Fiscal Update: Over the Finish Line
Welcome to Fiscal Spotlight, a special monthly round up of projects—at all stages of production—working their way through Film Independent’s Fiscal Sponsorship pipeline. Enjoy!
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Film Independent’s Fiscal Sponsorship program has supported all sorts of projects: shorts and features, narrative and nonfiction. Oh, and a few new media projects, special events or advocacy initiatives. Each month’s Fiscal Spotlight column highlights three new projects taking part in the program.
With the power of Fiscal Sponsorship, these projects end up getting made, and from time to time we love to feature some of those successes. Once again it’s time for another Fiscal Update.
This month we have exciting news from three films, all with a little left to raise to be either start shooting or wrap post. They include a twisted neo-noir about two stripper roommates, a coming of age story at a rest stop, and a sci-fi rom-com about avoiding the right thing to do.
Betty & Mary: Neighbors
Project type: Fiction Short
Project status: Post-Production
Writer/Producer/Lead Actor: Dana Lyn Baron
Director: America Young
Producer: Stephanie O’Neill
About the Project: After murdering their sleaze-ball boss and blowing up their workplace, two dysfunctional strippers — one jaded, one guilt-ridden — try to lay low, shake off the hangover, and figure out if their new neighbor with wings is here to help… or just judge the shit out of them.
Filmmaker Update: We’re thrilled to share that Betty & Mary: Neighbors has officially wrapped production. As the second chapter in Dana Lyn Baron’s award-winning Betty & Mary trilogy, this has been an exciting and ambitious chapter for our team, and after months of fundraising, planning and preparation, it was incredibly rewarding to bring the film to life with an extraordinary cast and crew.
In this twisted new installment, Betty and Mary land in another parallel universe – this time as two strippers navigating guilt, survival and a mysterious new neighbor who may be there to help them… or judge the shit out of them. Now we’re deep in post-production, shaping the film through editing, sound, score, color, visual effects and all the finishing work that will bring Neighbors fully to life. Film Independent’s fiscal sponsorship support has been instrumental in helping us reach this stage, and we’re grateful to be moving into the next phase with so much momentum as we continue raising the final funds needed to complete the film.
Night At The Oasis
Project type: Fiction Feature
Project status: Development
Writer/Director: Kim Caicedo
Producer: Heliya Alam, Warner Davis, Michelle levinger
About the Project: At a Florida highway rest stop, a sheltered pre-teen is accidentally abandoned while accompanying her truck driver father on a delivery.
Filmmaker Update: After receiving overwhelmingly positive responses at Sundance 2026 and Cannes 2026, we’re incredibly proud to share that our film is now 80% funded. We couldn’t have come this far without the supporters, believers, and partners who saw the potential in this story and believed in what we’re trying to create. With an incredible cast attached, a powerful script, and a passionate crew behind it, we are on track to bring this film to life this year.
But we’re not at the finish line yet. With the remaining 20% of our financing still to raise, we’re asking our community to help us take this project across the finish line. Every contribution brings us one step closer to making this story a reality. At its heart, this is a story about belonging, and what it means to grow up feeling caught between two worlds. It is raw, heartfelt, and deeply personal, shining a light on the experiences of second-generation immigrants who may struggle to find their place, their identity, and a sense of home.
Oh, No!
Project type: Fiction Feature
Project status: Development
Writer/Director/Producer: Scott Mckinney
About the Project: Isla broke her simulation to avoid fate forcing her to break up with her boyfriend, Ezra; now, she’s living in a self-induced time loop.
Filmmaker Update: Our crowdfunding campaign ends the middle of August as we find the last bit of funds needed to start filming in September. Twelve of our 15 days of principal photography will be done at a beautiful home in the front range of the Rocky Mountains outside of Golden, Colorado. We have been in the thick of finishing crewing, shot designing, fundraising, and other pre-producing work.
In the next few weeks, we’re excited to rehearse with our stellar cast and bring this broken simulation and unique story to life. Anna Telfer leads with Skyler Bible, Hilty Bowen, and Brian Barlow supporting. Anna has music to master, she and Brian have a fight scene to rehearse, Skyler and Brian have a dance to perfect, and Hilty has to polish a Southern and a British accent. Though we will be able to start production, we are still raising fundings through the fiscal sponsorship to help us through post and potential pick up days.
Learn more about Fiscal Sponsorship, including its benefits and eligibility requirements by visiting our website. See which projects are currently being supported via our Sponsored Projects page.
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