Entering a new chapter in life feels daunting for anyone; with outside perspectives projected upon you, there can be a sense of powerlessness in the midst of change. It takes courage to claim space and build community, but that’s where new experiences become moments of awareness and growth. These crowdfunding picks criticize and challenge the systems that make it seem as though only some people are allowed autonomy. The narratives highlight self identity within the unknown through different genre forms, ranging from horror to thriller to drama.
This week’s crowdfunding picks feature filmmakers who tell stories of women entering a new phase — starting a new job, a new school year, and a major hair change. These women are challenged as they attempt to navigate the larger societal structures surrounding their own individual identities as well as the effect these moments have on their day-to-day lives and the spaces they take up.
The short film “Hapa,” written and directed by Abby Alishio, tells the story of a young girl starting middle school and trying to build connections in a time where she feels alone in her experience. Lu Asfaha wrote and directed the short “Fresh Meat” which follows a woman as she begins her new job at a media company, but quickly discovers the mistreatment of her fellow Black co-workers is far more violent than she imagined. Lastly, the short film “The Big Chop,” written and directed by Makeba L. Ross examines a woman on a new hair journey and how this change influences her relationship with others — and with herself.
Here are Women and Hollywood’s latest crowdfunding picks.
“Hapa” (Short) – Written and Directed by Abby Alishio
“Hapa” highlights the nuanced and personal experiences of being a half-Japanese, half-white middle school student in search of genuine friendships. Hana is the protagonist and the film follows her as she deals with trials and tribulations on her first day of middle school. The project captures moments of blatant discrimination and the microaggressions that feel hardest to define at the time, but nonetheless etch themselves into our memory.
According to the project’s Seed&Spark campaign, “’Hapa’ explores the importance of friends who can empathize and understand you in the more nuanced ways — the kinships that you treasure more and more as you grow up.” Here, we see how building bonds and seeking refuge within community impacts and redefines moments where identity is being criticized. Friendship plays a vital role in “Hapa” and it showcases how this type of connection eases anxiety and allows for understanding in some of the most vulnerable moments.
This is a team of young filmmakers who aim to create a supportive and educational experience for their cast and crew. Through sharing their own individual experiences surrounding discrimination and bullying, the crew built this story into what it is today.
Learn more about “Hapa” and donate on Seed&Spark.
“Fresh Meat” (Short) – Written and Directed by Lu Asfaha
This satirical horror film examines how the media industry treats their marginalized employees by demonstrating this violence in the form of cannibalism onscreen. As the Seed&Spark page describes it, “’Fresh Meat’ joins the conversation by telling a horror story about a media agency that gets its best ideas by consuming their employees. In the literal sense.” This project spotlights the experiences of cruelty against Black employees in all fields of work but most specifically the area of media. The film follows Nia as she enters this corporate world and becomes aware of the levels of harm facing her and her co-workers.
Writer-director Lu Asfaha discusses the power of using the topic of cannibalism in her story, explaining, “During the mass media layoffs of 2019, the connective tissue between cannibalism, capitalism, and media became apparent, exposing an industry always ready to cannibalize itself. Important conversations about creating equity, especially in the media space, have been a constant thread over the last three years and this conversation and work will never stop being timely.”
The “Fresh Meat” team is a group of QTBIPOC filmmakers and creatives who have an innovative vision and an original voice. Their project adds a new element to the conversation surrounding equity and workplace treatment.
Learn more about “Fresh Meat” and donate on Seed&Spark.
“The Big Chop” (Short) – Written and Directed by Makeba L. Ross
The idea for “The Big Chop” stemmed from writer-director Makeba L. Ross’ frustration with seeing so many inaccurate depictions of Black women’s hair onscreen. From the beginning of this project, Ross has continued to share insights about the process and to map the journey through the film’s Instagram account. The film interrogates the societal expectations surrounding self-image and identity in regards to Black women’s hair.
As the Seed & Spark campaign puts it, “’The Big Chop’ is an exploration of the relationship between a Black woman, her hair, and the various ways it affects her mental health, career, and perception of reality.” The lead, Makennah, is known for caring most about her hair and through this film, the audience watches as this relationship faces challenges and changes both internally and externally. Ross makes a point to spotlight the depth of not only Makennah’s character but the secondary characters as well.
This project aims to capture the complexity of this experience through a thriller-mystery narrative. To emphasize the thriller element to this project, Ross noted some of her inspirations, such as “The Night Demon” (2016), “Nightcrawler” (2014), as well as “Lost Highway” (1997). The cast and crew are made up of Black filmmakers and have several Black women working behind the screen to ensure a new authentic take on the genre and a nuanced story.
Learn more about “The Big Chop” and donate on Seed&Spark.
To be considered for Women and Hollywood’s crowdfunding feature, please write to wandhcrowdfunding@gmail.com. All formats (features, shorts, web series, etc.) welcome. Projects must be by and/or about women.
