Nicholas Ma’s first feature film, “Mabel,” will premiere at Cinema Village in New York City on April 17 after the film’s official trailer release.
The upcoming drama film focuses on Callie, a mixed-race young girl in middle school, played by debutant Lexi Perkel, who is fascinated by nature, a fascination that guides her into becoming a teenager with ease. When Callie’s family relocates, and she needs to transfer schools, she makes her way into the high school botany class, where substitute teacher Ms. G, played by Judy Greer, instructs the students. Supporting cast members include Christine Ko and Quincy Dunn-Baker.
Callie’s passion for plants is inspired by Ms. G’s lessons, leading her to conduct an experiment to cultivate chrysanthemums without sunlight and to invite her neighborhood friend Agnes to join.
Ma worked together with Joy Goodwin on the screenplay. The film is produced by Ben Howe, Luca Borghese, and Helen Estabrook. Executive producers of the film include Jennifer Westphal, Joe Plummer, and Bill Helman, among others.
The movie was chosen to compete in the official selection of the 2024 San Francisco Film Festival.
