VIII
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Shorts Program, Drama
When a young boy in the 70s is diagnosed with a rare bleeding disorder he defies all odds: falling in love, raising a family & capturing the world through his Kodak. Our goal is to share his story of resilience in hopes that we can raises awareness for rare diseases & amplify underserved communities
VIII
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Shorts Program, Drama
Green Light
This campaign raised $8,015 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
10 supporters | followers
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When a young boy in the 70s is diagnosed with a rare bleeding disorder he defies all odds: falling in love, raising a family & capturing the world through his Kodak. Our goal is to share his story of resilience in hopes that we can raises awareness for rare diseases & amplify underserved communities
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Presenting: VIII (A proof of concept short film based on an incredibly resilient true story).
LOGLINE- When a young boy in the 70s is diagnosed with a rare bleeding disorder he defies all odds: falling in love, raising a family & capturing the world through his Kodak despite his doctor’s predicted fate.
SYNOPSIS- VIII follows the extraordinary life of Antonio Steinhardt, a boy born in the 1970s with Hemophilia A and a rare inhibitor that prevents his blood from clotting. Told through a blend of memory, emotion, and the images he captures on his Kodak camera, the film traces Antonio’s journey from a bright-eyed child battling unpredictable bleeds to a young man determined to live fully despite his limitations. Antonio is constantly reminded of how fragile life can be, but he refuses to let his illness define him. His world changes when he meets Olivia, a sharp, witty, and fearless girl who sees him for who he is rather than what he struggles with. Their connection becomes a love story that anchors him and gives him a powerful sense of purpose. As Antonio navigates danger, adolescence, and the constant uncertainty surrounding his health, he learns to fight back against fear, fate, and the limitations other people try to place on him. While the story is rooted in the specifics of a rare bleeding disorder, VIII is ultimately a universal portrait of choosing hope over fear, love over limitation, and life over the odds. Through Antonio’s lens, we witness what it truly means to live, even when the world insists you cannot.
WHY THIS? WHY NOW?
We need human storytelling more than ever, and the best way to grab audience's attention and pave the way for change is by using cinema to bring these stories to life. This story is one that can only be told from a human experience and can touch the lives of anyone who has ever faced any type of adversity. Now is the time for more human connection, more common ground and unique yet shared perspectives... Now is the time for VIII.
Our Mission is twofold: to create a powerful narrative film for a robust festival campaign, and to build an aligned advocacy initiative that raises awareness for bleeding disorders and the communities affected by them. By dramatizing a story that has never been represented on screen, VIII aims to spark deeper public understanding, encourage conversations within the medical and philanthropic communities, and expand visibility for an under-represented community.
"The Candies" band have generously partnered with us by lending some of their music to help bring this beautiful story to life. You can listen to the one that will be featured in VIII below!
Sounds like it's straight out of the Beatles/Simon and Garfunk era!
Spread the word to your communities! With your support, we can bring this story to life—funding production, cast and crew, post-production, festival screenings, and an impact campaign to raise awareness and inspire advocacy for the bleeding disorders community.
Do you see our vision?
West Side Story meets The Notebook meets The Fault in our Stars.
A 70's inspired young love push and pull between sacrifice, resilience and defying the odds. Boom ------------------->
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations & Permits
Costs $2,000
Securing authentic, cinematic spaces and permits that bring the world of the 1950s to life and maximize it's cinematic reach.
Production Design & Wardrobe
Costs $1,350
Building rich, immersive environments and era-specific costumes that transport audiences into the story.
Production Insurance
Costs $800
Essential coverage to protect our cast, crew, equipment, and locations—ensuring a safe and secure shoot from start to finish.
Post-Production & Festival Submissions
Costs $2,550
Editing, sound design, color grading, and submitting VIII to key film festivals (Tiff, Sundance, Tribeca, Newport Beach, Palm Springs, etc)
Cast & Crew
Costs $3,300
Supporting a passionate team whose talent and dedication will elevate every frame. We want to compensate fairly:) This covers some fee's!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Executive Producer & Writer:
Solidifying herself as a young star on the rise, Sami Rappoport, of the 4X-time Emmy nominated hit Hulu series "Pen15" brought popular middle school bully "Becca" to life for it's three seasons. Her other credits include “Hacks”, “Trigger Happy”, and “Something New”. She's a fierce advocate for bleeding disorders, anti-bullying and the arts, specifically in allowing unique and diverse female stories to come to life.
