There is a formal application process which includes an in-depth exploration of your project budget and full business plan, including summary of the project, timeline, fundraising strategy, distribution strategy/intended audience, bios of the principals and any other information that you feel reflects the integrity and viability of your project. The size of the budget is not relevant; the feasibility of your plan to produce the project smartly within that budget is the key. Become acquainted with the sample agreement, then contact Lena Bhise at 973-873-5847 or email lena@film.org to discuss your questions and further steps.
Written by: Derrick Shaw & Derek Maj Thompson
Directed by: Derrick Shaw
Starring: Earthquake, Donnell Rawlings & Kenisha Pinckney
Produced by: Derrick Shaw, Michelle Brooks, Charles Jones & Joslyn Vance
Casting by: Michelle Brooks
When life knocks you down … family will either lift you up or finish the job.
*Bedridden* is a completed independent feature comedy currently in the marketing and distribution phase. The film centers on a charismatic but troubled man whose life is thrown into chaos when he becomes confined to bed, forcing him to confront his relationships, his personal choices, and the emotional consequences of how he has been living. Through humor, conflict, and moments of reflection, the story explores resilience, redemption, family dynamics, and the possibility of second chances.
At its core, *Bedridden* is a character-driven comedy with heart. While the film is designed to entertain, it also speaks to universal experiences of struggle, vulnerability, healing, and personal growth. The project aims to connect with audiences through relatable life challenges, grounded humor, and emotionally authentic storytelling.
Written by: Jayce Bartok
Directed by: Nick Sandow
Starring: Carla Gugino as VIVIEN LEIGH
Produced by: Lauren Rieckhoff, Jayce Bartok, Kelli Reilly, Tiffany Bartok
Casting by: Avy Kaufman
A local florist becomes the object of fascination for the world’s greatest actress, Vivien Leigh, in this untold true story of obsession, beauty, and madness.
Vivien Leigh, iconic actress from Hollywood’s golden era, left an indelible mark on the world with her enchanting beauty and unparalleled performances. Her legacy includes two Academy Awards. In “Gone With the Wind,” Vivien immortalized Scarlett O’Hara, a role synonymous with grace and resilience. She followed that groundbreaking film with Blanche DuBois in “A Streetcar Named Desire,” further solidifying her status as a cinematic legend. Vivien’s contribution to the arts during a defining era of cinema elevated her to a global cultural icon, a status unrivaled by many of her contemporaries. However, behind the glamour and accolades, Vivien’s life was a tale of hidden struggles. Her marriage to Laurence Olivier, another iconic figure of the time, added a layer of allure to their public image. Yet, beneath the surface, Vivien grappled with personal turmoil, from tumultuous relationships to the challenges of bipolar disorder.
Our story begins in 1966, with the world’s most enchanting actress, Vivien Leigh, in the throes of Electro Shock Treatment to combat her crippling bipolar depression. She has recently accepted a proposition from her dear friend, actor/director John Gielgud, to star in his adaptation of Chekhov’s “Ivanov” for Broadway. Despite her ongoing mental health challenges, Vivien agrees to temporarily relocate to Philadelphia with Gielgud for prep. In between tryouts and rehearsals, Vivien discovers a local psychiatric facility where she is approved for ongoing sessions of ECT.
In parallel, we delve into the world of Joseph Penn, a WWII veteran and blue-collar florist who recently settled in Philadelphia after the war. The son of a gardener originally from the farms of Scotland, Penn finds solace now in tending to his cherished flowers, crafting unique bouquets for the city’s ailing residents. Coexisting alongside his wife of 30 years, Peg, Penn silently frets over the possible closure of the flower shop he once shared with his brother, the sole source of joy in his life.
The narrative takes an unexpected turn when Penn receives a call from Laurence Oliver to deliver “a ravishing bouquet of blossoms” to a certain ‘Vivien Leigh,’ who is recovering at Franklin Hospital. This encounter sparks a profound connection rooted in a shared love for flowers, a spark that burns brighter with each passing day. Vivien, at her most vulnerable, shows her truest self to Penn – alternating between charming and manic. In this untold true story, Vivien and Penn become each other’s sources of truth, beauty, and love. Yet, as their bond deepens, a question looms – what is real, and what is simply madness?
