Rising stars Ben Wang and Minnie Mills have wrapped production on 'Admissions,' an independent road trip film exploring the high-stakes world of college admissions. Written and directed by USC alumni Aimee Pham and Kai Sampadian, the feature follows two opposing recruiters navigating professional dilemmas and uncertain futures across Illinois.
Production has officially wrapped on 'Admissions,' a timely independent feature-length road trip comedy that dives deep into the high-stakes, hyper-competitive world of higher education recruitment. The film stars breakout talents Ben Wang, widely recognized for his upcoming leading role in 'Karate Kid: Legends,' and Minnie Mills, a fan-favorite from Prime Video's global hit 'The Summer I Turned Pretty.' Principal photography recently concluded following a targeted shoot across the state of Illinois, where the narrative's central road trip takes place.
The project marks a major milestone for its creators, serving as the feature-length directorial debut for the dynamic Los Angeles-based filmmaking duo Aimee Pham and Kai Sampadian. Both creators are proud alumni of the University of Southern California (USC) cinematic arts pipeline, bringing a fresh, contemporary lens to a systemic American institution. Having completed physical production, the film now enters its post-production phase, positioning itself as a compelling entry in the upcoming independent festival and distribution circuits.
Written and directed entirely by Pham and Sampadian, 'Admissions' centers on two collegiate admissions officers - portrayed dynamically by Wang and Mills - who hold fundamentally opposing philosophies regarding the equity, mechanics, and ethics of the modern admissions system. As the duo embarks on a grueling recruitment road trip spanning the highways and high schools of Illinois, they are forced to confront the deeply uneasy realities of deciding which young applicants get to move forward in life, all while grappling with the stark uncertainty of their own professional and personal futures.
The directorial vision of Pham and Sampadian builds upon a growing portfolio of celebrated storytelling. The creative pair previously authored the screenplay for 'Place to Be,' a critically acclaimed script that earned a coveted selection on the prestigious 2025 Black List. Their foundational short film, 'House Rules,' previously premiered at the Seattle Asian American Film Festival, where it captured the Audience Choice Award for Favorite Narrative Short before securing a high-profile screening at the Brooklyn Museum. The filmmaking duo is actively represented across the industry by Untitled Entertainment, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), and Vainshtein Law.
Co-lead Ben Wang steps into 'Admissions' carrying immense career momentum across both blockbuster franchises and acclaimed independent cinema. Wang is fresh off starring in 'Brian,' a poignant coming-of-age comedy that premiered at the prestigious SXSW Film Festival alongside Hollywood heavyweights William H. Macy and Randall Park. Additionally, he featured prominently in David Wain's 'Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass,' which made its high-profile debut at the Sundance Film Festival, further establishing his range in contemporary comedy and drama.
Wang's extensive resume includes leading Disney+'s celebrated series 'American Born Chinese,' alongside major cinematic credits such as 'The Long Walk,' the 2024 musical reimagining of 'Mean Girls,' and Disney+'s inspirational sports film 'Chang Can Dunk.' Looking ahead, Wang is slated to expand his major studio footprint with a starring role in the highly anticipated Lionsgate franchise installment 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.' Industry representation for Wang is handled by Artists First, Stewart Talent, and the legal firm Schreck Rose Dapello.
Minnie Mills brings her own substantial streaming and independent film credibility to 'Admissions,' anchoring the narrative alongside Wang. Global audiences widely recognize Mills for her breakout work in Prime Video's cultural phenomenon 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' as well as Netflix's high-octane action-comedy series 'Obliterated.' Her transition into prestigious independent cinema has garnered significant critical attention, highlighted by her performance in the indie feature 'California Scenario,' which premiered at the esteemed Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Continuing her international festival trajectory, Mills also starred in 'Wait, Your Car?', an indie project that achieved a competitive premiere selection at the Cannes Film Festival in 2025. Her diverse performances across television, streaming, and global art-house cinema position her as one of Hollywood's most versatile young talents. Mills is professionally represented by Untitled Entertainment, Paradigm Talent Agency, and the legal representation of Yorn Levine.
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