Destiny Unicorn
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
LGBTQ, Drama
Have you ever met someone and instantly found yourselves in a whirlwind of passion and possibility? So begins the tale of queer twentysomethings Alex and Destiny—a six-month relationship condensed into one evening. Help us cover post-production and distribution so we can bring it to folks like you!
Destiny Unicorn
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
LGBTQ, Drama
Green Light
This campaign raised $2,457 for distribution. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
35 supporters | followers
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Have you ever met someone and instantly found yourselves in a whirlwind of passion and possibility? So begins the tale of queer twentysomethings Alex and Destiny—a six-month relationship condensed into one evening. Help us cover post-production and distribution so we can bring it to folks like you!
Participating In
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
One evening, Alex, a privileged Atlanta local and Destiny, who’s on the run from their past, have a chance encounter. When Alex “saves Destiny’s life,” Destiny confesses to being a Dark Unicorn, explaining that Alex has become a portal. As the two venture aimlessly around town, their messier parts begin to surface. After things turn sinister, they retreat to Alex’s family home, where we at last learn what a Dark Unicorn is truly capable of.
Destiny Unicorn centers the culturally rich city of Atlanta in the narrative, so we chose to build an entirely Atlanta-based cast and crew of almost entirely BIPOC and/or queer folks. There’s a huge lack in media representation of queer-led narratives of which queerness is not the primary focus. Rather, it’s woven into the world itself, revealing the omnipresent queerness of everyday interaction. Throughout the film, our heroes navigate their own transness without establishing their own identities.
script drafts 1-3
The Backstory
It all started with a dream—which is fortunate because I don't normally dream in three act structure. But on this particular evening, I did just that. The next day, I put the dream to paper for what would become Destiny Unicorn.
At the time of the dream, I had just moved back to my hometown of Atlanta to work as a poet and sculptor. I hadn’t touched narrative film in nearly a decade. But this dream reignited my passion to tell stories through film: words, images, sounds and all. Soon, the Destiny Unicorn script would earn me admission to Georgia State University’s competitive MFA film program as well as a grant finalist position with Film Impact Georgia. I continue to work as a filmmaker and have several projects in the works. I can only imagine how different my life would be without Destiny Unicorn.
This movie means the world to me, and I can’t wait to show it to you! Please help me reach that goal.
xoxo, A Noa
writer & director
mood board
The Status
We’re so close! Destiny Unicorn has been shot and edited!
Your donations will primarily go to compensating the post-production team: the editor, sound designer, ADR recordist, VFX artist, composer and colorists. The rest will go to distribution—mainly film festival submissions, with a focus on queer and local festivals. These include Atlanta Underground, RIFF, Out on Film and NewFest, among others. We will also submit to streaming platforms like Short of the Week and NoBudge to expand our viewership to audiences around the world.
day 1 on location
Dedication
During preproduction, the Destiny Unicorn team suffered the sudden loss of our producer Rikki Hagerty. The first to join the team, Rikki immediately connected with and believed in A Noa’s story. She soon brought on producer Emma Husk, who in turn brought on so many others. Her hard work, positivity and good humor have carried this project all the way through, well beyond her passing.
Days before Rikki’s death, we had submitted this fundraiser for review—a campaign Rikki had spearheaded. We withdrew our submission, as we felt it would be wrong to ask for money so soon after such an immense tragedy. As such, most of the film was financed directly by A Noa. We hope you understand our choice to resume fundraising at this stage.
This project would not be possible without Atlanta’s fertile artistic community: the improv comedy scene, filmmaking club Kick the Ladder, Limelight Theater, Rad Magazine and the many tireless creatives who dedicate themselves to indie productions they believe in.
what's so funny, guys?
