Thank you so much for checking out our page!

You can help make this short film go into production and be as successful as it can be by becoming a donor today! At least 80% of our goal must be reached to keep the funds that are raised. All funds raised will go towards the production of our short that will be held in Mexico City this upcoming October, as listed in the “Wishlist” tab. Thanks again!

Diana la Cazadora is inspired on a true story that follows the journey of a woman who becomes a fierce protector where violence against women has become disturbingly normalized in Mexico. Set in Mexico City's vibrant yet raw and realistic landscape, “Diana la Cazadora” is looking to show the contrast in the beauty of the environment with the dark brutality of societal violence towards women.

As she stands up against the brutality that surrounds her, she becomes a symbol of resistance and hope for those who have been silenced. This film delves into the harsh realities faced by countless women and highlights the courage it takes to challenge a system that seems unchangeable.

This is a story of resistance, defiance, and the fight for justice.

This project is written and directed by Ayesha Fernandez, raised in Mexico and currently based in Los Angeles. With a diverse background and international experience, Ayesha's work is imbued with a unique sensibility and passion you can appreciate in their visual style. They has been a student of the New York Film Academy for 3 years now and is looking to graduate in April 2025 with this project as their thesis short-film that will grant them a BFA in Filmmaking.

Ayesha is a truly passionate human who is constantly looking to create community and create in general. We had the pleasure to host our last short film project titled "Clocked" on Seed and Spark last year as well raising a total of $7,000 with Jason Reitman being one of our patrons and we are excited to see what this new campaign will bring!

Photos by John Soto

Director's Statement: "I believe in the art of storytelling, but above all, I believe in the power to make a change, and for me, this short film is a great story that seeks to make a difference.

With the power of cinema, I aim to take our viewers on a raw and realistic journey, showing the life of a woman in Mexico and the gravity of the violence we experience; how it has spiraled out of control to the point where it has led us to ignore it.

Through a visual narrative and a realistic approach, we will implement cinematographic techniques such as long takes, montages, and intimate close-ups to capture the anguish and resilience of our protagonists. This film is based on the story and reality of many women in Mexico. The cold and desaturated color palette will reflect the grim reality, while the use of natural lighting will emphasize the authenticity of the scenes. With this work, I hope to raise awareness and awaken our audience to this issue, driving a necessary and urgent change.

The audio design will play a crucial role, using silence and ambient sounds to increase the tension and immersion of the viewer. The editing will focus on maintaining a pace that reflects the urgency and constant danger in which the women portrayed in the film live.

My goal is for each frame and scene not only to tell a story but also to evoke a deep emotional response, inviting reflection and action."

DIANA (40'S): LEAD

She is a resilient person with years of life experience. After experiencing a series of disappointments with the legal system due to previous incidents of injustice, she decides to take action into her own hands. She undergoes through her transformation when she decides to take action, becoming a huntress who targets the bus drivers who have hurt other women.

ANA (LATE 20's/30): SUPPORTING

Her character arc is crucial for the emotional depth of the film and Diana's transformation. Her resilience and courage serve as a beacon of hope and highlight the film’s themes of empowerment and solidarity. After being raped and as the pregnancy progresses, we can see how she slowly deteriorates and becomes increasingly depressed due to the lack of support from the town and the constant guilt she carries along with the baby in her womb.

BUS DRIVER (40'S) MAIN ANTAGONIST

He represents our immediate threat and the primary target of Diana’s vengeance. He is portrayed as menacing and relentless, embodying systemic corruption and the threat to women. He is driven by a sense of power and control over vulnerable women and uses his position to exploit and intimidate, seeing them as easy targets. The driver has an expressive, cynical face; when he smiles, it causes a certain level of discomfort.

We are asking for $10,000 to fund the production and development of this film. With your help, we can use this film to stop gender-based violence by raising awareness and educating in order to keep the women safe. If you are interested in donating, there is more information in the "Incentives" tab. We There are different tiers of donation levels to match every budget.

Including posters, merch and you can even name our main antagonist!

If you can't donate, even just sharing a link to this page to your close one will be so helpful to help make this short film come to life!

Bare minimum 80%: ($8000) We can pay for our cast and production expenses such as locations, permits, transportation, equipment, etcetera.

If we reach 100%: ($10,000) We can also cover festival entries and post-production and we can afford to pay our hardworking crew!

Stretch goal 110%: Since this is a student project most of our crew has donated their time to this project. If we reach 110% of our goal we will be able to compensate them and even maybe have a small wrap gift for these talented filmmakers.

We will only reach our crowdfunding goal if we reach beyond our networks. So please share our campaign via your social media sharing @DIANA_LACAZADORA_FILM, EMAILING YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY, or however you want!  We want to do this with you!

Here are some examples. Feel free to copy and paste!

-> Help filmmaker @itsaayesha by supporting her amazing film DIANA LA CAZADORA about a woman who takes action into her own hands and seeks revenge for women who have been hurt in Mexico. 

-> I just watched the DIANA LA CAZADORA crowdfunding video directed by filmmaker @itsaayesha and WOW, you've got to support this short film! It touches on gender-based violence in Mexico and it's looking to raise awareness!!

-> I'm so excited to see the short film DIANA THE HUNTRESS, by Ayesha Fernandez and director/writer @itsaayesha, be made in Mexico City this fall! Support them on @seedandspark so they can reach their funding goal!

Join them on @seedandspark: https://seedandspark.com/fund/dianalacazadora#story

IG: @itsaayesha @diana_lacazadora_film

FAQ'S:

You have fiscal sponsorship through Diana la Cazadora? Does that mean my pledge is tax-deductible?

It does! Minus the retail value of the incentives you receive. In-kind donations are eligible for tax deductions too! At the end of the campaign we will send you a tax receipt for your contribution.

Why are you using Seed&Spark instead of some other platform? We ❤️ Seed&Spark because of the amazing community of filmmakers they have built throughout the years. Also they share our commitment to diversity and inclusivity in front of & behind the camera.

Actions and Commitments: The shooting is scheduled for October 10th - Oct 25th. We are excited to share this short film with our pledgers and donors. The exclusive screening will be announced shortly after the shooting dates end. After the festival circuits, we will be sharing the film on Youtube and Vimeo.