Cinghiale
Los Angeles, California | Film Feature
Thriller, Foreign Film
Grief, mystery, and primal horror collide in the heart of Italy. Cinghiale isn't just another thriller film - it's a cultural commentary wrapped in terror. By supporting us you can help bring this unique atmospheric film to life while challenging stereotypes and joining a new wave of indie horror.
Cinghiale
Los Angeles, California | Film Feature
Thriller, Foreign Film
1 Campaigns |
Green Light
This campaign raised $8,306 for pre-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
59 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Grief, mystery, and primal horror collide in the heart of Italy. Cinghiale isn't just another thriller film - it's a cultural commentary wrapped in terror. By supporting us you can help bring this unique atmospheric film to life while challenging stereotypes and joining a new wave of indie horror.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Director Jordan Tragash scouts a location in Barga, ITL
The Goal: We are hoping to raise $10,000 for necessary start up costs that come with making a feature. We have experienced significant momentum on this project in recent weeks in the form of attaching our wonderful DP, and beginning conversations with Rome based production companies. We felt it was the perfect time to launch this campaign to begin raising awareness of the film and start to build our startup funds. We are grateful beyond belief for the labor and favors coming from our community which covers the majority of our housing during our initial tech scout to Tuscany. Included in the fundraising goal are things such as travel reimbursement, rental cars in Italy, food for our team during the tech scout, and costs to hire a graphic designer to create a top tier pitch deck for the project. You can help and support this film through a monetary donation, or by spreading the word and telling all of your friends about this (really cool) project.
A home nestled in the mountains near Isola Santa, ITL
The Background: Following the conclusion of principal photography on Jordan's previous feature BAM!, he was approached by a number of homeowners in Italy who encouraged the creation of a narrative which took place in the beautiful mountains of Tuscany, they felt that the beauty of the area was not often represented on film and was fitting for a thriller narrative. Script development began in 2023 and an initial location visit in April of 2024 yielded Cinghiale. A striking character driven thriller which explores the complex dynamics between an ensemble of ex-pats moving through the Italian countryside. Now, we are doing an initial fundraising push to raise money for a second location scout with our Production Team, Director of Photography, and Art Director to begin seriously laying the groundwork and relationships necessary for principal photography in April of 2026.
Director Jordan Tragash and Producer Elenna Sindler inspect a quarry location in Tuscany
The Story: Our film follows two Americans, Nicolette and her best friend Xiomara as they journey to a quaint Italian town to handle the affairs of Nicolette's recently deceased grandfather, only to discover unsettling mysteries surrounding his death. Initially charmed by the local hospitality and warm community, they are soon thrust into a shadowy world where kindness and culture mask danger. As Nicolette delves deeper into the circumstances of her grandfather's demise, she vanishes, leaving Xiomara to navigate a web of deceit and fear. With the help of a street singer and a friendly restaurateur, Xiomara uncovers the chilling truth about a trusted figure’s deadly secrets. The tension builds to a violent, primal climax, where nature itself intervenes. Cinghiale is a haunting tale of grief, betrayal, and survival, blending psychological suspense with visceral horror against the backdrop of an idyllic yet sinister Italian landscape.
Producer Devon Gulati on location in Riana, ITL
The Message: At its core, Cinghiale delves into the darker facets of human nature and the blurred lines between civility and primal instinct. Set against the backdrop of a small Italian town grappling with its own hidden history, the film explores how the specter of fascism lingers in communities, manifesting in oppressive behaviors and the need for control. Themes of home are intertwined with this exploration, as the protagonist is drawn into a place that should feel familiar yet becomes alien and threatening. Through the unfolding horror, the film asks a provocative question: “What truly separates humans from animals?” As loyalties unravel and the veneer of civility collapses, Cinghiale reveals that beneath our societal constructs, humans and animals share a raw, survival-driven core.
