FILMGIRL
New York City, New York | Film Short
Comedy, Horror
FILMGIRL is a drug-fueled erotic slasher film that asks "why is film still for the boys?" It declares that femmes are subjects of their own lives, and mocks pretentious cinema culture. Inspired by the "filmbro" trope, FILMGIRL screams "film is for the b*tches too, and we refuse to be left out."
FILMGIRL
New York City, New York | Film Short
Comedy, Horror
1 Campaigns | New York, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $5,774 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
57 supporters | followers
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FILMGIRL is a drug-fueled erotic slasher film that asks "why is film still for the boys?" It declares that femmes are subjects of their own lives, and mocks pretentious cinema culture. Inspired by the "filmbro" trope, FILMGIRL screams "film is for the b*tches too, and we refuse to be left out."
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
FILMGIRL is written and produced by Luna Sofía Miranda (she/they), who is starring as Lorena. Luna is a Queer, Latina Stripper from NYC. She made her feature film debut this year as an actress and consultant in Sean Baker's new film, Anora. Using her strip club money to launch a creative career, Luna has produced 16 burlesque shows, an arthouse horror film, and several concept photoshoots.
After struggling for years to write a second film, Luna decided it was time to stop worrying about making something good and just make something fun that they could build a community around.
Luna's journey from gritty Brooklyn Stripper to emerging actress inspired FILMGIRL, which is both a feminist revenge fantasy and a parody mocking the elitism of cinema. While FILMGIRL is not about sex-work, it is inspired by Luna's real-life experience as a stripper trying to become an actress. Hollywood loves to tell stories about sex-workers, while systematically excluding us from the film industry. FILMGIRL is about making yourself heard, no matter how loud you have to scream, and refusing to be the side character of someone else's story.
FILMGIRL is an erotic horror film about Lorena Vazquez; a sociopath, a cinephile, and a serial killer. She is the ultimate femme fatale. She spends her evenings smoking indoors and scouring the internet for promiscuous men. She is named after the infamous Lorena Bobbitt.
Tonight, Lorena is attracted to a dating-app profile that belongs to Jake, a pretentious cinephile and filmmaker, AKA, a "filmbro." Jake's profile is rife with elements you would find on a Gen-Z dating app; dreamy polaroid pics with a 2010's "Tumblr aesthetic" and quippy personal facts that scream "I am sophisticated and culturally literate."
Jake falls right into her trap, coming over to her apartment. It seems like they are in for a night of cocaine-driven talking, drinking, and sex (with Lorena on top, of course). Jake talks about his ideas, his achievements, and his films, failing to learn anything about Lorena.
Jake doesn't even notice Lorena's room, which is decorated with vintage horror movie posters. Everything in her room screams "black widow," and he doesn't recognize any of the red flags until it is too late. The entire film takes place in Lorena's room, which is designed to reflect her narcissistic qualities.
By the time Jake realizes she intends to kill him and record it on camera, he is already strapped to her bed and unable to escape. He makes a last ditch effort to run, breaking her nose and sending her into a fury. Her face stained with blood, tears, and coke, Lorena tells Jake exactly what she thinks of him all the other filmbros, bringing her knife down on him.
Lorena's room is like her personal snow globe from hell. In here, she gets to play god, and everything fits neatly into her filmgirl aesthetic. Her room is like a tacky 80s furniture store got mixed with a BDSM Tumblr page.
Watch this video to learn more about the concept, themes, and art direction for FILMGIRL.
MOOD BOARDS:
Gen-Z Online Culture
-Using dating apps for casual sex
-The rise of the film "critics" and "experts" using social media to discuss cinema (which has spurred the "filmbro" and the "sad girl" tropes.)
-The obsession with aesthetics, particularly "Tumblr aesthetics" , and young people suddenly having the power to customize their entire existence (both on and offline).
Narcissism
Whether you are the vulnerable 'victim' or the 'grandiose' jerk, narcissists are the center of the world, unable to share attention or space. With Jake and Lorena, we can't really tell which is which.
Mocking Film Culture:
While this film mocks cinephilia, is it also a really pretentious movie made by a cinephile who loves "aesthetics." FILMGIRL, and it's creator, aim to make fun of themselves and the elitist culture surrounding cinema.
