Send More Clowns
Ypsilanti, Michigan | Film Short
Documentary, Shorts Program
In a world of rising conflict, maybe clowns can save us. This film follows Rose, who devoted her life to the art of clowning, helping students heal with laughter and brave acts of vulnerability. Together they transform fear through humor, heal traumas & open a path to more joyful ways of connecting.
Send More Clowns
Ypsilanti, Michigan | Film Short
Documentary, Shorts Program
1 Campaigns | Michigan, United States
69 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$10,325
Goal: $12,000 for post-production
In a world of rising conflict, maybe clowns can save us. This film follows Rose, who devoted her life to the art of clowning, helping students heal with laughter and brave acts of vulnerability. Together they transform fear through humor, heal traumas & open a path to more joyful ways of connecting.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
In the summer of 2025, the “Fool School Clown Class” took students on a six-week journey in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The course was taught by Rose, a queer, charismatic and compassionate clown, who dedicated her life to clowning after overcoming personal trauma with support from her mentor Jango Edwards, a legend of European clown performance. At first hesitant, the ten students soon began to trust each other, explore vulnerabilities and face personal challenges through clowning. As the classes progressed, laughter became a bridge to connection, liberation, and healing. By the finale of “The Cabaret” showcase, students emerged transformed—each a new clown, ready to bravely bring joy and laughter to others.
In the U.S., clowns often evoke a frightening image. In contrast, Rose follows a philosophy rooted in European clowning—using humor to explore and exaggerate what makes us human. In the shadow of rising global authoritarianism and polarization, this class provides students with opportunities for personal transformation, collective resilience and risk-taking acts of creative resistance. We believe this film will provide viewers with inspiration through laughs and tears and brave moments of vulnerability!
As an immigrant watching America’s current climate, I’ve witnessed how fear can weigh on people’s hearts. Now, more than ever, I feel compelled to share the story of Rose and her class as a symbol of resilience, freedom, solidarity, and hope – reminding us to protect our well-being, both mental and physical, and to remain strong in uncertain times.
—Toko Shiiki – Director
This campaign aims to raise $12,000 of "finishing funds" so we can complete critical, final elements of post-production and begin a core component of our distribution efforts, including:
Editing
Brings the film to life in post-production. Funds support the time and tools needed to refine pacing, story, and structure for the strongest possible version of our film.
Sound Mix and Design
Sound is a vital aspect of any film and especially critical for a documentary. David Fienup from Soundpolis in Ann Arbor will mix our film's audio to optimize our viewers' experience.
Licensing Music
Allows us to legally include the music that sets the right emotional tone. Licensing fees ensure artists are compensated and the film can be distributed at festivals, broadcast and beyond.
Animation
Provides an important element for the context of our film's narrative. Detroit-based animator, Gary Schwartz, will create this dynamic & colorful animation.
Graphic Design
Supports the visual identity of the project, from on-screen graphics to promotional materials like posters, title cards, and social media assets.
Festival Entry Fees
Covers entry costs to get our film considered by festival programmers, whose events expand our audience and can showcase our film to potential distributors around the world.
DCP
Exhibition format required by many venues.
Seed & Spark requires at least 80% support of our project's funding goal within 30 days.
Your contribution today matters—thank you!
Super-Charging Distribution $8,000
Additional funds raised above our primary goal will directly support our distribution efforts, dramatically increasing the audience reach of our project. This will include broadcast of our film nationally on PBS. Our studio has experience with PBS distribution from two prior films, which have received more than 3,000 national broadcasts. Stretch goal funds will pay for station fees, post-production to conform the film to PBS standards, promotional outreach, and errors & omissions (E&O) insurance, which is essential for broadcast.
From all of us at 7 Cylinders Studio and our extended team
(and of course all the clowns) thank you!
Follow us on Instagram: @clown.class.doc.film
Every follow, re-post, email, and DM brings us closer to meeting our goal. If our story resonates with you, share our campaign page to help us bring Send More Clowns to life!
Other questions?
Contact us: [email protected] | [email protected]
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Sound Mixing and Design
Costs $2,000
Sound is a vital aspect of the film. David Fienup from Soundpolis in Ann Arbor will work on sound.
Animation
Costs $1,000
Detroit-based animator, Gary Schwartz, will work on the animation section.
Graphic Design
Costs $1,500
For our graphic designer who works hard to make everything look fantastic!
Festival Entry Fee
Costs $2,000
To share this story as widely as possible we pay entry fees to film festivals we believe are well-run and a good match for our story!
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
TOKO SHIIKI - Director
Born and raised in Japan, Toko moved to the U.S. in 2005. Her debut feature documentary in 2015, Threshold, launched a body of award-winning work that has screened at festivals around the world. In 2022, her short documentary A Thousand Pebbles on the Ground was broadcast nationally on PBS.
DONALD HARRISON - Producer
Serving as a producer, Donald will support 7 Cylinders Studio throughout all phases of this project. His feature documentary, Welcome to Commie High, aired nationally on PBS in 2021. Since founding his studio in 2012, Donald has directed and produced more than 500 short films for non-profits
MICHAEL TRUESDELL ANTHONY - Consulting Producer
As Consulting Producer, Michael brings experience producing and editing acclaimed work across documentary, narrative, and experimental film forms. Their editorial approach uncovers the story within the subject, allowing space for breath and emotion. Through their company, Truant Productions, they've supported award-winning independent films with a focus on social impact. They hold an MFA in Film from California College of the Arts.
