Instagram story viewer> @deadening_short> Posts

DEADENING -- A Horror Short Film by Malachi Moore

@deadening_short

288

followers

421

following

Deadening follows a reserved Black man and his partner as repressed demons haunt their attempts to build a home, blurring reality and nightmare.

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Have you heard the news?! DEADENING is reaching new heights thanks to the efforts of our team and recent collaboration with Film Independent!
.
Through their fiscal sponsorship, all donations made to DEADENING’s official Film Independent page are now tax-deductible🤩
.
Your contributions will directly support our mission while providing a financial benefit for yourself. Together, we can bring this story to life—head to the link in bio to make your impact today!
#deadening #deadening2025 #film #shortfilm #filmmaking #indie #indiefilm #blackfilmmakers #blackfilms #independentfilmmaking #crowdfunding #crowdfunding #art #losangeles #film #horror #horrormovies taken in Los Angeles, California by @deadening_short

52

4

2 years ago

😀Excited to expose— @deadening_short crowdfund is launching next week! Yall tap in and help us get to our goal—more updates coming!! #film #filmmaking #indie #indiefilm #deadening #blackfilmmakers #blackfilms #independentfilmmaking #help #crowdfunding by @deadening_short

366

26

2 years ago

The Sleep Demon is coming. Are you ready?

In DEADENING, fear takes shape—twisting, shifting, crawling into the shadows of the mind. And behind that terrifying form is the incredible @steffxundead (they/he/she) , a master of creature acting who brought the Sleep Demon to life in ways we never could have imagined. Their commitment, physicality, and sheer presence turned an abstract nightmare into something all too real.

We are beyond grateful for Steff's chilling performance and can’t wait for you to witness their haunting transformation!

#deadening #deadening2025 #film #shortfilm #filmmaking #indie #indiefilm #blackfilmmakers #blackfilms #independentfilmmaking #crowdfunding #blackfilmmakers taken in Los Angeles, California by @deadening_short

91

4

2 years ago

We are all smiles here on DEADENING! The beautiful faces you see here — captured by our BTS photographer and wonderful friend, @kristensemedo — are the true alchemists of the world. Seeing everyone come together — laughing, creating, bringing this film to life — has been THE most rewarding experience of my life, and a wonderful reminder of the intention that set everything in motion. Stay tuned for more BTS and updates as we keep pushing forward into the next phase of production!🎬
- Malachi Moore
Writer/Director of DEADENING
#Deadening #deadening2025 #film #shortfilm #filmmaking #indie #indiefilm #blackfilmmakers #blackfilms #independentfilmmaking by @deadening_short

53

5

2 years ago

After a long and transformative journey, we’ve officially arrived-- this week, Deadening begins filming! This project has been years in the making, shaped by relentless passion, deep reflection, and an unshakable vision. Among the most rewarding parts of this process has been finding our two leads, Joshua Griffith and Sarah Nicole Deaver, whose talent and dedication breathe life into the film’s very soul. Their performances illuminate the story’s quiet tragedies and unspoken truths in ways that are both haunting and deeply human.

As we step onto set, we carry with us the weight of this journey and the beauty of what’s to come✨
.
.
#deadening #deadening2025 #film #shortfilm #filmmaking #indie #indiefilm #blackfilmmakers #blackfilms #independentfilmmaking #crowdfunding #blackfilmmakers taken in Los Angeles, California by @deadening_short

88

10

2 years ago

‼️SHORT FILM UPDATE‼️ Nothing worth doing or creating is easy. That’s why I know this project of mine will be worth every challenge—because its story needs to be told. We still need your support, however.
Help create the unique, *non-regurgitated* movies you want to see out there. See the 🔗 in my bio for more info! taken in Los Angeles, California by @deadening_short

94

2

2 years ago

We did it—80% of our goal reached, thanks to the unwavering support of this incredible community! As we enter the final week of our Deadening crowdfund, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who’s answered the call, rallied behind this project, and made it possible for us to keep pushing forward.
.
A special shoutout to the seven extraordinary individuals who stepped up when it mattered most, helping us cross this critical threshold. Your generosity and belief in Deadening have moved us deeply, and we will carry your support with us every step of the way!
.
As we close in on the finish line, there’s still time to join us! Our campaign officially ends on January 3rd, and if you’d like to contribute, you can donate through Seed&Spark or via our Film Independent fiscal sponsorship (tax-deductible!). We’re so grateful for any support you can offer—whether it’s a donation, a like, a follow, or sharing our updates as we continue this journey. Every little bit helps as we bring move forward -- bringing Deadening to life!
#deadening #deadening2025 #film #shortfilm #filmmaking #indie #indiefilm #blackfilmmakers #blackfilms #independentfilmmaking #crowdfunding taken in Los Angeles, California by @deadening_short

