Independent filmmaker Adio Ash brings a compelling story of rivalry, survival, and unlikely brotherhood to audiences with The NextShift, a thriller now streaming on Tubi and distributed by FilmWorks Global.
Blending suspense with an exploration of race, class, and the pressures of early manhood, the film showcases emerging creative talent from New Jersey’s independent filmmaking community.
Produced in Jersey City, New Jersey, The NextShift reflects Ash’s creative vision and personal journey from Nigeria to Massachusetts and, ultimately, Jersey City. His work represents the distinctive perspectives and ambitious storytelling shaping the independent film industry.
Starring Jordyn Owens, Matthew Taylor Zuniga, and Chloe McFarlane, The NextShift follows Wesley Bennet (Owens), a promising high school basketball player whose life changes when his parents’ divorce forces him to transfer from a prestigious private school to an inner-city public school. There, he clashes with Travis “Belly” Walker (Zuniga), a former basketball standout struggling with financial pressures and the loss of his place on the team.
When a hazing incident escalates into an attempted robbery, the rivals find themselves trapped inside a bodega, forced to put their differences aside and work together to survive until morning.
Beyond its high-stakes premise, the film explores the emotional vulnerabilities beneath its characters’ exteriors. Through deliberate pacing, carefully crafted visuals, and compelling performances, Ash delivers a suspenseful story that examines what happens when two young men from vastly different backgrounds must depend on one another.
For Ash, The NextShift demonstrates the power of independent storytelling through both its subject matter and execution. His direction combines cinematography, character development, and unexpected narrative turns to create a cinematic experience that extends beyond suspense alone.
The film has also earned recognition from FilmWorks Global’s executive team, which selected The NextShift as its Best Indie Film of the Year, citing the overall quality of its filmmaking.
“Recognizing The NextShift as our Best Indie Film of the Year wasn’t just about one standout performance or a great storyline. It was about the entire cinematic experience. Adio Ash brought together the creative elements that make a film memorable, and that’s something worth celebrating.”
— Danielle Solomon, FilmWorks Global
For Ash, the recognition reinforces the impact of a film that balances raw emotion, purposeful direction, and a distinctive visual approach.
The NextShift to Open the BedStuy Film Festival
Beyond its streaming debut, The NextShift is scheduled to open the BedStuy Film Festival on Friday, October 16, 2026, at the historic Billie Holiday Theatre in Brooklyn, New York.
The two-day festival will also feature an industry conversation on Saturday, October 17, titled “Indie vs. Studio: The Filmmaking Dilemma.”
The panel will bring together industry professionals, including Ahmad Muhammad of Tyler Perry Studios, Sean Charles of ALLBLK/MACRO, Brooklyn native and featured tastemaker Victorious De Costa, and Nya Estep, among others. The discussion will explore the opportunities and challenges facing independent filmmakers in today’s entertainment landscape.
De Costa’s producing credits include Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn (HBO Max) and Jackie Robinson: Get to the Bag (FOX Sports). He is also a producer on Sunday Dinner, a reunion documentary about the 1997 film Soul Food. Directed by Brandon Hammond, the documentary features executive producers Vivica A. Fox, George Tillman Jr., and Marcia Wright-Tillman.
Festival attendees will have opportunities to meet filmmakers Adio Ash and Victorious De Costa throughout the event, connecting audiences with the creative voices behind the work.
Audiences are invited to experience The NextShift on the big screen and support independent filmmaking at the BedStuy Film Festival.
Purchase festival tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/5th-annual-bedstuy-film-festival-tickets-2002968032303?aff=oddtdtcreator
With its combination of suspense, emotional depth, and compelling performances, The NextShift takes audiences into a world where rivalry gives way to an unexpected fight for survival.
The film is currently streaming on Tubi, with an Amazon release planned for a later date.
Watch The NextShift on Tubi:
https://tubitv.com/movies/100059117/the-next-shift
About The NextShift
Directed by Adio Ash and distributed by FilmWorks Global, The NextShift is an independent thriller starring Jordyn Owens, Matthew Taylor Zuniga, and Chloe McFarlane. The film follows two high school rivals from vastly different backgrounds whose lives collide during a dangerous overnight ordeal, forcing them to confront their differences and discover what it takes to survive together.