Thank you for taking interest in Destiny Unicorn. We massively appreciate your support!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
EDITING
Costs $600
to pay the editor to piece the film together
SOUND DESIGN
Costs $300
to pay the sound designer to make the perfect mix
MUSIC
Costs $500
to pay the composer for an original score and to license a song for the credits
COLOR
Costs $300
to pay the colorist to make it look all pretty
VFX
Costs $150
to pay the VFX artist to make a few shots really pop
ADR
Costs $300
to pay the recordist and actors to recapture dialog from the outdoor scenes
FESTIVALS
Costs $700
to pay application fees to festivals like Out on Film and NewFest
STREAMING PLATFORMS
Costs $150
to pay submission fees to film streaming platforms like Short of the Week and NoBudge
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
A Noa Harrison - Writer-Director
A Noa Harrison is an Atlanta native and queer artist. They received a film degree from Carleton College and studied at Prague’s Film and TV School (FAMU). They worked as a journalist at NPR in DC, a record label producer in Brooklyn, a farmhand in Vermont and creative coach wherever they go. They returned to Atlanta in 2022 to immerse themselves in the thriving DIY arts, music, improv and filmmaking scenes. Today, they make movies, within and outside GSU’s MFA filmmaking program.
Rikki Hagerty - Producer
Rikki was an Atlanta-based improviser, designer and filmmaker in Atlanta. With an infectious energy and a commitment to being her authentic self, she strove to assist people through the art of creativity. To foster unique and moving stories in film, she created Happy & Sad Productions, with a focus on themes of queerness. During pre-production, Rikki tragically lost her life. Her effort and memory have inspired every stage of our filmmaking process.
Emma Husk - Producer
Emma Husk is a freelance filmmaker in Atlanta, working as a writer, producer, and director. Inspired by stories that balance humor and heart, Emma has become a vibrant member of the indie filmmaking community. As a queer creative, Emma aims to uplift underrepresented voices by commemorating the mundane and documenting the extraordinary.
Chris Cerda - Director of Photography
Chris Cerda is a passionate filmmaker who loves to travel and document the world through the lens. Raised between the U.S. and Chile, Chris loves discovering new cultures, music and food. Backpacking through South America furthered his understanding and passion for capturing a diverse world with his camera. In 2020, Chris Founded Buena Onda Film Productions, leading teams to create docuseries, narrative short films, commercials and more.
Amalie Rosales - Destiny (lead)
Amalie is a Honduran-American actor from Atlanta who loves to combine her passions for advocacy and art through film. A relatively new face in this industry, Amalie has performed in a variety of short films highlighting queer and immigrant stories.
Sam Costantino - Alex (lead)
Sam spent a decade in the Atlanta theatre industry working as an actor. He recently returned to Atlanta upon completing a BFA in Theatre Performance and an MFA in Film, TV, and Digital Media at UGA. After the last two years behind the camera, he returned to the performance world to play the role of Alex. Sam engages themes of identity and self-discovery in his work, embracing stories that reflect the diverse and fluid spectrum of the human experience.
AJ Epps - Assistant Director
AJ is an Atlanta local who has worked four years as a 1st AD on indie productions. As a current Digital Filmmaking MFA student at GSU, she specializes in telling multigenerational stories with an emphasis on weirdos growing up in the Deep South.
Sarah Forest - Production Designer
Sarah is an Atlanta-based filmmaker from Florida’s Sun Coast, specializing in SFX makeup and all things art department. They have a passion for bringing queer and woman-led narratives to life in any capacity.
Madison Toft - Gaffer
Madison is an Atlanta filmmaker who specializes in G&E and the art department. She loves to collaborate with passionate creatives, no matter the project, and always works to bring the shared creative vision to life. You’ll probably find her dancing around the set or cracking jokes with her amazing crew.
Mowen Yang - Sound Mixer
Mowen is a Chinese filmmaker who specializes in writing, directing, sound mixing and editing. She’s currently pursuing her MFA in Digital Filmmaking, having received a degree from the Beijing Film Academy. She strives with her films to capture the nuances of the human experience.
Janis Lago - Composer
Janis is an Atlanta-born industrial-electronic musician working primarily in new digital media. Having composed and released original material, often at breakneck pace, for over eight years, she now looks forward to contributing a vivid soundtrack to Destiny Unicorn and collaborating with the rest of the post-production team to help tie the story together. Check out her massive catalog.
