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 creators need some extra financial backing and word-of-mouth.
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 or asking for additional support — including project info, why they need help, and how you can help them. Check out the latest round of titles below.
“Tomboy” (Documentary) – Directed by Lindsay Lindenbaum
“Tomboy”: SXSW
What it’s about: Shot over a five-year period in a nuanced, cinematic style, “Tomboy” tells the story of four women drummers, making their mark in a stereotypically masculine field. Together, these women span 60 years of popular music — celebrated through a trove of previously unseen archival footage, intimate portraiture, insightful interviews, and some serious drumming skills. The film captures the intoxicating atmosphere onstage, then goes beyond to chart each artist’s personal journey, converging in a unique celebration of the female experience that hits hard and hits home.
How it has been affected by COVID-19: “Tomboy” was set to make its world premiere at SXSW 2020, which was cancelled due to the pandemic.
How to help: Make a donation via Women Make Movies.
What it’s about: A group of filmmakers officially selected for the SXSW 2020 Episodic Pilot Competition have launched the SXSW 2020 Pilot Showcase on Vimeo. This streaming event premieres a diverse selection of episodic pilots from the festival to global audiences for free. The Showcase projects are “Bananas,” “Bored,” “Cooper’s Bar,” “The Dream,” “Homecoming: The Journey of Cardboard,” and “This Isn’t Me.” You can find more info about the pilots here.
How it has been affected by COVID-19: Following SXSW’s cancellation, “Bored” co-creators Coral Amiga and Nicole Hartley reached out to Vimeo and set out to make a special showcase of select SXSW 2020 episodic pilots available to the public.
How to help: Check out the projects on Vimeo and amplify them by sharing via social media. You can connect with Amiga and Hartley over Twitter (@themapplestv) or Instagram (@coral_amiga and @
“Shoot Your Shot” (Short) – Written and Directed by Tanya Fear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IskFUTNuxhY
What it’s about: “Shoot Your Shot” is a social distancing rom-com. It was shot on iPhones and laptops from quarantine in Los Angeles, New York, and London.
How it has been affected by COVID-19: In light of the pandemic and its related restrictions, writer-director and star Tanya Fear wanted to create a short film that was immediate, hopeful, and funny, while also exploring how to make a high quality film using only iPhones and laptops.
How to help: Check out the short here or on YouTube and share it over social media.
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:
- The project’s writer/director/creator credits:
- A link to the crowdfunding page or other campaign, or details on how to support the project:
- A link to the project’s festival information, if applicable (i.e. something like this):
Submissions will be accepted on a rolling basis. All formats (features, shorts, web series, etc.) are welcome. Projects must be by and/or about women.
Previous installments of this feature:
Volume I
Volume II
Volume III
Volume IV
