Aloha Means I Love You
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Comedy, Shorts Program
There's no greater treasure than having a BFF (and by that, I mean Best Female Friend). She's seen you at your worst and brings out your best. That's Clara and Bertie, friends for nearly 70 years. But when Clara wants to add a new man into the mix, Bertie's devotion to her friend is tested.
Aloha Means I Love You
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Comedy, Shorts Program
Green Light
This campaign raised $9,515 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
48 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
There's no greater treasure than having a BFF (and by that, I mean Best Female Friend). She's seen you at your worst and brings out your best. That's Clara and Bertie, friends for nearly 70 years. But when Clara wants to add a new man into the mix, Bertie's devotion to her friend is tested.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Seventy-five year old CLARA thinks a Hawaiian-themed blind date will be the perfect way for her and roommate Bertie to find new husbands. BERTIE, on the other hand, thinks it's the worst idea in the history of bad ideas. What's wrong with eating Ben and Jerry's right out of the carton and watching Wheel of Fortune like they usually do? But just before their dates arrive, both have a change of heart.
WHY THIS STORY?
We're excited to bring you this story. Why? Here are two reasons!
1) Bertie and Clara are like so many women in their 70s and 80s. They are brimming with wisdom about a world that has evolved before their very eyes, yet they are dismissed by most. The story doesn't make fun of them or make them the fools, or the target of jokes. It's about two vibrant older woman, living their best lives in all their well-earned, wrinkled glory. A little side note: during auditions many of the actors who read for the roles expressed gratitude to have material that portrayed them as fully-fledged humans with goals and dreams. It was bittersweet to be reminded about just how rare this is!
2) The world needs a bit more joy and connection right now. Yeah, this little film won't change the world, but we're hoping it makes YOU smile and do something kind for a friend in the spirit of love. One connection at a time, we CAN make a difference. It's a drop in our bucket of optimism. Join us?
WHY NOW?
Glad you asked! Hollywood is actually losing ground when it comes to representing women (especially older women) in leading roles. Of the 100 top grossing movies in 2023, only three featured women over 45 in a leading role (compared to 32 for men over 45). ZERO of those movies featured leading women 60+. While men can jump out of planes into their 80s (I see you, Harrison Ford), serve up some vigilante justice at 69 (thank you for your service, Denzel Washington) or discover their humanity at 67 (keep on keeping on, Tom Hanks), older women are rarely on screen—unless they are the butt of the joke or the doddering fool. It’s past time to center stories on these beautiful, wise humans. So, if you are a woman, you like women or you were born from the loins of a woman, it’s your time to support!
WHY ME?
Our writer and director Katy Dore is…well…one of those active, creative, vibrant older women. According to Katy, “There’s both a serenity and an urgency to aging. You’re no longer caught up in how the world looks at you and you’re not going to wait around for opportunities—you create them yourself.”
And you're a part of it, too! Whether you're a fan of short films, a fellow filmmaker, a supporter of the arts, or a friend or relative of the team: we appreciate you!
THE PLAN
Aloha Means I Love You will be submitted to Film Festivals throughout the festival season of 2025. Katy Dore’s last short film, “Odd Bird” was screened in 62 festivals and won numerous awards including, Best Short Film, Best Director, People’s Choice Award, Best LGBTQ+ Film and numerous awards for our actors.
When our festival run is complete, Aloha Means I Love You will live on forever on Vimeo and YouTube. But, as a supporter, you will receive the link and password to the film before it’s released to the public. It’s a special perk for all the beautiful people who help us tell this story.
THE GOALS
We hope to raise $8,500 to help us get the movie shot, but the post-production and festival submissions will bring our estimated budget to our stretch goal of $14,338.
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT
We deeply appreciate donations in any amount, but for those who can't support us financially, here are some other ways to support:
1) Follow this project! Following the page helps us too.