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Animals photographed by the team in and around Tuscany, ITL
Long Term: Our long term goal is to produce a thrilling feature that receives a theatrical run upon release. We aim to make it available for audiences around the world to see, though we are especially targeting audiences in the US and Italy. Thank you for taking the time to read through our page and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE follow, share, and support our campaign. Word of mouth is our greatest asset, and every share goes a long way!
You can find us on instagram @cinghialefilm (https://www.instagram.com/cinghialefilm/)
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Car Rental and Gas
Costs $1,500
In order to move freely around the area we hope to rent two cars to carry our tech team.
Meals
Costs $2,500
To feed our crew of eight for our ten day tech scout we are hoping to raise $2500!
Flights
Costs $5,000
To get our team to the set in Italy!
Pitch Deck Overhaul
Costs $1,000
To hire a graphic designer to redo our pitch materials so we are prepared for meetings with Italian co-production companies and agents.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Hello! We are the team of artists working to make Cinghiale happen!
Jordan Tragash (Writer/Director) named "One To Watch" by The Guardian is a multidisciplinary Queer Filmmaker who works in the Chicago and Los Angeles areas. Originally from New Brunswick New Jersey, Jordan attended Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut and has since lived in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. He is always excited by the opportunity to explore the absurd and spectacular nature of life through storytelling and is constantly looking for ways to grow as a writer and director. In the summer of 2022, Jordan produced his debut feature film, a no-budget queer stoner comedy BAM! which was acquired for distribution by UK based distributor Miracle Media/Trinity and released on streaming in November 2024. It is available to watch on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Tubi, Google Play, and Rakuten.
Devon Gulati (Producer) is an accomplished film producer known for diverse projects, including the award-winning short film Consequences. After studying Cinematography and Editing at Columbia College Chicago, he received a Telly Award for his work on PBS’s “Journeys in India.” In 2019, he focused on branded content, and coordinated production for major brands like Uber and Doordash at VINCO. His recent works include the feature documentary The Story of Mr. Glass the web series Converting and the award-winning short film Nazar. He is set to release the psychological thriller Room Six in March of 2025.
Kendra Avinger (Producer) is a multifaceted producer whose career spans science, entertainment, and production, with a passion for showcasing diversity and realness through her work. Born and raised in Jersey City, NJ, and influenced by her African-American and Boriquen heritage, Kendra's eclectic background drives her commitment to telling authentic, inclusive stories. Her journey began at Rutgers University, where her scientific research earned an NSF grant that took her to Brazil where she worked on disease prevention, collaborated with favela musicians on music videos, and partnered with an NGO to create commercials for orphaned children. Since moving to Los Angeles, Kendra has produced content for Supreme, Nike, TDE, UMG, and Interscope Records, including SZA's Grammy-winning "Good Days" video, Supreme’s helicopter campaign through Hollywoodland and Rio, and Ari Lennox's "Get Close" music video (Dir Erin Wesley). Her international projects include work with Vietnamese superstar Son Tung MTP (Dir C Prinz) and co-producing Cinghiale. With a career rooted in ideating, developing, and delivering impactful content, Kendra brings a global perspective and unmatched creativity to every project.
Elenna Sindler (Producer/Composer) is a vocalist and composer of experimental classical music. She has written multiple contemporary operas, and has written and performed her own original works for theatre and film. She is also known for her experimental pop project, under the moniker KONISHI. As a contemporary classical vocalist, she has sang with Present Music Ensemble, and worked with conductor David Bloom (Contemporaneous), performing works by Caroline Shaw, Andy Akiho, and Philip Glass. She has worked with Lucy Dhegrae at soundSCAPE (Cesena, Italy) and performed works by composers Jason Eckardt, Sean Jaeger, Marco Taralli, and Katherine Young. She has worked with opera director Joachim Schamberger and conductors Donald Nally (The Crossing), Stephen Alltop, Michael Lewanski (Dal Niente) and Matilda Hoffman (UC Davis). She is a graduate of Northwestern University's Voice & Opera program, and studied classical voice with Theresa Brancaccio, and music composition with Alex Temple.
