FiSpo Spotlight: Three Films That Have Nothing to Do with Christmas
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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‘Tis the time of year with plenty of cheer. But some may get wary of all that is merry. For all those Grinches, we have three unique pitches. Films that would like donations– tax-deductible too, that deserves an ovation!
And have no fear, there’s nary a reindeer. No holly, no tinsel, no menorahs, no mangers. But tales of missing fathers, street photos and queer strangers. So even if the holiday drives you mad, having a giving spirit isn’t so bad. Take a look below and read even more, about films that deserve cash that’s saved in your drawer.
’99 SNAPSHOTS
Project type: Nonfiction Episodic
Project status: Post-Production
Writer/Director: Michael Berman
About the Project: Twenty years after snapping pictures of over 300 strangers in New York City, photographer Michael Berman is on a mission to find the people from those photos and learn how their lives have evolved, ask what inspires them, and hear their thoughts on how to live one’s best life in our complex and challenging world.
Meet the Filmmaker: Michael Berman was born in Washington, DC, in 1967, and has been taking pictures since the late ’80s, when he began to document life in New York City while attending NYU. In the late ‘90s, Michael began to find work as a photographer, first for community papers in Brooklyn and next for the New York Daily News. Since 2006, he has worked as a freelance photographer, including for numerous newspapers and magazines, restaurants, brands, schools, and non-profits.
JIA
Project type: Fiction Feature
Project status: Development
Writer/Director: Elaine Wong
Producer: Yuky Shen, Lareina Wong, Xiaojia Zhu
About the Project: When Sophia’s non-English-speaking father-in-law Ping vanishes in the U.S., she and her husband Daniel embark on a cross-country road trip with their newborn son. As they search for Ping, they must confront a labor trafficking scheme, the cracks in their marriage, and an uncertain future.
Meet the Filmmaker: Elaine Wong is a Hong Kong-born American writer, director, and producer. Her film, Where Dreams Rest, and her web series, Three Chen Sisters, have been officially selected at over 30 film festivals worldwide, including the Sundance Film Festival: Hong Kong. These projects have earned her a sound fellowship with Dolby Atmos and have been showcased on platforms such as Kanopy, Omeleto, Viddsee, and Roku TV. Her latest narrative short, 52Hz, is currently on AMC+. Her debut feature screenplay, Jia, has been partially financed and is currently in pre-production. She earned her MFA in Film Production from the University of Southern California.
UNTIL DEATH
Project type: Fiction Short
Project status: Post-Production
Writer/Director: Zachary Thorpe
Producers: Sofia Snyder, Jasmijn van Bruggen
About the Project: In the aftermath of an apocalyptic event, Oliver takes refuge in an abandoned house and seeks a quick end to his life. When Lonnie, a friendly stranger, breaks in, Oliver must reckon with his own mistrust and desire as he’s offered a chance for genuine connection with another human being. Until Death is a queer post-apocalyptic story about what it means – and how painful it is – to be alive.
Meet the Filmmaker: Zachary Thorpe is a filmmaker and writer from North Carolina, now based in Los Angeles. A two-time AFF Screenplay Competition 2nd Rounder, his work has also been recognized by the Hollywood Verge Film Awards and the HollyShorts Screenplay Contest. Until Death will be his solo directorial debut.
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