Mothers play a critical role in our ability to grow, love, learn, and experience the world — but they are still women of the 21st century. They love, falter, make mistakes, and continue to grow as they raise their children. For this round of crowdfunding picks we’re looking at shorts centered on mothers, the relationship they have with their children, the stereotypes surrounding them, and how we perceive them.

First up is “Brighton,” Amanda Hanna-McLeer’s film about a mother and college-bound daughter bonding at a beach. Their time together is interrupted by the new man in the mother’s life and the reality that their relationship is going to change no matter how much they’d like it not to.

“Mud (Hashtł’ishnii),” from writer-director Shaandiin Tome, follows a mother desperately trying to connect with her son while battling and hiding her alcoholism. Her secrets come to a head during her last living day in Window Rock, AZ. “Mama Jane,” meanwhile, sees a mother and daughter brought together by impending tragedy. The dark comedy from director Lisa Maria Hall and writer Jenny Donheiser, forces the characters and audience to confront who our mothers are and what parts of them we carry in ourselves.

Finally, writer-director Nike Kadri’s “Her First Kill” makes us question how we perceive violence and violent acts when one of the perpetrators is a mother. This psychological thriller reflects on our own capacity for violence and who women are outside of motherhood.

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

“Brighton” (Short) — Written and Directed by Amanda Hanna-McLeer

“Brighton” tells the story of a mother and daughter on the cusp of reinvention. Jules, the daughter, is heading off to college at the end of summer. And Annette, about to live on her own for the first time since she became pregnant at the age of 18, is embarking on a new romance. Both women are more than mother and daughter to each other. They are confidants and friends who are now about to face the world on their own, separate from the other.

Writer and director Amanda Hanna-McLeer wanted to explore “this fluidity in age and authority” between two complex characters against the backdrop of murky Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. And coming from a mixed family herself, she’s got an inside perspective that will connect with viewers who have seen their families change and grow.

Find out how to help “Brighton” by visiting its Kickstarter campaign.

“Mud (Hashtł’ishnii)” (Short) — Written and Directed by Shaandiin Tome

At first glance Shaandiin Tome’s “Mud (Hashtł’ishnii)” seems like a familiar story: A drunk of a mother is hiding her alcoholism from her son. What makes this film different is its setting and the stereotype it’s shining a light on.

Ruby, the mother, is craving a connection with her son, Joseph, in Window Rock, AZ, the city which serves as the capital of the Navajo Nation. The overwhelming control that her addiction has on her is set in a place where drinking is a large problem and where “isolation from family, culture, and support” hinders recovery. Her secret is at risk of being discovered on her last living day and Tome paints a picture where “her death is a transcendence where she no longer suffers.”

Help “Mud” tell its story by contributing to its Kickstarter campaign.

“Mama Jane” (Short) — Directed by Lisa Maria Hall; Written by Jenny Donheiser

This dark comedy explores one of the most complicated relationships we have as women, the one with our mothers. An imminent death brings together Katia, and her mother, Jane, for a night of “laughter, tears, and supreme honesty.” What these women unearth about themselves and the relationship they have might not be pretty or perfect, but it will certainly leave you asking questions about your relationship with your mother.

Are we able to recognize the traits we inherit from our mothers? And can we stop the ones we don’t like from moving on to the next generation?

You can support the production of “Mama Jane” by donating via its Kickstarter campaign.

“Her First Kill” (Short) — Written and Directed by Nike Kadri

“Her First Kill” is a psychological thriller that uses brutal vengeance to force the audience to reflect on what they’re capable of and their perceptions of violence. Inspired by Showtime’s “Dexter” — a TV show about a blood-spatter analyst who is a member of the Miami police by day and a killer at night — writer and director Nike Kadri tells the story via two women of color, one of whom is a mother. All of a sudden the audience realizes this isn’t just a violent person, this is the provider for a young child — we have to decide how this fits into her nature, and how we perceive the violent acts she commits.

“Her First Kill” consists of 80 percent cast and crew who identify themselves as female or trans and people of color. It also passes the Bechdel Test in “challenging normative notions of femininity.”

You can help fund “Her First Kill” 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.