Narrative Short 2026

Infection

RoleDirector · Producer

CountryUnited States

Synopsis

Premiering in November 2026, when a driven office worker begins to suspect her boss's mysterious illness is contagious, she must choose between the promotion she desperately needs and the person she still has a chance to remain.

Written by Los Angeles based students through the Kids in the Spotlight program, empowering foster youth to tell their stories -- paired with professional filmmakers to create and mentor, providing career training for employment in the film industry.

Cast

Isabel Adele Brown

Jane

Daniel Williams-Lopez

Boss

Lisa Partridge

Yenay Cuevas

Maggie

Christopher Bates

Doctor

Creative Team

Director · Producer: James Kicklighter
Writers: Chelsea Franklin, Faleb Lindo, Fanny Gallegos, Matthew Miller, Tyler Ohaya
Producers: James Kicklighter, Adam Tyree

Crew

Cinematographer: Jonathan Pope
Production Designer: Emily Peters
Costume Designer: Adam Fishbein, Kasha Faye
Editor: James Kicklighter
Composer: Nicolas Repetto

Gallery

A director and cast member discuss a scene in the atmospheric hallway set of "Infection," a 2026 short film created through the Kids in the Spotlight program, which empowers foster youth by pairing them with professional filmmakers.

Daniel Williams-Lopez, playing the Boss character, relaxes between takes during production of 'Infection.' The scene involves medical monitoring equipment consistent with the film's contagion storyline.

A cast member reveals the practical effects makeup used to portray the mysterious contagious illness central to the film's narrative. The prosthetic work brings visceral realism to this thriller about workplace isolation and survival.

A cast member is framed between two dark panels during production of Infection, a 2026 short film directed by James Kicklighter. The narrow vertical composition creates a sense of confinement and unease.

A detailed practical effects prosthetic showcasing the physical transformation central to the contagion thriller Infection. The makeup depicts advanced infection stages for the 2026 film produced through Kids in the Spotlight's foster youth empowerment program.

Practical special effects makeup brings the contagion theme to life on set. The detailed prosthetic wounds and blood application suggest a visceral approach to the film's mysterious illness narrative.

A collaborative moment during production of Infection (2026), as the director works closely with an actor in the makeup area. The film, written by foster youth through Kids in the Spotlight, is currently in production.

A crew member positions a textured white wall panel during production design setup for "Infection." The modern geometric paneling establishes the film's sleek office environment.

The crew monitors a scene on the set of Infection (2026), directed by James Kicklighter. The film, written by foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight program, explores workplace contagion and ambition.

A camera operator frames a close-up shot of the lead actress during production of "Infection," a 2026 short film created through the Kids in the Spotlight program, which empowers foster youth by pairing them with professional filmmakers.

Director James Kicklighter works closely with a cast member during production of Infection (2026), a short film written by foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight mentorship program.

Director James Kicklighter guides the camera team during a scene setup for 'Infection,' a 2026 short film written by foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight mentorship program.

The production team configures a dolly-mounted cinema camera during principal photography for "Infection," a 2026 short film written by foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight mentorship program.

Director James Kicklighter and cast members review a scene during production of "Infection" (2026). The collaborative moment captures the hands-on process of working with foster youth writers through the Kids in the Spotlight mentorship program.

Behind-the-scenes moment during production of "Infection" (2026) as an actor receives hair and makeup touch-ups between takes. The film, written by foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight program, is directed by James Kicklighter.

A cast member rehearses a scene under dramatic natural lighting on the set of "Infection," a 2026 short film written by foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight program and directed by James Kicklighter.

The director reviews a scene with cast members during production of "Infection," a 2026 film written by foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight mentorship program.

A crew member fine-tunes lighting setup during production of "Infection" (2026), directed by James Kicklighter. The intimate, low-key lighting design supports the film's tense atmosphere as an office worker suspects her boss's illness may be contagious.

A cinematographer adjusts the camera rig while an actor sits in position during production of "Infection" (2026), a short film written by foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight program.

Director James Kicklighter works with cast and crew during a scene rehearsal for "Infection" (2026), a short film written by Los Angeles foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight mentorship program.

Director James Kicklighter reviews a scene with cast members in a dimly lit interior location during production of Infection. The film, written by Los Angeles foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight program, is scheduled to premiere in November 2026.

A crew member operates the camera to capture an intimate dramatic moment with an actor in bed during production of "Infection," a 2026 short film written by foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight program.

A quiet moment between takes as the lead actor rests in a director's chair on the set of Infection. The intimate interior setting reflects the film's tense workplace atmosphere.

A crew member operates a cinema camera on a stabilized rig to capture a bedroom scene during production of 'Infection,' a 2026 short film directed by James Kicklighter. The intimate scene features an actor resting in bed under soft lighting.

A cast member in character on the set of Infection, a 2026 short film written by foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight mentorship program and directed by James Kicklighter.

The production team captures a tense office scene for "Infection," a 2026 short film written by foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight program. Multiple crew members coordinate lighting, sound, and camera work around the central workstation.

A cast member sits at a dining table while the director reviews footage on a camera rig positioned overhead during production of "Infection" (2026).

Daniel Williams-Lopez performs a scene as the Boss character on the set of Infection (2026), a psychological workplace thriller written by foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight mentorship program.

An actor prepares for an emotionally intense moment during production of Infection, a short film written by foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight mentorship program.

