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By Valerie Milano
Palm Springs, CA (The Hollywood Times) 6/20/26 – Some films speak quietly but leave a lasting impact. Writer-director Jay Pendarvis Jr.’s See You Soon is one of those films.
Selected to screen at the 2026 Palm Springs International ShortFest, See You Soon stars Asante Blackk and Isaiah John in a deeply moving story about grief, memory, and brotherhood. What begins as a late-night conversation between two brothers unfolds into a poignant examination of loss, healing, and the choices we make when faced with heartbreak.
During a recent interview with The Hollywood Times, Pendarvis shared that the film emerged from his own experiences with grief and loss at a young age.
“I started to see the difference in grief,” he explained. “The difference between losing someone unexpectedly and losing someone you know is going to leave. I wanted to tell a story that centered around grief and what it feels like to lose somebody, especially in a violent way.”
Click below for our exclusive interview:
That emotional honesty is what gives See You Soon its remarkable authenticity. Rather than relying on dramatic action or spectacle, Pendarvis strips the story down to its essentials. Much of the film unfolds through an intimate conversation in a diner, allowing audiences to focus entirely on the emotional weight carried by the characters.
The minimalist approach was intentional. The short serves as a proof of concept for Pendarvis’ upcoming feature film, Brother’s Keeper, which he originally wrote while attending the University of Virginia. Developed through Antigravity Academy with producers Carlos López Estrada and Valerie Bush, the feature is currently in the financing stage and has already attracted significant talent.
“We thought the best way to encapsulate all the emotions and themes was by stripping it down to a conversation between two brothers,” Pendarvis said.
The casting proves to be one of the film’s greatest strengths. Blackk and John deliver nuanced performances that elevate the material beyond a simple conversation. Their chemistry feels lived-in and genuine, creating the sense of shared history that only siblings can possess.
Pendarvis praised both actors for bringing unique perspectives to their roles. Blackk contributed a personal energy and emotional spark to his character, while John immersed himself deeply in the role, asking thoughtful questions that helped shape and expand the character’s emotional landscape.
Their collaboration continues beyond the short film. John is attached to Brother’s Keeper not only as an actor but also as an executive producer, helping shepherd the larger project toward production.
At its core, See You Soon asks difficult questions about grief, trauma, and cycles of violence. Pendarvis hopes audiences reflect on how isolation can affect decision-making after loss.
“Grieving alone can sometimes lead to rash decisions,” he said. “I wanted to pose the question of what grief can do to you, especially when you don’t talk to people about what you’re going through.”
The film’s emotional resonance has already connected with audiences at the Dallas International Film Festival, where Pendarvis observed that viewers from vastly different backgrounds found common ground in the story’s themes.
“It doesn’t matter what your background is,” he reflected. “We’ve all lost somebody. We all know what that feels like.”
That universality is perhaps the film’s greatest achievement. While rooted in specific experiences and cultural realities, See You Soon never feels exclusive. Instead, it invites audiences into a deeply human conversation about loss, healing, and understanding.
As Pendarvis continues developing Brother’s Keeper, See You Soon stands on its own as a compelling and emotionally rich short film. It demonstrates the filmmaker’s gift for character-driven storytelling and his willingness to explore difficult emotional terrain with honesty and compassion.
When asked what he hopes audiences take away from the film at Palm Springs ShortFest, Pendarvis offered a simple but powerful message:
“As human beings, we all grieve. Being able to speak to people about those feelings, even when they’re difficult to communicate, can help us realize we’re not alone.”
It’s a sentiment that lingers long after the credits roll.
See You Soon screens at the 2026 Palm Springs International ShortFest. Audiences can follow the film’s journey and future updates on Instagram at @seeyousoon.film.
