Whoopi Goldberg Selects Cypher-backed Captain Zero at Tribeca Film Festival

Creators and cast of Captain Zero sit down with Cypher NewsRoom

Captain Zero: Into the Abyss Part II

Framed through his therapy sessions, high school senior Xerxes Hughes struggles to juggle his double life as a student and superhero, all while trying to confront his inner demon—literally.

This film is included in Shorts: Whoopi's Wonderful World of Animation alongside 6 other works. 

Click here for full program and details.

Interview with Z and Zolee:

Vee: Why is this genre of animated film so important for the Black culture? We don’t usually see this, so why now? 

Z: We have to see ourselves to best understand ourselves. If we see a true depiction of ourselves on the big screen, we get a chance to celebrate the Black culture.

Vee: Tell me more about the film.

Z: The film is based on the life of a young man growing up, and the main character, Xerxes, reflects my actual personality and childhood. He’s struggling to balance life, relationships and the trauma inside of him. And each day is a different struggle. He’s a superhero. Which we don’t see much of in our cultures. 

Zolee: It's a tale of the typical teenager, trying to balance life and life is throwing all the curve balls his way. These types of stories are important for Black people to see and feel. 

Vee: Z,  How much of the main character’s life reflects your own life growing up?

Z: Every bit of it. The character was written with my own upbringing in mind. What I expressed through that character was feelings and situations I’ve experienced myself. And that took a lot of vulnerability to share. 

Vee: Now I know that the film was based on a young man’s life, but how much of the film’s message is for young Black girls?

Whoopi Goldberg speaks about animated projects at Tribeca Festival 2025

Zolee: Well there is a message for young girls in this film. My character Daisy aka Buttafly Girl, which was Xerxes friend and crime fighting partner, reflected a strong sense of self. She wasn’t a typical girl, and that’s what was so brilliant about how Z wrote her character in. 

Vee: Why a superhero? Of all the ways you could have shared your story, why this way? 

Z: It’s because we just don’t see ourselves as Black people this way. I grew up watching white superheroes and wanted to depict something different about Haitian culture. Since I’m Haitian, I wanted a representation of where I’m from, and wanted the ability to tell my story through the lens of my culture.  

Zolee: Z did such an amazing job sharing himself in this film. This character Xerxes is so parallel to his own life, and it takes a lot of bravery to do something like that. 

Vee: what is the message you’re looking to leave behind from this film?

Z: The main message is the mental health of our young Black men needs to be a priority. Discussing these matters gives us all a platform to talk deeper about the mental health issues we all experience. 

Zolee: We have to start having these conversations about mental health issues in the Black community, especially among young men. 

Vee: But Z, I thought Black men didn’t seek and participate in therapy? 

Z: That’s exactly the point I was looking to make in the film, and that it’s ok for Black men to discuss their mental health issues without shame. 

Vee: How can people view this film?

Z: We are having a world premiere screening of the film next week at the Tribeca Film Festival and we are thrilled to share the film for the first time. We are also excited to have been handpicked by Whoopi Goldberg herself. What an honor! 

Zolee: It seems so surreal that we’re screening this and it’s so exciting to share such an incredible film. I’m so proud of Z and the entire team. 

Vee: Besides the major screening coming next week at Tribeca, how can people learn more about the film?

Z: We encourage everyone to follow us on IG at @captainzerotas and follow me at @zcheraime

Zolee: Follow me on IG at @zoleeg