It’s more important than ever to support underrepresented voices and viewpoints in film — whether they focus on fact or fiction. Our latest round of crowdfunding picks each highlight different perspectives on their filmmaker’s chosen topic, ranging from the exploration of a different college experience for young Black students, to a mental health-focused take on the psycho-thriller genre, and the competitive but surprisingly personal world of roller derby.
“The Acorn,” directed by Sophia Mobley, documents the one-of-a-kind experience of Alabama’s Oakwood University, as both a historically Black and Seventh-Day Adventist institution.
In Mathilde Marinet’s “The Road to Dallas,” 16 women form a team that represents the West Indies at the 2014 Roller Derby World Cup — showcasing a journey that’s as much about identity as it is mental and physical preparation.
“Decrescendo,” a short directed by Alejandra Armijo, tells us the story of a Los Angeles homicide detective who allows obsession to tear his life apart after he encounters a suspect.
Here are Women and Hollywood’s latest women-created and women-centric crowdfunding picks.
“The Acorn” (Documentary) – Directed by Sophia Mobley
Alabama’s Oakwood University is unique: it’s both a HBCU (historically Black college/university) and a Seventh-Day Adventist institution, a rare combination in the United States. Oakwood doesn’t serve alcohol or meat on campus, and requires its student populace — of only approximately 1,500 — to attend weekly chapel. But these rules, strict as they might seem in comparison to other American institutions, don’t deter the prospective students who travel from all over the world to the Deep South for the Oakwood experience. “The Acorn” is a 90-minute documentary that shines a light on that experience from the students’ perspective.
The documentary seeks to shine a light on an institution for Black students that is unlike any other in the country. “I feel that information about Black young people can be presented in a way that we appear to be monoliths,” director Sophia Mobley explains in the above campaign video. “I wanted to show something that shows a different side or experience that young Black people are getting, and Oakwood University is one of the very unique experiences that shows us in a completely different light.”
“The Acorn” is complete, and is currently seeking crowdfunding for music licensing, festival submission costs, and platform distribution.
Find out how to help “The Acorn” by visiting its Kickstarter campaign.
“On the Road to Dallas” (Documentary) – Directed by Mathilde Marinet
Roller derby is the fastest-growing women’s sport in the world, but has long shown significant underrepresentation of Black players and players of color. “On the Road to Dallas” follows the creation and journey of Team West Indies as they prepare for the 2014 Roller Derby World Cup in Dallas. Composed of British and American women of West Indian heritage, the squad’s journey to Dallas is as much about identity as it is the sport.
The film allows the audience to get to know the members of Team West Indies, their connection to their heritage, as well as what the sport has brought to their life. “It has been truly humbling and touching to witness them take on this incredible challenge, training to prepare their bodies and minds, while being driven by the need to be represented,” director Mathilde Marinet says on the film’s campaign page.
Marinet, as well as director of photography Hazel Palmer, are both roller derby skaters themselves, making them the perfect candidates for providing audiences insight into the world of the sport.
“I thought I was filming a historical moment in the sport I loved, but I ended up capturing much more than that,” Marinet explains. “Women asserting themselves in this full contact sport, mothers finding a balance between training and home life, body positivity in a community where having big thighs is a badge of honor, strangers bonding over food and music, and a shared heritage they might not have even been aware was part of their life.”
“On the Road to Dallas” is crowdfunding largely for post-production costs, as well as core crew fees, copyright costs, and marketing and distribution.
Help make “On the Road to Dallas” a reality by donating via Indiegogo.
“Decrescendo” (Short) – Directed by Alejandra Armijo; Written by Alejandra Amrijo and Tharan Nesbit
Drako is a top detective in Los Angeles — until his life and career are thrown into disarray by his obsession with a case and its suspect, a concert pianist named Martin, who kills for musical inspiration. Unable to see how his personal life and psyche are being affected by his compulsion, Drako spirals. This psycho-thriller examines the concept of obsessive behavior, and the eternal conflict of letting go as opposed to holding on, even as it leads to self-destruction.
In addition to providing a compelling and entertaining noir thriller, the team behind “Decrescendo” hopes to convey a message about mental health and its impact on individuals and society. “For us, filmmaking is about education and awareness in topics that affect our day by day,” the project’s Seed&Spark campaign page states. “But don’t worry, we love great cinematic masterpieces and wonderful actors, just like you!”
In addition to its commitment to education and awareness, “Decrescendo” depends on a diverse and enthusiastic team. The film is crowdfunding primarily for equipment, wardrobe and props, makeup and hair, catering and craft services, and location costs.
You can help fund “Decrescendo” by donating to its Seed&Spark campaign.
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.
