BUNTIS?!
New York City, New York | Film Short
Comedy, LGBTQ
Imagine a world where two men could have a baby... Based on real-world science, BUNTIS?! pits a gay Filipino scientist and his plan for a two-father pregnancy against his devout Catholic mother’s traditionalism. Join us on this hilarious, epic, and heartwarming clash of science and faith!
BUNTIS?!
New York City, New York | Film Short
Comedy, LGBTQ
3 Campaigns | New York, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $3,840 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
16 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Imagine a world where two men could have a baby... Based on real-world science, BUNTIS?! pits a gay Filipino scientist and his plan for a two-father pregnancy against his devout Catholic mother’s traditionalism. Join us on this hilarious, epic, and heartwarming clash of science and faith!
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Imagine a world where two men can have a baby...
You better start praying because BUNTIS?! explores this very real possibility!
A gay Filipino scientist's groundbreaking two-father pregnancy leads to an earthshaking clash with his devout Catholic mother.
(Conrad Ricamora in How to Get Away With Murder S3; Yuen Qiu in Kung Fu Hustle)
BUNTIS?! (boon-TIS) is a comedy film that follows the antics of the Matanguihan family, a high-strung Filipino American family. The title comes from the Filipino word meaning "pregnancy," which is the main point of tension in this NYU-produced short film.
BUNTIS?! pits VIRGIL Matanguihan, a gay fertility scientist, against his religious mother, INA Matanguihan.
VIRGIL is hellbent on having a child with his husband AVI Mehta-Matanguihan. They combine their DNA through In-Vitro Gametogenesis (IVG). Virgil’s supportive sister, MICHELLE Matanguihan, acts as the child’s surrogate mother
Virgil’s plan unnerves Ina. She struggles to reconcile her traditional Catholic beliefs surrounding family with Virgil’s unorthodox approach to starting a family. This tension comes to a head when Ina insists Virgil baptize his child.
Ina and Virgil must set aside their differences and find shared value in the miracle of childbirth and the enduring essence of family.
(Mother)
 UPDATED 2.jpg)
BUNTIS?! is based on research surrounding In-Vitro Gametogenesis (IVG). This reproductive technology transforms somatic skin cells into viable sex gametes such as ovum or spermatozoa stem cell reprogramming.
In essence, IVG allows same-sex parents, like Avi and Virgil, to conceive a child that is biologically their own. We are actively consulting with fertility scientists to ensure that we portray IVG as accurately as possible.
 UPDATED 2.jpg)
My name is Jack Lacy and I am the director of BUNTIS?!
This is a deeply personal film. Virgil’s story is based on my experiences as a gay, mixed-race Filipino American. Growing up in Richmond, Virginia, I faced heteronormative pressure everywhere. I was taught that family was strictly between a man and a woman and that marriage consummated this bond. It was difficult to imagine myself ever being a father.
With the advent of IVG, I can see a possible future where someone like me can be a father.
 UPDATED 2.jpg)
BUNTIS?! is an ambitious project with an important story to tell.
With recent successes in animal trials, IVG is on the brink of revolutionizing how we think about family. BUNTIS?! will highlight this exciting innovation and give hope to Queer people like myself, looking to start a family.
But we need your help!
To make BUNTIS?! a reality, we must raise $4,800. This amount will cover our basic production costs including locations, transportation, and feeding our cast and crew.
We understand this is a big goal. Your support, no matter how small, will make a tremendous difference. If any part of BUNTIS?! resonates with you, we ask that you consider following our campaign, sharing it with friends and family, and pledging to receive some of our exciting perks.
The success of this campaign will ensure that BUNTIS?! gets produced. Funds above our goal will be distributed through the following stretch goals:
- At $15,000 - We will hire a professional colorist and sound designer and submit to more exclusive film festivals.
- At $25,000 - We will secure additional filming locations and invest more in production design and camera rental equipment.
- At $35,000 - We will hire a professional publicist, license popular music, and submit to even more festivals.
 UPDATED 2.jpg)
We are thrilled to partner with San Diego Filipino Cinema (SDFC) as our fiscal sponsor!
