This round of crowdfunding picks shares a focus on representing and tackling a range of intersecting social and cultural issues. They rely on humor, fantasy, and, of course, Zoom, to address the importance of preserving Indigenous languages, racial identity, coming out, and connection during a global moment of increased isolation.
“What Y’all Doing???” thematizes bonding and grieving as a group of Black friends, displaced and derailed by COVID-19, navigate their highs and lows while quarantining. “Luh Ayu Manik Mas” offers one of the first modern teen Indonesian superheroes, and reflects its creators’ efforts to educate and empower local youth. “Egghead & Twinkie” follows a road trip in pursuit of “Big Dyke Energy” as protagonist Twinkie seeks connection after coming out to her conservative parents.
Here are Women and Hollywood’s latest crowdfunding selections.
“What Y’all Doing???” (Web Series) – Written and Directed by Breana C. Venablé
In the video pitch for the web series, writer-director Breana C. Venablé describes the impetus behind “What Y’all Doing???” as the desire to provide “a brave space to create unapologetically,” one that addresses the disproportionate impact the various traumas of 2020 have had on Black people generally, and on Black creators specifically — the creators outline the specific vulnerabilities the artists involved in the project have experienced in this time of economic precarity. The web series will focus on the virtual space six best friends created to “find some normalcy and maintain their intimacy.” Building on a dynamic of 10 years of friendship, the synopsis reads, “there’s nothing that could tear this group apart…right?”
To build a space of joy and pain, the creators “dug deep into the foundation of friendship, betrayal, grace, liberation, laughs, and our Blackness.” The series promises a relatable, emotional representation of our contemporary moment.
Learn more about “What Y’all Doing???” and donate on Kickstarter.
“Luh Ayu Manik Mas” (Animated Project)
Harnessing energy from her Balinese tridatu bracelet, the superhero Luh Ayu Manik Mas draws on her culture’s wisdom and tradition to motivate and empower youth to “value and take responsibility for the world around [them],” in pursuit of increased Indigenous language retention, literacy, and sustainability goals. When she is not saving the world, and encouraging others to join her, Luh Ayu Manik Mas is an eighth-grade Balinese girl.
“Luh Ayu Manik Mas” was created by BASAbali, a “collaboration of artists and advocates, students and scholars who are encouraging reading, strengthening the use of local languages, empowering girls, and promoting the sustainable development goals.” The collective is publishing their sixth comic book, and expanding to 3D representations of Luh Ayu Manik Mas to attract investors and increase visibility and accessibility to this female superhero.
Learn more about “Luh Ayu Manik Mas” and donate on Seed&Spark.
“Egghead & Twinkie” – Written and Directed by Sarah Kambe Holland
“The gay character doesn’t die at the end,” writer, director, and producer Sarah Kambe Holland promises in her promo for “Egghead & Twinkie.” The feature is an expansion of the short Holland and her team released last year that follows Egghead and Twinkie’s best-friendship, as Egghead nurses a crush on the best friend who will never love him back in the same way because she is gay. The pair embark on a road trip toward self discovery and “Big Dyke Energy,” an anonymous blogger Twinkie meets online after she comes out to her conservative parents.
Per the film’s campaign, “Egghead & Twinkie” has a lot to offer, including “an exploration of racial identity, teenage sexuality, and self discovery for a generation seeking love and acceptance on the internet.” However, the creators remind viewers that, as the title suggests, this is “a film about friendship” as the best friends support each other, and Egghead learns how to be a better ally to Twinkie.
Learn more about “Egghead & Twinkie” and donate on Seed&Spark.
To be considered for Women and Hollywood’s biweekly crowdfunding feature, please write to waheditorialfellows@gmail.com. All formats (features, shorts, web series, etc.) welcome. Projects must be by and/or about women.
