Your Stage : Seeking Indie Film Collaborators – Coming-of-Age Drama “Off Schedule” by Julia Dabrowska

Hook / Logline:

Seventeen-year-old Amy Vale has spent more of her life in hospitals than at home. When her illness worsens, she quietly stops treatment and begins living on her own terms — defying boundaries, reconnecting with her little sister, and rediscovering love and freedom with Simon, the boy who has always cared for her. “Off Schedule” is a visually stunning, emotionally powerful coming-of-age story about life, choice, and the fleeting moments that define us.

Full Synopsis:

Amy Vale has spent nearly her entire life in hospitals. Her chronic illness has shaped every choice, every moment, and while her family watches over her with love and worry, Amy has learned to endure, comply, and survive. But when doctors warn her that her condition is worsening, Amy quietly stops her treatments — and begins to reclaim control over her life in ways no one expects.

Freed from constant monitoring, Amy pushes boundaries: she stays out late, smokes, drinks, and distances herself from those who care most. Her rebellious choices create tension at home, yet the only people who truly see her are her younger sister Riley, who adores Amy but doesn’t fully understand her, and Simon, a boy who remembers Amy before the illness — loud, reckless, and impossible to ignore. Simon treats her like herself, not a patient, and for the first time in months, Amy feels truly alive.

Amy and Riley share tender, raw moments — hugs that linger, apologies whispered, and the quiet understanding only siblings can share. With Simon, she finds fleeting freedom: late-night drives, watching raindrops race down car windows, and finally, dancing together in the pouring rain — a cinematic, joyous, and heartbreaking moment of connection.

But Amy’s body has already paid the price for months of neglect. One quiet night, a sudden seizure changes everything, leaving her family and Simon to grapple with loss, memory, and grief. Riley leaves a small handmade bracelet on Amy’s bed — a symbol of love, hope, and the enduring echo of her sister’s presence.

Off Schedule is a character-driven, emotionally charged indie about agency, love, family, and the fragile moments that define a life. It’s a story designed to move audiences and resonate on a universal level, exploring what it means to live fully, even when life feels fleeting.

Why This Film Matters:

- Emotionally raw and visually cinematic — festival-ready storytelling

- Explores universal themes: family, love, rebellion, and mortality

- Highlights intimate human connections and fleeting moments of joy

- Designed to resonate with audiences and festivals worldwide

Who We’re Looking For:

We’re assembling a passionate, professional team:

Producers / Executive Producers – funding, scheduling, festival strategy

Director / Co-Director – guiding performances and cinematic storytelling

Director of Photography (DP) – crafting iconic visuals, including rain sequences, city streets, and intimate interiors

Casting Director – finding actors with emotional depth

Screenwriter / Script Consultant – refining dialogue, pacing, and emotional beats

Full production plan including post-production and marketing is ready for serious collaborators.

My Role:

I will co-produce and star as Amy Vale. I’m seeking a creative, passionate team ready to craft a visually stunning and emotionally powerful indie film — one with festival potential and lasting audience impact.

Location & Timeline:

Filming in Poland (city TBD) — interiors, streets, school, hospital, and rain-soaked exteriors

Pre-production starting soon; shooting planned for Summer 2026 ( exact dates TBD)

Post-production and festival submissions (SXSW, Tribeca, etc.) to follow

Next Steps:

If this story excites you and you’re ready to help bring it to life, message me on Stage 32. Serious collaborators will receive the script draft and full production plan.All collaboration will be remote — writers from anywhere are welcome to apply.