What Does It Cost To Be Civil? Film – Pho Party + Live Table Read at 2323 Broadway – Oakland, CA

We’re GREENLIT! Thanks to the community pushing us past 80% of our crowdfundraising goal, our short film, What Does It Cost To Be Civil? is officially moving forward.

Come celebrate with phở, a live table read of What Does It Cost To Be Civil? featuring Bay Area actors, and live music by mikO Tolliver.

RSVP on Eventbrite to secure your spot! Suggested donation at the door: $20–$35

A $35 donation includes:

A bowl of phở (chicken or vegetarian tofu option)

A free digital download of the completed film (Seed&Spark incentive)

Already supported the Seed&Spark campaign? RSVP here and we’ll add you to the guest list.

About the Film

What Does It Cost To Be Civil? is a Hitchcock-meets–Black Mirror thriller that follows Albert, an elder targeted by an AI “sales” caller whose tactics don’t stay on the phone—they begin to control his world.

This gathering is part of our Seed&Spark crowdfunding campaign and is intended as a community moment, not just a fundraiser. We’ll share food, experience a live table read of a 15-minute excerpt performed by professional actors, and make space for conversation about aging, autonomy, and the quiet pressures technology places on our elders.

Your support helps bring this Oakland independent film to life—while confronting urgent, real-world questions about care, control, and dignity.

Visit our Seed&Spark page to learn more about the film and campaign.