Director:
Michael Greenberg is a filmmaker from Minneapolis, with a proven track record of creating films that punch well above their weight and exhibit a high level of artistry and technical ability. He’s written and directed over 20 commercials and his short films have screened in festivals across the country. Michael’s debut feature ‘Come Down’, is scheduled to shoot in Minneapolis, Fall ‘26. His goal is to create highly unique and powerful independent films that establish him as a next-gen auteur who supports other independent creators, shooting on celluloid, and keeping the theatrical experience alive.
Producer:
AJ Rinella is a seasoned producer with an impressive 25-year career in the entertainment industry, celebrated for his creative vision and expertise in developing compelling stories. His impressive portfolio includes the hit movie "Bandit," starring Josh Duhamel and Mel Gibson, which captivated audiences by maintaining the number one spot across all streaming platforms for eight consecutive weeks. Additionally, AJ was a producer on "Wake," featuring comedian Jo Koy, sold to Amazon, and "Brooklyn Minnesota," starring Academy Award nominee Amy Madigan, which has received multiple accolades, including Best Director and Best Screenplay at the Woodstock Film Festival and the Newport Beach Film Festival in 2025. AJ's work extends to other noteworthy projects, such as "Body Language," starring Christina Milian and sold to Netflix, the holiday movie "Rescuing Christmas," featuring Rachel Lee Cook and acquired by Hallmark, and "Merry Kiss Cam," starring Katie Lowes, which found a home on Hulu.
Director of Photography: Alexander Chinnici is a Director of Photography focusing mainly in narrative cinematography. He is an accomplished DP, having shot over 10 feature films, countless short films, commercials, automotive spots and music videos.
Cherubs Productions:
Cherubs Productions is a femme-led independent production house, focused on creating collaborative genre-bending
art in film and theater.
With Support From: BelieveLimited
We've also brought onboard
Patrick Luwis - an American actor known for his roles as Axel Kovačević in the Netflix series Cobra Kai and as Ivar in Zack Snyder's Rebel Moon franchise. He has appeared in several prominent television series and films since 2017. He will be playing Dean.
Sami Rappoport - best known for her role as "Becca" on 3 seasons of the 4x Emmy Nominated Hulu Comedy "Pen15". Additional credits include "Trigger Happy" and "Hacks". She will be playing Olivia.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Presenting: VIII (A proof of concept short film based on an incredibly resilient true story).
LOGLINE- When a young boy in the 70s is diagnosed with a rare bleeding disorder he defies all odds: falling in love, raising a family & capturing the world through his Kodak despite his doctor’s predicted fate.
SYNOPSIS- VIII follows the extraordinary life of Antonio Steinhardt, a boy born in the 1970s with Hemophilia A and a rare inhibitor that prevents his blood from clotting. Told through a blend of memory, emotion, and the images he captures on his Kodak camera, the film traces Antonio’s journey from a bright-eyed child battling unpredictable bleeds to a young man determined to live fully despite his limitations. Antonio is constantly reminded of how fragile life can be, but he refuses to let his illness define him. His world changes when he meets Olivia, a sharp, witty, and fearless girl who sees him for who he is rather than what he struggles with. Their connection becomes a love story that anchors him and gives him a powerful sense of purpose. As Antonio navigates danger, adolescence, and the constant uncertainty surrounding his health, he learns to fight back against fear, fate, and the limitations other people try to place on him. While the story is rooted in the specifics of a rare bleeding disorder, VIII is ultimately a universal portrait of choosing hope over fear, love over limitation, and life over the odds. Through Antonio’s lens, we witness what it truly means to live, even when the world insists you cannot.
WHY THIS? WHY NOW?
We need human storytelling more than ever, and the best way to grab audience's attention and pave the way for change is by using cinema to bring these stories to life. This story is one that can only be told from a human experience and can touch the lives of anyone who has ever faced any type of adversity. Now is the time for more human connection, more common ground and unique yet shared perspectives... Now is the time for VIII.
