Hot Films in the Making

Hot Films in the Making are films that we highly support. They have excellent concepts and brilliant filmmakers, they should be in our finals in the future.

We give each filmmaker chosen for our Hot Films in the Making the opportunity to add their projects to this list.  It is their choice.

Please check out the films that interest you and give them your support!

 

Short Film Grant 2024 Hot Films in the Making

Displaying 1 – 15 of 15

Vital

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A mother in Iran, considers selling her organs to save her daughter, while in Canada, a doctor faces ethical dilemmas to save his daughter, revealing the complexities of organ trade.

Scars That Define Us

Short

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With their water supply depleting, a southern black woman must overcome her own desires as she struggles to care for her elderly father’s open wound during the 2022 Jackson, Mississippi Water Crisis.

Fist at Grace

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A restless, low ranking high school competitor is hellbent on receiving her first Speech and Debate award.

A 500 Mile Jouney to Santiago De Compostela: My Yes is Greater than any No

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“A 500 Mile Journey to Santiago de Compostela: My Yes is Greater Than Any No.” is an
extraordinary journey of empowerment and transformation through the lens of Antonio Goodwin
in his short film documentary. This captivating film follows Antonio’s courageous footsteps as
he conquers 500 miles to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, defying the chorus of “no”
conversations and transforming limitations into boundless opportunities.

Subtract Nine Sundays

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SUBTRACT NINE SUNDAYS short film is an impressionistic drama based on a literary classic, where a live-in immigrant nanny’s sense of self-worth is tested by her affluent employer when he calls her in to settle his dues. This adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s short story “The Wimp”, penned in 1883, is set in contemporary Texas. The narrative delves deep into societal dynamics and examines the concepts of power and personal agency. Additionally, it reflects on our increasing vulnerability and dependence upon the mercy of nature.

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Tino, a homeless drug addict aspiring to be a ballet dancer, finds hope and peril in fellow addict, Trista, while battling for the approval of his estranged father, the rigid Police Commissioner in Philadelphia. His journey ignites a passionate clash of dreams, ambition, and family ties.

Cartes

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After her boss at an environmental nonprofit asks for a standard background check, a young, anxious Malian goes to great lengths to keep her and her family’s immigration status a secret.

POST

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POST is a story of postpartum depression and the subtle and not so subtle forms it can take for a new mother.
EMMA is a new mother in denial about her postpartum depression. She is struggling with the challenges of being a new mom and coming to terms with her traumatic birth, loss of identity, and hormonal changes. When Emma’s husband leaves on business she is left with her nanny NOVA. They seemingly do not have anything in common. However, they’re able to bond over their shared experience of  motherhood and the trauma that all mothers face. Through this unlikely pairing, Emma is able to come to terms with her feelings and realize she is not alone and that no mother is.

Tasveer

Proof Of Concept

dhwanimakesfilms.com

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In a psychological horror, a camera left by a mysterious man haunts a young female taxi driver, fuelling relentless stalking, surveillance and paranoia.

Sweet Vincent

Short

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A professional Jazz musician and her old lover, both haunted by grief, struggle to reconcile on the day of a life-changing performance.

GoodWill

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On a vibrant spring day in Austin, Texas, Nan, a spirited widow, hesitantly explores a senior living facility with her daughter, Shelley, and granddaughter, Natalie. Nan grapples with the idea of parting with her home of 47 years meaning memories attached will fade with them. Amidst laughter and tension, mishaps occur, but Shelley and Natalie’s promises of reverence through small acts of goodwill unite the three generations in a touching display of love, like strokes of paint on a canvas.

Help Wanted

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Marnie, a recent college grad, struggles to find work in her field and desperately accepts a position at a peculiar diner, but she begins to notice a connection among the staff, locals, and unsolved disappearances.

A special day

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A shy and timid rural woman who has a domineering husband and constantly follows her husband’s orders decides to Rebel. She wants to strengthen her hand to be able to slap her husband.And this relates to the earthquake that occurred in Iran thirty years ago, causing a village to completely disappear in a second. Some said it was the work of aliens, while others claimed that a mountain had collapsed vertically onto the village in a matter of seconds.
In this story, we see the tale of the woman who is constantly under the dictatorship of her husband, but now she is striving to strengthen her hand and stand up to him. For her, standing up to him is like a sentence of a great revolution.