Kalil Sims (Actor/Associate Producer) is a New York born actor raised in Southside Chicago. He was born the son of two active duty soldiers. Due to momentary absences from his parents he and his siblings found ways of self-entertainment through imagination and performance for each other. His acting career truly began in the year 2019 when he took on acting and improv classes at Harold Washington College in the heart of downtown Chicago. During his stay at Harold, he was cast in multiple stage productions with The Loop Players. He was later discovered by Jordan Tragash at an audition for his debut feature film BAM! Currently, Kalil is the Marketing and Social Media Manager for the Chicago Underground Film Festival and a baker at Justice of The Pies under Chef Maya-Camille Broussard. Experience he plans to bring directly to Cinghiale's restaurant set narrative. Creatively, he is working on his debut short film, “Skin of Another” which he has written and plans to direct.
Rein Brooks (Production Designer) is a production designer, creative consultant, and sculptor from Minneapolis. After receiving a B.A. in French and Linguistics from Grinnell College he transitioned into film after relocating to Chicago, IL. His approach to film production is influenced by his interest in fine art and his work interpreting films for blind audiences. Rein prides himself on his ability to collaborate closely with writers and directors. He is drawn to the challenge of dissecting a script in order to translate its themes into a visual language. He believes in intentionality at each stage of the production process and that creating the right physical spaces for actors can guide their performances and contribute to the emotional salience of a film.
Gemma Doll-Grossman (Director of Photography) is an LA-based cinematographer with a focus on narrative feature filmmaking. Her goal is to provoke visceral reactions to story and image. Committed to utilizing experimental techniques, Gemma loves to explore sexuality, moral ambiguity, and the magical in the mundane. Gemma graduated with an MFA in Cinematography from AFI Conservatory in 2019. She has since been a Project Involve 2022 fellow, a two-time Panavision grant recipient, and a cinematographer at the 2023 Sundance Directors' Lab. Born and raised in San Francisco, she studied Biology and Film at Wesleyan University. After college, she lived in Rome, Italy for four years and worked as a set electric, most notably with directors Jonas Carpignano (Mediterranea; A Ciambra; A Chiara), Benh Zeitlin (Wendy) and Joe Talbot (American Paradise; The Last Black Man in San Francisco).
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Director Jordan Tragash scouts a location in Barga, ITL
The Goal: We are hoping to raise $10,000 for necessary start up costs that come with making a feature. We have experienced significant momentum on this project in recent weeks in the form of attaching our wonderful DP, and beginning conversations with Rome based production companies. We felt it was the perfect time to launch this campaign to begin raising awareness of the film and start to build our startup funds. We are grateful beyond belief for the labor and favors coming from our community which covers the majority of our housing during our initial tech scout to Tuscany. Included in the fundraising goal are things such as travel reimbursement, rental cars in Italy, food for our team during the tech scout, and costs to hire a graphic designer to create a top tier pitch deck for the project. You can help and support this film through a monetary donation, or by spreading the word and telling all of your friends about this (really cool) project.
A home nestled in the mountains near Isola Santa, ITL
The Background: Following the conclusion of principal photography on Jordan's previous feature BAM!, he was approached by a number of homeowners in Italy who encouraged the creation of a narrative which took place in the beautiful mountains of Tuscany, they felt that the beauty of the area was not often represented on film and was fitting for a thriller narrative. Script development began in 2023 and an initial location visit in April of 2024 yielded Cinghiale. A striking character driven thriller which explores the complex dynamics between an ensemble of ex-pats moving through the Italian countryside. Now, we are doing an initial fundraising push to raise money for a second location scout with our Production Team, Director of Photography, and Art Director to begin seriously laying the groundwork and relationships necessary for principal photography in April of 2026.