As part of this partnership, those who pledge to BUNTIS?! may benefit from tax deductions. If you are interested in learning more about these benefits, please find more information below:
San Diego Filipino Cinema serves as our project's Fiscal Sponsor (EIN 82-5338671). Donations to this project can receive tax deductions as applicable by law. For questions about this, please email SDFC directly at [email protected] with the subject line "BUNTIS."
 UPDATED 2.jpg)
(Handmaid's Tale)
- Project Development: March 2024 – June 2024 —> The BUNTIS?! script is drafted, a fundraising strategy is developed, and key crew positions are filled.
- Pre-Production: June 2024 – September 2024 —> The script is finalized, casting is completed, crew positions are filled, locations are confirmed, and our Seed&Spark campaign is launched.
- Production: October 17th, 2024 – October 22nd, 2024 —> BUNTIS?! is filmed in the NYC-area and finally turned into a reality!
- Post-Production: October 2024 – March 2025 —> The project is cut, color/sound editing is completed, and preparations for film festival distribution are underway.
- Release/Distribution: March 2025 —> BUNTIS?! is screened for cast, crew, and supporters and is submitted to film festivals (goal of premiering at Tribeca Film Festival 2025).
 UPDATED 2.jpg)
1) Pledge!
Donate what you can and help bring BUNTIS?! to life! Refer to our Fiscal Sponsor SDFC for information on tax-deductible benefits.
2) Follow us!
Follow our Seed&Spark page for progress updates as we move to production and follow us on Instagram @NoHomoPictures.
3) Share our story!
We can only achieve our crowdfunding goal if we reach beyond our networks. Share our campaign via social media, email, or any way you can!!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Actor's Wages
Costs $750
We are collaborating with an amazing cast of actors— they need to get paid for their work!
Transport & On-Set Food
Costs $375
This amount will cover the logistic costs of getting cast and crew to set and keeping everyone nourished and hydrated.
Camera Rentals
Costs $645
This amount will supplement our existing camera package, allowing us to better capture the vibrant world of BUNTIS?!
Hair/Makeup & Wardrobe
Costs $380
We want our actors to look their best! This amount will cover character costume and actor makeup supplies during production.
Production Design
Costs $750
This amount will allow us to decorate our filming locations and buy props, making BUNTIS?! as visually detailed as it can be!
Location Rentals
Costs $1,100
This will cover the costs of renting filming locations during production!
Post-Production
Costs $300
This will help cover the cost of editing BUNTIS?! once we've filmed it. It will also cover submission fees to exciting film festivals!
Contingency
Costs $500
Things don't always go to plan! This amount will ensure that any unexpected costs can be covered during production.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
JACK LACY - Writer/Director
Jack is a gay mixed-race Filipino American filmmaker from Richmond, Virginia. Jack began his filmmaking journey at American University’s School of Communication, where his short film “Dysphoria” received Best Undergrad Short Film. Jack currently attends NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts where he is pursuing a BFA in Film & TV Production. In 2023, Jack’s short documentary “Kapwa” premiered at Film at Lincoln Center, organized by New York’s flagship PBS Station. In 2023, Jack was selected for the Richie Jackson Service Fellowship at the NYU LGBTQ+ Center.
In September, Jack will be joining NBCUniversal’s 50th Season of Saturday Night Live as a Film Unit Intern. In addition, Jack will show run the second season of his micro-short web series “No Homo,” which has garnered over 10,000+ views. Through his films, Jack is committed to amplifying minority narratives, focusing on the intersections of race, sexuality, and gender. With BUNTIS?!, Jack is excited to bring forth his personal experiences and identity as a gay Filipino in exploring the nuances of family, science, and faith within our ever-changing world.
LUKE FLANAGAN - Producer
Luke is an Irish filmmaker. Luke has over six years of experience in film production. He has written, produced, and directed several independent short films. His work has received recognition at various festivals, notably being selected as a dual finalist at the 2019 Fresh International Film Festival. His work has garnered over 60k views on YouTube. Luke is a rising Senior at NYU, pursuing a BFA in Film & TV Production at Tisch School of the Arts. Luke has produced several projects, specializing in creative and fundraising development. Luke has worked at various production companies including Element Pictures (Poor Things), Thunder Road Films (John Wick), and Jean Doumanian Productions (Bullets Over Broadway). Luke is thrilled to work as a producer on BUNTIS!?