FILMBROS & SADGIRLS
Jake is what many people refer to as a “filmboy” or a “filmbro.” An often white, hetero, cis-male who loves film and has a condescending, arrogant attitude about it. Online spaces like filmtok, film-twitter, youtube movie reviews, film reddit, and Letterboxd have proliferated the filmbro trope .
While Lorena is not “sad”, she is embodies the “sad girl” aesthetic, another trope that originated on Tumblr and has been connected to Sophia Coppola’s Films. Sad girls (also often white) take polaroid pictures, gush over Lana del Rey (Queen Sad Girl) and post sad quotes online. Some of them even run “filmstagrams” where they post clips from old Hollywood flicks or have film Pinterest boards.
To learn more about FILMGIRL, visit us at https://linktr.ee/filmgirl
You can also visit the FILMGIRL store at https://www.bonfire.com/store/filmgirl-store/
FILMGIRL is set to shoot in NYC in late September. We already have a dedicated team of awesome filmmakers, and your pledges will help us add more people to our team and elevate the production value of our film. By October 2024, FILMGIRL will be shot, and after we catch out breaths, we will immediately start post production so that we can get FILMGIRL out into the world by early 2025! The plan is to host a gritty, strippper-style release premiere and release party to welcome FILMGIRL into the world.
Support us by making a pledge, following our project on Seed & Spark, and sharing our fundraising page with your friends, family, and followers.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Director of Photography
Costs $400
I met filmmaker Rudi Gohl on the set of Anora (Dir. Sean Baker) He encouraged me to make this film, and I am blessed that he is joining me!
Location
Costs $2,000
I don't want to shoot this film in my apartment and risk trouble with my landlord. Renting a film location would ensure that we can shoot!
Art Department
Costs $300
Pops, costumes, and set pieces will elevate this production by bringing Lorena's twisted world to life...and it's going to look so cool.
Sound
Costs $700
An audience may forgive bad visuals...but they won't forgive bad audio! We cannot make FILMGIRL without quality sound.
Gaffer + Lighting Package
Costs $1,150
I can write, direct, produce, and act in my own film...but I can't hold up my own lights.
Food
Costs $500
I would love to feed my crew something more substantial than pizza and bagels, we're going to be working long hours.
Intimacy Coordinator
Costs $100
We're doing some scary, sexy stuff here. An intimacy coordinator will help keep everybody safe on set.
Hair and Make Up
Costs $250
In addition to looking really hot and sexy for you, we need someone to help us with fake blood and continuity!
Production Assistant
Costs $300
PAs are the backbone of independent cinema! ...I'm also already doing 4 jobs on set, and I need someone to support me.
Van Rental
Costs $400
I don't want to be that girl on the subway with 4 suitcases full of film equipment. A van will help us stay on schedule and be organized.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
I am blessed to work with such an amazing group of film-people. I met some of these amazing folx while working on the set of Anora, Sean Baker's upcoming feature. All of them have supported me since the beginning of this project, I would not be able to do this without their support.
I wrote the role of Jake for Finn Steward. I need a male actor who is funny, smart, and comfortable with being "the bad guy" in a woman's story. Only someone as mature, kind-hearted, and goofy as Steward could pull this off, and I'm extremely lucky to have him on set as the lead actor in FIMLGIRL.
Jean Pflum (they/them) is directing FILMGIRL. An NYC based artist. They began their career acting and now has ventured into the deep of producing and directing. Their first solo film, Goo, is set to premiere in 2025. Whether it be puppets, film, or TTRPGs Jean often finds themselves drawn towards the unsettling. With than in mind Jean is ecstatic to explore the divinely feminine and the chillingly carnal in FILMGIRL.
I chose Rudi Gohl to be the cinematographer for FILMGIRL after meeting him on the Anora set and seeing his demo reels - in addition to being a talented cinematographer and storyteller, he has helped women and BIPOC folx bring their own stories to life. I knew he would be a wonderful teammate. Rudi has been encouraging me to shoot FILMGIRL since I started writing it last year, pushing me forward even when I didn't think I could do it.
