A DALE actor and film maker has launched an online appeal to help fund the completion of her debut feature.
Supporters have already dug deep to raise £10,000 to cover the cost of filming I’m Still Ethan, which has been co-written by and stars Barnard Castle’s Phoebe Lorenz.
Now she hopes backers will help cover the costs of post production – and has launched a Crowdfunder appeal to raise the £3,200 required.
Ms Lorenz said she needs to raise the money by November 27 in order to finish the film in time to enter it in the next year’s festivals.
I’m Still Ethan follows the story of a young boy and his mother after his father is sent to prison.
Ms Lorenz said the film aims to highlight how children and families of convicts are becoming the “forgotten victims” of a system which does not offer them the necessary support and guidance to cope with their change in circumstances.
She described the response to her first appeal for funds to get the project off the ground as “amazing” .
Filming took place last month – with the Mercury’s Galgate News newsagents being one of the locations used.
Ms Lorenz, who graduated from London’s Academy of Live and Recorded Arts in 2018, said she is asking supporters for “one final push” .
“We are asking for your help one last time. Compounded by reduced funding due to Covid-19 and the unexpected realities of making a film, we need help to fully wrap this project up and make it fly,” she said.
“Our deadline is November 27 in order to get this vitally important story into the next batch of festivals.
“This will give us our biggest audience and chance of sharing Ethan’s story and helping to educate and breakdown stigma.”
In the director’s chair is British Independent Film Awards-nominated Raffaello Degruttola, while cinematography has been undertaken by Newcastle-based Ali Hutchinson.
Anyone wishing to donate to Ms Lorenz’s online appeal can do so at: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/im-still-ethan—short-film-about-imprisonment#start.
