About

Set against the dim glow of streetlights and the hum of passing sirens, Stay in the Car captures one night in the life of a fifteen-year-old girl waiting in her mother’s El Camino and the quiet reckoning that unfolds in the stillness.

Based on real events, Stay in the Car explores the fragile line between safety and survival, love and neglect. It invites audiences into a world where survival depends on silence, and one young girl must decide whether to remain in her mother’s chaos or step into her own uncertain freedom.

DIRECTOR - Calvin Ghaznavi

“Stay in the Car tells the story of a mother and daughter, but at its heart it is about survival, loyalty, and the bonds that define family. While the narrative is rooted in Salem’s experience, I connect to her journey because her search for love and self-worth feels universal.

What drew me to this story is how it reveals the tension between love and betrayal. Though it follows Salem, it speaks to anyone who has struggled with family and the courage it takes to finally choose themselves.”

Calvin Ghaznavi is a filmmaker from Southern California, born to immigrant parents from the Philippines and Iran. He graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Film and Television Production. His work spans narrative and documentary projects, exploring the human psyche through themes of morality, identity, and perseverance, told through character-driven stories and striking visual storytelling.

WRITER - Amanda Ross

“Stay in the Car isn’t just a film about a girl left waiting; it’s about resilience, the courage to face what hurt us, and the freedom that begins the moment we choose ourselves.”

Amanda Ross is a writer from Southern California whose debut film, Stay In The Car, is based on lived experience. Drawn to intimate, emotional stories about survival and resilience, within the dynamics of family. Amanda’s current work is inspired by those who grew up quietly enduring — offering recognition, reflection, and the possibility of something different.

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY - conrad holzman

Conrad Holzman is a Los Angeles–based cinematographer with a background in narrative, commercials, music videos, and branded content.

Born and raised in Orange County, his interest in film started with his love for photography. He then studied Film at Orange County School of the Arts where he found his love for cinematography. he then went on to get his BFA in Film Production at Chapman University.

Since graduating in 2024, he was nominated for the ASC Student Heritage Award, traveled to London for the Tilta Motor Film Awards where he was nominated for Best Cinematography and CameraImage in Poland where his film Resonance was showcased.

EDITOR-samer saifan

Samer Saifan is an award-winning filmmaker with a BFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. He has written, directed, and produced narrative films with bold visual storytelling and psychological depth.