Up With The Sun

My directorial debut!

I’m super excited to announce that I’ll be hosting a world premiere screening for my first ever film, Up With The Sun. This project is a short film that I produced and directed about the Arsenal supporters group that I’m part of here in LA called Arsenal Los Angeles. The film is 7 and a half minutes long and looks at the sheer joy, fandom, community and belonging that The Fox And Hounds, the English pub, who hosts us in Studio City, and the Arsenal LA group bring to the fans who attend matches every week.

We are a devoted group of Gunners and it has been a pleasure to call this place home over the past two years. My story with ALA and the Fox is one of a weary traveler. During the Writers Strike in 2023, I wanted to be in a place where I didn’t have to be a trans mascot for every cause. My dear friend, Anjona, is a Liverpool fan, who would go to Joxer’s, their Scouse bar on the other side of town in Culver City. When they told me that they wake up crazy early to watch matches and that they just liked the community there, I was intrigued.

I was so tired of the endless political nature of being a queer or trans person. It seems like every day of our lives is a battle, regardless of whether you’re in community or not. Anjona said they loved watching Premier League matches because they didn’t have to be “on” or feel like they were working. I understood the sentiment and sought out what club was best for me. In my case, it was the Arsenal. An easy fit. I lived in North London when I was doing my masters at the LSE in 2015-16. The culture and history of the club meant a lot to me as I was already a Thierry Henry fan from his World Cup days. I didn’t know much about what he did for Arsenal and the Premier League back in the day, but it was a no-brainer for me.

The film came together as Armin, our incredible editor, is a pub regular, and someone who is at the early stage of his career. He was in one of those annoying positions where he couldn’t get more commercial work as an editor because he lacked the experience, but he wouldn’t be able to get that experience because he didn’t have it already. I told him that we can put the good energy out there that this film can be another work sample from him and hopefully, allow him to transition into that realm of being able to edit full time. The same goes for Logan, who is also part of our ALA family crew as he composed the music for the film. For my co-executive producer, Scarlette Douglas, this is her first time EPing a project like this and we’re also putting out the good energy, so she can do more of this kind of work and more football coverage in the UK or the US.

For me, this is my first time directing and I learned a lot on the job. It is a very different task to creative producing. In the end, I really loved it and really loved working with this team. I loved hearing people’s stories and I’m so glad to be able to share them with the world. I know this is the first step in my directing career and I’m hoping this will open up more opportunities to direct in the future.

Up With The Sun was a labor of love and it’s been fun sharing the flyer and the trailer with the community. People are getting excited for the premiere. If you’re in town this coming Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 11am, please come through! And feel free to stay for the Wolves game too!

PREMIERE DETAILS:

🗓️ Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025

⏰ Time: 11:00am PT (Before the Wolves game)

📍 Location: The Fox And Hounds, 11100 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA

CREDITS:

Director & Executive Producer: Sydney Baloue

Executive Producer: Scarlette Douglas

Editor: Armin Nikravan

DP/Cinematographer: Lucson Barthélemy

Music: Logan Kelley

See you there! COYG!