CASTAWAY
Narrative Short
Project Type: Narrative Short
Project Status: Pre-Production
Director and Writer: Nathan L. Marquez
Executive Producer: Thomas Z. Seffernick Producer: Jay Bell
Cinematographer: Hex Yang
1st Assistant Director: Lauren Simpson
LOGLINE
After casting away his queer son to preserve his religious beliefs, a devout Catholic father begins to question the faith that once defined him. When he chooses love over doctrine, he risks losing his marriage to reclaim his child.
SYNOPSIS
In suburban Chicago, young Jamie struggles with his identity under the shadow of his strict Catholic upbringing and his father Victor's expectations of manhood. When his queerness comes to light as a teenager, an argument with Victor and his stepmother, Sofia, leads to Jaime being cast out of the family home. Years later, as Jaime builds a new life with his partner Michael and their foster son Andrés, Victor re-emerges and is haunted by regret. He yearns for a second chance to reconnect with his son, but is met with resistance from his wife, Sofia. At the end of their argument, Sofia presents an ultimatum to Victor. Either Victor remains a loyal catholic husband and chooses to stay married to her, or he breaks the family apart by reaching back out to his son Jaime. Spanning over twenty years, Castaway is an intimate portrait of estrangement and reconciliation, where the weight of tradition collides with the transformative power of acceptance and love.
MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT
Castaway unfolds with a delicate, wistful tenderness, embracing a tone of quiet ache and longing. Its storytelling is marked by deliberate stillness where silence, lingering looks, and subtle gestures carry deep emotional weight. The film’s pacing invites the audience to sit with the unspoken, finding meaning in what is felt rather than said. Beneath its gentle melancholy, there’s a steady pulse of resilience that grows softly but insistently. Rather than dramatic moments, Castaway finds its power in intimate, human connections, quietly building toward a hopeful sense of repair and healing. The Visual Language of Castaway mirrors the emotional arc of its characters; in the beginning, a subdued, shadow-laden world marked by muted tones, sparse compositions, and lingering shots of isolation. It slowly and almost imperceptibly begins to shift, opening into warmth and light as the characters tentatively reconnect with themselves and each other, allowing color, movement, and softness to reenter both their interior landscapes and the world around them.
Meet The Filmmakers
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Nathan L. Marquez
Director/Writer
A Chicago native, Nathan Marquez is an LGBTQ+ filmmaker drawn to the quiet, transformative moments that speak the loudest. With a style rooted in both narrative and documentary traditions, his work explores the space between what’s said and what’s felt. He is drawn to intimate and atmospheric storytelling that lingers in the soul.
Guided by his lived experience and dual cultural identity, Nathan’s voice is one of honesty, vulnerability, and intention. His visual language favors natural light, minimalism, and emotional stillness which is a reflection of his commitment to crafting stories that feel real, raw, and deeply human.
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Thomas Z Seffernick
Executive Producer
Since 2014, Thomas has poured his creativity, skill, and dedication into a wide range of film and television productions. Over the years, he has made it his mission to champion underrepresented voices, believing that powerful stories can spark meaningful change. As a producer, Thomas thrives on creating an environment where collaboration flourishes, the filmmaking process feels accessible, and every project stays true to its creative vision.
Over the past decade, he has worked behind the scenes on some of Chicago’s most notable productions, serving as a Production Assistant and Locations Assistant on acclaimed titles such as Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Empire, Saturdays, The Bear, Force, Deli Boys, and Dark Matter. These experiences have sharpened his ability to navigate complex logistics, adapt quickly to on-set challenges, and build strong relationships with crews, cast, and vendors. Thomas’s deep industry knowledge, problem-solving skills, and commitment to storytelling make him not only a capable producer but also a trusted creative partner who can bring bold, meaningful projects to life.
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Jay Bell
Producer
Jay brings a wealth of experience and a deeply rooted commitment to authentic storytelling. As a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, they are passionate about championing projects that reflect queer identities and elevate everyday human experiences with sincerity and heart. Their creative vision is grounded, inclusive, and unapologetically authentic.
In addition to their creative expertise, Jay is a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, exemplifying excellence and dedication both in service and in their continued work within the film industry. Their background includes extensive experience in both feature films and short-form content, consistently delivering high-caliber work that resonates with audiences.
As an Assistant Director, Jay has contributed to a range of notable projects, including the award winning LGBTQA+ feature Desire Lines. They have also worked on features such as Third Wheel, and Romance Package for Two. We are confident that their insight, leadership, and passion for storytelling will make a meaningful impact on our team and our projects.
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Hex Yang
Cinematographer
Hex Yang is a cinematographer originally from China, now based in Chicago. With a passion for storytelling through the lens, Hex Yang believes that movies are stories in motion—an art form that has the power to connect, inspire, and change lives. After graduating from Columbia College Chicago, Hex Yang has worked on various projects, always striving to capture the essence of a story and elevate its emotional depth. With a vision rooted in the belief that a single film can impact the world, Hex Yang is dedicated to crafting visuals that resonate long after the credits roll. -
Lauren Simpson
1st AD
Lauren brings extensive experience from some of Chicago’s most acclaimed productions, including Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., Power: Book IV – Force, Empire, Somebody Somewhere, and most recently, Monster Season 3.
Her career highlights include managing principal cast, photo doubles, and background talent on Chicago P.D., as well as ensuring COVID compliance that allowed the show to be the only One Chicago series to remain in continuous production during the pandemic. She has also contributed to payroll, production reports, scheduling, and cross-departmental communication—key responsibilities that keep a set running smoothly.
With her proven track record and commitment to inclusive, compelling storytelling, she is an invaluable addition to the team and will play an important role in bringing Castaway to life.
Your Help
CASTAWAY is a fiscally sponsored project of Cinematography for Actors, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your donation will be tax-deductible!