A Still, Small Paw is a non-profit independent feature film in pre-production.

Set in the near future in small-town Oklahoma, the story begins with the passage of a dystopian government mandate: the eradication of all small dogs. Amid a thunderous chant of “Alpha, Alpha…” in the U.S. House of Representatives, the bill’s lead sponsor declares:

“A country is never made great on trembling legs, nor lifted by whining, or empowered by empathy -- and never, ever on a leash! … we do not tolerate smallness and weakness, we eradicate it!”

Months later, on the day of his 14th birthday, Hank Half fights to protect his beloved little dog, Tip, while urging his father—a conflicted veterinarian—not to comply with the new law.

As tensions rise, Hank Sr. and his family must decide whether to submit or resist, while young Hank, caught between survival and self-discovery, faces a choice just as profound: embrace who he truly is or deny it.

Called “a fun and frightening allegory” by The Black List, the screenplay was further praised, saying, “there is no denying the power and vitality of the script’s thematic focus on acceptance, resistance, and courage."

Evoking the spirit of Fahrenheit 451, 1984, and The Hunger Games, A Still, Small Paw explores identity, defiance, and finding the courage to stand up.

The title is drawn from the Old Testament verse, “…then came a still, small voice.”

Written and directed by award-winning filmmaker and Off-Broadway playwright James Lantz.

It is being produced by The Not Losing You Company, a 501c4 social welfare organization to produce media supportive of LGBTQ youth.

For more information about filmmaker James Lantz go to www.jameslantz.com.