LAUREN LUKE - Producer
Lauren was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai’i. In 2021, she moved to New York City to study Film and Television Production at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Lauren has extensive experience in production management, scheduling, and budgeting. Lauren aims to preserve her Native Hawaiian, Filipino, and Chinese cultures through narrative and ethnographic non-fiction works. She is honored to help her talented friend and collaborator, Jack Lacy, bring BUNTIS?! to life this fall!
THOMAS KUC - Producer
Thomas is a multinational producer, filmmaker, and actor based out of New York City and Los Angeles. Currently a film student at NYU Tisch, he uses his upbringing of different cultural backgrounds intertwined with his passion for the outdoors, to tell stories of growing up, fitting in, and searching for meaning in our lives. His most recent film, “Latent”, which he produced, wrote, and directed, follows the 5 stages of grief in an experimental form. He is currently producing and directing a nature and biographical documentary, “Friluftsliv”, taking place in Ulvik, a small town in the fjords of Norway. It follows the story of a local farmer in the area and surrounding landscapes. Thomas is excited to be one of the producers on BUNTIS?!
MEAGAN WACHTEL - Cinematographer
Meagan is a Cuban-American director of photography from New Providence, NJ, now based in Brooklyn, NY. She is a recent Tisch School of the Arts alumna with a BFA in Film and TV Production. She has shot over 30 digital and 16mm productions. Her work has been featured at major festivals like NFFTY, DUMBO, Big Apple, L.A. Indie Shorts, and Astoria (Best Short Drama '24). She has also worked as a camera assistant on several Panavision New Filmmaker grant productions and received accreditation from the Cannes International Film Festival. Meagan is incredibly thrilled and eager to enter production for BUNTIS?!
MIRANDA WILKINS - Marketing Producer
Miranda is an NYU graduate, receiving her BA in Sociology and a minor in the Business of Entertainment, Media & Technology in 2024. Her marketing experience began in fashion. She later worked with startup apps through social media marketing. Miranda now works in film marketing and impact producing with an emphasis on culturally specific stories. From growing up in Tokyo and New York City, Miranda loves to combine her love of art, passion for intersectional culture, and social impact through storytelling. Miranda is very excited to join BUNTIS?! as the Marketing Producer to bring more visibility to fellow Asian diaspora stories, queer stories, and stories about family.
If you would like to learn more about our team and receive exciting BUNTIS?! updates, please follow us on Seed&Spark and our official Instagram @NoHomoPictures!
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Imagine a world where two men can have a baby...
You better start praying because BUNTIS?! explores this very real possibility!
A gay Filipino scientist's groundbreaking two-father pregnancy leads to an earthshaking clash with his devout Catholic mother.
(Conrad Ricamora in How to Get Away With Murder S3; Yuen Qiu in Kung Fu Hustle)
BUNTIS?! (boon-TIS) is a comedy film that follows the antics of the Matanguihan family, a high-strung Filipino American family. The title comes from the Filipino word meaning "pregnancy," which is the main point of tension in this NYU-produced short film.
BUNTIS?! pits VIRGIL Matanguihan, a gay fertility scientist, against his religious mother, INA Matanguihan.
VIRGIL is hellbent on having a child with his husband AVI Mehta-Matanguihan. They combine their DNA through In-Vitro Gametogenesis (IVG). Virgil’s supportive sister, MICHELLE Matanguihan, acts as the child’s surrogate mother
Virgil’s plan unnerves Ina. She struggles to reconcile her traditional Catholic beliefs surrounding family with Virgil’s unorthodox approach to starting a family. This tension comes to a head when Ina insists Virgil baptize his child.
Ina and Virgil must set aside their differences and find shared value in the miracle of childbirth and the enduring essence of family.
(Mother)
BUNTIS?! is based on research surrounding In-Vitro Gametogenesis (IVG). This reproductive technology transforms somatic skin cells into viable sex gametes such as ovum or spermatozoa stem cell reprogramming.
