Ava Phillippe Leads Star-Studded Short 'The Call', With All Proceeds Benefiting Addiction Nonprofit
A short film about a Hollywood party that turns lethal has assembled a cast of familiar names, with all proceeds earmarked for addiction research. Deadline reported exclusively on 17 August 2026 that Frances Fisher, Ava Phillippe, Jessica Belkin, Kai Caster, Jasper Polish, and Cara Santana will star in The Call, which was set to begin shooting in Los Angeles. Deadline
The film's logline, as reported by Deadline, reads: 'When a glamorous award show party spirals into overdose and betrayal, a single dose of Narcan can only save one life. As secrets unravel and guilt takes hold, a fractured family is forced to confront what, and who, led them here, and a mother is faced with a harsh reality.' Narcan, the brand name for naloxone, is a medication that reverses opioid overdoses.
Paris Dylan directs, with Skye Peters co-directing. The screenplay comes from Jesse Lasky, who described the project as a breakout leading role for Ava Phillippe, the daughter of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe. Phillippe plays a character named Scarlet. The film marks her second short; she also has a feature, Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me, in post-production, and appeared in one episode of the Netflix series Ransom Canyon.
Frances Fisher said she accepted the role of the mother immediately after executive producer Nancy Davis approached her, calling the film an important story about drug use and addiction destroying families. Davis, who conceptualised the project, said The Call defines addiction as a real disease, portrays a glamorous night out in Hollywood, and underscores the importance of everyone having and knowing how to use Narcan.
The supporting cast includes Lisa Vidal, Crayton Carozza, Kevin Kreider, and Katie Cassidy. Belkin previously drew recognition as Madison in the Apple TV streaming series Elle.
Wild7Films, led by Kyle Stefanski and Tony Lugo, produces in collaboration with Nancy Davis, Alexandra Lasky, and Isabella Rickel, with production partner ATI Studios. The executive producer roster runs deep: Davis, Brenda Richie, Melissa Zickler, Mellisa and Ron Silverman, Lasky, Rickel, Courteney Semel, Eloise DeJoria, Laura Geller, and Elizabeth Peterson. Behind the camera, Gabe Kimpson serves as director of photography, and the wardrobe team is led by Jen Rade, with Jamar Hart and Clare Sofer.
Every dollar the film generates is set to benefit Cure Addiction Now, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organisation — the US tax designation for a charitable, tax-exempt entity. Producers were also weighing the scope for a feature film based on the same story, which initially hits screens as a short.
For a project born from a single phone call between a producer and an actor, the ambition is clear: a short film that functions as both drama and fundraising vehicle, with a cast that bridges Hollywood generations.