Aaron Hendrickson - Sound Designer + ADR Mixer
Aaron is an Atlanta-based sound designer and musician with years of experience in independent productions. He has a passion for employing his ear for detail to elevate narratives across a wide range of media, with a particular flair for film.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
One evening, Alex, a privileged Atlanta local and Destiny, who’s on the run from their past, have a chance encounter. When Alex “saves Destiny’s life,” Destiny confesses to being a Dark Unicorn, explaining that Alex has become a portal. As the two venture aimlessly around town, their messier parts begin to surface. After things turn sinister, they retreat to Alex’s family home, where we at last learn what a Dark Unicorn is truly capable of.
Destiny Unicorn centers the culturally rich city of Atlanta in the narrative, so we chose to build an entirely Atlanta-based cast and crew of almost entirely BIPOC and/or queer folks. There’s a huge lack in media representation of queer-led narratives of which queerness is not the primary focus. Rather, it’s woven into the world itself, revealing the omnipresent queerness of everyday interaction. Throughout the film, our heroes navigate their own transness without establishing their own identities.
script drafts 1-3
The Backstory
It all started with a dream—which is fortunate because I don't normally dream in three act structure. But on this particular evening, I did just that. The next day, I put the dream to paper for what would become Destiny Unicorn.
At the time of the dream, I had just moved back to my hometown of Atlanta to work as a poet and sculptor. I hadn’t touched narrative film in nearly a decade. But this dream reignited my passion to tell stories through film: words, images, sounds and all. Soon, the Destiny Unicorn script would earn me admission to Georgia State University’s competitive MFA film program as well as a grant finalist position with Film Impact Georgia. I continue to work as a filmmaker and have several projects in the works. I can only imagine how different my life would be without Destiny Unicorn.
This movie means the world to me, and I can’t wait to show it to you! Please help me reach that goal.
xoxo, A Noa
writer & director
mood board
The Status
We’re so close! Destiny Unicorn has been shot and edited!
Your donations will primarily go to compensating the post-production team: the editor, sound designer, ADR recordist, VFX artist, composer and colorists. The rest will go to distribution—mainly film festival submissions, with a focus on queer and local festivals. These include Atlanta Underground, RIFF, Out on Film and NewFest, among others. We will also submit to streaming platforms like Short of the Week and NoBudge to expand our viewership to audiences around the world.
day 1 on location
Dedication
During preproduction, the Destiny Unicorn team suffered the sudden loss of our producer Rikki Hagerty. The first to join the team, Rikki immediately connected with and believed in A Noa’s story. She soon brought on producer Emma Husk, who in turn brought on so many others. Her hard work, positivity and good humor have carried this project all the way through, well beyond her passing.
Days before Rikki’s death, we had submitted this fundraiser for review—a campaign Rikki had spearheaded. We withdrew our submission, as we felt it would be wrong to ask for money so soon after such an immense tragedy. As such, most of the film was financed directly by A Noa. We hope you understand our choice to resume fundraising at this stage.
This project would not be possible without Atlanta’s fertile artistic community: the improv comedy scene, filmmaking club Kick the Ladder, Limelight Theater, Rad Magazine and the many tireless creatives who dedicate themselves to indie productions they believe in.
what's so funny, guys?
Thank you for taking interest in Destiny Unicorn. We massively appreciate your support!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
EDITING
Costs $600
to pay the editor to piece the film together
SOUND DESIGN
Costs $300
to pay the sound designer to make the perfect mix
MUSIC
Costs $500
to pay the composer for an original score and to license a song for the credits
COLOR
Costs $300
to pay the colorist to make it look all pretty
VFX
Costs $150
to pay the VFX artist to make a few shots really pop
ADR
Costs $300
to pay the recordist and actors to recapture dialog from the outdoor scenes
FESTIVALS
Costs $700
to pay application fees to festivals like Out on Film and NewFest
STREAMING PLATFORMS
Costs $150
to pay submission fees to film streaming platforms like Short of the Week and NoBudge
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
A Noa Harrison - Writer-Director
A Noa Harrison is an Atlanta native and queer artist. They received a film degree from Carleton College and studied at Prague’s Film and TV School (FAMU). They worked as a journalist at NPR in DC, a record label producer in Brooklyn, a farmhand in Vermont and creative coach wherever they go. They returned to Atlanta in 2022 to immerse themselves in the thriving DIY arts, music, improv and filmmaking scenes. Today, they make movies, within and outside GSU’s MFA filmmaking program.
