When a simple question doesn’t feel so simple.

A short film written and directed by Markell Robinson

Support the film

THE QUESTION

BECAME A FILM

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES

Eventually, I stopped only asking the question and started writing about it.

What Are You? is a short film about Randall Jennings, a biracial college freshman who attends a backyard game night hoping to fit in.

But as harmless party games become increasingly personal, Randall is forced to confront the boxes everyone around him keeps asking him to fit inside.

What begins as a night with friends becomes a story about identity, belonging, and what happens when everyone wants a simple answer to a complicated question.

A short film written and directed by Markell Robinson.

A poster with the large bold question, 'What are you?' and a note asking 'What are you?' It features a background of a sunset with trees and string lights. There are additional papers with questions, checkboxes for race categories, and handwritten notes.

MEET THE CHARACTERS

Polaroid-style photograph of a young man with curly hair and dark clothing, standing outdoors at night decorated with string lights, with a blurry background of people and trees. The photograph has a white border with a torn corner and a push pin at the top. The text below reads 'RANDALL JENNINGS' and a quote about always reading the room.

THE PEOPLE AT THE CENTER

Profile of a woman with curly hair up in a natural style, wearing hoop earrings, against a background of string lights at night. The image is framed like an instant photograph with a white border, some tape at the corners, and a caption reading, 'Riah Wilson', along with a quote about confidence and curiosity.
A quote from Tayvon Reynolds on a paper with a photo of him in profile against a background of warm string lights. The quote highlights his energetic and playful nature.

THE WORLD OF WHAT ARE YOU?

THE VISUAL LANGUAGE

One backyard. One night. A series of games that stop feeling like games.

  • A warm gathering slowly becomes uncomfortable

  • The camera moves closer

  • The group begins watching

  • The questions get harder to escape

EXPLORE THE pitch deck
Close-up of a form section titled 'Police and Fire Protections', with handwritten number '25' in the 'Carline' field and a black 'X' mark over the 'Dis' checkbox.
Close-up of two people's faces with one sharply in focus and the other blurred, showing facial features and glasses.
Young man with long hair sitting at a table with red cups and beer bottles, looking serious, in a dimly lit room with other people in the background. Another man with short hair is holding a card behind his head.
Empty beer bottles, red plastic cups, a green bottle, a brown bottle, an ashtray, and scattered popcorn on a wooden table at a party.
Close-up of a person's face wearing glasses and large earrings, with a dark background.
People dancing at a party with colorful string lights, a woman sitting at a table with a candle, and a man reaching for a drink.

FROM A QUESTION TO A FILM

THE JOURNEY

What Are You? is currently in pre-production. The project will continue to evolve through production, post-production, and its eventual festival run.