This short film is a glimpse inside the life of an incredible woman who fell head over heels for an assassin for the mob. If you're excited to see the story of the ladies behind the mobsters in your favorite crime dramas, consider contributing to our project!
This short film is a glimpse inside the life of an incredible woman who fell head over heels for an assassin for the mob. If you're excited to see the story of the ladies behind the mobsters in your favorite crime dramas, consider contributing to our project!
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Story
Mission Statement
Babygirl is our effort to elevate authentic, female driven narratives by portraying the true story of a strong, flawed, vivacious wife and mother while simultaneously supporting talented female filmmakers behind the camera.About The Project
STRETCH GOALS!
You have helped us raise $15,000 for production of Babygirl! This movie is happening and nothing can stand in our way!
Our fundraising journey is not over, we only have two days left on the campaign but we will continue to push to raise money for post production and distribution.
If we raise $2,000 more we can pay a composer, sound designer, editor & colorist.
If we raise $3,000 more we can cover festival submission fees & promotion ensuring Adele’s story will reach the largest possible audience. Help us keep the momentum until the very end!!
We meet Adele as she’s juggling two children and her potentially terminal husband. She prepares for the busy day—until, she catches her husband trying to skip out on his appointment for business.
Adele isn’t having it. Viewing their missions of equal importance— Isac trying to provide and Adele trying to keep him alive—it’s a standoff. Both knowing neither will win, Adele compromises, she’ll take care of his business and he’ll go to the doctor. Seems reasonable… until Isac hands her a gun. Surprisingly, Adele doesn’t flinch, but complains, “Where am I supposed to put that?”. They trade places, Isac takes the baby, Adele takes the gun.
Adele arrives at the diner, the pistol in her waistband like an ice cube down her back, she approaches two mob men, making her intention clear, they dismiss her. Awkwardly, she retreats, but stops— she’s had enough of arrogant wiseguys. She pivots on a heel, marches back, and shows them a new way of doing things... maybe she was made for this.
The theme of Babygirl is independence. Adele is a woman caught between times. The 1980s see female empowerment, yet Italian-American values were slower to change. On top of that there are certain expectations of Adele as a mob wife. Adele’s journey is about discovering her true power through enduring marriage to a mobster and raising kids in that dangerous world.
We will use colors from the 80s combined with patterns from classic mob films. Babygirl will offer a new female perspective to a familiar story. The visual juxtaposition between violence and children will reveal a life in conflict, posing the question: can a mother really belong in this mob space?
This short film is a collection of scenes from a feature script of the same title. The goal of this project is to serve as a springboard to tell Adele's full story. This short will be submitted to festivals to help us gain exposure and add to our bodies of work.
Babygirl is about a woman learning her true power. Although the circumstances may be unconventional, Adele has a transformation from a woman dependent on her husband, to a confident powerhouse with nothing in her way. This story is about empowering women by presenting an authentically flawed person who overcomes her fears by stepping beyond her role in society.
We are also making every effort to empower women and diverse voices behind the camera. Our team is women-led and we are hiring from a pool of extremely talented, diverse individuals who will make this movie possible.
We are a ragtag bunch of independent filmmakers who are used to making a dollar stretch as far as it can. Your contributions, no matter how big, are going toward making this project as good as it possibly can be!
In order to keep everyone safe, we have pushed our shoot days to April in hopes the situation in NY will improve. On set, proper PPE will be provided. Testing will be required for anyone working on set. All pre-production meetings and casting sessions are being held virtually. Our top priority is the safety and well-being of all involved.
* Following our campaign here to help us gain support from Seed and Spark!
* Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay updated on our journey!
* Share our campaign and social pages to help us reach a wider audience and get this project made!
Thank you for reading!
Video Shot and Edited by Adam Petsos
Music Composed by Otha Derek Hernandez Pena
Incentives
$5
New Friends!
- We will follow your Instagram and shout out your page on the @filmbabygirl page!
- Make sure to send us your handle!
$10
Grazie!
We'll remember this! Thank you so much!
- We'll send you a personalized digital postcard!
$25
Snapshot!
- We'll send you a one-of-a-kind polaroid from the set!
