Above The Line
Berkeley, California | Film Feature
Drama, LGBTQ
Above The Line is a marriage of drama and coming-of-age. It forces us to grow alongside our protagonist, Dakota, and the lessons she has to learn. Steeped with tender moments of the meaning of love, life, and art while jam-packed with witty dialogue.
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This campaign raised $3,950 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
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Above The Line is a marriage of drama and coming-of-age. It forces us to grow alongside our protagonist, Dakota, and the lessons she has to learn. Steeped with tender moments of the meaning of love, life, and art while jam-packed with witty dialogue.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
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Dakota, an aspiring female director, tries to apply to the LA New Artists Film Grant. Trapped in a meaningless AD position, she grapples with how to answer the application’s final prompt: What makes a good artist? Exhausted from the day, she heads to a bar, where she meets Evelyn, a fading actress, and the two bond over their shared frustration. With a drink in hand, they decide to create their own film together.
During the chaos of filming, the two enter a passionate, but obsessive relationship as Dakota struggles to bring the film to life. After an explosive argument, Dakota breaks down. She turns to less-than-ideal coping habits, and only after a heartfelt conversation between her sister does she finally have the courage to try again. Through genuine connection and new experiences, Dakota finally learns what it truly means to be an artist.
(Our Beautiful Cast!)
We all know the trope of the obsessed artist. Wanting to capture the whimsy of La La Land, mixed with the intensity of Queen's Gambit, and the underlying theme of growing up, as illustrated in LadyBird. Other similar projects include tick...tick...BOOM!, Black Swan and more!
Throughout the course of the story, we blend between the two worlds: Dakota’s film and the real world. Her film creates a glamorized, almost ‘fake’ perception, set against the harsh reality. She uses film as an escape and a shield, distancing herself from real life.
However, when we shift into ‘Act III’ or when she begins to let herself exist outside her work, we begin to bring back a sense of vibrancy and life.
Wondered what else we've worked on? Well, look no further!
Films shown: Half Past One (2026), OFFSIDES (2025), Given Vein (2025), Fortune's Fool (2024)
.jpg)
In order to obtain ANY funding, we have to at least raise 80% of our fundraising goal!
This project is built on the hard work and dedication of all those involved. But we need your help and support to bring this story to life. So here are some ways you can help!
- Pledge and donate to the Above The Line campaign - we appreciate any contribution, no matter how big or small, because ultimately this film is built through community.
- Follow us on Instagram @abovetheline.film
- Share! Even if you're unable to donate, please tell your friends, family, or anyone you know about this project!
Below is our budget allocation - so you know where your funds are going, and how you're supporting us!
What makes good art? As creatives, we’re always told we need to eat, sleep, and breathe our art. If we falter or waver in any way, we’re no longer dedicated. For so long, I believed this was the only way to create. Amidst a sea of overachieving college students, I would spend hours staying up late to finish writing, frequently saying no to seeing friends, and never taking time to slow down. The result? Constant cycles of burnout and the sinking fear that all of my art sucked.
Flash forward to 2026, and part of me still feels like I’ve yet to master the balance between life and art. But, the more I began to prioritize connecting with others and having hobbies outside of scriptwriting, the more fulfilled and, more importantly, happier I felt.
This film is a love letter to every artist who has ever felt not enough. An offering to the world of sapphic joy and sadness. It’s an homage to all the women in the world of film who create beautiful stories. We’ve been here, and we’re not going anywhere. To make great art, one has to live.
With all the love,
Matty (Director/Writer)
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Production Costs
Costs $700
We'll need to rent a camera, lighting, and sound equipment and can't make a film without it~ Help us bring this project to life!
Crafty Services and Catering for Cast & Crew
Costs $1,400
A well fed team can do anything! Keeping everyone nourished and taken care of is Top Priority! Any contributions would be amazing.
Costumes
Costs $300
We want to make everyone look as beautiful as possible
Art Department
Costs $350
Props, sets, all the things that make the film sparkle (literally)
Contingency
Costs $400
Any extra costs, last minute needs/accommodations etc
Travel Costs!
