After the loss of her closest friend, Safiyah pushes through her lonely life by shutting out the world. Succumbing to the weight of her self-isolation, Safiyah is fired from her job and comforted by words from a generous stranger, who, during a fun girls' night, shows her a new meaning of "friend".
"The objective of this story is to celebrate that moment of realization between strangers that they have a true, soulful connection. In the digital and pandemic eras, friendship is hard and loneliness rates, especially among young adults, continue to increase. Some of our tightest and longest-lasting bonds in life are that of friends, and yet so often, especially for Black female leads in film, the intimacy of friendship is overshadowed by romantic connections. As a Black woman at a PWI, loneliness hit me the hardest upon moving to NYC and while it continues to be one of the most difficult challenges of my life, it blessed me with a newfound perspective on what I truly want in a friend and has taught me ways to co-create meaningful experiences with the people I've chosen to let into my life. I've accepted that curating something so precious takes time and trial and error. Thus, this film represents the spark I hope to feel when I finally find my tribe in this new city. Making friends is an awkward and beautiful process, especially in the beginning. "In My Garden" aims to capture the very beginning - the first night - of a possibly lifelong friendship." - Zahri Josita Jackson
Written and Directed by Zahri Josita Jackson
Producers ∣ Evie Rose, Nyssa Joseph, Anivta Gattani
Director of Photography ∣ Benjy Berkowitz
Editor & Post Producer ∣ Nicole Salemeri
Score ∣ Lamar Long & Omolara Ayodeji
Producers ∣ Evie Rose, Nyssa Joseph, Anivta Gattani
Director of Photography ∣ Benjy Berkowitz
Editor & Post Producer ∣ Nicole Salemeri
Score ∣ Lamar Long & Omolara Ayodeji
Festivals & Awards
Black Film Festival of New Orleans - Official Selection
- Best Young Filmmaker Award Winner - Zahri Josita Jackson
- Best Director Award Nomination - Zahri Josita Jackson
- Best Actress Award Nomination - Tatiana Skyy
New York International Women Festival - Semi-Finalist
LA Independent Women Film Awards - Award Nominee
Best Student Film Nomination
Hollywood New Directors - Honorable Mention
Chelsea Film Festival - Official Selection
Black Girls Rock! Film Fest - Official Selection
Kosinima Inc. Short Film Grant Winner
- Best Young Filmmaker Award Winner - Zahri Josita Jackson
- Best Director Award Nomination - Zahri Josita Jackson
- Best Actress Award Nomination - Tatiana Skyy
New York International Women Festival - Semi-Finalist
LA Independent Women Film Awards - Award Nominee
Best Student Film Nomination
Hollywood New Directors - Honorable Mention
Chelsea Film Festival - Official Selection
Black Girls Rock! Film Fest - Official Selection
Kosinima Inc. Short Film Grant Winner
Credits
Written and Directed by @zjosita
Producer @evierows
Co-Producer @nyssaqueen
Safiyah - Tatiana Skyy
Ajana @thekiaralauren
Lola @m.sterbz
Femi @mesgana_teklu
Valentina @princess.nyah
Funded in part by KOSINIMA, INC. @kosinima
Executive Producer @seunbabalola_
Cinematographer @benjyisdumb
Editor @nicolesalmeri
Casting @just__journey
Post Sound Mixer - Virginia Wright
Co-Production Designers @q_mckoy @amirabrown_
1st AD & Line Producer @anvitagattani
2nd AD @okaydareme
1st ACs @roseknopper @redsandblues @arianasnirvana
BTS Photographer/G&E Swing @emmanuel_porquin
Scripty @k.ey.a
PA/Scripty - Emily Partida
Sound Mixer @eunicejchung
Boom Op @jackbirchler
Art PA @jasm1ne_2025
Costume Designer @ssekoii
Costume Asst. @ilinabhatia
Key Hairstylist @arianascanvas
Key Makeup Artist/Hair Asst. @ash.marzo
Asst. Makeup Artist @martha.haviland
Gaffer @thecompanyamc
Key Grip @winona.lu
Grip @emilyjasani & Emiricus Brown Murillo
Asst. Producer @kachisoromkwuo
PAs @elishaaffff @daphneyyy_ @angelawangwtf @lkhdme
Post-Producer & Colorist @nicolesalmeri
Concept Art & Graphic Designer @yasinbillah
Storyboard @fairyofchampagne
Picture Car @vedakeda
Equipment Van Driver @thhrift
Original score written & performed by @okromolara
Composed & arranged by @eternallam
Producer @evierows
Co-Producer @nyssaqueen
Safiyah - Tatiana Skyy
Ajana @thekiaralauren
Lola @m.sterbz
Femi @mesgana_teklu
Valentina @princess.nyah
Funded in part by KOSINIMA, INC. @kosinima
Executive Producer @seunbabalola_
Cinematographer @benjyisdumb
Editor @nicolesalmeri
Casting @just__journey
Post Sound Mixer - Virginia Wright
Co-Production Designers @q_mckoy @amirabrown_
1st AD & Line Producer @anvitagattani
2nd AD @okaydareme
1st ACs @roseknopper @redsandblues @arianasnirvana
BTS Photographer/G&E Swing @emmanuel_porquin
Scripty @k.ey.a
PA/Scripty - Emily Partida
Sound Mixer @eunicejchung
Boom Op @jackbirchler
Art PA @jasm1ne_2025
Costume Designer @ssekoii
Costume Asst. @ilinabhatia
Key Hairstylist @arianascanvas
Key Makeup Artist/Hair Asst. @ash.marzo
Asst. Makeup Artist @martha.haviland
Gaffer @thecompanyamc
Key Grip @winona.lu
Grip @emilyjasani & Emiricus Brown Murillo
Asst. Producer @kachisoromkwuo
PAs @elishaaffff @daphneyyy_ @angelawangwtf @lkhdme
Post-Producer & Colorist @nicolesalmeri
Concept Art & Graphic Designer @yasinbillah
Storyboard @fairyofchampagne
Picture Car @vedakeda
Equipment Van Driver @thhrift
Original score written & performed by @okromolara
Composed & arranged by @eternallam
