Keith Stanfield is certainly a young talent on the rise. 

The 22-year-old actor/rapper who practically stole every scene in which he appeared in Destin Daniel Crettin’s “Short Term 12” – his feature film acting debut – and whose performance earned him a best supporting actor Spirit Award nomination, has joined the cast of Don Cheadle’s Mlies Davis project, titled “Miles Ahead,” to play a character named Junior, who’s described as a young and impressionable trumpet player with an edge, who is involved in the theft of the stolen recordings at the center of the narrative.

In the film, after his record label steals his comeback album before he’s ready for it to be heard, Miles Davis (played by Cheadle, who’s also directing) hunts it down with the help of music a journalist (played by Ewan McGregor).  

“Miles Ahead” is seeking to raise $325,000 on Indiegogo by July 6 to support the principal photography for the feature length film when it goes into production later this summer. Among the pledge prizes are rare Miles Davis posters, limited edition Miles Davis artwork, pre-theatrical screening links, a coffee table book of Miles’ artwork signed by Don Cheadle, as well as set visits and access to screenings.

Cheadle is producing the film through his Crescendo Productions banner, along with Bifrost’s Daniel Wagner, and Robert Ogden Barnum. Also producing are Darryl Porter and Vince Wilburn on behalf of the Davis estate, Lenore Zerman and Pam Hirsch.  

Thus far, the project’s Indiegogo campaign has raised $147,706 of its $325,000 goal, with 20 days left until it ends. To contribute, click HERE.

Stanfield’s slate includes Ava DuVernay’s MLK drama “Selma,” playing Jimmie Lee Jackson, a civil rights protestor who was shot and killed by Alabama State Troopers in 1965 – a death that helped inspire the Selma to Montgomery marches, an important event in the American Civil Rights movement. He’s next appear in a supporting role in Universal’s “The Purge: Anarchy,” and James Franco’s indie drama “Memoria.”