Costs $750
Gas is no joke y'all, help us remove one more barrier to getting the whole team together for our 6 days of shooting
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
DIRECTOR/WRITER
Matilda Macon (she/they) is an actress, writer, and director. She's created four short films: Fortune's Fool (2024), Given Vein (2024), OFFSIDES (2025), and Half Past One (2026). She's so unbelievably excited to work with such a phenomenal cast and crew. As a graduating senior from UC Berkeley with a Theatre major and Education minor, they can be found onstage or writing another film. About to move to L.A., she seeks to continue creating projects with amazing artists. Her goal is to create women- and queer-led stories that span genres from fantasy to sports rom-coms. She hopes that her films help others feel represented on and off screen and strives to bring more women into film. For all the dreamers.
PRODUCER
Friday Segura-Glavey (He/Him) is a choreographer, producer and script supervisor. Born in Los Angeles, Friday works in the Bay Area focused on supporting projects with depth and ambition. Friday specializes in finding creative solutions to problems that arise on set while also striving to make the experience a warm, accommodating space for everyone involved. He is excited to be apart of this production and looks forward to bringing this story to life.
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Kenzo Fukuda (he/him) is a Japanese-Chinese American filmmaker, journalist, and writer born and raised in San Francisco, CA. Having graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Studies, Fukuda is pursuing a career in the film production industry while continuing to write on sports and pop culture topics.
Fukuda has gained a variety of professional experience in both the production and journalism spheres, including internships at Bay Area-based production companies, beat writer jobs at local newspapers, and general on-set experience as everything from a production assistant to a director and producer.
Fukuda wants to create art that speaks to his own experiences as a third generation Asian American. His films explore love, grief, and family in the context of the Asian diaspora as well as identity and belonging.
CREATIVE CONSULTANT / DAKOTA
Sophia Partain (she/her) is a graduating senior at UC Berkeley, double-majoring in Theater and English. Recently, she made her film directorial debut (Half Past One), but has worked in a number of random jobs on a number of random projects. Although a theater kid at heart, she has had a blast working on films throughout her college experience! When she's not working on a project, you can find her playing D&D, watching Smosh Reads Reddit Stories, or watching her harmster (Glinda) run in her wheel. She’s excited to bring this project to life in whatever capacity she can!
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Joanna Castillo (she/her) is a writer, director and actress. Having made her directorial debut in her stage adaptation of The Scarlet Letter as a Theater major at UC Berkeley, Joanna discovered a love for working behind the scenes just as strong as her love for performing. With a background in theater, Joanna is excited to expand her horizons and work on a film for the first time. She is so grateful to be a part of such a moving and compelling story such as this one!
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Dakota, an aspiring female director, tries to apply to the LA New Artists Film Grant. Trapped in a meaningless AD position, she grapples with how to answer the application’s final prompt: What makes a good artist? Exhausted from the day, she heads to a bar, where she meets Evelyn, a fading actress, and the two bond over their shared frustration. With a drink in hand, they decide to create their own film together.
During the chaos of filming, the two enter a passionate, but obsessive relationship as Dakota struggles to bring the film to life. After an explosive argument, Dakota breaks down. She turns to less-than-ideal coping habits, and only after a heartfelt conversation between her sister does she finally have the courage to try again. Through genuine connection and new experiences, Dakota finally learns what it truly means to be an artist.
(Our Beautiful Cast!)
We all know the trope of the obsessed artist. Wanting to capture the whimsy of La La Land, mixed with the intensity of Queen's Gambit, and the underlying theme of growing up, as illustrated in LadyBird. Other similar projects include tick...tick...BOOM!, Black Swan and more!
Throughout the course of the story, we blend between the two worlds: Dakota’s film and the real world. Her film creates a glamorized, almost ‘fake’ perception, set against the harsh reality. She uses film as an escape and a shield, distancing herself from real life.
However, when we shift into ‘Act III’ or when she begins to let herself exist outside her work, we begin to bring back a sense of vibrancy and life.
Wondered what else we've worked on? Well, look no further!
Films shown: Half Past One (2026), OFFSIDES (2025), Given Vein (2025), Fortune's Fool (2024)
In order to obtain ANY funding, we have to at least raise 80% of our fundraising goal!
This project is built on the hard work and dedication of all those involved. But we need your help and support to bring this story to life. So here are some ways you can help!
- Pledge and donate to the Above The Line campaign - we appreciate any contribution, no matter how big or small, because ultimately this film is built through community.