I met Emily Weider on the set of Anora and quickly realized what a creative powerhouse she is. A SAG-AFTRA Actor, educator, and dedicated intimacy coordinator, I have been lucky enough to witness Emily fighting for safer, collaborative working environments both on and off set. Their work has inspired me to change the way I think about consent and communication in all walks of life.
I am also overjoyed that Adriana Alpizar is joining FILMGIRL as the production coordinator. I met them on the set of ANORA, and I am blessed to have her helping me run this production. With her support, I can ensure the FILMGIRL gets the maximum production value!
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
FILMGIRL is written and produced by Luna Sofía Miranda (she/they), who is starring as Lorena. Luna is a Queer, Latina Stripper from NYC. She made her feature film debut this year as an actress and consultant in Sean Baker's new film, Anora. Using her strip club money to launch a creative career, Luna has produced 16 burlesque shows, an arthouse horror film, and several concept photoshoots.
After struggling for years to write a second film, Luna decided it was time to stop worrying about making something good and just make something fun that they could build a community around.
Luna's journey from gritty Brooklyn Stripper to emerging actress inspired FILMGIRL, which is both a feminist revenge fantasy and a parody mocking the elitism of cinema. While FILMGIRL is not about sex-work, it is inspired by Luna's real-life experience as a stripper trying to become an actress. Hollywood loves to tell stories about sex-workers, while systematically excluding us from the film industry. FILMGIRL is about making yourself heard, no matter how loud you have to scream, and refusing to be the side character of someone else's story.
FILMGIRL is an erotic horror film about Lorena Vazquez; a sociopath, a cinephile, and a serial killer. She is the ultimate femme fatale. She spends her evenings smoking indoors and scouring the internet for promiscuous men. She is named after the infamous Lorena Bobbitt.
Tonight, Lorena is attracted to a dating-app profile that belongs to Jake, a pretentious cinephile and filmmaker, AKA, a "filmbro." Jake's profile is rife with elements you would find on a Gen-Z dating app; dreamy polaroid pics with a 2010's "Tumblr aesthetic" and quippy personal facts that scream "I am sophisticated and culturally literate."
Jake falls right into her trap, coming over to her apartment. It seems like they are in for a night of cocaine-driven talking, drinking, and sex (with Lorena on top, of course). Jake talks about his ideas, his achievements, and his films, failing to learn anything about Lorena.
Jake doesn't even notice Lorena's room, which is decorated with vintage horror movie posters. Everything in her room screams "black widow," and he doesn't recognize any of the red flags until it is too late. The entire film takes place in Lorena's room, which is designed to reflect her narcissistic qualities.
By the time Jake realizes she intends to kill him and record it on camera, he is already strapped to her bed and unable to escape. He makes a last ditch effort to run, breaking her nose and sending her into a fury. Her face stained with blood, tears, and coke, Lorena tells Jake exactly what she thinks of him all the other filmbros, bringing her knife down on him.
Lorena's room is like her personal snow globe from hell. In here, she gets to play god, and everything fits neatly into her filmgirl aesthetic. Her room is like a tacky 80s furniture store got mixed with a BDSM Tumblr page.
Watch this video to learn more about the concept, themes, and art direction for FILMGIRL.
MOOD BOARDS:
Gen-Z Online Culture
-Using dating apps for casual sex
-The rise of the film "critics" and "experts" using social media to discuss cinema (which has spurred the "filmbro" and the "sad girl" tropes.)
-The obsession with aesthetics, particularly "Tumblr aesthetics" , and young people suddenly having the power to customize their entire existence (both on and offline).
Narcissism
Whether you are the vulnerable 'victim' or the 'grandiose' jerk, narcissists are the center of the world, unable to share attention or space. With Jake and Lorena, we can't really tell which is which.
Mocking Film Culture:
While this film mocks cinephilia, is it also a really pretentious movie made by a cinephile who loves "aesthetics." FILMGIRL, and it's creator, aim to make fun of themselves and the elitist culture surrounding cinema.
FILMBROS & SADGIRLS
Jake is what many people refer to as a “filmboy” or a “filmbro.” An often white, hetero, cis-male who loves film and has a condescending, arrogant attitude about it. Online spaces like filmtok, film-twitter, youtube movie reviews, film reddit, and Letterboxd have proliferated the filmbro trope .