2) Follow and share our socials and website! (Instagram @aloha.movie Facebook @aloha.movie Website www.alohameansiloveyou.com)
3) Share this page! Spread the word among family, friends and supporters of the arts. Copy the link to our project and post it online or email it to friends.
This campaign is about more than financial support for "Aloha Means I Love You." If you've read this far, you're already being supportive and we appreciate you. From the teachers who encouraged us to create, to the friends and strangers who laughed at our jokes and gave us a shoulder to cry on along the way; you keep us pushing forward.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Food For the Shoot
Costs $596
Have you ever met a hungry actor? An underfed camera person? A peckish boom operator? It's not pretty.
Costumes
Costs $250
Our exceptional costume designer is creating fabulous looks for Bertie and Clara. Color palettes, fabric, seamstresses and accessories.
Production Team
Costs $5,764
It takes a village to make a little movie. And the villagers need to get paid.
Insurance
Costs $1,890
Argh. A necessary evil.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
What a team we have!
Photo: Katy Dore, Director, (foreground) and Nolan Englund, Director of Photography, (behind camera).
Writer/Director: Katy Dore
Katy has created a niche for herself in Hollywood as a screenwriter (The Unsung, Piper, People Power), Director (The Gift of Fear, Odd Bird), and actor (Like Dogs, College Humor, Masters of Sex). Katy's last short film, “Odd Bird” screened in 62 festivals and won numerous awards including, Best Short Film, Best Director, People’s Choice Award, Best LGBTQ+ Film and numerous acting awards. A feature film she directed, "Gift of Fear" has been screened worldwide through 50 film festivals and won many awards including Best Director. She is a mentor to young writers and for the Stanford University Alumni mentoring network for current students and recent grads. https://www.katydore.com/
Director of Photography: Nolan Englund
Nolan is an LA-based DoP known for shooting stylish narrative and commercial content. A lover of music, Nolan brings his intuition for rhythm to each project he works on, experimenting with new and exciting ways to move the camera. He is a graduate of Chapman University and mentors current students at Chapman. https://www.nolanenglund.com/bio
Sound Mixer: Rebecca Burgess
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8551077/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Costume Designer: Dee Graham
Dee Graham is a Costume Designer, Manager, and custom builder of costumes for Film, Television, Theatre, Ballet, and Opera. She was the Resident Designer and Shop Manager for Kinkaid in Houston, TX for 8 seasons. Her work can be seen on the stages of The Houston Ballet, Houston Grand Opera, SIX The Musical, Theatre Aspen, Lakewood Church, and many more. www.deegraham.com
First AD: Mia Mollicone
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3643090/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Script Supervisor: Marina Libel
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7332563/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_q_Marina%2520Libel
Editor: Eileen de Klerk
Eileen de Klerk is an award winning South African editor, currently working in Los Angeles. She has always had a strong passion for story telling, which is what led her into the world of film editing. Her powerful and creative story telling ability is highlighted through poignant South African documentaries that she edited - 'Mr Table Tennis', 'A Chance to Return' and the controversial 'Project Spear' - banned by the South African government. Her editing experience ranges through both TV and feature films and some of her career highlights include The Lincoln Lawyer, The Rookie: Feds, Resident Evil, Designated Survivor, Mowgli, and Stigma - which won best editing at the ZAFAA festival in London. She is currently editing on a show for Netflix and it will come as no surprise that her highest monthly expense is to fund her coffee habit!
Music Editor, Re-recording Mixer: Reanne de Klerk
Reanne de Klerk is a South African multi-instrumentalist and music editor, currently living and working in Los Angeles. As a successful musician and I.T. professional, she has toured nationally and internationally and very naturally moved across into sound and music for film and TV. Reanne has worked on a variety of feature films, TV shows and short films across all genres, she has a strong passion for building soundscapes and creating unique soundtracks to support and influence story. In addition to her current work, she is working on a solo performance album.