Rikki Hagerty - Producer
Rikki was an Atlanta-based improviser, designer and filmmaker in Atlanta. With an infectious energy and a commitment to being her authentic self, she strove to assist people through the art of creativity. To foster unique and moving stories in film, she created Happy & Sad Productions, with a focus on themes of queerness. During pre-production, Rikki tragically lost her life. Her effort and memory have inspired every stage of our filmmaking process.
Emma Husk - Producer
Emma Husk is a freelance filmmaker in Atlanta, working as a writer, producer, and director. Inspired by stories that balance humor and heart, Emma has become a vibrant member of the indie filmmaking community. As a queer creative, Emma aims to uplift underrepresented voices by commemorating the mundane and documenting the extraordinary.
Chris Cerda - Director of Photography
Chris Cerda is a passionate filmmaker who loves to travel and document the world through the lens. Raised between the U.S. and Chile, Chris loves discovering new cultures, music and food. Backpacking through South America furthered his understanding and passion for capturing a diverse world with his camera. In 2020, Chris Founded Buena Onda Film Productions, leading teams to create docuseries, narrative short films, commercials and more.
Amalie Rosales - Destiny (lead)
Amalie is a Honduran-American actor from Atlanta who loves to combine her passions for advocacy and art through film. A relatively new face in this industry, Amalie has performed in a variety of short films highlighting queer and immigrant stories.
Sam Costantino - Alex (lead)
Sam spent a decade in the Atlanta theatre industry working as an actor. He recently returned to Atlanta upon completing a BFA in Theatre Performance and an MFA in Film, TV, and Digital Media at UGA. After the last two years behind the camera, he returned to the performance world to play the role of Alex. Sam engages themes of identity and self-discovery in his work, embracing stories that reflect the diverse and fluid spectrum of the human experience.
AJ Epps - Assistant Director
AJ is an Atlanta local who has worked four years as a 1st AD on indie productions. As a current Digital Filmmaking MFA student at GSU, she specializes in telling multigenerational stories with an emphasis on weirdos growing up in the Deep South.
Sarah Forest - Production Designer
Sarah is an Atlanta-based filmmaker from Florida’s Sun Coast, specializing in SFX makeup and all things art department. They have a passion for bringing queer and woman-led narratives to life in any capacity.
Madison Toft - Gaffer
Madison is an Atlanta filmmaker who specializes in G&E and the art department. She loves to collaborate with passionate creatives, no matter the project, and always works to bring the shared creative vision to life. You’ll probably find her dancing around the set or cracking jokes with her amazing crew.
Mowen Yang - Sound Mixer
Mowen is a Chinese filmmaker who specializes in writing, directing, sound mixing and editing. She’s currently pursuing her MFA in Digital Filmmaking, having received a degree from the Beijing Film Academy. She strives with her films to capture the nuances of the human experience.
Janis Lago - Composer
Janis is an Atlanta-born industrial-electronic musician working primarily in new digital media. Having composed and released original material, often at breakneck pace, for over eight years, she now looks forward to contributing a vivid soundtrack to Destiny Unicorn and collaborating with the rest of the post-production team to help tie the story together. Check out her massive catalog.
Aaron Hendrickson - Sound Designer + ADR Mixer
Aaron is an Atlanta-based sound designer and musician with years of experience in independent productions. He has a passion for employing his ear for detail to elevate narratives across a wide range of media, with a particular flair for film.