Producer/Director: Jon Kane Rothstein
Nick, a sharp but sleep-deprived 29-year-old, suffers from severe narcolepsy, which has robbed him of rest,
clarity, and control over his life for the last decade. Sky-high doses of stimulants and an incredibly dangerous nighttime sedative aren’t enough for Nick to function – and he’s out of treatment options. After nearly causing a fatal accident due to his condition, Nick launches an obsessive “sleep experiment” to recover from the past 10 years of disordered sleep.
She believes in the Bear. And the People believe in her.
Logline:
In September 2024 Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina, leaving behind a path of physical destruction and personal trauma. One woman is using the healing force of art to help rebuild her community, and her world, one bicycle tire at a time.
Brief Description:
In 2023, Artist Marcia K Moore left the NW and moved to western North Carolina. One year later, in September 2024 Hurricane Helene hit the Asheville NC area, devastating the surrounding communities. Out of the destruction, Marcia is on a mission- to create a 7’ bear out of bicycle tires and gift this statue as a restorative gesture, to whom she doesn’t yet know. But she has rallied local people to her vision. She believes in the bear and her people believe in her.
Director’s Statement:
I was drawn to Moore’s story because her effort resonated with me on a personal level. This is a story led by strong female characters and one that recognizes the power and role of art in healing trauma and building community. Her quest is pushing my own creative dream – to create work with social relevance and lasting impact.
To learn more about this project go to: https://thebearandthepeople.com/
Filmmaker Bio:
LeAnn Erickson is an independent film and media artist. Her work has appeared on public and cable television, in media and art galleries, and has won national and international recognition in film festivals.
In 2010 she completed Top Secret Rosies: The Female Computers of WWII, a feature length historical documentary that has screened internationally and is distributed by PBS, Inc. In 2022 she completed the award-winning animated documentary short I (heart) Jack LaLanne: A Cartoon Memoir that screened in international film festivals.
Currently she is pitching a television series based on the Top Secret Rosies story and is in pre-production on a feature documentary film exploring community and the healing power of art.
A quiet meditation on prayer, death, and the tender, evolving bond between mother and son, the film explores grief and spiritual intimacy with lyrical restraint.
In the turbulent final months of high school, five teenagers navigate a web of fractured loyalties, buried secrets, and unchecked rage in a decaying small-town landscape. When their close-knit group—The 3rd Rail—collides with rivals and former allies, simmering tensions erupt into acts of violence with irreversible consequences.
Four years later, the spirit of their dead Black classmate returns, forcing them to confront the roles they played in a fateful betrayal that shattered lives and exposed deep divides. Spanning years and perspectives, The Pillow Snake is a raw exploration of guilt, revenge, and the elusive search for redemption in the face of tragedy.
We call it a tale of racism that tests the limits of forgiveness.
Revolutionary Souls is a drama inspired by a true story and told through the eyes of Primus Hall 1756-1842 (African American), who in 1835 at the tender age of 79, takes the United States government to court to attain a military pension and to be recognized for his service as a Patriot of the Continental Army in America’s first war. As the court proceedings begin, the past is told through a series of captivating flashbacks as Primus gives a detailed account of the war and his time riding alongside the great General George Washington. The recounting begins in the spring of 1776 as we follow George Washington and his Army, the story gives an accurate account of the trials and tribulations that Washington and his troops faced. This is the inspiring untold story that will cross racial lines to tell the heroic true story of the fight for liberty and freedom, with a list of compelling historical characters this epic tale will be filmed on location where many of the actual events took place.
In 2012, American choreographer Taras Lewyckyj traveled to Kyiv on a mission of cultural restoration: to revive a legendary dance suite blacklisted by the Soviet Union in 1977. Working alongside 85-year-old dance titan Anatolii Kryvochyzha and modern legend Mark Morris, the project sought to bridge the gap between pre-Soviet identity and the modern world.
