As a mixed Ojibwe filmmaker, my stories often reflect those experiencing an identity crisis. My mission is to tell uniquely Native stories that reflect universal themes and tradition in a contemporary context. Supporting this project uplifts Indigenous storytelling & mental health advocacy!

CAMPAIGN UPDATE:

We've just hit our goal!

We're overwhelmed with this last wave of support that got us to the finish line -- Miigwech (thank you) so much!

With less than 24 hrs to go, your contribution will still be essential to this film.

STRETCH GOAL: $13,500

We are looking to raise an additional $1,000 to hire a Marketing / PR individual to help guide us through the festival circuit!

- the FOUR NIGHTS AND A FIRE team.

 

Robert, a young Ojibwe man, prepares for a sacred fire ceremony in the woods where his father used to hunt, desperate to feel close to him one last time.

Having just lost his dad, Robert buries himself in his photography, putting a barrier between himself and the reality of his loss, and the emptiness in front of him.

He stubbornly takes on the responsibility of the sole firekeeper, a role usually shared to avoid fatigue in keeping a sacred fire alive for four consecutive days and nights.

Meanwhile, the Spirit of his father finds the flame and seeks to console his son, though he is only able to watch, and grieves that he cannot comfort him.

As Robert fights to keep the flame alive and reckon with the loss of his father, the spirit fights his fear of the inevitable transition to the afterlife.

 

 

 

BOOZHOO! (HELLO!)

My name is Alex Nystrom, writer & director of FOUR NIGHTS AND A FIRE.

After losing my father unexpectedly in 2015, I began to connect more deeply with my Ojibwe identity and the traditions that I lost when he passed. I rediscovered writing and found it to be a healthy way to explore my journey of grief.

Last fall, I wrote a poem that would become the backbone and voiceover of this film; an exploration of grief, intergenerational trauma, and how we must ultimately choose what to keep and what to leave behind.

Grief is often explored via the living, those left behind, those left to suffer. The lesser understood side of grief is experienced by those who are passing, the unfinished business, the regrets.

This is my interpretation of the Spirit’s journey, based on my own experience with grief upon the unexpected loss of my father, and the resilience that I’ve found by following in his footsteps.

This is FOUR NIGHTS AND A FIRE.

 

 

Last winter, our project was greenlit by an incredible non-profit organization called ART WITH IMPACT, and was selected for a production grant to produce a mental health story with a unique perspective on grief & resilience.

Though originally set on Red Cliff Reservation in northern Wisconsin, we chose to shoot in Oklahoma because of the superb Native film community there. FireThief Productions and Cherokee Film Office were the foundation to bring this film from script to reality.

We assembled a superstar cast and crew, and filmed principal photography over three nights. Despite the long, cold nights, the morale and spirit of the cast and crew stayed high. I think we all knew we were a part of something special.

It didn't hurt that we had a fire burning at all times to keep us warm too ;)

 

 

We were lucky enough to receive a second grant from VISION MAKER MEDIA via the Creative Shorts Fellowship, another incredible non-profit who empowers native storytellers, which will help fund the essentials of post-production for our festival cut.

This is where YOU come in -- we're turning to our community (and future fans of the film!) to help us get to the finish line. Completing post-production on a film is just the beginning of the end.

By contributing to this project, you can help us finish this film that is very special, personal, and important to all of us. 

The money we raise from this campaign will go to many intregral parts of this project. Here is a visual breakdown of our costs:

DEFERRED PRODUCTION COSTS: We deferred some out-of-pocket costs from production that now we're seeking to recoup!

FINAL CREATIVE TOUCHES: As we complete the festival cut over the summer, we’ll need funds to hire creative collaborators to make this film truly unique:

- Ojibwe Translator / Speaker (+ ADR Travel & Lodging Expenses)

- Composer

- Titles + Credits Artist

- Film Poster Artist

FESTIVALS: This fall, we'll be applying to festivals with hopes to premiere in early 2023. Applying to dozens of festivals can add up quickly, and we hope to screen this film across the U.S. and internationally as well. Let’s not forget travel and lodging so we can bring our team to the premiere and celebrate in person!

- Screening Fees

- Festival Fees

- Festival Premiere Travel

 

 

Please help us get the word out and reach our goal!

If you want to contribute but cannot afford it, sharing this campaign via social media, email, or however you connect with your community would be greatly appreciated!

For ease, we've created these easy copy & paste templates to share:

Support Ojibwe filmmaker Alex Nystrom and his incredibly talented team by contributing to his meditative short film FOUR NIGHTS AND A FIRE (@fournightsandafire), a story about a son who guides the spirit of his father to the afterlife. Join them on @seedandspark: www.seedandspark.com/fund/four-nights-and-a-fire

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Check out FOUR NIGHTS AND A FIRE (@fournightsandafire), a beautiful short film about grief & resilience from two perspectives through an indigenous lens. Support the film on @seedandspark: www.seedandspark.com/fund/four-nights-and-a-fire

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Pumped about this short film FOUR NIGHTS AND A FIRE (@fournightsandafire), directed by Alex Nystrom, it's gonna be fire! Contribute today on @seedandspark: www.seedandspark.com/fund/four-nights-and-a-fire

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- the FOUR NIGHTS AND A FIRE team.