Dino Hart
Medford, Oregon | Film Short
Drama, LGBTQ
As a local Don’t Say Gay bill passes, 12-year-old Dino confronts a surprising truth about their long-lost father.
Dino Hart
Medford, Oregon | Film Short
Drama, LGBTQ
1 Campaigns | Oregon, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $13,200 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
121 supporters | followers
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As a local Don’t Say Gay bill passes, 12-year-old Dino confronts a surprising truth about their long-lost father.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Join as Dino traverses a world of Snapchat bullies, the crumbling Americana of small-town life, and the fine line between imagination and reality.
From our director, Lizzie Mayes:
I was Dino’s age as I began to contend with the realization that I was “not like other girls”.
I was gay.
Uh... shit. This was an inconvenient realization.
After all, this was the 90s. A wave of anti-gay legislation had recently washed across the country, like the Defense of Marriage Act, which formally denied federal protections and privileges to gay couples, and "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell", which banned gay servicemembers and allowed them to be dishonorably discharged from the military for "homosexual conduct."
A majority of Americans were opposed to gay marriage (which remained illegal in all American states).
Above: Me dressed as Pippi Longstocking for Halloween. There was something different about me, and it wasn't just the red pig-tails sticking out!
So, I pushed myself so far back in the closet that I was essentially in Narnia.
Maybe that's why I was so drawn to Pippi Longstocking, the beloved children's book character. She was unequivocally herself, witty, superhumanly strong, compassionate, a bit misbehaved, unbothered by social conventions, and flatly unwilling to conform to expectations.
Pippi helped me find my voice.
We're shaped by the stories we read, watch, and listen to.
That's why Dino Hart's story is important for us to tell right now.
WHY THIS FILM NOW?
Today, I feel a looming sense of déjà vu as a wave of anti-gay legislation is rising, including Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill (which allows parents to sue teachers for discussing anything related to LGBT history or issues at school).
We've been here before. I spent my early years in it. Back then, many of us who were queer youth didn’t yet have the resources, experience, words, power, or platform to be a voice for the opposition.
But now we do.
So that's why I feel not only compelled to tell this story, but also a sense of responsibility, too.
I think Pippi would have our backs on this.
So if you've seen recent headlines and have wanted to lend your voice in support of queer youth, this is a great way you can do so. By contributing to this film, you'll be signalling your support for nuanced, real stories about queer youth.
-Lizzie Mayes, Director
The backdrop of this story is the run-down Americana of Dino's hometown: Okay, Oregon. This charming but faded town had its hey-day in the 1950s; once-grand but now crumbling buildings stand like monuments to Okay's former glory.
This film gleefully and unapologetically claims this setting for itself, presenting a vision of queer Americana not often seen on screen.
Dino Hart is visually and thematically influenced by projects about youth and childhood like Lena Waithe's Save Me, Dope, and The Florida Project, as well as queer projects like Rafiki and Desert Hearts.
Lizzie Mayes, Writer and Director
Roberta Cumbianchera, Producer
A. Davis, Producer
Maria Moreno, Assistant Director
Kendra Strahm, Sound
Sean Khuon-Paige, Grip
Adolfo Cantu-Villarreal, Director of Cinematography
David Padilla, Production Designer
Rob Martinez, Gaffer
CONTRIBUTE TO THE CAMPAIGN
You can support our film by making a monetary pledge and choosing an incentive that matches your budget. We MUST collect 80% of crowdfunding goal in order to keep our funds.
CONNECT WITH US
- Instagram: @dinohartfilm
- Facebook: @dinohartfilm
- Twitter: @liz_mayes
- Website: lizmayes.com/dinohart
- Follow us here on Seed & Spark | Make sure you click "follow project" at the top of this page to be the first to receive updates! Also, you'll be doing us a solid! The more followers we get here, the more rewards and discounts we can receive.
SHARE THE CAMPAIGN
Please share our campaign via your social media, email, or word-of-mouth with your friends and family. Your support goes a long way!
Feel free to copy and paste the example below!
Help filmmaker @lizziemayes by supporting her queer coming-of-age short DINO HART: "As a local Don’t Say Gay bill passes, 12-year-old Dino confronts a surprising truth about their long-lost father." Join them on @seedandspark: https://bit.ly/3M2iACP
1. We film this thing! We are currently in pre-production. When we hit our project greenlight, we will be able to begin filming!
During filming, we will have a certified Covid Compliance Officer on set at all times. Our cast and crew's safety is our top priority!
2. Film festivals! We take Dino on the road, submitting to film festivals across the country!
ps. In the case that we exceed our crowdfunding goal, we will set up stretch goals. With an expanded budget, we can invest in more locations, better equipment and wardrobes, and more!
Thank you, and welcome to the Dino Hart team!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Share this update!