But as the dancers rehearsed, the political ground shifted. Dancing Diplomats captures the “canary in the coal mine” moments—from fistfights in the Ukrainian parliament over language rights to the sudden cancellation of the project by a Kremlin-backed regime. What began as an artistic collaboration quickly became a frontline of resistance.
Interweaving ten years of footage, Emmy-winning director Henry Nevison traces the journey from the vibrant streets of prewar Kyiv to the fires of the Maidan Revolution and the current full-scale war. Along the way, we see exactly what Ukrainian artists and the Philadelphia diaspora understood long before the world did: attacks on language and culture are the first stage of a much larger war.
From the age of 12, George Lakey has boldly faced the uneasy.
“In my heart of hearts, I’m a rebel . . . I’m healthiest, most creative and productive when I’m in touch with my rebel self.”
Our film will move back and forth in time, highlighting specific events of George’s activist life – including building the movement against the Vietnam war, LGBTQ actions, Peace Brigades in Sri Lanka and the more recent Earth Quaker Action Team’s campaign against PNC bank for financing mountaintop removal coal mining. These events/actions will reveal the universal truths of his message and show how we can apply learnings from the past to the actions today, despite our current polarized society.
The Art of Aviation is a documentary series that highlights the lives and work of aviation artists.Throughout history, wartime artists have been deployed to capture conflicts and given permission to share through their own eyes, the stories of some of the most critical moments in recorded history. They created a window into the lives of soldiers fighting while stationed all over the world. Our goal is to share some of these artists’ stories and to shed light on this field before these first-hand accounts are lost forever. Other episodes in the series will focus on US military art programs, contemporary aviation artists as well as art related to NASA and space travel.Our first episode will take a deep dive into the life and work of Gil Cohen, one of the most influential aviation artists of all time. Gil was a recent art school graduate when he was drafted into the Army and during that time, worked as an artist in military intelligence during the Cold War. After his military service he went on to pursue a successful career as an illustrator and teacher. But it was his love of history, specifically World War II and his fascination with the Mighty Eighth Air Force division that changed his trajectory forever. With a career spanning over six decades, his skill for creating paintings that depict deeply emotional moments in history sets his work apart from other artists.
Description: Face First begins a few days before Christmas when Hanna gets dumped by her boyfriend of nine years after she cheats on him. She then learns that her parents are going to Bermuda without her and leaving her to spend the holidays with her estranged Aunt Hilda, who recently reached back out to Hanna’s mom for reasons unknown. Meanwhile, Hanna’s childhood best friend, Billie, has been texting Hanna in an attempt to reconnect over winter break. But Hanna doesn’t respond, too caught up in her own world.
Hanna’s mother and Aunt Hilda haven’t spoken in years, so it’s no surprise that Hanna rejects Aunt Hilda’s well-meaning attempts at getting to know each other—at first. Eventually, Hanna finds that the company of a near stranger is better than no company at all, and the two begin to somewhat get along. They go shopping at the mall and order Chinese food for Christmas Eve dinner… and Hanna’s ex-boyfriend, Ben, is both the mall cashier and Chinese food delivery driver.
After these ridiculous yet heartbreaking run-ins, Hanna and Hilda get wine drunk together. But in their drunkenness, a disconcerting secret is unveiled—Aunt Hilda doesn’t have a job. Instead, she lives off the money of Hanna’s mom and their deceased parents. A heated argument ensues, and the next morning, Hanna storms off to Billie’s house after finally responding to her texts.
Hanna is welcomed with open arms by Billie’s chaotic family… until Christmas dinner turns into a full-family fight about Hanna’s neglect of her friendship with Billie. Hanna takes the hint and leaves Billie’s, calling an Uber to go home… and I bet you can guess who the driver is. This is the third run-in with Ben in the last 24 hours—how many jobs does this guy have? Ben begs Hanna to talk, but he isn’t really sure about what—they’re both just not sure how to be alone. They share a sad kiss in the snow and say goodbye.
