첫째, FIRST
Salt Lake City, Utah | Film Short
Global Celebration, Family
FIRST is a Mixed Korean-American short film about the quiet weight placed on eldest daughters in fractured homes. We’re raising funds to finish it with care—through score, color, and distribution—so this rarely named experience can be seen and felt.
첫째, FIRST
Salt Lake City, Utah | Film Short
Global Celebration, Family
1 Campaigns | Utah, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $5,000 for post-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
44 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
FIRST is a Mixed Korean-American short film about the quiet weight placed on eldest daughters in fractured homes. We’re raising funds to finish it with care—through score, color, and distribution—so this rarely named experience can be seen and felt.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
The year is 2010. #HAGS were exchanged with your besties at school and it’s finally summer break, except your mom is Korean and summer break is prime time to study up for the next school year😵💫
첫째 FIRST follows Eesul (이슬), the eldest daughter in a dual heritage Korean-American home. She loves art like her Umma, she loves music like her Dad, and her little sister Areum is her whole world. But as her family’s dysfunction becomes unavoidably apparent, Eesul is forced to face the reality of not just her breaking family but the domestic violence that is ensuing between her parents.
In the U.S., immigrant women experience rates of domestic violence from their partners at disproportionately high rates when compared to the national average. As you could imagine, many of these cases go unreported due to cultural or religious views/beliefs that enable the continuation of this abuse. 첫째 FIRST aims to open conversation on this topic by looking at this dynamic from the most vulnerable of positions, a child.
The story is heavy. We felt it to be SO important to make sure
it did NOT feel so heavy on set with the kids.
Trust, we had way too much fun😆
And there is more fun to be had! 🌟
Here's the plan:
Wether it be a follow to our Instagram, a donation, or a follow to our Seed&Spark Campaign, your support means the WORLD.
Thank you for your contributions that allow this dream project to become reality ❤️
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Original Score
Costs $2,000
Original score recorded in Utah and South Korea to deepen emotional storytelling.
Sound Design & Final Mix
Costs $800
Professional sound design and final mix preserving silence, music, and emotional nuance.
Festival Distribution
Costs $1,400
Festival submissions and outreach to audiences in Utah, California, and South Korea.
Red Carpet Premiere
Costs $1,000
Red carpet premiere honoring cast, crew, and supporters through a shared community celebration.
Pickup Shoots
Costs $800
Pickup shoots to refine performances, visuals, and emotional continuity across key scenes.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
.jpg)
FIRST is being created by a dedicated team of filmmakers who believe deeply in quiet, character-driven storytelling. We are artists, collaborators, and friends who care not just about making a beautiful film, but about telling this story with honesty, cultural sensitivity, and intention.
Michelle Cheuk - Director/Composer/Sound Designer (Riot Games, Student Accomplice): Michelle is an award-winning sound designer and composer stepping into the director’s chair to bring her passion for meaningful, story-driven filmmaking to life in this project. She is committed to community engagement and to amplifying marginalized voices.
Walker Nigbur - Producer (Angel Studios, Final Act): Walker is an award-winning independent film producer who fuses creative vision with logistical skill. He has produced multiple narrative and documentary projects and is deeply invested in projects that promote positive change in the world.
Riki Watanabe - Director of Photography/Colorist (Lone Mountain, I See The Demon): Riki is a visual storyteller who bridges the gap between the lens and the grade. As both a DP and Colorist, he offers a holistic approach to the image—ensuring the narrative intent captured on set is perfectly realized and elevated in the final master.
James Cutler - Co-director/Editor (Confused Blood, Can I Put You On Hold): James Cutler is an award winning filmmaker who is passionate about authentically telling Asian American stories.
We are also grateful to be supported by a group of experienced industry mentors who have offered guidance throughout development and production: Brigham Taylor (The Jungle Book, Pirates of the Caribbean), Kelly Loosli (DreamWorks), and Michael Choi (Sorina Studio, Never Forgotten).
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
The year is 2010. #HAGS were exchanged with your besties at school and it’s finally summer break, except your mom is Korean and summer break is prime time to study up for the next school year😵💫
첫째 FIRST follows Eesul (이슬), the eldest daughter in a dual heritage Korean-American home. She loves art like her Umma, she loves music like her Dad, and her little sister Areum is her whole world. But as her family’s dysfunction becomes unavoidably apparent, Eesul is forced to face the reality of not just her breaking family but the domestic violence that is ensuing between her parents.
In the U.S., immigrant women experience rates of domestic violence from their partners at disproportionately high rates when compared to the national average. As you could imagine, many of these cases go unreported due to cultural or religious views/beliefs that enable the continuation of this abuse. 첫째 FIRST aims to open conversation on this topic by looking at this dynamic from the most vulnerable of positions, a child.
The story is heavy. We felt it to be SO important to make sure
it did NOT feel so heavy on set with the kids.
Trust, we had way too much fun😆
And there is more fun to be had! 🌟
Here's the plan:
Wether it be a follow to our Instagram, a donation, or a follow to our Seed&Spark Campaign, your support means the WORLD.
Thank you for your contributions that allow this dream project to become reality ❤️
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Original Score
Costs $2,000
Original score recorded in Utah and South Korea to deepen emotional storytelling.
Sound Design & Final Mix
Costs $800
Professional sound design and final mix preserving silence, music, and emotional nuance.
Festival Distribution
Costs $1,400
Festival submissions and outreach to audiences in Utah, California, and South Korea.
Red Carpet Premiere
Costs $1,000
Red carpet premiere honoring cast, crew, and supporters through a shared community celebration.
Pickup Shoots
Costs $800
Pickup shoots to refine performances, visuals, and emotional continuity across key scenes.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
FIRST is being created by a dedicated team of filmmakers who believe deeply in quiet, character-driven storytelling. We are artists, collaborators, and friends who care not just about making a beautiful film, but about telling this story with honesty, cultural sensitivity, and intention.
Michelle Cheuk - Director/Composer/Sound Designer (Riot Games, Student Accomplice): Michelle is an award-winning sound designer and composer stepping into the director’s chair to bring her passion for meaningful, story-driven filmmaking to life in this project. She is committed to community engagement and to amplifying marginalized voices.
Walker Nigbur - Producer (Angel Studios, Final Act): Walker is an award-winning independent film producer who fuses creative vision with logistical skill. He has produced multiple narrative and documentary projects and is deeply invested in projects that promote positive change in the world.
Riki Watanabe - Director of Photography/Colorist (Lone Mountain, I See The Demon): Riki is a visual storyteller who bridges the gap between the lens and the grade. As both a DP and Colorist, he offers a holistic approach to the image—ensuring the narrative intent captured on set is perfectly realized and elevated in the final master.
James Cutler - Co-director/Editor (Confused Blood, Can I Put You On Hold): James Cutler is an award winning filmmaker who is passionate about authentically telling Asian American stories.
We are also grateful to be supported by a group of experienced industry mentors who have offered guidance throughout development and production: Brigham Taylor (The Jungle Book, Pirates of the Caribbean), Kelly Loosli (DreamWorks), and Michael Choi (Sorina Studio, Never Forgotten).