Music Arranged and Performed by: Darrell Aquino
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4IKqjQWsSP3QalXmgWNw5N
Composed by: Puakea Nogelmeier
And…Our Stars!
Ellen Gerstein as "Bertie" & Madonna Young Magee as "Clara"
You're going to fall in love with these two the same way our casting team did.
Ellen: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0314910/
Madonna: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0949847/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Seventy-five year old CLARA thinks a Hawaiian-themed blind date will be the perfect way for her and roommate Bertie to find new husbands. BERTIE, on the other hand, thinks it's the worst idea in the history of bad ideas. What's wrong with eating Ben and Jerry's right out of the carton and watching Wheel of Fortune like they usually do? But just before their dates arrive, both have a change of heart.
WHY THIS STORY?
We're excited to bring you this story. Why? Here are two reasons!
1) Bertie and Clara are like so many women in their 70s and 80s. They are brimming with wisdom about a world that has evolved before their very eyes, yet they are dismissed by most. The story doesn't make fun of them or make them the fools, or the target of jokes. It's about two vibrant older woman, living their best lives in all their well-earned, wrinkled glory. A little side note: during auditions many of the actors who read for the roles expressed gratitude to have material that portrayed them as fully-fledged humans with goals and dreams. It was bittersweet to be reminded about just how rare this is!
2) The world needs a bit more joy and connection right now. Yeah, this little film won't change the world, but we're hoping it makes YOU smile and do something kind for a friend in the spirit of love. One connection at a time, we CAN make a difference. It's a drop in our bucket of optimism. Join us?
WHY NOW?
Glad you asked! Hollywood is actually losing ground when it comes to representing women (especially older women) in leading roles. Of the 100 top grossing movies in 2023, only three featured women over 45 in a leading role (compared to 32 for men over 45). ZERO of those movies featured leading women 60+. While men can jump out of planes into their 80s (I see you, Harrison Ford), serve up some vigilante justice at 69 (thank you for your service, Denzel Washington) or discover their humanity at 67 (keep on keeping on, Tom Hanks), older women are rarely on screen—unless they are the butt of the joke or the doddering fool. It’s past time to center stories on these beautiful, wise humans. So, if you are a woman, you like women or you were born from the loins of a woman, it’s your time to support!
WHY ME?
Our writer and director Katy Dore is…well…one of those active, creative, vibrant older women. According to Katy, “There’s both a serenity and an urgency to aging. You’re no longer caught up in how the world looks at you and you’re not going to wait around for opportunities—you create them yourself.”
And you're a part of it, too! Whether you're a fan of short films, a fellow filmmaker, a supporter of the arts, or a friend or relative of the team: we appreciate you!
THE PLAN
Aloha Means I Love You will be submitted to Film Festivals throughout the festival season of 2025. Katy Dore’s last short film, “Odd Bird” was screened in 62 festivals and won numerous awards including, Best Short Film, Best Director, People’s Choice Award, Best LGBTQ+ Film and numerous awards for our actors.
When our festival run is complete, Aloha Means I Love You will live on forever on Vimeo and YouTube. But, as a supporter, you will receive the link and password to the film before it’s released to the public. It’s a special perk for all the beautiful people who help us tell this story.
THE GOALS
We hope to raise $8,500 to help us get the movie shot, but the post-production and festival submissions will bring our estimated budget to our stretch goal of $14,338.
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT
We deeply appreciate donations in any amount, but for those who can't support us financially, here are some other ways to support:
1) Follow this project! Following the page helps us too.
2) Follow and share our socials and website! (Instagram @aloha.movie Facebook @aloha.movie Website www.alohameansiloveyou.com)
3) Share this page! Spread the word among family, friends and supporters of the arts. Copy the link to our project and post it online or email it to friends.
