A SHARP, HEARTFELT COMEDY

Wanda, a bubbly middle aged woman battling cancer and keeping it a secret from her daughter Rosie, decides to reinvent herself as a city council candidate; but as her campaign spirals, she realizes the hardest door to knock on is her daughter’s.

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ABOUT MORTALITY, POLITICS, AND SECOND CHANCES.

Wanda, a bubbly woman in her fifties, is confronting a recurrence of cancer but hides it from her daughter Rosie, who is away studying at NYU. Searching for distraction and meaning, she stumbles into a suburban activist collective called Building a Better Community. Energized by their clipboards, slogans, and the thrill of belonging, she reinvents herself as one of their most enthusiastic members. With wigs, wit, and a steady supply of Sonic cherry limeades, Wanda throws herself into door-knocking and quickly becomes the unlikely star of the group until she is pushed into a run for city council.

What begins as a distraction soon spirals into a full campaign. Wanda’s health falters, her activist friends begin to suspect the truth, and her desperate need for visibility threatens to cost her the one relationship that matters most. Forced to confront what she has been avoiding all along, Wanda realizes that the bravest act is not pretending to be healthy or heroic but allowing herself to be seen, especially by Rosie. The hardest door to knock on is not in her neighborhood, but her daughter’s.

Why this story?

My mother, Liz Wilson, lived with stage four cancer for eleven years before passing away in July 2025. She knew this screenplay was being written about her, she loved it — and, of course, just like Wanda, she always had notes on how to make it better.

This is a true story of how she faced her illness in the final years of her life. She really did join her local political group. She really did knock on doors, often the day after chemotherapy. She really did become president of the group; registering hundreds of young people to vote, fighting for gun control, and helping elect city council members in our hometown of Edmond, Oklahoma.

My mom met cancer with humor, grit, and an unstoppable desire to live fully. Watching her transform even the hardest days into moments of laughter and connection taught me that illness doesn’t erase identity, it sharpens it.

Door Knocking is my love letter to her, and to women like her. It’s a story about refusing invisibility, about finding purpose in unlikely places, and about the quiet bravery it takes to let yourself be fully seen. By telling Wanda’s story as a comedy, I hope to honor the resilience I witnessed firsthand: the power of showing up, of building community, and of finding joy even when time feels unbearably short. - Rachel Deutsch (Writer / Director)

• Strong female lead role for women 50+, in demand and underrepresented

• Local politics and grassroots activism are highly relevant today

• Cancer stories told with humor instead of tragedy feel fresh and resonant

Why now?

Cancer Research and Advocacy

• Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, with 2.26 million new cases in 2020

• 1 in 8 U.S. women will be diagnosed in their lifetime

• It is the 5th leading cause of cancer death globally

SCIENTIFIC ADVISOR

Dr. Tomer Yaron-Barir

We have applied for the Sloan Production Grant, with the scientific guidance of Dr. Tomer Yaron-Barir, a Harvard Oncologist. He closely vetted our script and endorsed its scientific grounding, lending authenticity and credibility to Wanda’s journey. His expertise in oncology strengthened the medical accuracy of the story, aligning the project with Sloan’s mission to support films that engage meaningfully with science.

“Door Knocking portrays with striking honesty the intertwined reality of living with cancer — the shame and estrangement, the fight and the fatigue, and ultimately the quiet acceptance that the illness is inseparable from the self. Wanda’s relapse becomes more than a medical recurrence; it is an existential journey that asks where the cancer ends and where she begins. This story matters because it illuminates the human struggle to find meaning, dignity, and even connection in the midst of relapse.”

— Tomer Yaron-Barir, MD, PhD
Boston Children’s Hospital
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Meet The Team

Director / Writer
Rachel Deutsch

Rachel Deutsch is a director and writer of dark comedies that mix surrealism with emotional honesty. Her work explores identity, disconnection, and the absurdity of being alive. Her films have screened at the NewFilmmakers Los Angeles, Hollywood Short Fest, and more. Winning awards such as Best Comedy/Dramedy Short and Best First-Time Filmmaker. Originally from Edmond, Oklahoma, Rachel holds a BFA in Acting from NYU Tisch, with training in clown and Commedia dell’arte, training in UCB improv and storytelling, and a Producing degree from NYU London. She lives in LA with her cat, named Bird.

Producer
Gabriel J. Y. Fernandez

Gabriel J. Y. Fernandez is a Peruvian producer and MFA Producing Fellow at AFI, where he develops work driven by cultural memory, science, and emotional truth. With over a decade of experience in TV and media, Gabriel combines creative instinct with strategic thinking. He has led multiple AFI productions in the US and major projects on TV, new media, and film in Peru. His projects often explore illness, family, and legacy through character-centered narratives. Gabriel holds degrees in Audiovisual Communication and Performing Arts and is known for building collaborative teams that deliver thoughtful, well-executed films under tight timelines and real-world constraints.

Writer
Ashley Moore

Ashley Moore is a writer from a small town whose personal ties to chronic illness have long shaped her creative focus. Her grandfather’s and aunt’s experience with type 2 diabetes gave her early insight into the resilience behind everyday battles. That emotional connection drew her to Door Knocking. Ashley started writing as a kid in local library clubs and took her first screenwriting class there. After earning her bachelor’s degree from Loyola University New Orleans, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in screenwriting. She’s currently a Fellow at AFI while also working as a Warner Bros. Studio Tour guide.

Cinematographer
Olivia Luna

Olivia Luna is a cinematographer with a background in chemistry and a deep curiosity for the human body and spirit. She seamlessly integrates her scientific interests into her visual storytelling, creating playful and layered compositions. Her work includes a documentary exploring breast cancer patients’ choices around reconstructive surgery, reflecting her interest in stories at the intersection of medicine and identity. Olivia’s approach is rooted in empathy, experimentation, and a quiet sense of wonder.

Production Designer
Jackson Manhan

Jackson Manhan is a production designer who focuses on creating environments that ground character performances and heighten the overall story. With a background in set decorating and visual world-building, he creates spaces that enable actors to inhabit the film's world fully. A current MFA Fellow in design at AFI, Jackson brings both craft and creativity to every project, with an eye for detail and atmosphere. His work on Door Knocking is dedicated to Elizabeth Wilson, whose influence continues to guide his artistic path. Jackson is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a project with such honesty and heart.

Editor
Emory DeYoung

Emory DeYoung is an editor who believes that excellent editing starts long before post. They are drawn to the entire filmmaking process, collaborating early to help shape tone, rhythm, and performance from the start. After completing their undergraduate studies, Emory pursued further training at AFI to deepen their craft. They see the edit as a space to continue the creative dialogue: not a final step, but a transformation. Emory brings a deep emotional connection to Door Knocking, making their work both intuitive and precise.

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