HYBE America’s comedy short film “Summons” from writer, producer and director Ken Cheng has been selected for the Los Angeles Shorts International Film Festival.
Alexandra Shipp (“Barbie,” “Anyone But You”) and Jimmy O. Yang (“Interior Chinatown,” “Love Hard”) star in the romantic comedy set in “The Twilight Zone,” which explores the essential relationship question : “Is the process of courtship and marriage, as we know it, inherently stupid and broken?”
Offering a playful and innovative twist on the classic ‘how we met’ story, ‘Summons’ also stars Jamie Chung (‘Lovecraft Country’, ‘Sucker Punch’) and Nichelle Hines (‘A Good Person’, ‘Junction ‘). The short film features appearances by Donald Faison (“Scrubs,” “Extended Family”), Timothy Simons (“Veep,” “Don’t Worry Darling”) and Rob Huebel (“Children’s Hospital,” “I Love You, Man” ).
Cheng previously wrote and produced the Jo Koy-led comedy “Easter Sunday” from Amblin Partners, Rideback and Universal Pictures. Cheng will next direct “Princes,” a comedy feature film based on his original screenplay, for Amblin Partners. He is also writing an animated film for Sony Pictures Animation. Cheng is the co-founder of the production company and creative incubator Crab Club, Inc., along with Yang and writer-producer Jessica Gao.
“When we first spoke with Ken about the concept of Summons, the HYBE America team wanted to collaborate and bring this unique idea to the screen,” said James Shin, president of film and television for HYBE America. “The cast led by Alexandra and Jimmy give incredible, nuanced performances and we are excited about the potential of ‘Summons.’”
The Los Angeles Shorts International Film Festival starts on July 17 and serves as a qualifying tournament for the Academy Awards and BAFTA. “Summons” premieres on July 20 at Regal Live in Downtown LA during the fest’s 5:30 PM schedule block.
Cheng and James Shin will produce, and Yang will executive produce alongside Gao, Arvin Chen and Kyle Vinuya. “Summons” is a production of HYBE America, Pogi Studios and Crab Club, Inc.
Shipp is represented by CAA, Neon Kite and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher. Yang is represented by CAA, Artists First and Schreck, Rose, Dapello, Adams, Berlin & Dunham. Chung is repped by Gersh, 3 Arts Entertainment and Yorn, Levine, Barnes, Krintzman, Rubenstein, Kohner, Endlich, Goodell & Gellman. Hines is represented by TalentWorks and Animal Federation. Simons is represented by UTA and Myman, Greenspan, Fox, Rosenberg, Mobasser, Younger & Light. Huebel is represented by UTA and Haven Entertainment. Faison is represented by UTA and Fuller Law.
