As the writer and producer, I created this project to explore the harsh realities that many in the Black community face, especially around false accusations against Black men, racial identity struggles for mixed-race individuals, and the trauma of growing up in white households or neighborhoods as a Black child.
These are conversations that get buried under stereotypes, shame, or silence—and Hicktown aims to rip them wide open. Through a gritty, unapologetic story, we shine a light on systemic injustice, the emotional toll of code-switching, and the fractured sense of identity that can come from never feeling “Black enough” or “white enough.”
This film is for those who’ve been erased, misjudged, and misunderstood. It’s a mirror held up to both America and ourselves.
FILM SYNOPSIS
HICKTOWN follows Amber, a biracial woman trapped in a rundown, predominantly white town where abuse is currency and survival comes at a cost. Pimped out by her own family to help pay the bills, Amber’s quiet strength simmers beneath years of trauma—until a chance connection with a former athlete on probation offers a glimpse of freedom.
But when a violent altercation forces them to flee, Amber finds herself running not just from the law, but from the generational curses, racial injustice, and buried pain that have long defined her life.
HICKTOWN is a raw, unflinching story about identity, isolation, and the fight to reclaim your future in a world that tries to write you off.
CAST
KHALIL KAIN AS LENNY
Best known for his iconic roles in Juice, Girlfriends, and For Colored Girls, Khalil Kain brings a grounded, soulful presence to the role of Lenny—a man battling the shadows of his past while risking everything to protect Amber. Kain’s performance adds depth, pain, and emotional truth to the character, amplifying the film’s exploration of redemption and injustice.
STORMI MAYA AS AMBER
Stormi Maya is an award-winning actress, writer, and producer known for her fearless performances and boundary-pushing storytelling. Her screen credits include the feature film Hustlers directed by Lorene Scafaria, the hit Hulu series Wu-Tang: An American Saga, HBO Max’s That Damn Michael Che, the romantic comedy A Nice Girl Like You starring Lucy Hale, and the Netflix series She’s Gotta Have It directed by Spike Lee.
In Hicktown, Maya stars as Amber—a biracial woman navigating survival, identity, and defiance in a brutal small-town reality.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: FALSE ACCUSATIONS & THE INCARCERATION OF BLACK MEN
Hicktown is not just a movie—it’s a reflection of a devastating American reality. Lenny’s story echoes real-life statistics: Black men are disproportionately accused and incarcerated for crimes they didn’t commit, especially sexual assault. According to the Innocence Project, Black men are nearly seven times more likely to be wrongfully convicted of rape than white men. This isn’t just a subplot in our film—it’s the truth for too many.
BIRACIAL IDENTITY & BELONGING
Amber’s character explores another underrepresented experience—being biracial in a racially hostile, white-dominated environment. She doesn’t fully “belong” anywhere. Not white enough for her family. Not Black enough for the world outside. This confusion shapes her self-worth, fuels her isolation, and drives her into dangerous spaces for validation.
KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN BREAKDOWN
Public Goal: $10,000
True Budget Needed: $100,000
(We’ve set our goal low to ensure we reach funding, but every dollar beyond $10K helps bring this film to life at its full potential.)
How We’ll Use the Funds:
Minimum Goal ($10K) will cover:
- Skeleton crew & cast
- Raw production (guerrilla-style filming, limited takes, minimal gear)
- Editing and basic post-production
- Digital reward fulfillment
Stretch Goals (toward $100K) allow us to:
- Hire full professional crew
- Secure key locations
- Cover music, sound design, and score
- Submit to major festivals
- Pay fair wages to all cast/crew
- Add high-quality post-production (coloring, mixing, visual polish)
- Expand distribution, PR, and impact
KICKSTARTER LINK
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/darknstormi/hicktown