In essence, IVG allows same-sex parents, like Avi and Virgil, to conceive a child that is biologically their own. We are actively consulting with fertility scientists to ensure that we portray IVG as accurately as possible.
My name is Jack Lacy and I am the director of BUNTIS?!
This is a deeply personal film. Virgil’s story is based on my experiences as a gay, mixed-race Filipino American. Growing up in Richmond, Virginia, I faced heteronormative pressure everywhere. I was taught that family was strictly between a man and a woman and that marriage consummated this bond. It was difficult to imagine myself ever being a father.
With the advent of IVG, I can see a possible future where someone like me can be a father.
BUNTIS?! is an ambitious project with an important story to tell.
With recent successes in animal trials, IVG is on the brink of revolutionizing how we think about family. BUNTIS?! will highlight this exciting innovation and give hope to Queer people like myself, looking to start a family.
But we need your help!
To make BUNTIS?! a reality, we must raise $4,800. This amount will cover our basic production costs including locations, transportation, and feeding our cast and crew.
We understand this is a big goal. Your support, no matter how small, will make a tremendous difference. If any part of BUNTIS?! resonates with you, we ask that you consider following our campaign, sharing it with friends and family, and pledging to receive some of our exciting perks.
The success of this campaign will ensure that BUNTIS?! gets produced. Funds above our goal will be distributed through the following stretch goals:
- At $15,000 - We will hire a professional colorist and sound designer and submit to more exclusive film festivals.
- At $25,000 - We will secure additional filming locations and invest more in production design and camera rental equipment.
- At $35,000 - We will hire a professional publicist, license popular music, and submit to even more festivals.
We are thrilled to partner with San Diego Filipino Cinema (SDFC) as our fiscal sponsor!
As part of this partnership, those who pledge to BUNTIS?! may benefit from tax deductions. If you are interested in learning more about these benefits, please find more information below:
San Diego Filipino Cinema serves as our project's Fiscal Sponsor (EIN 82-5338671). Donations to this project can receive tax deductions as applicable by law. For questions about this, please email SDFC directly at [email protected] with the subject line "BUNTIS."
(Handmaid's Tale)
- Project Development: March 2024 – June 2024 —> The BUNTIS?! script is drafted, a fundraising strategy is developed, and key crew positions are filled.
- Pre-Production: June 2024 – September 2024 —> The script is finalized, casting is completed, crew positions are filled, locations are confirmed, and our Seed&Spark campaign is launched.
- Production: October 17th, 2024 – October 22nd, 2024 —> BUNTIS?! is filmed in the NYC-area and finally turned into a reality!
- Post-Production: October 2024 – March 2025 —> The project is cut, color/sound editing is completed, and preparations for film festival distribution are underway.
- Release/Distribution: March 2025 —> BUNTIS?! is screened for cast, crew, and supporters and is submitted to film festivals (goal of premiering at Tribeca Film Festival 2025).
1) Pledge!
Donate what you can and help bring BUNTIS?! to life! Refer to our Fiscal Sponsor SDFC for information on tax-deductible benefits.
2) Follow us!
Follow our Seed&Spark page for progress updates as we move to production and follow us on Instagram @NoHomoPictures.
3) Share our story!
We can only achieve our crowdfunding goal if we reach beyond our networks. Share our campaign via social media, email, or any way you can!!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Actor's Wages
Costs $750
We are collaborating with an amazing cast of actors— they need to get paid for their work!
Transport & On-Set Food
Costs $375
This amount will cover the logistic costs of getting cast and crew to set and keeping everyone nourished and hydrated.
Camera Rentals
Costs $645
This amount will supplement our existing camera package, allowing us to better capture the vibrant world of BUNTIS?!
Hair/Makeup & Wardrobe
Costs $380
We want our actors to look their best! This amount will cover character costume and actor makeup supplies during production.
Production Design
Costs $750
This amount will allow us to decorate our filming locations and buy props, making BUNTIS?! as visually detailed as it can be!
Location Rentals
Costs $1,100
This will cover the costs of renting filming locations during production!
Post-Production
Costs $300
This will help cover the cost of editing BUNTIS?! once we've filmed it. It will also cover submission fees to exciting film festivals!
