From mars to the moon - a job post by Nayden Zhelev

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.