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For donations more than $500, please contact us directly for more details at sisterclairefilm@gmail.com
Her faith was unshakeable… until now
Title: Sister Claire
Project type: Fiction Short
Genre: Drama / Mystery / Psychological Thriller
Languages: English, Irish
Project status: Pre-Production
Production: May 2025
Writer/Director: Zegan Doyle
Producer: Selena Leoni
Cinematographer: Lucia Rinaldi
Supported by: Film Independent
Production Company: Little Paws Pictures, Row Z Studios
Logline: A devout Irish nun begins to unravel when a mysterious teenager insists they are her long-deceased sister, forcing her to confront a past she thought she buried forever.
Synopsis: At a Catholic confirmation retreat in the mountains, Sister Claire, a devout but emotionally withdrawn Irish nun, agrees to mentor a troubled teenager named Kit. Claire’s strict routine and spiritual resolve begin to crack when Kit claims to be her long-deceased sister, reincarnated. The boundaries between memory, language, and identity begin to blur. What began as a curiosity then becomes the source of her confusion. In a culminating moment, Sister Claire must decide for herself whether she will believe the miracle that is standing right in front of her.
Told from Claire’s perspective, Sister Claire is a minimalist and atmospheric short about trans embodiment, spiritual ambiguity, and the miraculous power of connection.
Crew Bios
Although quiet by nature, ZEGAN DOYLE is a writer, director, and film programmer who lives for drama. They are a Storytelling Institute Fellow with Canal+, the City of Cannes, and the Cannes Film Festival. They have been involved in programming at Outfest LA, Fine Art Film Festival in Bridport, England, Baby Teeth Film Festival, and Rubin Museum of Art, and has evaluated scripts at Austin Film Festival and BFI Film London Production Film Market. They earned their MFA in Screenwriting from the University of California, Los Angeles.
SELENA LEONI is an award-winning producer from Italy and China who champions social inclusion and gives a platform to those who have been historically marginalized. She is a BAFTA Connect Member and a Film Independent Project Involve Producer Fellow. Selena's projects have reached platforms including STARZ, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV, and have screened at prestigious film festivals such as Outfest Fusion, NewFest, BFI Flare, Tribeca Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, and Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.
LUCIA RINALDI is an Italian Cinematographer based in LA and London. She grew up in a small city in Italy where she studied still photography and film restoration. Her background led her to motion-picture, where she found her footing in the camera department. She is an American Film Institute cinematography alumna (class 2019). She has been selected by BAFTA for their renown Newcomers program, as well as being a member of the Society of Camera Operators (SOC) and illuminatrix raising in the UK. Lucia’s work is a combination of technical prowess, sensitivity and identity.
Mood Board
Director’s Statement
Human connection is nothing short of miraculous.
As a transgender nonbinary teenager in the Catholic Church, I often felt disconnected — from my family, my peers, and the world around me. That sense of isolation shaped me. But over time, through friendship, chosen family, and art, I began to understand that connection wasn’t something I lacked — it was something I could build.
I believe there’s something sacred in the quiet moments when people truly see one another. This film is about those moments — about the ways we reach across time, memory, and identity to feel less alone. It’s about how connection — even when fragile, even when strange — can be life-saving.
In a world that often feels fractured and cynical, Sister Claire is a quiet call to remember what binds us. I hope audiences will leave feeling full of light and warmth. I want them to feel cared for.
–Zegan Doyle (they/them)
Writer-Director of Sister Claire
Film Inspirations
Birth (2004)
Lilies of the Field (1963)
Diary of a Country Priest (1951)
Cries and Whispers (1972)
Target Audience
We have identified four key segments of our target audience:
LGBTQ+ community – Our core audience is the trans community. We will be casting queer and trans people in the leads, and will hire as many people in the LGBT+ community. This is a piece of work made by our community, for our community which is why we will be targeting queer and trans film festivals.
Irish and Irish-Americans – We believe this audience will appreciate the commitment to showcasing the culture. The Irish lead actress, the Irish language dialogue, and the Irish-American Catholic imagery speaks directly to this audience.
Drama enthusiasts – Fans of emotional and character-driven dramas are likely to be engaged by the film's focus on personal challenges, relationships with siblings, and forgiveness. They appreciate well-developed characters and intricate storytelling.
Festival Strategy
Our team has built extensive relationships with esteemed festivals over the world and we are excited to SISTER CLAIRE with audiences. Zegan is film programmer and has worked for several film festivals and museums including Outfest LA, Baby Teeth Film Festival, and the Rubin Museum of Art. Selena has produced award-winning films which have screened at Outfest Fusion, NewFest, BFI Flare, Tribeca Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, and Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.
Our detailed festival schedule has been strategically crafted to comply with the strict premiere requirements of renowned festivals, as well as levigating our previous relationship with them. The festivals on our list include: Sundance Film Festival, SXSW, Cannes Film Festival, Berlinale, Tribeca Festival, NewFest, HollyShorts, Indy Shorts International Film Festival, and Austin Film Festival.
SISTER CLAIRE is a fiscally sponsored project of Film Independent, a non-profit independent media arts organization. Film Independent will receive grants for the charitable purposes of SISTER CLAIRE, provide oversight to ensure that grant funds are used in accordance with grant agreements, and provide reports as required by the grantor. Contributions for the charitable purposes of SISTER CLAIRE must be made payable to Film Independent and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Support our project
This project is a labor of love, created to expand non-binary storytelling on screen. Every donation brings us closer to making this vision a reality. Your support will help cover essential production costs, from casting to camera equipment, from post-production to the festival circuit, ensuring the highest quality filmmaking and fair wages for our cast and crew. Whether you contribute $25 or $500, your support matters and makes a tangible difference. Click the link below to join our journey and help bring this story to life. Thank you for joining our community of independent filmmaking!
Selena Leoni,
Producer
Lucia Rinaldi,
Cinematographer
Zegan Doyle,
Writer/Director
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