About This Team
We are a motley crew of creatives from a diverse array of backgrounds. Our talented team is made up of people of color, queer people, and Latinx immigrants. We are on a mission to bring (currently) underrepresented voices to your screen.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Join as Dino traverses a world of Snapchat bullies, the crumbling Americana of small-town life, and the fine line between imagination and reality.
From our director, Lizzie Mayes:
I was Dino’s age as I began to contend with the realization that I was “not like other girls”.
I was gay.
Uh... shit. This was an inconvenient realization.
After all, this was the 90s. A wave of anti-gay legislation had recently washed across the country, like the Defense of Marriage Act, which formally denied federal protections and privileges to gay couples, and "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell", which banned gay servicemembers and allowed them to be dishonorably discharged from the military for "homosexual conduct."
A majority of Americans were opposed to gay marriage (which remained illegal in all American states).
Above: Me dressed as Pippi Longstocking for Halloween. There was something different about me, and it wasn't just the red pig-tails sticking out!
So, I pushed myself so far back in the closet that I was essentially in Narnia.
Maybe that's why I was so drawn to Pippi Longstocking, the beloved children's book character. She was unequivocally herself, witty, superhumanly strong, compassionate, a bit misbehaved, unbothered by social conventions, and flatly unwilling to conform to expectations.
Pippi helped me find my voice.
We're shaped by the stories we read, watch, and listen to.
That's why Dino Hart's story is important for us to tell right now.
WHY THIS FILM NOW?
Today, I feel a looming sense of déjà vu as a wave of anti-gay legislation is rising, including Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill (which allows parents to sue teachers for discussing anything related to LGBT history or issues at school).
We've been here before. I spent my early years in it. Back then, many of us who were queer youth didn’t yet have the resources, experience, words, power, or platform to be a voice for the opposition.
But now we do.
So that's why I feel not only compelled to tell this story, but also a sense of responsibility, too.
I think Pippi would have our backs on this.
So if you've seen recent headlines and have wanted to lend your voice in support of queer youth, this is a great way you can do so. By contributing to this film, you'll be signalling your support for nuanced, real stories about queer youth.
-Lizzie Mayes, Director
The backdrop of this story is the run-down Americana of Dino's hometown: Okay, Oregon. This charming but faded town had its hey-day in the 1950s; once-grand but now crumbling buildings stand like monuments to Okay's former glory.
This film gleefully and unapologetically claims this setting for itself, presenting a vision of queer Americana not often seen on screen.
Dino Hart is visually and thematically influenced by projects about youth and childhood like Lena Waithe's Save Me, Dope, and The Florida Project, as well as queer projects like Rafiki and Desert Hearts.
Lizzie Mayes, Writer and Director
Roberta Cumbianchera, Producer
A. Davis, Producer
Maria Moreno, Assistant Director
Kendra Strahm, Sound
Sean Khuon-Paige, Grip
Adolfo Cantu-Villarreal, Director of Cinematography
David Padilla, Production Designer
Rob Martinez, Gaffer
CONTRIBUTE TO THE CAMPAIGN
You can support our film by making a monetary pledge and choosing an incentive that matches your budget. We MUST collect 80% of crowdfunding goal in order to keep our funds.
CONNECT WITH US
- Instagram: @dinohartfilm
- Facebook: @dinohartfilm
- Twitter: @liz_mayes
- Website: lizmayes.com/dinohart
- Follow us here on Seed & Spark | Make sure you click "follow project" at the top of this page to be the first to receive updates! Also, you'll be doing us a solid! The more followers we get here, the more rewards and discounts we can receive.
SHARE THE CAMPAIGN
Please share our campaign via your social media, email, or word-of-mouth with your friends and family. Your support goes a long way!
Feel free to copy and paste the example below!
Help filmmaker @lizziemayes by supporting her queer coming-of-age short DINO HART: "As a local Don’t Say Gay bill passes, 12-year-old Dino confronts a surprising truth about their long-lost father." Join them on @seedandspark: https://bit.ly/3M2iACP
1. We film this thing! We are currently in pre-production. When we hit our project greenlight, we will be able to begin filming!
During filming, we will have a certified Covid Compliance Officer on set at all times. Our cast and crew's safety is our top priority!
2. Film festivals! We take Dino on the road, submitting to film festivals across the country!
ps. In the case that we exceed our crowdfunding goal, we will set up stretch goals. With an expanded budget, we can invest in more locations, better equipment and wardrobes, and more!
Thank you, and welcome to the Dino Hart team!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Share this update!
About This Team
We are a motley crew of creatives from a diverse array of backgrounds. Our talented team is made up of people of color, queer people, and Latinx immigrants. We are on a mission to bring (currently) underrepresented voices to your screen.