Actress Lara Hunter Brings Her Mother's Story to Life in Short Film 'Stay In The Car'

Hunter discusses the emotional experience of portraying a personal story based on her mom's childhood.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:55am

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Actress Lara Hunter stars in the short film "Stay In The Car," which is based on writer Amanda Ross's childhood experiences. Hunter, whose own mother's story inspired the film, talks about the emotional process of bringing this personal narrative to life on screen and how it deepened her understanding of her mom's past.

Why it matters

The film provides a rare opportunity for an actress to portray a story so closely connected to her own family history, adding an extra layer of authenticity and emotional resonance to the performance. Hunter's insights shed light on the challenges and rewards of bringing such a personal story to the screen.

The details

Hunter was immediately drawn to the script's realistic portrayal of the characters and their experiences. Knowing the story was based on her own mother's childhood made the role both intimidating and meaningful, as Hunter sought to honor that history accurately. She relied on conversations with her mom to inform her performance, especially in conveying the layered emotions and silence of the protagonist, Salem. Director Calvin Ghaznavi encouraged Hunter to trust her instincts throughout the filming process, which took place in a confined car setting that presented unique physical and emotional challenges.

  • The short film 'Stay In The Car' will screen at the Beverly Hills Film Festival on Friday, April 17, 2026 at 5pm at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatre in Hollywood.

The players

Lara Hunter

The actress who portrays the lead role of Salem in the short film 'Stay In The Car,' which is based on the childhood experiences of the film's writer, Amanda Ross.

Amanda Ross

The writer of the short film 'Stay In The Car,' whose own childhood experiences inspired the story.

Calvin Ghaznavi

The director of the short film 'Stay In The Car.'

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What they’re saying

“My first reaction when I read the script was how real it felt. Nowadays, I read so many scripts that seem ingenuine or unrealistic but Stay In The Car was the complete opposite. I could immediately connect to the characters and see the humanity in each of them right away.”

— Lara Hunter, Actress

“Honestly, knowing that my own mom went through this made the experience very intimidating. I had to get it right. When it came to my preparation, it was such a gift to figure out the character by asking my own mom the questions I had.”

— Lara Hunter, Actress

“Throughout the entire process Calvin always encouraged me to trust myself in my own performance. There were moments where he could see that I was doubting myself and the performance I was giving, and he would simply come up to me and tell me to trust myself and encourage me that I understand the story that's being told.”

— Lara Hunter, Actress

What’s next

The short film 'Stay In The Car' will screen at the Beverly Hills Film Festival on Friday, April 17, 2026 at 5pm at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatre in Hollywood. Tickets are available on the festival's website.

The takeaway

This project allowed Lara Hunter to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for her mother's resilience and strength, while also reinforcing the power of honest, relatable storytelling in film. Hunter's performance in 'Stay In The Car' showcases her talent and versatility as a young actress committed to bringing meaningful, human experiences to the screen.