Remembering the things that connect us and bring us together, as well as committing to honest conversation with each other — even when the topic is difficult — has never been more crucial. Our latest round of crowdfunding picks focus on the connections between us, both positive and negative, and ranging from family to food, as well as the conversations that we should be having.
The series “Kith & Kin” follows three sisters as they return to their childhood home in North Carolina at their mother’s invitation — only to find their parents are keeping a dark secret.
Writer-director Laura Sweeney’s short film “Across” looks at the impact of global events on our lives and relationships with our friends and family through its portrayal of a group of American widows and a younger sister in the aftermath of World War II.
In “Lola,” a short written and directed by Ana Lydia Monaco, a plus-sized woman of color struggles with the personal and professional weight bias leveled against her when she begins to experience physical pain.
And lastly, webseries “Talk With Your Mouth Full” explores the importance of food as connection and a source of healing, by highlighting immigrant chefs and the important work they do across the country.
Here are Women and Hollywood’s latest women-created and women-centric crowdfunding picks.
When a phone call from their mother brings the Dumont sisters back to their childhood home in North Carolina, what should have been a normal family reunion turns into something far darker: a test of loyalty, family, and sacrifice in the face of a difficult secret. A Southern Gothic thriller infused with family drama, “Kith & Kin” is set in a small town nestled in the heart of the Appalachian mountains.
“It’s undeniable. There’s something about the ‘smoke’ billowing from the mountains of North Carolina that draws you in,” the project’s Seed&Spark campaign page explains of its chosen setting. “It has a way of being both beautifully comforting and eerily unnerving, all at the same time — making it the perfect backdrop to our story about family and the love and darkness that comes with them.”
“Kith & Kin” was created by a wife duo. Their production company, Outtake Productions, has previous experience working on small budget series and is committed to empowering women in film. They will be working in collaboration with JoeBert Entertainment, who they champion also as “no stranger to creating phenomenal work within a small budget,” and for their ingenuity.
The series has been greenlit for the 2021 season via streaming platform SeekaTV, and will film on-location in Murphy, North Carolina. It is crowdfunding for wardrobe, cast, crew, props, travel expenses, and more.
You can help fund “Kith & Kin” by donating to its Seed&Spark campaign.
“Across” (Short) – Written and Directed by Laura Sweeney
“Across” is a historical drama that examines the plight of American women in the aftermath of World War II. Taking place in 1949 New York, the film follows three young widows, including Charlotte, the main character. They take Charlotte’s younger sister, Ruby, on a girls’ trip on the eve of her wedding, and what ensues provides an intimate look at the impact global events have on our lives and our most personal relationships.
“I am excited to create a character-driven piece with an all-female cast, and work on a period piece,” writer-director Laura Sweeney says on the film’s campaign page. “It is a unique story because it looks at how our history both political and personal has the power to impact and inform our future. A major theme in the piece is hope and strength to move forward despite pain and fear.”
“Across” aims to film in late August or September 2020, and is committed to having a female-dominated team both behind and in front of the camera. Its script was a 2019 Official Selection at Cascadia International Women’s Film Festival, as well as a finalist at the Nantucket Film Festival Tony Cox screenplay contest. The film is crowdfunding primarily for transportation and location costs, gear and props, costumes, hair and makeup, and catering costs.
Help make “Across” a reality by donating to its Seed&Spark campaign.
“Lola” (Short) – Written and Directed by Ana Lydia Monaco
Lola has it pretty good — she’s got a great job, a nice apartment, a best friend, and a boyfriend she loves. But she’s also in pain, and her status as a plus-sized woman of color means that everyone seems determined to pin that pain on her weight, or convince her that it’s all in her head. Upon discovering she is sick, Lola learns to take back her own power and love herself, no matter how others perceive her or what discrimination she might face from the medical community and in her personal relationships.
Writer and director Ana Lydia Monaco tells this important story from personal experience, as a woman who also experienced — and suffered from — weight bias in the medical field.
“After a procedure that resulted in being immobile for three long months, I connected with many other women who had experienced the same uncaring medical treatment, some of whom had painful surgery that could have been prevented, like me,” Monaco explains on the Seed&Spark campaign page for “Lola.” “This was when I realized that my issue wasn’t an isolated one and that I needed to expose weight bias by telling a story with a character that people can sympathize with and relate to.”
“Lola” is crowdfunding largely for equipment, insurance, location costs, catering, and COVID-19 production supplies to ensure filming is safe and sanitary.
Find out how to help “Lola” by visiting its Seed&Spark campaign.
“Talk With Your Mouth Full” (Webseries) – Created by Farah Al Chammas and Julien Reiman
Food connects us — to our cultures, our communities, and each other. “Talk With Your Mouth Full” will put immigrant chefs in the spotlight, showcasing their recipes and their restaurants, and joining them for the mealtime conversations they host for strangers of all backgrounds.
“Immigrants understand what it means to leave a home, create a new one, and honor both by welcoming us into their restaurants,” explain creators Farah Al Chammas and Julien Reiman. “Ever thought about the dumplings that dissolved the awkwardness of your college orientation, the sushi that fueled that date night you’ll never forget, and the happy hour margaritas that helped you bond with the coworker you thought you hated? Immigrant chefs made those.”
Having already filmed a pilot episode with the help of crowdfunding last summer, the “Talk With Your Mouth Full” team aims to shoot the ten episodes of a full season across ten cities, from Clarkston, GA to Lindsborg, KS. In order to support its subjects, 15% of the project’s budget will go directly toward the chefs who will be featured; the rest will ensure production quality, as well as covering legal fees, insurance, and travel costs.
To be considered for Women and Hollywood’s biweekly crowdfunding feature, please write to waheditorialfellows@gmail.com. All formats (features, shorts, web series, etc.) are welcome. Projects must be by and/or about women.