- Follow us on Instagram @abovetheline.film
- Share! Even if you're unable to donate, please tell your friends, family, or anyone you know about this project!
Below is our budget allocation - so you know where your funds are going, and how you're supporting us!
What makes good art? As creatives, we’re always told we need to eat, sleep, and breathe our art. If we falter or waver in any way, we’re no longer dedicated. For so long, I believed this was the only way to create. Amidst a sea of overachieving college students, I would spend hours staying up late to finish writing, frequently saying no to seeing friends, and never taking time to slow down. The result? Constant cycles of burnout and the sinking fear that all of my art sucked.
Flash forward to 2026, and part of me still feels like I’ve yet to master the balance between life and art. But, the more I began to prioritize connecting with others and having hobbies outside of scriptwriting, the more fulfilled and, more importantly, happier I felt.
This film is a love letter to every artist who has ever felt not enough. An offering to the world of sapphic joy and sadness. It’s an homage to all the women in the world of film who create beautiful stories. We’ve been here, and we’re not going anywhere. To make great art, one has to live.
With all the love,
Matty (Director/Writer)
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Production Costs
Costs $700
We'll need to rent a camera, lighting, and sound equipment and can't make a film without it~ Help us bring this project to life!
Crafty Services and Catering for Cast & Crew
Costs $1,400
A well fed team can do anything! Keeping everyone nourished and taken care of is Top Priority! Any contributions would be amazing.
Costumes
Costs $300
We want to make everyone look as beautiful as possible
Art Department
Costs $350
Props, sets, all the things that make the film sparkle (literally)
Contingency
Costs $400
Any extra costs, last minute needs/accommodations etc
Travel Costs!
Costs $750
Gas is no joke y'all, help us remove one more barrier to getting the whole team together for our 6 days of shooting
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
DIRECTOR/WRITER
Matilda Macon (she/they) is an actress, writer, and director. She's created four short films: Fortune's Fool (2024), Given Vein (2024), OFFSIDES (2025), and Half Past One (2026). She's so unbelievably excited to work with such a phenomenal cast and crew. As a graduating senior from UC Berkeley with a Theatre major and Education minor, they can be found onstage or writing another film. About to move to L.A., she seeks to continue creating projects with amazing artists. Her goal is to create women- and queer-led stories that span genres from fantasy to sports rom-coms. She hopes that her films help others feel represented on and off screen and strives to bring more women into film. For all the dreamers.
PRODUCER
Friday Segura-Glavey (He/Him) is a choreographer, producer and script supervisor. Born in Los Angeles, Friday works in the Bay Area focused on supporting projects with depth and ambition. Friday specializes in finding creative solutions to problems that arise on set while also striving to make the experience a warm, accommodating space for everyone involved. He is excited to be apart of this production and looks forward to bringing this story to life.
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Kenzo Fukuda (he/him) is a Japanese-Chinese American filmmaker, journalist, and writer born and raised in San Francisco, CA. Having graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Studies, Fukuda is pursuing a career in the film production industry while continuing to write on sports and pop culture topics.
Fukuda has gained a variety of professional experience in both the production and journalism spheres, including internships at Bay Area-based production companies, beat writer jobs at local newspapers, and general on-set experience as everything from a production assistant to a director and producer.
Fukuda wants to create art that speaks to his own experiences as a third generation Asian American. His films explore love, grief, and family in the context of the Asian diaspora as well as identity and belonging.
CREATIVE CONSULTANT / DAKOTA
Sophia Partain (she/her) is a graduating senior at UC Berkeley, double-majoring in Theater and English. Recently, she made her film directorial debut (Half Past One), but has worked in a number of random jobs on a number of random projects. Although a theater kid at heart, she has had a blast working on films throughout her college experience! When she's not working on a project, you can find her playing D&D, watching Smosh Reads Reddit Stories, or watching her harmster (Glinda) run in her wheel. She’s excited to bring this project to life in whatever capacity she can!
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Joanna Castillo (she/her) is a writer, director and actress. Having made her directorial debut in her stage adaptation of The Scarlet Letter as a Theater major at UC Berkeley, Joanna discovered a love for working behind the scenes just as strong as her love for performing. With a background in theater, Joanna is excited to expand her horizons and work on a film for the first time. She is so grateful to be a part of such a moving and compelling story such as this one!