On Making "Evergreen" 💚
notes from set and reflections on my latest short film.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
It’s been a while since I’ve shared an update, and I’m excited to tell you about something close to my heart: I just made a new short film. It’s called EVERGREEN, an intimate story exploring late-in-life love and the quiet, unexpected bonds that can form between generations — especially with Black father figures, whose stories we don’t see nearly enough on screen. We wrapped production earlier this month, and I can’t wait for you to see what we’ve been making.
Reflections From Set 💚
This shoot stretched me in all the best ways. Working with a veteran like Michael Potts was an absolute dream. I also had the chance to direct a dance sequence (going back to my roots… if you know, you know), lean into improv with my actors, and truly build a safe, deeply collaborative creative space with my team.
I’m endlessly grateful for my producers, Ryan and Yoko, who worked with such intention, care, and joy. They held this film with me in every way.
And because no film shoot is complete without some chaos…
One of the wildest moments happened when our picture car, a 1985 Jeep, broke down mid-shoot. Miraculously, it waited until we had wrapped our 20-minute drive across the Blue Ridge Parkway and only then decided to die right in the cabin driveway. Our crew hauled that thing up the hill like absolute champs.
A true highlight: on our final shoot day, we transformed our cabin into Club Evergreen – blasting everything from Ginuwine to the Cupid Shuffle before roasting s’mores under the stars. It was joyful, chaotic, communal… everything I love about filmmaking.
Post-Production + A Little Real Talk 🌱
Now we’re officially heading into post-production for editing, color, sound, score, and all the polishing that makes a film come alive.
We also hit a few bumps earlier this month when we found ourselves shooting right in the middle of the government shutdown. Travel disruptions + sudden cancellations = some unexpected costs that weren’t in our original budget.
✨ So we’re continuing to raise funds to recover those losses and keep the process moving smoothly. Your support genuinely helps us finish this film.
Thanks to our fiscal sponsorship with Film Independent, all contributions are fully tax-deductible. If you’re making any year-end charitable gifts, this is a perfect moment to donate for the 2025 tax year and receive a write-off.
🎯 Our goal: raise $30,000 before the end of the year to carry us through post.
We’re also offering perks like early screeners, on-screen credits, and Executive Producer recognition for higher-tier contributions. You can learn more or make a tax-deductible gift here: https://www.evergreenshortfilm.com/donate
Every donation, big or small, truly moves this film forward.
A First-Look Just for You 👀
Below are some (private!) stills from our shoot. These are early glimpses that haven’t even been color-corrected yet. You’re seeing real raw film content here. I hope you love them as much as I do.
DP: Eurica Yu
Thank you for being on this journey with me. For reading these updates. For championing independent filmmaking. For believing in Black, queer, intergenerational storytelling. It means the world.
If someone in your circle might want to support the film, feel free to share our link. It’s not too late to join our Evergreen community. 🌱
With love and gratitude,
Natalie Jasmine Harris 💚