A Case For Coping
A ten-year-old girl imagines herself as a hard-boiled detective, and with the help of an imaginary informant reopens the cold case of her mother’s death, while her weary grandfather, cast as the police chief, decides whether to pull her back to reality or join the game.
A Case for Coping is an independent short film written and directed by Mitch Bechtold, blending noir storytelling with themes of grief, imagination, and healing.
Imagination is how we process
complex emotions.
A Case For Coping is a short film that showcases the amazing talent hidden throughout Chicago’s landscape. This team, cast and crew were essential in bringing this film to life. I think too much pressure is put on preparing for kids’ futures rather than allowing them to enjoy their youth. Even as adults, not enough understanding is given to existing in the moment. In this film, Maya and the Chief's story is one that I hope people can relate to. Loss in a family, while tragic, isn't particularly new, but how these characters choose to heal through the power of their own imaginations, is something that I hope, will give audiences permission to do the same.
TRAILER
A Case For Coping Short Film
United States, 2025, 11 min,
AR 2:39:1, Color
English
A heartfelt noir that explores the primal need for imagination to help ndeal with the terrible complications of life.
If you’re really ready to know more, we should go back to the beginning.
What’s Next?
It was important that the bulk of the budget went to the hardworking crew who brought this project to life; the rest came together through generous favors and donations.
If you’d like to support our team and learn more about upcoming projects, reach us here.