HAFSAH MIJINYAWA - Graphic Designer
Hafsah Mijinyawa is a visual designer, filmmaker, and tech enthusiast whose work sits at the intersection of corporate design, social equity, and emerging technologies. Alongside her corporate work, she supports small business owners in building impactful brand identities, and uses her multidisciplinary creative practice to support the advancement of media arts education and equity-driven initiatives in her Ypsilanti, Michigan community.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
In the summer of 2025, the “Fool School Clown Class” took students on a six-week journey in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The course was taught by Rose, a queer, charismatic and compassionate clown, who dedicated her life to clowning after overcoming personal trauma with support from her mentor Jango Edwards, a legend of European clown performance. At first hesitant, the ten students soon began to trust each other, explore vulnerabilities and face personal challenges through clowning. As the classes progressed, laughter became a bridge to connection, liberation, and healing. By the finale of “The Cabaret” showcase, students emerged transformed—each a new clown, ready to bravely bring joy and laughter to others.
In the U.S., clowns often evoke a frightening image. In contrast, Rose follows a philosophy rooted in European clowning—using humor to explore and exaggerate what makes us human. In the shadow of rising global authoritarianism and polarization, this class provides students with opportunities for personal transformation, collective resilience and risk-taking acts of creative resistance. We believe this film will provide viewers with inspiration through laughs and tears and brave moments of vulnerability!
As an immigrant watching America’s current climate, I’ve witnessed how fear can weigh on people’s hearts. Now, more than ever, I feel compelled to share the story of Rose and her class as a symbol of resilience, freedom, solidarity, and hope – reminding us to protect our well-being, both mental and physical, and to remain strong in uncertain times.
—Toko Shiiki – Director
This campaign aims to raise $12,000 of "finishing funds" so we can complete critical, final elements of post-production and begin a core component of our distribution efforts, including:
Editing
Brings the film to life in post-production. Funds support the time and tools needed to refine pacing, story, and structure for the strongest possible version of our film.
Sound Mix and Design
Sound is a vital aspect of any film and especially critical for a documentary. David Fienup from Soundpolis in Ann Arbor will mix our film's audio to optimize our viewers' experience.
Licensing Music
Allows us to legally include the music that sets the right emotional tone. Licensing fees ensure artists are compensated and the film can be distributed at festivals, broadcast and beyond.
Animation
Provides an important element for the context of our film's narrative. Detroit-based animator, Gary Schwartz, will create this dynamic & colorful animation.
Graphic Design
Supports the visual identity of the project, from on-screen graphics to promotional materials like posters, title cards, and social media assets.
Festival Entry Fees
Covers entry costs to get our film considered by festival programmers, whose events expand our audience and can showcase our film to potential distributors around the world.
DCP
Exhibition format required by many venues.
Seed & Spark requires at least 80% support of our project's funding goal within 30 days.
Your contribution today matters—thank you!
Super-Charging Distribution $8,000
Additional funds raised above our primary goal will directly support our distribution efforts, dramatically increasing the audience reach of our project. This will include broadcast of our film nationally on PBS. Our studio has experience with PBS distribution from two prior films, which have received more than 3,000 national broadcasts. Stretch goal funds will pay for station fees, post-production to conform the film to PBS standards, promotional outreach, and errors & omissions (E&O) insurance, which is essential for broadcast.
From all of us at 7 Cylinders Studio and our extended team
(and of course all the clowns) thank you!
Follow us on Instagram: @clown.class.doc.film
Every follow, re-post, email, and DM brings us closer to meeting our goal. If our story resonates with you, share our campaign page to help us bring Send More Clowns to life!
Other questions?
Contact us: [email protected] | [email protected]
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Sound Mixing and Design
Costs $2,000
Sound is a vital aspect of the film. David Fienup from Soundpolis in Ann Arbor will work on sound.
Animation
Costs $1,000
Detroit-based animator, Gary Schwartz, will work on the animation section.
Graphic Design
Costs $1,500
For our graphic designer who works hard to make everything look fantastic!
Festival Entry Fee
Costs $2,000
To share this story as widely as possible we pay entry fees to film festivals we believe are well-run and a good match for our story!
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
TOKO SHIIKI - Director
Born and raised in Japan, Toko moved to the U.S. in 2005. Her debut feature documentary in 2015, Threshold, launched a body of award-winning work that has screened at festivals around the world. In 2022, her short documentary A Thousand Pebbles on the Ground was broadcast nationally on PBS.
DONALD HARRISON - Producer
Serving as a producer, Donald will support 7 Cylinders Studio throughout all phases of this project. His feature documentary, Welcome to Commie High, aired nationally on PBS in 2021. Since founding his studio in 2012, Donald has directed and produced more than 500 short films for non-profits
MICHAEL TRUESDELL ANTHONY - Consulting Producer
As Consulting Producer, Michael brings experience producing and editing acclaimed work across documentary, narrative, and experimental film forms. Their editorial approach uncovers the story within the subject, allowing space for breath and emotion. Through their company, Truant Productions, they've supported award-winning independent films with a focus on social impact. They hold an MFA in Film from California College of the Arts.
HAFSAH MIJINYAWA - Graphic Designer
Hafsah Mijinyawa is a visual designer, filmmaker, and tech enthusiast whose work sits at the intersection of corporate design, social equity, and emerging technologies. Alongside her corporate work, she supports small business owners in building impactful brand identities, and uses her multidisciplinary creative practice to support the advancement of media arts education and equity-driven initiatives in her Ypsilanti, Michigan community.