While Lorena is not “sad”, she is embodies the “sad girl” aesthetic, another trope that originated on Tumblr and has been connected to Sophia Coppola’s Films. Sad girls (also often white) take polaroid pictures, gush over Lana del Rey (Queen Sad Girl) and post sad quotes online. Some of them even run “filmstagrams” where they post clips from old Hollywood flicks or have film Pinterest boards.
To learn more about FILMGIRL, visit us at https://linktr.ee/filmgirl
You can also visit the FILMGIRL store at https://www.bonfire.com/store/filmgirl-store/
FILMGIRL is set to shoot in NYC in late September. We already have a dedicated team of awesome filmmakers, and your pledges will help us add more people to our team and elevate the production value of our film. By October 2024, FILMGIRL will be shot, and after we catch out breaths, we will immediately start post production so that we can get FILMGIRL out into the world by early 2025! The plan is to host a gritty, strippper-style release premiere and release party to welcome FILMGIRL into the world.
Support us by making a pledge, following our project on Seed & Spark, and sharing our fundraising page with your friends, family, and followers.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Director of Photography
Costs $400
I met filmmaker Rudi Gohl on the set of Anora (Dir. Sean Baker) He encouraged me to make this film, and I am blessed that he is joining me!
Location
Costs $2,000
I don't want to shoot this film in my apartment and risk trouble with my landlord. Renting a film location would ensure that we can shoot!
Art Department
Costs $300
Pops, costumes, and set pieces will elevate this production by bringing Lorena's twisted world to life...and it's going to look so cool.
Sound
Costs $700
An audience may forgive bad visuals...but they won't forgive bad audio! We cannot make FILMGIRL without quality sound.
Gaffer + Lighting Package
Costs $1,150
I can write, direct, produce, and act in my own film...but I can't hold up my own lights.
Food
Costs $500
I would love to feed my crew something more substantial than pizza and bagels, we're going to be working long hours.
Intimacy Coordinator
Costs $100
We're doing some scary, sexy stuff here. An intimacy coordinator will help keep everybody safe on set.
Hair and Make Up
Costs $250
In addition to looking really hot and sexy for you, we need someone to help us with fake blood and continuity!
Production Assistant
Costs $300
PAs are the backbone of independent cinema! ...I'm also already doing 4 jobs on set, and I need someone to support me.
Van Rental
Costs $400
I don't want to be that girl on the subway with 4 suitcases full of film equipment. A van will help us stay on schedule and be organized.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
I am blessed to work with such an amazing group of film-people. I met some of these amazing folx while working on the set of Anora, Sean Baker's upcoming feature. All of them have supported me since the beginning of this project, I would not be able to do this without their support.
I wrote the role of Jake for Finn Steward. I need a male actor who is funny, smart, and comfortable with being "the bad guy" in a woman's story. Only someone as mature, kind-hearted, and goofy as Steward could pull this off, and I'm extremely lucky to have him on set as the lead actor in FIMLGIRL.
Jean Pflum (they/them) is directing FILMGIRL. An NYC based artist. They began their career acting and now has ventured into the deep of producing and directing. Their first solo film, Goo, is set to premiere in 2025. Whether it be puppets, film, or TTRPGs Jean often finds themselves drawn towards the unsettling. With than in mind Jean is ecstatic to explore the divinely feminine and the chillingly carnal in FILMGIRL.
I chose Rudi Gohl to be the cinematographer for FILMGIRL after meeting him on the Anora set and seeing his demo reels - in addition to being a talented cinematographer and storyteller, he has helped women and BIPOC folx bring their own stories to life. I knew he would be a wonderful teammate. Rudi has been encouraging me to shoot FILMGIRL since I started writing it last year, pushing me forward even when I didn't think I could do it.
I met Emily Weider on the set of Anora and quickly realized what a creative powerhouse she is. A SAG-AFTRA Actor, educator, and dedicated intimacy coordinator, I have been lucky enough to witness Emily fighting for safer, collaborative working environments both on and off set. Their work has inspired me to change the way I think about consent and communication in all walks of life.
I am also overjoyed that Adriana Alpizar is joining FILMGIRL as the production coordinator. I met them on the set of ANORA, and I am blessed to have her helping me run this production. With her support, I can ensure the FILMGIRL gets the maximum production value!