We tell brave stories.

Helmed by Angie Gaffney and Brittani Ward, five two one benefits from decades of their combined experience in physical production and high-level casting and fundraising strategy. With a fierce independent spirit, we pride ourselves in delivering exceptional storytelling for a global audience.

We envision an on-screen world driven by empathetic evolution.

Brittani Ward (she/her) is a Casting Director turned Writer/Director/Producer from Chicago. For the past thirteen years, Brittani Ward has built an impressive career, working on projects of every size. Extensive associate work under Emmy-award winner (Barbara Fiorentino, Amber Horn, Danielle Aufiero, Laray Mayfield, and Julie Schubert) includes one season of every Marvel/Netflix series, 50 Shades of Gray Darker and Freed, Death Note, two Jason Statham-led features, and prestigious television pilots and series.

As an independent casting director, Brittani found her niche in high-level casting strategy relative to film financing, which has segued into producing. In 2022, she partnered up with Angie Gaffney to produce feature films Single Car Crashes (which she also wrote and directed), Adult Children (starring Aya Cash, Tommy Sadoski, and Betsy Brandt), Desire Lines (a documentary/narrative-hybrid feature), and a variety of proof-of-concept web series and shorts.

Today, Brittani lives with her husband (Ryan) and their daughter (Isla) in the Roscoe Village neighborhood of Chicago. Brittani is a fierce proponent of diversity & inclusion, and prides herself on being intuitive, discerning, constructive, and accessible.

Brittani Ward

Angie Gaffney

Angie Gaffney (she/her) is a film producer and entrepreneur in Chicago. She is fiercely dedicated to the art and business of independent storytelling, and has extensive experience in creative development, financing, and physical production. Her projects have screened at Sundance, SXSW, Cinequest, SeriesFest, Nashville, SCAD, and more. Recent films include Desire Lines by director Jules Rosskam, Single Car Crashes by director Brittani Ward, and the upcoming film Adult Children from writer Annika Marks. Angie is recognized as one of the top Chicago film industry leaders as part of the Newcity Film Hall of Fame.

Previously, Angie co-founded IFA Chicago, was a catalyst in forming the Chicago Media Standards, and served as the Executive Producer at the renowned satirical newspaper, The Onion. Angie has held adjunct faculty positions at Second City Film School, DePaul University, and Columbia College Chicago. Angie is a member of the Producers Guild of America (pga), and a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation. Angie currently lives in Oak Park, Illinois, with husband Ira, son Simon, and a plethora of animals.

In The News

“Ward and Gaffney are poised to continue presenting compelling narratives to local audiences with two upcoming projects slated for release in the coming year.”

—REEL Chicago

“Jules Rosskam has made an excellent documentary about gender expression, sexuality, and trans identity in “Desire Lines,”… The ambition is as high as anything I saw at Sundance, and that alone makes this work a look."

— Brian Tallerico, Roger Ebert

“Brittani Ward’s Single Car Crashes is a grounded and heartfelt debut, and we’re delighted to welcome the film and the cast and crew this July.”

— Rebecca Fons, The Gene Siskel Film Center

“Desire Lines offers a beautiful assertion of existence… a love letter to the diversity of trans experiences. The interviews with different men offer various stories of sexual re-awakening.... Rosskam says these stories push against the prevailing perception about trans lives and loves.”

— Interview with Director Jules Rosskam, POV Magazine

Manohla Dargis is a fan of the film, praising Desire Lines for its "heart and intelligence."

—New York Times

Contact us.

Angie Gaffney, Co-Founder
angie@521films.com

Brittani Ward, Co-Founder
brittani@521films.com

Chicago, Illinois

We do not accept unsolicited material.