Our Mission is twofold: to create a powerful narrative film for a robust festival campaign, and to build an aligned advocacy initiative that raises awareness for bleeding disorders and the communities affected by them. By dramatizing a story that has never been represented on screen, VIII aims to spark deeper public understanding, encourage conversations within the medical and philanthropic communities, and expand visibility for an under-represented community.
"The Candies" band have generously partnered with us by lending some of their music to help bring this beautiful story to life. You can listen to the one that will be featured in VIII below!
Sounds like it's straight out of the Beatles/Simon and Garfunk era!
Spread the word to your communities! With your support, we can bring this story to life—funding production, cast and crew, post-production, festival screenings, and an impact campaign to raise awareness and inspire advocacy for the bleeding disorders community.
Do you see our vision?
West Side Story meets The Notebook meets The Fault in our Stars.
A 70's inspired young love push and pull between sacrifice, resilience and defying the odds. Boom ------------------->
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations & Permits
Costs $2,000
Securing authentic, cinematic spaces and permits that bring the world of the 1950s to life and maximize it's cinematic reach.
Production Design & Wardrobe
Costs $1,350
Building rich, immersive environments and era-specific costumes that transport audiences into the story.
Production Insurance
Costs $800
Essential coverage to protect our cast, crew, equipment, and locations—ensuring a safe and secure shoot from start to finish.
Post-Production & Festival Submissions
Costs $2,550
Editing, sound design, color grading, and submitting VIII to key film festivals (Tiff, Sundance, Tribeca, Newport Beach, Palm Springs, etc)
Cast & Crew
Costs $3,300
Supporting a passionate team whose talent and dedication will elevate every frame. We want to compensate fairly:) This covers some fee's!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Executive Producer & Writer:
Solidifying herself as a young star on the rise, Sami Rappoport, of the 4X-time Emmy nominated hit Hulu series "Pen15" brought popular middle school bully "Becca" to life for it's three seasons. Her other credits include “Hacks”, “Trigger Happy”, and “Something New”. She's a fierce advocate for bleeding disorders, anti-bullying and the arts, specifically in allowing unique and diverse female stories to come to life.
Director:
Michael Greenberg is a filmmaker from Minneapolis, with a proven track record of creating films that punch well above their weight and exhibit a high level of artistry and technical ability. He’s written and directed over 20 commercials and his short films have screened in festivals across the country. Michael’s debut feature ‘Come Down’, is scheduled to shoot in Minneapolis, Fall ‘26. His goal is to create highly unique and powerful independent films that establish him as a next-gen auteur who supports other independent creators, shooting on celluloid, and keeping the theatrical experience alive.
Producer:
AJ Rinella is a seasoned producer with an impressive 25-year career in the entertainment industry, celebrated for his creative vision and expertise in developing compelling stories. His impressive portfolio includes the hit movie "Bandit," starring Josh Duhamel and Mel Gibson, which captivated audiences by maintaining the number one spot across all streaming platforms for eight consecutive weeks. Additionally, AJ was a producer on "Wake," featuring comedian Jo Koy, sold to Amazon, and "Brooklyn Minnesota," starring Academy Award nominee Amy Madigan, which has received multiple accolades, including Best Director and Best Screenplay at the Woodstock Film Festival and the Newport Beach Film Festival in 2025. AJ's work extends to other noteworthy projects, such as "Body Language," starring Christina Milian and sold to Netflix, the holiday movie "Rescuing Christmas," featuring Rachel Lee Cook and acquired by Hallmark, and "Merry Kiss Cam," starring Katie Lowes, which found a home on Hulu.
Director of Photography: Alexander Chinnici is a Director of Photography focusing mainly in narrative cinematography. He is an accomplished DP, having shot over 10 feature films, countless short films, commercials, automotive spots and music videos.
Cherubs Productions:
Cherubs Productions is a femme-led independent production house, focused on creating collaborative genre-bending
art in film and theater.
With Support From: BelieveLimited
We've also brought onboard
Patrick Luwis - an American actor known for his roles as Axel Kovačević in the Netflix series Cobra Kai and as Ivar in Zack Snyder's Rebel Moon franchise. He has appeared in several prominent television series and films since 2017. He will be playing Dean.
Sami Rappoport - best known for her role as "Becca" on 3 seasons of the 4x Emmy Nominated Hulu Comedy "Pen15". Additional credits include "Trigger Happy" and "Hacks". She will be playing Olivia.