Backyard/Desert

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Feature Film | Drama Executive Produced by Paul Zaentz (The Talented Mr. Ripley)

Dir. Ethan Felizzari-Castillo

Written by Nancy Irene Kelly & Ethan Felizzari-Castillo

Adapted from the stage play, BACKYARD/DESERT, by
Nancy Irene Kelly.

Currently in Pre-Production / Financing (Filming in April 2027)

Seeking partnerships & equity financing. Learn more.

@BackyardDesert

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All photos and videos on this page were captured during an on-location B-roll shoot in Yuma, Arizona.

When a female border patrol agent, Pammy, finds a young migrant in the Yuma Desert, the foundation on which her life has been built slowly begins to erode. The haunting encounter forces her to question her choices, career and relationships. Torn between the comfort of her unexamined values and a growing awareness of the human ties that transcend all borders, she must make a wrenching decision in order to follow her truth.

Backyard/Desert aims to shed light on the human aspects of immigration and the moral dilemmas faced by those enforcing outdated border policies, prompting audiences to reflect on the complexities of the immigration crisis and the humanity behind those seeking a new life.

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Backyard/Desert is a drama/psychological thriller produced by CK Films and joined by Executive Producer Paul Zaentz (The Talented Mr. Ripley, Amadues), a titan of independent cinema, alongside Producer, Eugenia Melián, known for her visionary work across film, fashion, and music.

The film is written by Nancy Irene Kelly and Ethan Felizzari-Castillo starring Rosie Dean (The Last Christmas Party), Peter-William Jamieson (Evening Caller) and a cast of Arizona-based newcomers. Additionally, the film is co-produced by Arte Video (Italy) and Buffalo8 (Netflix’s Woman of the Hour) and is supported by the Arizona Commerce Authority (AZ Film Office) and VisitYuma.

Backyard/Desert is a fiscally sponsored project of Film Independent, a non-profit independent media arts organization. Contributions for the charitable purposes of Backyard/Desert must be made payable to Film Independent and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Learn more & support the film here.

A film that transcends borders.

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Social Impact

Backyard/Desert is more than a film — it’s a story with real-world social impact.

That’s why we’ve partnered with two nonprofits at the heart of our mission. Every contribution to our Social Impact Commitments fuels our production, creates lasting social change, and gives you the opportunity to directly impact both art and community.

We are fiscally sponsored by Film Independent, allowing you to make a tax-deductible donation that supports both our film and Film Independent’s global mission of uplifting indie filmmakers and independent cinema.

Also, in Tucson, AZ, we’ve joined forces with San Miguel High School’s El Otro Lado program, providing film education that empowers students to use storytelling as activism while deepening their immersion in the realities of the migrant crisis.