COMING 2026
THE LAST PERFORMANCE
In this upcoming blues thriller short film, legendary blues musician Willie Montgomery returns to the stage after eight years, his soulful melodies weaving a haunting tale of lost love, regret, and unfulfilled dreams. Reality blurs into illusion, and what begins as a comeback takes a chilling turn into an unforeseen nightmare. This film is currently in pre-production. Click below to learn more about the film and help us bring THE LAST PERFORMANCE to life.
WHERE IS WILLIE?
In THE LAST PERFORMANCE, an aging blues singer returns to the stage after years in obscurity. But in his final performance, memory, regret, and the supernatural converge in a haunting tale…
of love
and loss
A STYLIZED TALE OF ADDICTION, LOVE, REGRET…AND THE MUSIC THAT BINDS THEM.
MEET THE CAST
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JAMES BROWN-ORLEANS as Willie Montgomery
James Brown-Orleans (@jamesbrownorleans) is an actor and singer-songwriter known for The Lion King on Broadway and The Princess Diaries, where he played Dr. Motors. He originated Banzai in the Gazelle Tour.
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RICARDO WILKINSON as Sam Nixon
Ricardo Wilkinson (@officialrwilkinson) is an accomplished actor, singer, and producer known for roles in The Sight Unseen and See Through. With over two decades in the music industry, he brings emotional depth and artistry to every performance.
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CLYLA DESTINY as Freesia Fields
Clyla Destiny (@clyladestiny) is a SOVAS-nominated spoken word artist and NYC-trained actor whose award-winning work blends art and activism, including her film Professor Blackteach and DGA-recognized roles.
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OJE BELO as Young Willie
Oje Belo (@gatnayet) is a versatile actor born in Lagos, raised in London, and trained in NYC at the New York Conservatory, now pursuing his craft in the city that never sleeps.
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FRANKO CRUZ as Miles Johnson
Franko Cruz (@frankocruzz) is a Dominican actor from the Bronx whose passion for storytelling drives his work. With roles in student films and a lead in an upcoming SAG feature, he’s ready to bring bold, raw performances to every screen.
“The place in which I’ll fit will not exist until I make it.”
— JAMES BALDWIN
MEET THE TEAM
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MALACHI ALEXIS | Writer & Director
Malachi Omar Alexis is a versatile writer, director, and editor with a unique perspective shaped by his background in psychology. A proud alumnus of Brooklyn College, where he majored in psychology and minored in film, Malachi seamlessly integrates his understanding of the human mind into his cinematic work. His stories and films are imbued with rich psychological elements, offering audiences a deep, introspective experience.
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JOY WALSH | Producer
Joy Walsh is a Barbadian-American New York native with a passion for visual story-telling. Joy has explored different mediums of these art forms through creation of award-winning shorts, branded content, music videos and photography. Her expertise in production and storytelling has amassed millions of dollars in fundraising for black owned businesses and hundreds of thousands of views for her individual clients. She has created visual media packages featured on Jennifer Hudson Show, the Kelly Clarkson Show, News 12, ABC7 New York and others.
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AYMÉE ETTIENNE | Executive Producer
Aymée Ettienne is a Panamanian American, creative visionary with a rich background in music and art. As a former singer and alumna of the prestigious Music & Art High School in NYC, Aymée’s lifelong connection to the arts heavily influenced her over 30-year career in Corporate America where she became known for her rare blend of creativity, strategic thinking and business acumen. Aymée is now leveraging her business expertise and deep connections in the arts to empower indie filmmakers and actors. Helping them gain visibility and the financial backing they need to showcase their talents.
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CHRISTINA BROWN | Producer
Christina Brown is a NJ-based indie producer and multi-hyphenate writer passionate about bringing atypical Black American stories into the global consciousness. Her playground is in the sci-fi, fantasy, supernatural, and political drama realms where characters can roam uninhibitedly in all their complexities to become stronger individuals, unlike the real world.
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JESSE KAPLAN | Producer
Jesse Kaplan is a NYC-based producer and entrepreneur with a background in both film and startups. He’s produced narrative shorts, branded content, and theater, and previously founded and scaled a logistics company. Jesse has extensive experience building teams, raising funds, and managing complex operations to bring ambitious, creative ideas to life. He loves supporting projects that challenge perception and tell stories in unexpected ways.
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DESTYNIE JULIEN | 1st AD
Destynie is a NYC based assistant director and production worker in film, TV and theater. Her love for storytelling has allowed her to work across multiple outlets including off Broadway theater, feature films, live audience productions, and her favorite - indie shorts.
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JENNY DESROSIERS | Director of Photography
Jenny V. Desrosiers is a Haitian American cinematographer and multidisciplinary artist, currently based in New York City, by way of Boston, MA. Drawing inspiration from her lived experiences within the vibrant Caribbean diaspora, Jenny crafts work that aims to illuminate narratives that have long been overlooked. With a background as a writer and painter, a passion for films, and a love for storytelling cultivated since childhood, her body of work demonstrates a keen sensitivity to underrepresented subjects that resonates emotionally with viewers. She is a recipient of the Panavision New Filmmakers Grant.
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JAKE RINGOLD | Social Media Editor
Jake Ringold is a videographer/editor/director who’s always looking for new ideas to create the next project! Proficient in Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects with 8+ years of on-set production experience. With on-set work ranging from productions like Netflix, CBS, Adult Swim, Bravo TV and music videos such as Lil Uzi Vert’s “Demon High” along with years of self-produced short films, music videos and commercials. I’m excited to be a part of this incredible team of creatives and I’m looking forward to working alongside side each of them to create this amazing project.
DONATE TO THE LAST PERFORMANCE
Every contribution goes directly toward the essentials needed to bring this world to life—the set, the lights, the music, and the people who make it all possible. We aim to hit our goal of $35,000—all of which covers the following:
Locations & Set Design: Building a Harlem jazz club interior from the ground up
Cast & Crew: Paying our Broadway lead, our supporting actors, and a small but mighty crew
Equipment & Production: Lighting, camera, sound, and the tools to capture a world in smoke and shadow
Post-Production: Editing, sound mix, score, and color grading that will give the film its dreamlike, haunting texture
Marketing & Distribution: Film festival submissions, film festival expenses (hotel, transportation, food, etc.), distribution costs, and a great publicist to properly market our film to the world
Your support makes a difference—click here to donate and share. And follow us @thelastperformancefilm and @malixfilm on all platforms to stay updated! Scroll down to review the "Perks and Rewards" section, where you can select an incentive matching your donation. For potential sponsorships and partnerships, please reach out to thelastperformancefilm@gmail.com.
IN EXCHANGE FOR YOUR SUPPORT
THE APPLAUSE
THIS DONATION TIER INCLUDES:
- Social Media Shout-Out
THE SOUNDCHECK
THIS DONATION TIER INCLUDES:
- Digital Soundtrack
- Link to Digital Film
- Film Credit
- Social Media Shout-Outs
THE DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE
THIS DONATION TIER INCLUDES:
- Virtual Meet & Greet w/ Director and Team
- Signed Film Poster
- Digital Soundtrack
- Link to Digital Film
- Film Credit
- Social Media Shout-Outs
THE VINYL EDITION
THIS DONATION TIER INCLUDES:
- Original Film Vinyl
Virtual Meet & Greet w/ Director, Cast, and Crew
- Signed Film Poster
- Digital Soundtrack
- Link to Digital Film
- Film Credit
- Social Media Shout-Outs


