The past is the story of who we are: it defines us and plays a part in how we act. But sometimes the past can hold us back and take away our ability to make progress. For this round of crowdfunding picks, we’re looking at women-created and women-centric projects about healing from the past, learning from it, and trying to push past its limitations.

First up is “Know,” a short film written by Alex Gasaway and Laura Schneider about a woman who is confronted by her painful past when she learns her nephew came out more than a year earlier. “Know” explores how views change throughout generations and how letting go of the past can feel like a weight being lifted.

“Singled [Out],” a doc produced and directed by Ariadna Relea and Mariona Guiu, tells not one story, but five. Taking place over four years, it introduces you to women around the world who choose to be single despite familial and societal pressures.

We’re back to the United States in “Tracing the Hairstons,” a docuseries directed, produced, and edited by Princess A. Hairston. It considers the past a means of moving forward from some of the worst atrocities in American history. It traces the journey of the Hairston family and gives the viewer a better understanding of how they achieved success on the backs of slaves.

Finally, “And Breathe” takes a different approach to moving on from the past. Writer-director Molly McKee hopes to reach as many people as she can with a message based on conscious breathing and finding inner peace wherever you are or whatever you’re going through. It’s a short about letting go and healing.

Here’s our latest round of women-created and women-centric crowdfunding picks.

“Know” (Short) — Directed by Alex Gasaway; Written by Alex Gasaway and Laura Schneider

“Know” tells the story of Andy, a woman who has avoided her family for nearly 20 years and is confronted by the truth of her hidden sexuality when she arrives for a family dinner. She’s shocked to discover that her nephew has a boyfriend and has been out to the family for a year. Andy must now face her long buried feelings towards a family that has changed without her realizing it.

The diverse, female-driven team behind “Know” has brought to life a commonplace story — in which fear has driven LGBT+ people away from their loved ones — and reshaped it for an ever-changing, more accepting world.

Find out how to help “Know” by visiting its Seed & Spark campaign.

“Singled [Out]” (Documentary) — Directed by Ariadna Relea and Mariona Guiu

“Singled [Out]” travels the globe to tell the story of five women who have come to terms with being single in a world that relentlessly pressures them to start families of their own. Over four years, producers and directors Ariadna Relea and Mariona Guiu chronicled these women’s stories across Australia, China, Turkey, and Spain.

The subjects of “Singled [Out]” have struggled, pushed, and thrived against cultural norms and their own families’ expectations to live a life of their own. In doing so, they’ve put the past behind them and discovered that people’s aversion to single women is part of a bigger problem.

Help “Singled [Out]” tell its story by contributing to its Kickstarter campaign.

“Tracing the Hairstons” (Docuseries) — Directed by Princess A. Hairston

“Tracing the Hairstons,” a three-part documentary, tells the story of one of the most prominent families in the slavery-era United States. What’s interesting to note about this series is that it tells a story of wealth, pain, and hardship from a black and white perspective with a director/producer/editor who is a person of color and a Hairston herself.

This docuseries doesn’t hold itself back: it presents stories seldom told that desperately need to be heard.

You can support the production of “Tracing the Hairstons” by donating via its Seed & Spark campaign.

“And Breathe” (Short) — Written and Directed by Molly McKee

“And Breathe” takes a more hands-on approach and focuses on letting go of the past one breath at a time. Writer-director Molly McKee has felt, understood, and implemented yoga into her life since she was a kid. She has seen its transformative power in herself and hopes to show it to others as well.

With every conscious breath, you can let go of the things holding you back. And like main character Maya, yoga can help you release any baggage that weighs you down. Breathe with McKee and take the first step to becoming your true self.

You can fund “And Breathe” through its Seed & Spark campaign.

To be considered for Women and Hollywood’s biweekly crowdfunding feature, please write to womenandhollywoodinterns@gmail.com. All formats (features, shorts, web series, etc.) are welcome. Projects must be by and/or about women.