Contingency
Costs $500
Things don't always go to plan! This amount will ensure that any unexpected costs can be covered during production.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
JACK LACY - Writer/Director
Jack is a gay mixed-race Filipino American filmmaker from Richmond, Virginia. Jack began his filmmaking journey at American University’s School of Communication, where his short film “Dysphoria” received Best Undergrad Short Film. Jack currently attends NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts where he is pursuing a BFA in Film & TV Production. In 2023, Jack’s short documentary “Kapwa” premiered at Film at Lincoln Center, organized by New York’s flagship PBS Station. In 2023, Jack was selected for the Richie Jackson Service Fellowship at the NYU LGBTQ+ Center.
In September, Jack will be joining NBCUniversal’s 50th Season of Saturday Night Live as a Film Unit Intern. In addition, Jack will show run the second season of his micro-short web series “No Homo,” which has garnered over 10,000+ views. Through his films, Jack is committed to amplifying minority narratives, focusing on the intersections of race, sexuality, and gender. With BUNTIS?!, Jack is excited to bring forth his personal experiences and identity as a gay Filipino in exploring the nuances of family, science, and faith within our ever-changing world.
LUKE FLANAGAN - Producer
Luke is an Irish filmmaker. Luke has over six years of experience in film production. He has written, produced, and directed several independent short films. His work has received recognition at various festivals, notably being selected as a dual finalist at the 2019 Fresh International Film Festival. His work has garnered over 60k views on YouTube. Luke is a rising Senior at NYU, pursuing a BFA in Film & TV Production at Tisch School of the Arts. Luke has produced several projects, specializing in creative and fundraising development. Luke has worked at various production companies including Element Pictures (Poor Things), Thunder Road Films (John Wick), and Jean Doumanian Productions (Bullets Over Broadway). Luke is thrilled to work as a producer on BUNTIS!?
LAUREN LUKE - Producer
Lauren was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai’i. In 2021, she moved to New York City to study Film and Television Production at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Lauren has extensive experience in production management, scheduling, and budgeting. Lauren aims to preserve her Native Hawaiian, Filipino, and Chinese cultures through narrative and ethnographic non-fiction works. She is honored to help her talented friend and collaborator, Jack Lacy, bring BUNTIS?! to life this fall!
THOMAS KUC - Producer
Thomas is a multinational producer, filmmaker, and actor based out of New York City and Los Angeles. Currently a film student at NYU Tisch, he uses his upbringing of different cultural backgrounds intertwined with his passion for the outdoors, to tell stories of growing up, fitting in, and searching for meaning in our lives. His most recent film, “Latent”, which he produced, wrote, and directed, follows the 5 stages of grief in an experimental form. He is currently producing and directing a nature and biographical documentary, “Friluftsliv”, taking place in Ulvik, a small town in the fjords of Norway. It follows the story of a local farmer in the area and surrounding landscapes. Thomas is excited to be one of the producers on BUNTIS?!
MEAGAN WACHTEL - Cinematographer
Meagan is a Cuban-American director of photography from New Providence, NJ, now based in Brooklyn, NY. She is a recent Tisch School of the Arts alumna with a BFA in Film and TV Production. She has shot over 30 digital and 16mm productions. Her work has been featured at major festivals like NFFTY, DUMBO, Big Apple, L.A. Indie Shorts, and Astoria (Best Short Drama '24). She has also worked as a camera assistant on several Panavision New Filmmaker grant productions and received accreditation from the Cannes International Film Festival. Meagan is incredibly thrilled and eager to enter production for BUNTIS?!
MIRANDA WILKINS - Marketing Producer
Miranda is an NYU graduate, receiving her BA in Sociology and a minor in the Business of Entertainment, Media & Technology in 2024. Her marketing experience began in fashion. She later worked with startup apps through social media marketing. Miranda now works in film marketing and impact producing with an emphasis on culturally specific stories. From growing up in Tokyo and New York City, Miranda loves to combine her love of art, passion for intersectional culture, and social impact through storytelling. Miranda is very excited to join BUNTIS?! as the Marketing Producer to bring more visibility to fellow Asian diaspora stories, queer stories, and stories about family.