My name is Diran Shahrik and I am a young Armenian screenwriter and producer. I am currently a recent graduate from Boston University, working in finance at Ernst & Young, with high aspirations in the filmmaking industry. My first project “Picking Daisies,” won “Best Edited Film” at the HBO Latino Film Festival. I was the screenplay writer and executive producer on the project and look forward to incorporating all I learned from my previous film into my next short film, Tethered.

Tethered follows Derick Kovac, a 17-year-old boy, struggling with his emotionally and physically abusive father, and must overcome his obstacles, finding a means to escape. 

After dealing with and overcoming the most challenging obstacle in my life at the age of fifteen, I was inspired to create a story that examines the emotional complexities of dealing with a parent who has borderline personality disorder, where love is often mixed with manipulation, instability, and emotional abuse. The film explores the internal conflict of a child who, despite growing up in an environment where true love was never present, still finds themselves deeply tied to the toxic dynamics that shaped their identity. It’s a reflection of how difficult it is to sever these bonds, not because of love, but because of the deep-seated fear, guilt, and manipulation that continue to hold power over them. Through this story, the film sheds light on the bravery required to leave such relationships and the emotional and psychological weight of that choice.

Tethered is a valuable project because it opens a conversation about the complexities of living with a parent who has borderline personality disorder, a topic that is often overlooked or misunderstood. For many individuals, the emotional scars of growing up in such an environment can last a lifetime, creating patterns of self-doubt, emotional numbness, and difficulty in forming healthy relationships. This film seeks to give a voice to those who feel isolated by their experiences, validating their struggles and showing that they are not alone. It also challenges the conventional ideas of love and family, revealing that breaking free from toxic dynamics isn’t always as simple as leaving; it’s an internal battle of reclaiming one’s identity and self-worth. By confronting these realities, the film aims to offer hope to those stuck in similar cycles, encouraging them to seek healing and recognize their inner strength. This is a story of resilience, one that speaks to anyone who has ever fought to break free from emotional chains and find peace within themselves.

Diran Shahrik is a young Armenian screenplay writer and producer. He is a recent graduate from Boston University, working in finance at Ernst & Young, with high aspirations in the filmmaking industry. His first project “Picking Daisies”, won “Best Edited Film” at the HBO Latino Film Festival. He was the screenplay writer and executive producer on the project and he looks forward to using all he has learned from his previous film into his next short film, Tethered.

Chris Moore is a filmmaker out of New York City with multiple short film and commercial credits to his name. Most notably, Moore directed and produced a nationwide PSA on climate change for The 51% Project in association with Hearst Media, which ran for 10 weeks on NBC, CBS, ABC, and the CW. Moore is also the Creative Director for an innovative fitness startup and oversees the content strategy and visual elements necessary to tell the brand story. 

Sam Millstein is a NYC based 1st AD and  Producer with over 10 years of production experience. From music videos with Interscope and Warner Music Artists to Docuseries with National Geographic and Netflix, all the way to Independent feature films, Sam’s diverse production background has left him with invaluable experience and a unique skillset.

Renee Nabinger is a cinematographer based out of Brooklyn. When she is not shooting she is watching pug videos online or cyanotyping.

Born and raised in New York City to English parents, Freddie O’Donahue is a young actor on an exciting trajectory. Freddie has studied acting all his life in studios in both England and America, having the benefit of both cultural perspectives. Out of the gate, an early first self-tape recently landed him a recurring role on Law and Order, working alongside Christopher Meloni and Rick Gonzalez. He is excited to be a part of the team for Tethered, feeling very grateful to have worked with a brilliant cast and crew for the film. 

Al Pagano is a native New Yorker who founded the now defunct Accidental Theater Company in 1995 with John Matsumodo-Giampetro. Al has done numerous theater productions in NY and on tour. Some of his favorite roles include Don Armado in Love's Labors Lost, Will Rogers in the Will Rogers Follies, Touchstone in As You Like It and Jean in Miss Julie. Al's film credits include many shorts and indie films. Some titles that you can actually watch are Condor's Nest, Laws of Man and Concessions. Al is very thankful to the entire cast, crew and creative team of Tethered for an incredible experience.

Veronica Kelegian, twenty-five years old, grew up in New York City. She's been a lover of art and creating it since she was a little girl, dancing ballet since she could walk and attended LaGuardia high school for dance. However, at 11 years old she got her first taste of acting when she was cast in a short film sending her to the Catskills for several months and requiring her to learn to use a wheelchair! She was ecstatic at the opportunity to tell a story and master the elements needed to do so, even something so foreign as using a wheelchair. Evidently that craving never left her and after she graduated Boston University, pre-law with a degree in International Relations, she decided to pursue a full-time career in acting. That was two years ago, and it has been the most fulfilling, wonderfully challenging, and colorful time in her life.

Film Festival Submissions: $4,000

Color Grading: $1,500

Music Composition: $500

Sound Design & Mixing: $500

Contingency: $3,500

TOTAL: $10,000