- A personalized digital postcard!
$50
We've got a Big Mouth!
- A social media shout out!
- A digital download of a recipe from the Babygirl Cookbook!
$100
We Owe You One!
- Screen credit "Special Thanks"
- Social media shoutout!
- Access to our BTS video with a personalized message from Leah, the writer/director!
$250
First Taste!
- Exclusive first look at the film and BTS
- Social media shoutout!
- Screen credit "Special Thanks"
- Digital Download of The Babygirl Cookbook! Yum!
- A Babygirl keepsake sticker!
$500
Our (Virtual) Paper Trail!
- A digital download of the film!
- Digital Download of our Production booklet complete with script drafts, director + producer notes, and BTS media!
- Digital Download of The Babygirl Cookbook! Yum!
$1,000
You're "In the Family"
- On-screen "Associate Producer" credit!
- IMDB Credit!
- Social media shoutout!
- Exclusive first look at the film + BTS!
- A downloadable copy of the film!
- Digital Download of the Babygirl Cookbook
- Digital Download of the Production book with scripts, photos + notes!
- Zoom call with Director + Producer to chat through the filmmaking process!
$3,000
The Godfather (or Mother)
- On-screen "Executive Producer" credit!
- IMDB Credit
- Social media shoutout!
- Exclusive first look at the film + BTS Exclusives!
- Production booklet with script, photos + notes!
- Digital Download of The Babygirl Cookbook! Yum!
- Digital download of the film!
- Invite on set during production!
- Signed Poster!
- Zoom call with Director + Producer to chat through the filmmaking process!
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$5
New Friends!
- We will follow your Instagram and shout out your page on the @filmbabygirl page!
- Make sure to send us your handle!
$10
Grazie!
We'll remember this! Thank you so much!
- We'll send you a personalized digital postcard!
$25
Snapshot!
- We'll send you a one-of-a-kind polaroid from the set!
- A personalized digital postcard!
$50
We've got a Big Mouth!
- A social media shout out!
- A digital download of a recipe from the Babygirl Cookbook!
$100
We Owe You One!
- Screen credit "Special Thanks"
- Social media shoutout!
- Access to our BTS video with a personalized message from Leah, the writer/director!
$250
First Taste!
- Exclusive first look at the film and BTS
- Social media shoutout!
- Screen credit "Special Thanks"
- Digital Download of The Babygirl Cookbook! Yum!
- A Babygirl keepsake sticker!
$500
Our (Virtual) Paper Trail!
- A digital download of the film!
- Digital Download of our Production booklet complete with script drafts, director + producer notes, and BTS media!
- Digital Download of The Babygirl Cookbook! Yum!
$1,000
You're "In the Family"
- On-screen "Associate Producer" credit!
- IMDB Credit!
- Social media shoutout!
- Exclusive first look at the film + BTS!
- A downloadable copy of the film!
- Digital Download of the Babygirl Cookbook
- Digital Download of the Production book with scripts, photos + notes!
- Zoom call with Director + Producer to chat through the filmmaking process!
$3,000
The Godfather (or Mother)
- On-screen "Executive Producer" credit!
- IMDB Credit
- Social media shoutout!
- Exclusive first look at the film + BTS Exclusives!
- Production booklet with script, photos + notes!
- Digital Download of The Babygirl Cookbook! Yum!
- Digital download of the film!
- Invite on set during production!
- Signed Poster!
- Zoom call with Director + Producer to chat through the filmmaking process!
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
We are a women led team focused on inclusivity and elevating authentic female stories.
Leah Claire Borrie — Writer/ Director
Leah Claire Borrie is a bicoastal Writer and Director. She attended the University of Southern California and received a BFA in Film Production at the School of Cinematic Arts. Leah prioritizes stories that elevate the depiction of women in front of and behind the camera, often focusing on stories that depict motherhood, daughterhood and their challenges. Babygirl has been her dream for many years and she can't wait to bring it to life!
Jillian Leslie — Producer
Jillian has produced various independent short films, music videos and recently co-executive produced her first feature film. Working as a freelance producer, she has found her life’s dream in facilitating the creation of authentic stories.
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