Crowdfunding, Features, Films, Women Directors, Women Writers

Women Supporting Women: Crowdfunding Picks

“Saving the Rabbits of Ravensbrück”
“F1”: Instagram

The Sisters are doing it for themselves. A successful crowdfunding campaign often means assembling a team of badass women creatives, communicating a clear vision, and engaging supporters, and our latest round of crowdfunding picks not only do that, they tell stories that celebrate the power of women coming together in community.

In the documentary “Saving the Rabbits of Ravensbrück” we hear the story of the women concentration camp prisoners banding together to support another group of female captives.

Set in Laos, the short film “Let’s Love” tells a queer coming-of-age story in the face of anti-gay conservatism, while “Blurred Lines” explores the friendship of three women imperfectly inching their way into adulthood together.

Finally, the narrative feature “F1” tells the story of the unlikely pairing of two young Iranian women who don’t always see the world in the same way but must team up to deal with an immigration status crisis.

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

“Saving the Rabbits of Ravensbrück” (Documentary) — Directed by Stacey Fitzgerald

While many World War II stories have been told, the heroic efforts of women against Nazi Germany often remain hidden. Cue “Rabbits of Ravensbrück,” which tells the story of an organized rebellion that took place at the largest women’s concentration camp.

In February of 1945, the Nazis held 63 young Catholic girls from the Polish resistance. The women prisoners of Ravensbrück — known as the “Rabbits” — fought back and were successful in keeping these young women from being killed.

The idea for the documentary came from a great-uncle of director Stacey Fitzgerald who had helped liberate Ravensbrück during his military service. While the story of the Rabbits is told in the New York Times best-selling book “Lilac Girls,” this is the first cinematic representation of the historical event.

Help make sure these heroines’ stories are told via Kickstarter.

“Let’s Love” (Short) — Written and Directed by Dorn Bouttasing

Set in Laos and featuring an entirely-Laotian cast, “Let’s Love” is a coming-of-age queer love story. The short film follows young lesbian Mai, whose conservative family does not accept her sexual orientation. According to the project’s Indiegogo campaign page, the film “illuminates the many obstacles currently facing the LGBTQI community in Laos, making it the first film of this kind ever made in the Laotian context.”

That’s a lot of responsibility — and writer-director Dorn Bouttasing is forging ahead. Armed with a small grant for pre-production funds from the non-governmental organization Oxfam and the Indiegogo campaign, Bouttasing is determined to get “Let’s Love” made.

Contribute to the Indiegogo campaign here.

“Blurred Lines” (Pilot) — Created and Written by Rachel Brunner and Mechi Lakatos

Complex 20-something female characters facing the challenges of adult life — this is the premise of “Blurred Lines,” a six-episode episodic comedy series that tells the story of friends Alyson, Frankie, and Chandler as they “navigate the complexities of the beginning of adulthood with an unmistakeable (and sometimes questionable) nerve.”

“Blurred Lines” is also created, written, and produced by an all-women creative team. The team plans to use their fundraising proceeds to shoot the pilot as a proof of concept before eventually producing the series.

Help support the production of “Blurred Lines’” pilot on Indiegogo.

“F1” — Directed by Shahrzad Davani; Written by Nazanin Nour

“F1” is a indie comedy that follows two young Iranian women as they navigate citizenship, identity, and the ups and downs of day-to-day life in America.

The story features Mitra — played by comedian Mitra Jouhari — an Iranian student on an F1 visa whose visa status gets revoked after she mistakenly violates its terms and receives payment for a tutoring gig. Mitra’s path crosses with Naz — played by screenwriter Nazanin Nouran — an American-born Iranian actress who is suffering and homeless after a breakup.

We love the idea of an indie comedy featuring two Iranian women where the story isn’t about being the “other” in White-American culture. Instead, “F1” is about the nuances of the connection between these women and their very different perspectives.

Support the film’s Seed&Spark Campaign here.

To be considered for Women and Hollywood’s biweekly crowdfunding feature, please write to womenandhollywoodinterns@gmail.com. All formats (features, shorts, web series, etc.) welcome. Projects must be by and/or about women.

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