This campaign is about more than financial support for "Aloha Means I Love You." If you've read this far, you're already being supportive and we appreciate you. From the teachers who encouraged us to create, to the friends and strangers who laughed at our jokes and gave us a shoulder to cry on along the way; you keep us pushing forward.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Food For the Shoot
Costs $596
Have you ever met a hungry actor? An underfed camera person? A peckish boom operator? It's not pretty.
Costumes
Costs $250
Our exceptional costume designer is creating fabulous looks for Bertie and Clara. Color palettes, fabric, seamstresses and accessories.
Production Team
Costs $5,764
It takes a village to make a little movie. And the villagers need to get paid.
Insurance
Costs $1,890
Argh. A necessary evil.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
What a team we have!
Photo: Katy Dore, Director, (foreground) and Nolan Englund, Director of Photography, (behind camera).
Writer/Director: Katy Dore
Katy has created a niche for herself in Hollywood as a screenwriter (The Unsung, Piper, People Power), Director (The Gift of Fear, Odd Bird), and actor (Like Dogs, College Humor, Masters of Sex). Katy's last short film, “Odd Bird” screened in 62 festivals and won numerous awards including, Best Short Film, Best Director, People’s Choice Award, Best LGBTQ+ Film and numerous acting awards. A feature film she directed, "Gift of Fear" has been screened worldwide through 50 film festivals and won many awards including Best Director. She is a mentor to young writers and for the Stanford University Alumni mentoring network for current students and recent grads. https://www.katydore.com/
Director of Photography: Nolan Englund
Nolan is an LA-based DoP known for shooting stylish narrative and commercial content. A lover of music, Nolan brings his intuition for rhythm to each project he works on, experimenting with new and exciting ways to move the camera. He is a graduate of Chapman University and mentors current students at Chapman. https://www.nolanenglund.com/bio
Sound Mixer: Rebecca Burgess
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8551077/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Costume Designer: Dee Graham
Dee Graham is a Costume Designer, Manager, and custom builder of costumes for Film, Television, Theatre, Ballet, and Opera. She was the Resident Designer and Shop Manager for Kinkaid in Houston, TX for 8 seasons. Her work can be seen on the stages of The Houston Ballet, Houston Grand Opera, SIX The Musical, Theatre Aspen, Lakewood Church, and many more. www.deegraham.com
First AD: Mia Mollicone
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3643090/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Script Supervisor: Marina Libel
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7332563/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_q_Marina%2520Libel
Editor: Eileen de Klerk
Eileen de Klerk is an award winning South African editor, currently working in Los Angeles. She has always had a strong passion for story telling, which is what led her into the world of film editing. Her powerful and creative story telling ability is highlighted through poignant South African documentaries that she edited - 'Mr Table Tennis', 'A Chance to Return' and the controversial 'Project Spear' - banned by the South African government. Her editing experience ranges through both TV and feature films and some of her career highlights include The Lincoln Lawyer, The Rookie: Feds, Resident Evil, Designated Survivor, Mowgli, and Stigma - which won best editing at the ZAFAA festival in London. She is currently editing on a show for Netflix and it will come as no surprise that her highest monthly expense is to fund her coffee habit!
Music Editor, Re-recording Mixer: Reanne de Klerk
Reanne de Klerk is a South African multi-instrumentalist and music editor, currently living and working in Los Angeles. As a successful musician and I.T. professional, she has toured nationally and internationally and very naturally moved across into sound and music for film and TV. Reanne has worked on a variety of feature films, TV shows and short films across all genres, she has a strong passion for building soundscapes and creating unique soundtracks to support and influence story. In addition to her current work, she is working on a solo performance album.
Music Arranged and Performed by: Darrell Aquino
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4IKqjQWsSP3QalXmgWNw5N
Composed by: Puakea Nogelmeier
And…Our Stars!
Ellen Gerstein as "Bertie" & Madonna Young Magee as "Clara"
You're going to fall in love with these two the same way our casting team did.
Ellen: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0314910/
Madonna: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0949847/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1