Algún Día

Los Angeles, California | Film Short

Drama

Green Light

This campaign raised $12,442 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.

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Based on a night in the director’s life, Algún Día follows an inseparable mother-daughter duo who’s faced housing insecurity for years after immigrating from México. Forced to pack their entire life into their car on Christmas Eve, this pivotal day tests their bond and commitment to their dreams.

About The Project

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  • Wishlist
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Mission Statement

A story about perseverance, Algún Día honors the people who become our home, the dreams we share, and the mundane moments that are perfectly imperfect.

The Story


Born and raised in Guadalajara, Jalisco in México, I was only 7 when my mom and I first moved to the United States with nothing but a suitcase. We faced housing instability for years, living with anyone who would take us in. Through attending eight different schools and adapting to twelve distinct households, the only constant in my life was my mom.


At one point, she had to juggle three jobs to support us. At another, she couldn't have a job because I was being homeschooled and we were staying somewhere without internet. So, she had to stay with me at the library every day just so that I could finish middle school. This film is inspired by the first night that made me realize this wasn't what every other kid at school was experiencing.


Four years ago, I was accepted to Yale University on a full-ride scholarship. Now a senior at Yale pursuing a B.A. in Film (a sentence I never thought I'd say), I want this short to honor the love, sacrifice, and resilience that allowed us to reach a future we never could've dreamed of.


- Anna




This bilingual drama follows Ale, a young girl obsessed with astrophysics, and Rosa, an ever-optimistic single mother who'd do anything to protect her only daughter. Told from Ale's kid-like perspective, the film starts with her appearing to enjoy her household's holiday traditions. Sipping hot cocoa. Watching TV. An over-adorned Christmas tree in the corner. An argument between grown-ups suddenly transforms Ale's bliss into uncertainty.



After packing their entire life into the trunk of their car, Rosa and Ale set off to seek refuge. Their dynamic illustrates the beauty of a mother-daughter relationship that lacks hierarchy. Throughout the drive, Ale clings to Stephen Hawking's book "A Brief History of Time" as her personal safe haven. Despite fighting to stay hopeful, hours of driving and being repeatedly turned away begin to divide the two best friends.



Broken down. Exhausted. They're forced to confront years of pent up wounds as their fate becomes less and less certain.




Algún Día means Someday. It refers to the countless conversations between our writer/director Anna and her mom about someday owning their own home. Someday achieving their dreams. It's a promise to the people you wish you could give the world to that someday you will.


While this film is based on Anna and Rocío's life, it’s also the story of millions of immigrants and housing-insecure Americans. The film is intended to provide insight into the isolating experience of drifting, of never having a place to belong.


We also want to emphasize the great potential in first-generation, low-income minorities that is constantly at risk of being lost to the socioeconomic barriers we face. Anna fell in love with astrophysics when she was twelve and is excited to incorporate her (side) passion into this film. Growing up without many Latinx public figures in astrophysics, we want Latinx girls to see themselves represented in this film. 


We want to bring this story to the world to foster empathy and show people in similar situations that they can make it. Alongside its festival circuit, we hope this film will even reach classrooms so as many people as possible are inspired to keep fighting for the future they dream of.




Its visual progression will parallel the story's emotional arc: starting more energetic, bright, and optimistic then advancing towards more isolating, dark, and blue. 




Long takes will be used to allow characters to live in moments without interruption. Emotionally-driven composition and space will emphasize connection and disconnect. Closeups will be prioritized to capture every emotion.




We're shooting Algún Día this January 4 - 8 in Los Angeles.


Below is a budget breakdown of where exactly our budget will be going. All the pledges we receive from this campaign will go directly towards production of the film from pre to post production. Our costs include locking down locations, getting permits to shoot, securing equipment for camera and sound, hard drives and SD cards, providing food to our cast and crew, props, set decor and costumes, composing a score, paying to submit our finished film to festivals -- and so much more. There is a lot that goes into the labor of love that is a short film, but we hope that this chart helps break it down!



We're excited to be partnering with the non-profit Operation Street Kidz. Operation Street Kidz is a philanthropic organization dedicated to engineering success among kids, especially in inner cities of the United States. They have a film program that encourages children to write and get involved with filmmaking from an early age, teaching them the skills they need to be artists and productive members of set! Our team's partnership with Operation Street Kidz will allow youth from their film program to shadow our team and learn about our set, and we are so excited to welcome our mentees!!


Through our partnership with Operation Street Kidz, pledges made to our project will also be tax deductible! If this is of interest to you, please reach out to our production team [email protected] for more information!




