Directed by Nicholas Michael Jacobs—whose works include Night (2019), Urban Fears (2019), Tales from Six Feet Under (2020), and Genevieve (2021)—CAPA Ghostbusters: Director’s Cut feels like a full-circle moment for the filmmaker, and that’s pretty damn exciting for independent filmmaking.
Originally a high school project, this fan film has been given new life and meaning through Jacobs’ careful remaster. It’s clear that this Director’s Cut isn’t just about improving the visuals or sound; it’s about revisiting the raw, passionate foundation of youthful creativity and making something better than it was originally. There’s a very solid impulse at play here: looking back not to cringe, but to reclaim something unfinished and finally give it its due.
Written by Jacobs and Manny Williams, the film embraces the pure, unpolished spirit of its high school origins. It doesn’t chase modern trends or lean too heavily into nostalgia, but instead celebrates the earnestness of friends coming together to make something fun. The story and dialogue recall the original Ghostbusters in their focus on character chemistry and playful banter, but with the authenticity of young creators figuring it out as they go. It’s a love letter to the time when making a movie was as much about imagination as it was about having a good time.
The performances by Isabella Debeary, Nicholas Michael Jacobs, and Scott E. Kaufman feel natural, almost like you’re watching a group of friends genuinely stepping into a dream they had back in high school. There’s a carefree energy here that reminds you of those early creative projects where everyone was just in it for the fun of it. For audiences, especially those raised on VHS tapes and backyard filmmaking, that enthusiasm is contagious. The film’s rawness isn’t a flaw—it’s part of its charm.
Ultimately, what makes CAPA Ghostbusters: Director’s Cut so endearing is Jacobs’ decision to trust the film’s original potential. The remaster sharpens the pacing and presentation, but it still retains the heart of the project, which originated as a high school film. It’s a nod to where Jacobs began as a filmmaker, showing that even the most humble beginnings can lead to something meaningful.
And true to Jacobs’ own invitation, sticking around after the credits doesn’t feel like a gimmick—it’s a promise that this filmmaker, still rooted in that early creative spark, has more to share.
CAPA Ghostbuters: Director’s Cut is planned for release on YouTube by February 1st, 2026.
MPAA Rating: Unrated.
Runtime: 4 mins
Director: Nicholas Michael Jacobs
Writer: Nicholas Michael Jacobs; Manny Williams
Cast: Isabella Debeary; Nicholas Michael Jacobs; Scott E. Kaufman
Genre: Action | Short
Tagline:
Memorable Movie Quote:
Distributor: Netflix
Official Site:
Release Date: February 1, 2026
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
Synopsis: When a creative and performing arts school in Philadelphia faces a supernatural threat, four detention dwelling outcasts rise to the occasion.
