Veteran casting director Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd (“Southside with You,” “Fruitvale Station,” “Black Nativity,” “Notorious,” “Stomp the Yard,” “Being Mary Jane” and several other titles you’ll be familiar with) is set to make her directorial debut with a film titled “The Counter: 1960.”

Synopsis: Set in the deep south, the film tells the story of six friends working to make a difference in the world they live in. They encounter all the challenges of that time period and during their journey employ the methods of peaceful resistance taught by James Lawson, in an attempt to achieve their goals. The story, beautiful in its simplicity, showcases how far we have come and highlights our appreciation for every person who fought, marched, protested, sat, stood, sang, played, ran, resisted, and existed for our civil rights. That’s also where the story correlates to the present day and allows us to see how far we still have to go.

Byrd will direct from a script she co-wrote with Ashley Jackson, who also co-stars in the film.

“The Counter: 1960” is produced by Jackson, K.C. Sterling and Ricky Lawson, who also co-star.

Byrd is exec producer.

A website has been set up for the project, where contributions to the film’s production budget are invited. Go to www.thecounter1960.com for more.

Watch the pitch/promo video below, featuring some of the film’s key cast and crew: