Run and Gun (2025)
A struggling young music video director finally gets his big break shooting for a rising rap star, but when street violence collides with ambition, he finds that some dreams come with deadly consequences.
Sypnosis
In the gritty heart of downtown Toronto, Ace —a hungry and relentless aspiring music video director—hustles his way through the underground rap scene. Armed with a camera, a busted gimbal, and a dream, he juggles late-night edits and sketchy shoots for up-and-coming rappers, often working alone and with low pay. Ace is a one-man crew, chasing a vision no one else sees yet.
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His big break comes when Yung Drex, a rising star with major industry buzz—and rumored ties to a dangerous gang—reaches out. Drex wants Ace to direct his next music video, promising exposure, cash, and a chance to finally level up. For Ace, it’s everything he’s worked for.
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As the video shoot unfolds, tension simmers beneath the surface. The location is raw, the energy is electric, and the stakes are higher than ever. Ace pushes through, determined to make art out of chaos. But just as the camera rolls on the final scene, gunshots shatter the moment. A drive-by. Ace is caught in the crossfire.
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In his last moments, as the footage keeps rolling, Ace sees his masterpiece—unfinished, but real. Run and Gun is a haunting look at ambition, loyalty, and the brutal price of chasing dreams in a world where art and violence collide.
This short film is a gritty, emotionally rich portrait of a young, working-class filmmaker, Ace, striving to break into the world of hip-hop music videos while balancing poverty, danger, and an unrelenting creative drive.
Director's Vision
This film is about the city I know—the one behind the condos and festivals. It’s a Toronto where creativity and danger dance together. As a filmmaker and videographer, I’ve heard many stories about videographers trying to make it in the music video industry. I, too, am one of those stories. Run and Gun aims to complicate that narrative, showing how art and ambition survive in even the most dangerous corners. It’s not just about drugs, or music, or crime—it’s about the people who have to navigate all three just to stay alive. This is a powerful, character-driven short that blurs the lines between documentary realism and stylized narrative. It’s as much about the grind as it is about what that grind does to a person — emotionally, morally, physically.
Mission Statement
Run and Gun reveals the raw, complex world of Toronto’s underground hip-hop through a young filmmaker’s eyes—exploring ambition, survival, and art amid violence. It challenges stereotypes and honours the resilience of those chasing dreams in harsh realities.
Audience & Festival Strategy
Targeting:
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TIFF Short Cuts
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Sundance Shorts
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Tribeca
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Urbanworld
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NFFTY
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Vimeo Staff Picks / Online distribution post-festival
Audience:
Fans of street cinema, emerging artists, hip-hop heads, and young creatives navigating survival and ambition
Key Members Behind the Film
Crowdfunding Details
We are raising $30,000 to bring Run and Gun to life — covering the essential stages of pre-production, production, and post-production. Every dollar helps us move closer to telling this story the way it deserves to be told. No matter the size, your contribution means the world to us, and we are deeply grateful for your support in making this dream a reality.
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More details on the crowdfunding page.