Your monetary contributions to this page will directly go towards the costs of creating this short film, from crafty/catering to equipment, we need your support to make this happen!


Seed & Spark requires that we raise at least 80% of our goal to receive fundingif we do not reach this in 30 days, we won't receive any funds at all: (


If you can not contribute to our project monetarily, our team would greatly appreciate you spreading the word! Share our socials (@algundiafilm) to your story, send our Seed & Spark profile to family and friends, or tell your mom about this film you're excited about! Anything helps, and we thank you for your time!


¡GRACIAS POR TU APOYO!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Wishlist

Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.

Cash Pledge

Costs $0

Post-Production Costs

Costs $2,500

This item includes costs associated with astrophysics VFX, post sound (score, mixing), post picture (coloring), and film festival fees!

Camera & Sound Rentals

Costs $5,000

To ensure that our camera and sound teams have everything they need to make our film look and sound crystal clear!

Location Rentals

Costs $2,000

This cost includes paying for our gas station, motel, and room locations as well as permits for filming in public locations.

Meals

Costs $3,000

We want to make sure our cast and crew are well fed for our five scheduled days of shooting! Think—multiple meals a day, snacks, water.

Transportation

Costs $500

With multiple location changes and us shooting in a car, transportation (of both cast/crew and equipment) is essential.

Production Design

Costs $2,000

We need props and wardrobes that will allow each space to come to life (i.e. Stephen Hawking book, set dressing motel, Christmas pieces).

About This Team

Meet our amazing production team below!


ANNA REYNOSO (she/her)

Writer/Director/Producer

I accidentally got into filmmaking in 2019 when I started making YouTube videos. I taught myself everything possible—how to use a camera, how to edit in Premiere. Nothing had ever made me happier. I realized I'd been raised by TV & movies (discount Tuesdays at the theater with my mom were religiously observed). It all clicked. Two summers ago, I studied filmmaking abroad at the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (FAMU). This past summer, I also became an editing intern for the Television Academy Foundation.

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GEETHIKA KATARU (she/her)

Producer

My passion for film started when I was a kid watching Bollywood and Telugu movies with my family. I loved analyzing them as we watched, often out loud and often to the annoyance of everyone else in the room. I started writing, directing, and producing my own work in my sophomore year of college. While on set, I felt like I had found my purpose. I have not looked back since. I also am an administrative assistant for Women in Animation, and I’m passionate about representation in the entertainment industry. Other than making and watching films, I love thrifting, cooking and baking, and reading (currently reading All About Love by Bell Hooks)!

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ALEXIA BUCHHOLZ (she/her)

Producer

I’m a history major from San Diego, but I have always loved film and television. On campus, I’m involved with the Yale Record (the campus humor magazine) and the Yale Political Union! I always loved watching TV/movies. In my freshman year of college, I realized that talking about television was a great way to break the ice with new people and forge meaningful connections. Since then, I’ve decided to devote myself to creating/producing such a meaningful form of art. 



MATEO NIKOLAV (he/him)

Executive Producer

I grabbed my first camera at 13 and never let go. I've been working on film sets and commercials of all sizes since I moved to Los Angeles. A big turning point was forming my own production company, only to become a TV Academy Foundation Fellow and be granted a full-ride to UCLA's School of Film, Theater and Television later on.

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MARC BERTONI (he/they)

Associate Producer

I've always been obsessed with film, and after directing a short and producing two other films, I wanted to continue the streak of working with creative directors to tell new stories.



YINKA AKINLADE (she/her)

Associate Producer

I am a senior Film and Television Production major at Loyola Marymount University. Besides making movies, I love to drive around LA and find the best places to eat in the city. I have produced about 5 student short films in my time at LMU as well as being Assistant Director on 2 student short films. The turning point for me when I realized I wanted to be a producer was when I first started working at my school's student production office. Something about scheduling and budgeting really just clicked with my brain and I've been doing it ever since. 

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Working with our producers is a passion group of creatives ready to bring the vision to life!


CARMELITA SMITH

Director of Photography


HARSIMRAN SANDHU

First Assistant Director


CITLALLI HERNANDEZ

Production Designer


AZALIA ESCALERA

Art Director


NIKE ANIFOWOSHE

Social Media Manager


RACHELLE DURAN

PR and Social Media Manager


CASSIE SISSON

Costume Designer


FELIPE CARNEIRO

Gaffer


LES THOMPSON

First Assistant Camera


JAMES VALLEY

Grip & Electric


DORA PANG

Graphic Designer


ABNNER OLIVARES

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