A few days later, it’s New Year’s Eve and Hilda tries unsuccessfully to return a baby crib still in its box, causing her to break down. Feeling dejected, she makes the next move with Hanna and checks up on her at her house. The two decide to ring in the new year together in a somewhat sad celebration on Aunt Hilda’s couch. Aunt Hilda reveals that, in the week since Christmas, she got a job and plans on beginning the journey to financial independence. Our story ends as Hanna and Aunt Hilda count down into the New Year together, each hoping for a fresh start.
Kelsey O’Keefe – Writer/Director/Star
Kelsey O’Keefe is an actor, writer, and filmmaker based in NYC. Face First will be her directorial debut. Kelsey is known for her role as supporting character Joan in the Slamdance award-winning feature film Alice-Heart. Most recently, she was the lead in another feature by the same team titled Buckets of Fun, which is currently in post-production. You might have also seen her in various short films, plays, or on TikTok and Instagram Reels where she writes and performs sketch comedy. Kelsey could not be more excited to bring this story to life, and she feels so grateful to do so with some of the most talented and supportive people ever.
Ken Sogabe – Lead Producer
Ken Sogabe is a Philadelphia-based filmmaker who has worked in the film industry since 2018. He specializes in production and gives his full dedication to seeing projects through to the end. Ken cares about producing films that he loves with people that he cares about.
Matt Connelly – Director of Photography
Matt Connelly is a Philly-based director of photography. His work has played at festivals including Slamdance, Brooklyn Film Festival, and Athens International Film and Video Festival. His visual philosophy is that of expression over perfection—creating a unique balance of style and emotion. He’s passionate about his work and loves taking on projects with equally passionate creatives.
This Isn’t Working follows early twenty-year-olds who are discovering their identities and how love and relationships play into who they are as people. Our main character, Jaden, is a lovesick puppy who hopes to find a partner because love will fix his life. However, as the series develops, he and his friends will come to realize that love isn’t something that magically fixes everything that is wrong with you and your life. Seeking a relationship or validation from people leads to further destruction, and an internalized self-loathing won’t be satiated by another person telling you that you have value.
Taking a cynical approach to the typical Rom-Com format, the main characters do a lot more chasing and failing, going through different dates and interactions, rather than immediately working out romantically with someone. The series takes inspiration from movies like Saltburn, 500 Days of Summer, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
After a routine prank pushes a customer over the edge, the employees of Video Shock Warehouse are forced to reckon with the stalled-out state of their lives as they navigate a fateful week of work, love and chaos in 2007 Bucks County, PA.
video store suicide is a “slacker epic,” a coming-of-age ensemble narrative told over the course of seven days and shot on 16mm. By shooting on location in Bucks County, production will be a community event, with local talent participating both in front of and behind the camera.
Visit our website for more information or donate today to join the VSW crew as they endeavor to keep the rental business alive, one dead-end day at a time.
Patrick Creadon, Director
Patrick is an award-winning filmmaker primarily known for his work in documentaries. He is one of only a handful of filmmakers to have multiple films ranked among the Top 100 highest-grossing documentaries of all time simultaneously. His first film, WORDPLAY, premiered at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival and became the second highest grossing documentary of that year. His second film, I.O.U.S.A., premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and was later named one of the Top 5 Documentaries of the Year by film critic Roger Ebert. Other works include the documentary features IF YOU BUILD IT (2013), the ESPN 30 for 30 film CATHOLICS VS. CONVICTS (2016), HESBURGH (2019), and THE LOYOLA PROJECT (2022).
Christine O’Malley, Executive Producer
Christine has produced or executive produced more than twenty feature-length documentary films. She has also worked in many different roles throughout the film industry serving on the Sundance Women in Film Committee, founded the nonprofit Story into Action with producer Neal Baer, and in 2014 was the director of AFI Docs, the documentary film festival run by the American Film Institute in Washington, D.C. Her work includes documentary features ALL WORK ALL PLAY (2015), JIM: THE JAMES FOLEY STORY (2016), Netflix’s TAYLOR SWIFT: MISS AMERICANA (2020) and PRETTY BABY: BROOKE SHIELDS (2023).
