Paid Casting Call: Short Film (LA)

CASTING CALL: THE HARVEST

Project Type: Short Film (Student Thesis Project)

Production Company: Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television

Union Status: SAG-AFTRA or Non-Union Actors

Shoot Dates: October 24 - 26, 2025, and October 31 - November 2, 2025

Location: Los Angeles

Compensation: $200/day, 3-6 Days of Work

Meals, copy, and credit provided.

Logline

In the occupied West Bank, Rami, a reluctant caretaker, struggles to harvest his family’s olives while caring for his ailing father. The slow encroachment of settlers pushes him to his breaking point.

Character Breakdown

RAMI

• Gender: Male

• Age: Early 20s

• Ethnicity: Arab

• Role Type: Lead

  
  

Character Description:

Rami is a restless and conflicted son. He feels torn between duty to his land and a desire to escape it. Although he resents the burden of responsibility, he deeply loves his father. Rami must be emotionally expressive yet understated. He should be fluent in Arabic and English.

HASSAN

• Gender: Male

• Age: 50s - 60s

• Ethnicity: Arab

• Role Type: Lead

  
  

Character Description:

Hassan is Rami's stubborn father. He is proud, devout, and deeply rooted in tradition. Despite his failing health, he clings to his olive grove, which symbolizes his last vestige of dignity. Hassan must convincingly portray physical strain, including climbing and limping. He will primarily speak Arabic.

AVI

• Gender: Male

• Age: 40s

• Ethnicity: Israeli settler

• Role Type: Supporting

  
  

Character Description:

Avi is an Israeli settler, characterized as a cold, unnerving, and subtly menacing presence. He embodies dominance through silence and actions while taking items and observing Hassan's struggles. This role includes scenes that may require partial to full unclothed appearances. Avi symbolizes the ongoing encroachment on the land. He may speak in English or Hebrew.

Partial to full nudity for Avi required.

REBECCA

• Gender: Female

• Age: 40s

• Ethnicity: Israeli settler

• Role Type: Supporting

  
  

Character Description:

Rebecca is a settler mother who is calm, composed, and unfazed by the destruction around her. She appears briefly but adds a haunting normalcy to the occupation.

Compensation: $100/8 Day

Meals, copy, and credit provided.

JACOB

• Gender: Male

• Age: 17

• Ethnicity: Israeli settler

• Role Type: Supporting

  
  

Character Description:

Jacob, 17, along with his sister Lina, is a settler child who appears comfortable and quiet yet emotionally detached from the world they have helped replace.

Compensation: $100/8 Day

Meals, copy, and credit provided.

LINA

• Gender: Female

• Age: 15

• Ethnicity: Israeli settler

• Role Type: Supporting

  
  

Character Description:

Lina is a settler child, comfortable, quiet, and emotionally detached from the world around her. She appears alongside her mother and brother in the final scene, contributing to the unsettling normalcy.

Compensation: $100/8 Day

Meals, copy, and credit provided.

How to Submit

To submit for a role, please send your headshot, resume, and contact information. Indicate which role you are applying for in the subject line. Self-tapes will be requested from selected candidates.

Please check your junk mail for our email. If you don't see it, kindly add our email address: info@ArabActors.com

Important Information

Casting for this film is vital for sharing powerful stories. An authentic representation will enrich the narrative and deepen the audience's understanding of the underlying tensions. Your participation is crucial.

Inspiration Behind the Film

The concept for "The Harvest" stems from real-life challenges faced by individuals in conflict zones. It sheds light on the resilience of people grappling with their identity while navigating complex socio-political landscapes. Filmmaking serves as a medium for storytelling and an avenue to spark discussions.

The Significance of Olive Harvest

The olive harvest holds deep cultural significance in the region. It is a laborious yet rewarding process that symbolizes hope, tradition, and family bonds. The act of harvesting olive trees becomes not just a duty but an embodiment of resistance and survival against the backdrop of encroachment. It showcases the beauty and struggle of those connected to the land.

The Role of Actors in Telling This Story

Actors play a pivotal role in bringing authentic experiences to life. Their interpretations provide insight into the characters' emotional journeys and the broader implications of their actions. Each character, from Rami to Avi, offers a distinct perspective. Through their performances, actors can evoke empathy, prompting viewers to reflect on shared human experiences.

Conclusion

This casting call represents an opportunity for talented individuals to contribute to a meaningful project. "The Harvest" aims to raise awareness and inspire discussions on vital issues.

We look forward to your submissions!