17

0

2 years ago

GREAT NEWS: After reaching 80% of our crowdfund goal via @seedandspark, DEADENING has officially been greenlit!
.
The journey to this milestone has been nothing short of transformative. When I first introduced Deadening to the world in September, I had no clue how to navigate the crowdfunding process. What I did have was a vision, a story I believed in, and the unwavering support of my producers and community.
.
Turning an idea into reality is an act of creation that starts from nothing. It requires blind faith— in yourself, the people who believe in your vision, and faith that even the smallest steps forward can build momentum.
.
I can't lie—there were moments of doubt for sure --moments where it felt like the entire process might collapse. But I focused on the elements I could control, poured energy into every step, and learned to let go of what I couldn’t. And now, seeing the results of that determination has taught me one of the most powerful lessons of all: with faith, perseverance, and action, anything is possible!!!!
.
A huge thank-you to Seed&Spark for their incredible platform and the guidance they provide for filmmakers like me. They’ve created a space where independent artists can take their dreams and shape them into something real.
.
While reaching 80% ensures that Deadening will move forward into production, there’s still time left to hit 100%! Every bit of support brings us closer to fully realizing this story about mental health, Black masculinity, and self-discovery.
.
If you’d like to help us cross the finish line, you can contribute through the link in my bio. Thank you for believing in this project and being part of its journey. Let's continue to make Deadening extraordinary!
#deadening #deadening2025 #film #shortfilm #filmmaking #indie #indiefilm #blackfilmmakers #blackfilms #independentfilmmaking #crowdfunding taken in Los Angeles, California by @deadening_short

45

12

2 years ago

🚨CROWDFUND UPDATE🚨 We're only 8% away from hitting 80% of our crowdfund goal, which means we are soooo close to securing all the funds needed to bring Deadening to life!
.
As we approach the holiday season and the final stretch of our campaign, I want to take a moment to reflect on this incredible journey and express my deepest gratitude for the community that has gathered around this project. What started as a vision has now become a dream come true, and none of this would be possible without your support. Now, it’s time to finish strong! We are SO. CLOSE! Let’s make it happen!
.
#deadening #deadening2025 #film #shortfilm #filmmaking #indie #indiefilm #blackfilmmakers #blackfilms #independentfilmmaking #crowdfunding taken in Los Angeles, California by @deadening_short

18

1

2 years ago

As we move closer to filming, the team is honing in on the motifs we’re excited to bring to life in Deadening.
.
From the haunting void that symbolizes dissociation to the relentless Entity/sleep demon fueled by suppressed fears, these elements are more than just visuals—they’re reflections of the emotional struggles we all face. What are the ‘voids’ and ‘demons’ you’ve had to confront? Let’s talk about it. 🖤
#deadening #deadening2025 #film #shortfilm #filmmaking #indie #indiefilm #blackfilmmakers #blackfilms #independentfilmmaking #crowdfunding #blackfilmmakers taken in Los Angeles, California by @deadening_short

20

6

2 years ago

Week four, and we’re almost there! Thanks to the incredible support of our growing Deadening community, we’re thrilled to share that we’re nearly 80% funded on Seed&Spark. This means we're soOoOoOo close to being green-lit--only 10% more to go!
.
Every contribution, share, and word of encouragement has carried us to this point. You’ve turned a dream into a tangible reality, and we’re just steps away from crossing the finish line together.
.
To those who’ve joined us so far: welcome, and thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your belief in Deadening fuels this journey, and we couldn’t be more grateful. If you haven’t yet, check out our Seed&Spark (link in bio) to see how close we are—together, we’ll bring this story to life. Let’s finish strong!!
.
#deadening #deadening2025 #film #shortfilm #filmmaking #indie #indiefilm #blackfilmmakers #blackfilms #independentfilmmaking #crowdfunding taken in Los Angeles, California by @deadening_short

18

2

2 years ago

Monster work and creature design are essential to crafting true horror, and the role of SFX and prosthetics is crucial in bringing those terrifying visions to life. That’s why we’re beyond excited to introduce Alexa Cantarini to the Deadening team!
.
Based in Los Angeles, Alexa is an FX makeup artist with a jaw-dropping talent for creating characters that feel hauntingly real. Specializing in prosthetics and special effects, her meticulous attention to detail and grounded approach to realism make her an absolute powerhouse. Her work is vital to bringing the horror of the entity to life, and we’re so grateful to Alexa for blessing us with her incredible talents!
.
To learn more about our project, meet the rest of our amazing crew, and support us on this journey, check out our crowdfund page through the link in our bio!
#deadening #deadening2025 #film #shortfilm #filmmaking #indie #indiefilm #blackfilmmakers #blackfilms #independentfilmmaking #crowdfunding #blackfilmmakers taken in Los Angeles, California by @deadening_short

22

7

2 years ago