It seems like every day brings more cancellations, closings, and upsetting news. The coronavirus is affecting the whole world, not least of all the artists and creators who are trying to bring their projects to fruition — and to an audience.
As such, Women and Hollywood is highlighting women-driven and women-made projects that have been impacted by COVID-19 and are now looking for outside help. Some of these projects were set to premiere at now-cancelled festivals, others have had theatrical premieres postponed. Money and opportunities have been lost, and these projects and their filmmakers need some extra financial backing if they will be able to move forward.
Each week, we’ll be updating our readers about projects by and about women that have been rocked by COVID-19 and are currently crowdfunding — including project info, why they need help, and how you can help them. Check out the first round of titles below.
“Stagiaire” (Short) – Written and Directed by Marina Michelson
“Stagiaire”
What it’s about: “Stagiaire” follows Leila, an ambitious young cook on her first day training in an elite restaurant kitchen. In the course of one day, she endures hazing from the overwhelmingly male team, begins to make allies, and even impresses the Chef with her grasp on his cuisine. But a heated encounter in the walk-in puts her new position on the line.
How it has been affected by COVID-19: The filmmaker’s major marketing partners — a women’s food publication and reservation platform — have pulled out their financial and marketing support. The pandemic has also impacted her day jobs.
How to help: Visit the project’s Kickstarter campaign.
“Lupita” (Short Documentary) – Directed by Monica Wise Robles
“Lupita”
What it’s about: In a country where indigenous people are increasingly displaced, their land stolen, where students disappear without trace following police arrest, and journalists are murdered at an alarming rate, a courageous new voice emerges: Lupita, a Tsostil Maya massacre survivor, at the forefront of a new movement of indigenous women. The film intimately follows Lupita taking on risks and responsibility to represent her people, weaving her personal narrative into the painful revolutionary history of Mexico.
How it has been affected by COVID-19: “Lupita” had its premiere and national Mexican tour cancelled when Guadalajara and Ambulante postponed their international festivals. The project had $4,000 USD in grants allotted to festival and outreach travel with Lupita and its local producer. More than half of those funds have been lost between passport costs and non-refundable flights to the premiere.
How to help: Make a donation via the project’s fundraising page.
“Standing Above the Clouds” (Short Documentary) – Directed by Jalena Keane-Lee
What it’s about: “Standing Above the Clouds” follows Native Hawaiian mother-daughter activists as they stand to protect their sacred mountain from the building of the world’s largest telescope. The film follows each of the women through a crucial journey of self and collective empowerment, while facing the complexities of raising their daughters and families while putting their bodies on the line to protect their revered and divine mountain, Mauna Kea.
How it has been affected by COVID-19: The filmmaking team is unable to take part in various screenings and community events scheduled for this time — most notably “Standing Above the Clouds'” international premiere at Maoriland Film Festival in New Zealand. Several other spring/summer screenings, which would have raised money for the feature, have been postponed or cancelled.
How to help: Make a tax-deductible donation via The Redford Center.
“Since I Been Down” (Documentary) – Directed by Gilda Sheppard
“Since I Been Down”
What it’s about: Spotlighting Kimonti Carter, “Since I Been Down” follows a group of prisoners as they break free from their fate and create a model of education that is transforming their lives, their communities, prisons, and our own humanity.
How it has been affected by COVID-19: The film was selected to screen at the Cleveland International Festival, which has been cancelled.
How to help: Make a tax-deductible donation via Northwest Film Forum.
“The Beret Girls Detective Agency” (Series Proof of Concept) – Written and Directed by Sallie Keena
What it’s about: “The Beret Girls Detective Agency” is an hour episodic about two cousins once separated by a family rift who reunite to confront a mystery plaguing their quirky home town.
How it has been affected by COVID-19: The filmmaking team timed the “Beret Girls” crowdfunding campaign to coincide with the premiere of their other project, “Moon Eyes,” at the now-cancelled Annapolis Film Festival.
How to help: Check out “Beret Girls'” Indiegogo campaign.
“Memoirs of a Snitch” – Written and Directed by Thato Mwosa
What it’s about: “Memoirs of a Snitch” is a coming-of-age story about a girl and her friends who are forced to grow up and make tough decisions. Aisha Johnson, an astute and bright student, is one of the finalists for a coveted scholarship. Aisha’s goal is to earn the top prize. One day after Aisha does the right thing, her life is turned upside down and her once-promising future is in jeopardy. Aisha must navigate life at school as well as learn to survive on the unforgiving streets of Roxbury while keeping her eyes on the prize.
How it has been affected by COVID-19: The filmmaking team had been developing plans to host a few pop-up fundraisers and speaking events, and was slated to have a work-in-progress screening of “Memoirs of a Snitch.” These activities have been postponed and cancelled.
How to help: Check out the project’s Indiegogo campaign.
“The Choice” (VR Documentary) – Directed by Joanne-Aśka Popińska
What it’s about: Enter the body and mind of a woman considering abortion, and meet real people who made this choice themselves. In this immersive experience, engage in authentic interactive conversations with real women, who have had an abortion and are sharing their stories for the first time.
How it has been affected by COVID-19: “The Choice” was set to showcase a project demo at SXSW, which has been cancelled. The filmmaking team was planning to use the fest trip to interview more subjects in Texas, and had all the interviews scheduled, equipment rented, and a studio booked. They are still hoping to conduct the interviews and need help covering the costs of flight, accommodation, gear rentals, and more.
How to help: Check out the project’s Facebook fundraiser or donate via PayPal.
What it’s about: “Pioneers in Skirts” is an engaging examination of gender parity in the workplace from the perspective of a female filmmaker who was frustrated with her own problems in the film industry. Not finding many answers within her profession, she decides to expand her search to include other industries and society in general. Director Ashley Maria not only shares her own story, but she follows the journey of three robotic girls and their fathers as well as a young mother — all while traveling the U.S. to investigate solutions, speaking to fellow pioneering women, and interviewing topic experts.
How it has been affected by COVID-19: The doc premiered on October 26, 2019, and had planned hundreds of screenings throughout March and April. The filmmaking team has been dealing with a tidal wave of cancellations and postponements, and had to change their April 5 IMAX premiere to May 30 — a date that may also be pushed back.
How to help: The filmmakers have been working with festival organizers and screening hosts to bring “Pioneers in Skirts” temporarily online. You can participate in the Pioneer at Home campaign, and watch the doc from your home.
“My Name Is Pedro” (Documentary) – Directed by Lillian LaSalle
What it’s about: “My Name Is Pedro” centers on Pedro Santana, a maverick educator from the South Bronx who changes lives within the public school system and beyond.
How it has been affected by COVID-19: “My Name Is Pedro’s” planned May 27 opening in New York has been pushed.
How to help: Check out the project’s Seed&Spark campaign.
To be considered for inclusion in this feature, please send an email to Laura Berger (berger.laurae@gmail.com) and Rachel Montpelier (raemontpelier@gmail.com) with Women and Hollywood – Special Crowdfunding Support Feature in the subject line. Please send us the following information:
- Project title and synopsis:
- Writer/director/creator credits:
- A link to the crowdfunding page or other campaign:
- A link to the project’s festival information (i.e. something like this):
Submissions will be accepted on a rolling basis. All formats (features, shorts, web series, etc.) are welcome.
