After accidentally inhaling helium that leaves him with a squeaky high-pitched voice, a young man must navigate a high-stakes dinner date without speaking, leading to a series of misunderstandings and chaos that threatens his relationship.

Director Biography

Zack Abdulbaki has been a fan of comedic films since he was a child. He grew up watching comedy films like "The 40 Year Old Virgin" and "Anchorman" and was inspired to create short films with his friends. Zack was raised in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He immigrated to the United States when he was 18 years old to study screenwriting at Chapman University in California. During his time at film school, he created several short films including a comedic mystery ("It's Gone") and a road trip buddy comedy ("Scorpion Cocktail").

Director Statement

Helium is inspired by the comedies of Judd Apatow (The 40-Year-Old Virgin) and Adam McKay (Anchorman) where socially awkward men spiral as they desperately try to maintain control in situations that are already off the rails. The more they cling to composure, the funnier—and more painful—it becomes.

That same blend of discomfort, escalation, and emotional sincerity is what I set out to capture.

The helium isn’t the punchline—it’s the catalyst. The real comedy lies in how far Seth goes to pretend everything’s fine. Beneath the absurdity is something recognizably human: the fear of looking foolish in front of someone you want to impress. Helium is fast, physical, and full of left turns—but at its core, it’s about a guy trying not to blow a moment that really matters. It’s for anyone who’s ever tried to act normal while quietly falling apart inside.