Chicken Lady

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A lady(85s) has to get rid of a live chicken left by her dead husband after his funeral.

Saltwater

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Saltwater – After the death of their mother, two Caribbean American children embark on a weekend trip to Barbados to mourn with family. Tensions simmer beneath the surface as 18-year-old Kam and her younger brother Tashawn grapple with their mother’s absence, their father’s emotional distance, and the pressures from their grandmother Martine, and her traditional values. Against the backdrop of the island’s beauty, the children navigate their own journey of self-discovery, connection and are forever changed by their time in Barbados.

 

Spring Grant 2024 Hot Films in the Making

Displaying 1 – 17 of 17

A House with Many Rooms

Web/TV Series

blindeyellc.com

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A House With Many Rooms tells the story of Stacey and Kevin Bryce’s journey into the American foster care system. Their expectations are transformed, their patience is pushed to the limits, their strength is challenged, their love is tested, and their hairs are grayed. The story takes them down roads they didn’t expect and through both painful and joyful experiences they couldn’t have imagined. They find themselves desperate to bring stability to children lost in an unpredictable world. It’s an honest undertaking of what it means to welcome children who have experienced trauma into your home. Ultimately, it is a story of family: broken but redemptive, and messy but beautiful.

Alive and Well – Healing From Within

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Embark on a journey of healing and transformation as three courageous families confront chronic and autoimmune diseases, uncovering unexpectedly unconventional paths to wellness.

“Alive and Well” is a poignant documentary that follows the remarkable journeys of three courageous families as they navigate the challenges of chronic and autoimmune diseases. Through intimate storytelling and heartfelt interviews, the film delves into the holistic healing approaches embraced by these families, revealing the profound impact of nutrition, movement, emotional healing, and mindset on their well-being.

Banned Together

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A diverse cast of visionary teenagers and intriguing characters, stirring public protests, private threats, criminal charges, and profanity-laced school board meetings: this is the world of the explosive new feature documentary, Banned Together. The film pulls back the curtain on two of the most controversial issues in America today: book bans and curriculum censorship in public schools.

Banned Together follows three young women in Beaufort, SC during their senior year of high school as they fight hostile community members and school board officials to reinstate 97 books that were banned from school libraries, then we expand to show what’s happening at the national level.

Barefoot in the Night:The Search for Emma Fillipoff

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Shelley Fillipoff has been searching for her daughter for eleven long, heartbreaking years.

Barefoot in the Night: The Search for Emma Fillipoff, is an in-depth exploration of facts in the disturbing and puzzling disappearance of Emma Fillipoff. A case that has baffled Canadians and true crime communities for over a decade. The six-part series will highlight the ongoing search for Emma, and will include new details and never-before-seen footage.

This is Shelley’s story, in her own words, and in the words of those closest to Emma, and to the investigation.

Burned

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Librarians tell a new colleague of the book that burned so many, using motion graphic animation for the true tale-within-a-tale, in this overdue dark comedic film where the witches get to burn back. A little Princess Bride, a dash of Drunk History, all to reclaim the narrative.

For nearly 400 years one book served as a tool to torture and murder 100,000+ women, yet the fact that it was created as a sexually frustrated rage post wasn’t taken into account. BURNED shall remind us to question sources and finally take the quill back from one of the first trolls.

Deadwater

Short

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Yu, a 14-year-old girl from a wealthy family, flees with her parents to a resort due to a major earthquake. While everyone around her indulges in the artificial beauty, Yu struggles to uncover the calm surface.

Healing Trauma – The Resilient Soul

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Healing Trauma – The Resilient Soul” is an upcoming feature-length documentary by filmmaker Jan Becker, exploring the transformative journeys of four trauma survivors. Utilizing innovative healing modalities, from therapy to plant medicine and many others, the film delves into personal stories of resilience and recovery, aiming to inspire and educate on mental health. Featured experts from renowned organizations and various support groups enhance this profound exploration of healing and hope.