Director Jordan Tragash and Producer Elenna Sindler inspect a quarry location in Tuscany
The Story: Our film follows two Americans, Nicolette and her best friend Xiomara as they journey to a quaint Italian town to handle the affairs of Nicolette's recently deceased grandfather, only to discover unsettling mysteries surrounding his death. Initially charmed by the local hospitality and warm community, they are soon thrust into a shadowy world where kindness and culture mask danger. As Nicolette delves deeper into the circumstances of her grandfather's demise, she vanishes, leaving Xiomara to navigate a web of deceit and fear. With the help of a street singer and a friendly restaurateur, Xiomara uncovers the chilling truth about a trusted figure’s deadly secrets. The tension builds to a violent, primal climax, where nature itself intervenes. Cinghiale is a haunting tale of grief, betrayal, and survival, blending psychological suspense with visceral horror against the backdrop of an idyllic yet sinister Italian landscape.
Producer Devon Gulati on location in Riana, ITL
The Message: At its core, Cinghiale delves into the darker facets of human nature and the blurred lines between civility and primal instinct. Set against the backdrop of a small Italian town grappling with its own hidden history, the film explores how the specter of fascism lingers in communities, manifesting in oppressive behaviors and the need for control. Themes of home are intertwined with this exploration, as the protagonist is drawn into a place that should feel familiar yet becomes alien and threatening. Through the unfolding horror, the film asks a provocative question: “What truly separates humans from animals?” As loyalties unravel and the veneer of civility collapses, Cinghiale reveals that beneath our societal constructs, humans and animals share a raw, survival-driven core.
Animals photographed by the team in and around Tuscany, ITL
Long Term: Our long term goal is to produce a thrilling feature that receives a theatrical run upon release. We aim to make it available for audiences around the world to see, though we are especially targeting audiences in the US and Italy. Thank you for taking the time to read through our page and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE follow, share, and support our campaign. Word of mouth is our greatest asset, and every share goes a long way!
You can find us on instagram @cinghialefilm (https://www.instagram.com/cinghialefilm/)
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Car Rental and Gas
Costs $1,500
In order to move freely around the area we hope to rent two cars to carry our tech team.
Meals
Costs $2,500
To feed our crew of eight for our ten day tech scout we are hoping to raise $2500!
Flights
Costs $5,000
To get our team to the set in Italy!
Pitch Deck Overhaul
Costs $1,000
To hire a graphic designer to redo our pitch materials so we are prepared for meetings with Italian co-production companies and agents.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Hello! We are the team of artists working to make Cinghiale happen!
Jordan Tragash (Writer/Director) named "One To Watch" by The Guardian is a multidisciplinary Queer Filmmaker who works in the Chicago and Los Angeles areas. Originally from New Brunswick New Jersey, Jordan attended Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut and has since lived in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. He is always excited by the opportunity to explore the absurd and spectacular nature of life through storytelling and is constantly looking for ways to grow as a writer and director. In the summer of 2022, Jordan produced his debut feature film, a no-budget queer stoner comedy BAM! which was acquired for distribution by UK based distributor Miracle Media/Trinity and released on streaming in November 2024. It is available to watch on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Tubi, Google Play, and Rakuten.
Devon Gulati (Producer) is an accomplished film producer known for diverse projects, including the award-winning short film Consequences. After studying Cinematography and Editing at Columbia College Chicago, he received a Telly Award for his work on PBS’s “Journeys in India.” In 2019, he focused on branded content, and coordinated production for major brands like Uber and Doordash at VINCO. His recent works include the feature documentary The Story of Mr. Glass the web series Converting and the award-winning short film Nazar. He is set to release the psychological thriller Room Six in March of 2025.
