KCU Pitchfest Showcase 2025 (Top 50)

Holy and Unholy Spirits

Ama, a student at St. Bernadette’s Catholic School in Sri Lanka, does not believe in god, ghosts, or anything supernatural. Anything religious becomes the target of her contempt, including the quiet and very religious Dhaya.
When a rumor spreads that the school is haunted by an evil spirit, Ama is determined to disprove its existence. But when a mysterious entity reaches out to Dhaya and she withdraws even further into her shell, Ama begins to worry.
Whether or not the spirit is real, Ama must save Dhaya from whatever dark force has its pull on her. But can she win over the trust of the girl she bullied for years?

Stranger Things meets Midnight Mass in this exploration of religious trauma, teenage rebellion and human connection.

My Why:

As a queer atheist who was raised Catholic, I’m interested in exploring how growing up in a religious context can affect a young persons sense of self. I hope this will reach young adults who, like I was at their age, are growing out of the beliefs and traditions in which they were brought up and are creating their own meaning in life.
I believe the paranormal is a great genre tool for exploring and expressing being haunted by depression, isolation and guilt. The evil spirit in this story is a metaphor for the voice inside your head that tells you you are not worthy. My characters are saved by affirming each others worth and seeing each other for who they truly are.