Part psychological thriller, part spiritual odyssey, Rarest Rose is an ambitious story about trauma, identity, and transcendence.

Through the mythic, cinematic journey of celebrated homelessness activist and musician Rose May, the film explores spiritual homelessness—the idea that as long as modern humanity remains disconnected from its inner children, we are all, in the deepest sense, homeless.

THE STORY

Rarest Rose begins with a seven-year-old girl confiding in her dad’s home video camera. Earlier that morning, she encountered a woman named Mo living in a tunnel off Malibu Beach. Mo is the first homeless person she’s ever met—and her first best friend.

But she can’t help but notice that despite Mo’s powerful voice and infectious personality, people look right past her.

Like many kids her age, this little girl is also burdened by the much more common existential question of what she wants to be when she grows up.

Despite yearning to be a singer, her answer is simple:

"I want to make people see ghosts."

Fast forward ten years.

Rose May has become exactly what she promised: a celebrated musician and homelessness activist with an unconventional mission to “bring visibility to the underseen.”

Fast forward three years.

Malcolm Montgomery, a twenty-something videographer, sets out to make a tribute video honoring former classmate Rose May, who died from a drug overdose before she could realize her dream.

Through interviews with those who knew her best, a dark portrait emerges: a luminous yet fractured young woman, shadowed by childhood trauma and the development of an alternate personality.

What starts out as a film about a young videographer making a tribute video devolves into a noir-inflected criminal investigation involving obsession, drugs, and human trafficking.

In the end, Malcolm solves two mysteries: what happened to Rose May... and what she meant when she once said she wanted to make people see ghosts.

THE TEAM

Brad Etter

Writer & Director

Brad Etter is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, and director whose work spans narrative film, documentaries, music videos, and commercial media. A graduate of Tribeca Flashpoint Academy's Film Directing program, his directorial credits include the acclaimed short films Morning Announcements and Me + You, recognized for their emotional depth and distinctive visual style. He is the founder of New Mythos Productions, where he continues to develop original narrative projects and expand his creative vision.

"I don't believe that there is anything more universal that we can connect over and through as human beings than trauma."

Julia Steinberg

Producer

Julia Steinberg is a producer, director, and creative executive with over fifteen years of experience spanning film, music videos, and multimedia production. A graduate of the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), she brings a multidisciplinary background in technology, design, and visual storytelling to her work. Known for her leadership, organizational expertise, and collaborative spirit, Julia has a proven track record of delivering productions on time and within budget—all while treating her cast and crew like royalty.

"Let's make it happen!"

Leila Steinberg

Producer

Leila Steinberg is a producer, artist manager, educator, and social impact leader with over three decades of experience spanning music, film, and community advocacy. Best known as Tupac Shakur's mentor and first manager, she has dedicated her career to developing artists and using creative expression as a catalyst for healing and social change. As founder of AIM4TheHeART, Leila empowers young people through arts-based education, amplifying underrepresented voices and bridging entertainment with meaningful social impact.

"What is the point of a story if we're not transformed by it?"

THE MISSION

We believe cinema has the power to do more than entertain. It can challenge perception, inspire empathy, and open conversations that might otherwise never take place.

Rarest Rose is being developed with that larger purpose in mind. Beyond its life as a feature film, our vision is to use the story as a catalyst for conversations about trauma, homelessness, addiction, and the transformative potential of artistic expression.

Drawing on her decades of experience in artist mentorship and arts-based education, producer Leila Steinberg envisions Rarest Rose as the beginning of a much larger conversation—one that could extend into schools, families, and communities.

Working with educators, artists, and community organizations, we hope to explore opportunities for screenings, facilitated discussions, and educational resources that bring these themes into high schools, colleges, and other community settings.

"Maybe we look at homelessness differently. Maybe we look at addiction differently. Maybe we look at our personal choice to get involved differently."

Her hope is that audiences leave the film not merely moved, but motivated to recognize something of themselves in those they might otherwise overlook.

That is the kind of transformation we believe this film can inspire.

HELP BRING RAREST ROSE TO LIFE

After more than fifteen years of development, Rarest Rose is moving toward the next chapter of its journey.

With a committed creative team, a clear artistic vision, and a mission that extends beyond the screen, we are building the support necessary to bring this feature film to life.

Through our fiscal sponsorship with Creative Visions Foundation, your contribution can help advance the project and its mission of using storytelling to inspire empathy, understanding, and social change.

Whether you contribute, share the project with someone who may connect with its message, or help introduce us to potential supporters, you become part of the community helping make Rarest Rose possible.

Rarest Rose is fiscally sponsored by Creative Visions Foundation. Contributions made through the approved fiscal sponsorship program support the project's eligible charitable and creative activities, subject to the foundation's applicable terms.