Kendra Avinger (Producer) is a multifaceted producer whose career spans science, entertainment, and production, with a passion for showcasing diversity and realness through her work. Born and raised in Jersey City, NJ, and influenced by her African-American and Boriquen heritage, Kendra's eclectic background drives her commitment to telling authentic, inclusive stories. Her journey began at Rutgers University, where her scientific research earned an NSF grant that took her to Brazil where she worked on disease prevention, collaborated with favela musicians on music videos, and partnered with an NGO to create commercials for orphaned children. Since moving to Los Angeles, Kendra has produced content for Supreme, Nike, TDE, UMG, and Interscope Records, including SZA's Grammy-winning "Good Days" video, Supreme’s helicopter campaign through Hollywoodland and Rio, and Ari Lennox's "Get Close" music video (Dir Erin Wesley). Her international projects include work with Vietnamese superstar Son Tung MTP (Dir C Prinz) and co-producing Cinghiale. With a career rooted in ideating, developing, and delivering impactful content, Kendra brings a global perspective and unmatched creativity to every project.
Elenna Sindler (Producer/Composer) is a vocalist and composer of experimental classical music. She has written multiple contemporary operas, and has written and performed her own original works for theatre and film. She is also known for her experimental pop project, under the moniker KONISHI. As a contemporary classical vocalist, she has sang with Present Music Ensemble, and worked with conductor David Bloom (Contemporaneous), performing works by Caroline Shaw, Andy Akiho, and Philip Glass. She has worked with Lucy Dhegrae at soundSCAPE (Cesena, Italy) and performed works by composers Jason Eckardt, Sean Jaeger, Marco Taralli, and Katherine Young. She has worked with opera director Joachim Schamberger and conductors Donald Nally (The Crossing), Stephen Alltop, Michael Lewanski (Dal Niente) and Matilda Hoffman (UC Davis). She is a graduate of Northwestern University's Voice & Opera program, and studied classical voice with Theresa Brancaccio, and music composition with Alex Temple.
Kalil Sims (Actor/Associate Producer) is a New York born actor raised in Southside Chicago. He was born the son of two active duty soldiers. Due to momentary absences from his parents he and his siblings found ways of self-entertainment through imagination and performance for each other. His acting career truly began in the year 2019 when he took on acting and improv classes at Harold Washington College in the heart of downtown Chicago. During his stay at Harold, he was cast in multiple stage productions with The Loop Players. He was later discovered by Jordan Tragash at an audition for his debut feature film BAM! Currently, Kalil is the Marketing and Social Media Manager for the Chicago Underground Film Festival and a baker at Justice of The Pies under Chef Maya-Camille Broussard. Experience he plans to bring directly to Cinghiale's restaurant set narrative. Creatively, he is working on his debut short film, “Skin of Another” which he has written and plans to direct.
Rein Brooks (Production Designer) is a production designer, creative consultant, and sculptor from Minneapolis. After receiving a B.A. in French and Linguistics from Grinnell College he transitioned into film after relocating to Chicago, IL. His approach to film production is influenced by his interest in fine art and his work interpreting films for blind audiences. Rein prides himself on his ability to collaborate closely with writers and directors. He is drawn to the challenge of dissecting a script in order to translate its themes into a visual language. He believes in intentionality at each stage of the production process and that creating the right physical spaces for actors can guide their performances and contribute to the emotional salience of a film.
Gemma Doll-Grossman (Director of Photography) is an LA-based cinematographer with a focus on narrative feature filmmaking. Her goal is to provoke visceral reactions to story and image. Committed to utilizing experimental techniques, Gemma loves to explore sexuality, moral ambiguity, and the magical in the mundane. Gemma graduated with an MFA in Cinematography from AFI Conservatory in 2019. She has since been a Project Involve 2022 fellow, a two-time Panavision grant recipient, and a cinematographer at the 2023 Sundance Directors' Lab. Born and raised in San Francisco, she studied Biology and Film at Wesleyan University. After college, she lived in Rome, Italy for four years and worked as a set electric, most notably with directors Jonas Carpignano (Mediterranea; A Ciambra; A Chiara), Benh Zeitlin (Wendy) and Joe Talbot (American Paradise; The Last Black Man in San Francisco).