes Norteñas (short film), “A Violent Noise” (short story) which was nominated for the 2020 PEN/ Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers. Graduated from NYU and has been featured on MTV, Pitchfork, and Stereogum. Recently won the CineLatino Pitch Latino Award for Emerging Filmmakers with his web series, Welcome to the Northside, a comedic take on gentrification and Latino displacement in North Denver.
Paula Ray
Producer
Producer, filmmaker, and founder of COCO Events— a fourth space for creatives, filmmakers, artists, & entrepreneurs in entertainment. Her work includes producing events, music videos, campaigns, and short films.
Timeline
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Pre-Production
May-July
Casting, Location Scouting, Table Reads, Rehearsals
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Production Days
August 2026
2-3 Days
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Post Production
August-September
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Premiere Screening Event
November/December
Budget
Targeted Budget: 20-25k
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Pre-Production
Cast + Crew
Art Department - Props + Prod Design
Location- Rentals + Cost
Catering
Post-Production
Extra Charges + Contingency
