From mars to the moon - a job post by Nayden Zhelev
FROM MARS TO THE MOON
| Seeking | Executive, Producer and Financier |
|---|---|
| Location | Toronto, Canada and Bangkok, Thailand |
| Status | Development |
| Type | Short film |
| Genre | Animation • Science Fiction • Thriller / Suspense |
| Date Added | Apr 1, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Date Updated | Jul 5, 2026 |
| Deadline | Oct 1, 2026 |
About the job
Seeking Director, Producer & Executive for High-Concept Animated Short
I am seeking a passionate and visionary team to bring my high-concept animated short film, FROM MARS TO THE MOON, to life. This project serves as the second episode following a first installment, FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON.
Logline: A fugitive's escape from Martian slavery is doomed when his ship crash-lands back on the Moon.
Project Description: "FROM MARS TO THE MOON" is about 15-minute sci-fi conspiracy thriller that blends the visceral intrigue of Total Recall with the epic scope of Star Trek. The script is complete and features a tight, character-driven narrative with a powerful, unforgettable twist.
After sparking a successful slave revolt on Mars, a legendary fugitive's escape to Earth is thwarted by a critical system failure, stranding the rebels back on the Moon—the very place his legend began. This crash landing unveils a revelation that expands the conspiracy to an interplanetary scale.
This short is conceived as a proof-of-concept for a larger series and is targeted squarely at the major animation and genre film festival circuit.
I'm Looking For:
DIRECTOR I seek a director with a strong visual style and a passion for genre-bending storytelling (Sci-Fi/Thriller). You will be responsible for:
- Leading the creative team (including the Storyboard Artist).
- Translating the script's atmospheric tension and dramatic character moments into a compelling visual experience.
EXECUTIVE / PRODUCER We are seeking a producer with financing capabilities who believes in the commercial and festival potential of high-concept animated shorts. This is an opportunity to attach your name to a project with a strong, marketable hook. You will be involved in:
- Exploring grants, co-productions, and investor opportunities.
- Product placement
- Guiding the project through the production pipeline.
What We Offer:
- A dedicated producer (myself) committed to the project's completion.
- A project designed for the festival circuit with a clear path to attracting audience and industry attention.
Project Status:
- Genre: Animated Short, Sci-Fi, Conspiracy Thriller
- Lookbook/Mood Board: In Development
- Budget Top sheet ready
How to Apply:
Please send a direct message here on Stage 32 with the following information.
- For Executive /Producers: A brief overview of your experience and your interest in the project.
- For Directors: A link to your portfolio/reel and a brief statement on why this concept resonates with you.
Let's build something incredible together. I look forward to connecting!
All positions will be paid once a producer is secured and funding is in place.
Serious collaborators only. Thank you for your understanding!
*Note: FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON (Episode 1) and FROM THE MOON TO THE EARTH (Episode 3) are also ready and posted. All three episodes are interconnected, while also able to stand alone as separate short anime films, with the potential for the project to expand into a feature film.
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Hello,
Your project immediately caught my attention because it sits exactly at the intersection of the type of work I enjoy most: science fiction, proof-of-concept production, worldbuilding and ambitious storytelling achieved through efficient production methods.
I specialize in AI-assisted filmmaking, animation development and proof-of-concept production. My focus is helping creators transform strong concepts and screenplays into compelling visual presentations that can attract producers, investors, distributors and festival attention.
What particularly interests me about FROM MARS TO THE MOON is that it is designed as both a standalone short film and a proof-of-concept for a larger universe. In my experience, projects like this benefit greatly from creating visually impressive material that demonstrates the world, characters and cinematic potential before committing to a larger production budget.
Using AI-assisted animation and modern production workflows, it is possible to create ambitious science-fiction environments, spacecraft, creatures, action sequences and cinematic visuals at a fraction of the cost of traditional animation pipelines.
Recently, I produced a 7-minute proof-of-concept film that was later used to help secure approximately R$500,000 in financing through Brazil's Rouanet Law cultural funding program.
Sample:
https://youtu.be/e7jByFMOEwE
While the sample is not animated, it demonstrates the level of visual storytelling and proof-of-concept development I bring to projects. The same production approach can be adapted to animated science-fiction content, often with even greater efficiency.
I would be very interested in learning more about the project and discussing how I could contribute as a producer, proof-of-concept partner or development collaborator.
Best regards,
William Arnhold
Arnhold Productions