Detailed practical effects makeup applied to a cast member's arm during production of "Infection" (2026), directed by James Kicklighter. The bloody splatter effect emphasizes the film's contagion thriller aesthetic.

A director and cast member rehearse in a shadowy, atmospheric interior during production of Infection (2026). The stark lighting and institutional setting reflect the film's tense, psychological tone.

Daniel Williams-Lopez (Boss) runs through a scene at his character's desk while the camera and sound teams capture the moment during production of Infection (2026).

A scene rehearsal for "Infection" (2026) shows the lead actor practicing a pivotal office interview moment, lit and staged for camera with a crew member assisting across the desk.

Director James Kicklighter monitors a scene during production of "Infection" (2026), a short film created through the Kids in the Spotlight program pairing foster youth writers with professional filmmakers.

Lead actor Isabel Adele Brown in character as Jane during production of "Infection" (2026), directed by James Kicklighter. The drama follows an office worker who suspects her boss's illness may be contagious.

Director James Kicklighter monitors a tense bedroom scene during production of "Infection" (2026), as an actor performs in character lying in bed on the dimly lit set.

An actor portraying the Boss sits at his office desk between takes, embodying the character's mysterious illness and exhaustion. Behind-the-scenes from Infection (2026), a short film written by foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight program.

A crew member fine-tunes a three-dimensional decorative wall panel during production design setup for "Infection" (2026). The textured surface adds visual depth to the film's corporate office environment.

Director James Kicklighter confers with cast members during production of "Infection" (2026). The independent film, written by foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight program, is currently in production ahead of its November 2026 premiere.

Director James Kicklighter and the cast of 'Infection' gather for a collaborative production meeting, reviewing scenes around a conference table. The intimate workspace reflects the film's office setting and character-driven narrative.

A cast member adjusts overhead lighting on the set of "Infection," the 2026 short film by director James Kicklighter. The intimate hallway set features dramatic lighting design for the workplace thriller.

A collaborative moment on set as the director and an actor review script pages together during production of "Infection," a 2026 short film written by foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight mentorship program.

An actor in character costume stands ready on the set of Infection, a 2026 short film directed by James Kicklighter. The production, shot in a location with traditional Japanese architectural elements, tells the story of workplace ambition and contagion.

A cast member rests in a hospital bed set between takes on the production of Infection (2026). The film, written by Los Angeles foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight program, tells the story of a woman who must choose between career advancement and self-preservation when her boss falls mysteriously ill.

The cast and crew prepare for a scene during production of "Infection," a 2026 short film directed by James Kicklighter. The film was written by Los Angeles foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight mentorship program.

A director's monitor displays a scene being filmed for "Infection" (2026), showing two characters in what appears to be a tense office confrontation. The production is directed by James Kicklighter and written by Los Angeles foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight mentorship program.

A crew member and the lead actor review a scene at the boss's desk during production of Infection (2026). The film, written by foster youth through Kids in the Spotlight, is currently in production for a November 2026 premiere.

Isabel Adele Brown rehearses in character as Jane during production of "Infection," a 2026 short film created through the Kids in the Spotlight program, which empowers foster youth by pairing their stories with professional filmmakers.

A tense bedroom scene is rehearsed during production of 'Infection,' the 2026 short film created through the Kids in the Spotlight program. The intimate, dimly-lit setup captures the film's narrative of illness and difficult choices.

A cast member in period costume stands in a doorway during production of Infection (2026), a psychological thriller written by foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight mentorship program.

An actor rests in a practical hospital room set during production of "Infection," James Kicklighter's 2026 short film. The scene features authentic medical details including get-well cards spelling out a message on the shelf above the bed.

Director James Kicklighter and crew members review a take on the set of 'Infection,' a 2026 short film written by foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight mentorship program.

A crew member reviews the script during production of Infection (2026), a short film written by foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight mentorship program.

Isabel Adele Brown prepares for a scene at the reception desk during production of "Infection," a 2026 short film created through the Kids in the Spotlight foster youth mentorship program.

Daniel Williams-Lopez sits in character as the Boss during production of "Infection," a 2026 short film written by foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight program. The scene is set in a minimalist office environment with shelving visible behind the actor.

Director James Kicklighter reviews a scene with cast members on the set of Infection (2026), a thriller about a mysterious workplace illness. The production brings together Los Angeles foster youth screenwriters with professional filmmakers through the Kids in the Spotlight program.

The director and lead actress review camera positioning during production of "Infection" (2026), a film written by foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight mentorship program.

Isabel Adele Brown (Jane) prepares for a scene on the set of 'Infection,' a 2026 short film directed by James Kicklighter. The production was written by foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight mentorship program.

A cinematographer captures a tense moment during production of "Infection" (2026), directed by James Kicklighter. The drama explores workplace ambition and contagion through the lens of foster youth storytelling.

The production team captures a pivotal office scene during principal photography for Infection, a short film written by Los Angeles foster youth through the Kids in the Spotlight mentorship program.

Process

Lookbook Font Pre Production 2026
This is the custom display font I developed for Infection, the short film I'm directing described as "Severance meets American Psycho." I built the font to function as…
Lookbook Costume Direction Pre Production 2026
This is the costume direction deck for Infection, created by costume designer Adam Fishbein. The film is Severance meets American Psycho, a short following Jane as she gives…

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