Journey To Sisterhood

Documentary

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A group of American women make menstrual hygiene kits to strengthen relationships and build community among diverse people in Seattle and Cameroon only to hit roadblocks as tension and division arise around and among them.

Oh, Sugar! (fka You And I, You And Me)

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A trans punk rocker is forced by his gruff record label CEO father to write an unlikely comeback hit for a disgraced trans pop princess. They hate each other, and then they fall in love.

The Burning Dancer

Documentary

vimeo.com

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The poignant and inspiring rebirth of the mesmerizing dancer Fakhra Younas, as she emerges from the shadows of a ghastly acid attack at the vengeful hand of the man she once loved.

Fakhra emerged as the first woman to assert her rights and combat acid attacks in the Muslim world, becoming an icon. Her story encapsulates the ordeals of numerous women who have endured humiliation and oppression in patriarchal societies but demonstrate resilience and find the courage to hold their heads high. Tehmina Durrani, First Lady of Pakistan and a social activist, stands as her ally fighting for women’s right. Through dance, emotions are expressed, captivating viewers in a powerful narrative.

The Curious Incident of Everett Wilder

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A boy named Everett discovers a jackalope at his birthday party, and he becomes obsessed with catching the uncatchable horned rabbit.

I’m trying to raise the necessary funds to complete the animation at Fablevision in Boston.

The Neighbors We Left Behind

Documentary

ephil.work

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In the shadows of Music City, unhoused individuals and their fierce advocates battle local legislators as they pass the harshest anti-camping law in the country. This in-depth documentary closely examines systemic processes that have failed those most in need, and how states across the nation are gearing up to follow suit.

Torched – The Story of the Austin Torch

Documentary

torcheddoc.com

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Some people wait for a chance; others take one. Born of a boycott of the pro men’s league, a coalition of women in Austin attempt to professionalize their beloved sport of Ultimate Frisbee to form the Premier Ultimate League. But can the team remain sustainable and keep their dream alive?

After a tough second season, the Torch nearly hang up their cleats. But with 3 weeks to go before the next season begins, the irrepressible women on the Austin Torch recommit to their dream and decide to compete for another year in the professional league they helped launch. With a focus on social advocacy as much as on sport, the Torch is more than a team; it’s part of a movement.

Twenty Seven

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A youthful Neo-noir story set in New York City.
And a love letter to music icons of pop culture.

Benny Farro is an electric and charming – but out of control – young punk from the East Village, who never quite recovered from his orphaned childhood. Any sense of purpose in his life always eluded him. He is also a dysfunctional gangster. Feeling especially destructive on his 27th birthday— Benny decides to rebel against his adoptive crime family as a tribute to his favorite rock stars, bewildering friends and enemies alike. As a manhunt breaks out, his icy best friend Spook sets out to save him.

Unwanted

Documentary

dgpportal.com

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Unwanted, the documentary poses the question. After the advocates fight for the mother’s right to choose. After the pro-life advocates fight for the unborn fetus not to be aborted! Who fights for the unwanted? What happens after the unwanted grows up? Unwanted, is an inside look into the lives of unwanted children after they were forced to be born.

Urban Uptake

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Ayanna, a corporate marketing coordinator, walks into work. The unimaginable happens, her boss fires her due to her hair not meeting the company’s professional standard for clients. Upset, Ayanna talks to her best friend, Eesha, who suggests that Ayanna apply for a job on Urban Uptake. At first Ayanna hates the idea because Urban Uptake is a knockoff of Craigslist, but job hunting isn’t fun. She finds a job posting on Urban Uptake and submits an application. To Ayanna’s surprise, after submitting an application, she enters into a digital world called Urban Uptake, which is a place for women like her. Little does she know how close her ties are to the digital world.

Water Girl

Feature

imdb.com

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Kamsi is connected to the water; neither she nor her mother, Nkechi, knows how. On the brink of her 18th birthday, she discovers her mystic identity.

I recently wrapped principal photography on this project in Montana and I’m looking for support for my post production work.