"Happy Birthday Charlie" is about humanity – how we all struggle, fail, fall down, get back up and try again. It is about the relationship between a mother and a daughter. June can hardly save herself from her addiction, but she will do anything to prevent her daughter from going down the same path.
"Happy Birthday Charlie" is about humanity – how we all struggle, fail, fall down, get back up and try again. It is about the relationship between a mother and a daughter. June can hardly save herself from her addiction, but she will do anything to prevent her daughter from going down the same path.
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Story
Mission Statement
I am a mother, I am a daughter, I grew up in a religious family and have experienced the complexities this entails. I believe in humanity. I believe that positive outcomes can arise from dramatic and tragic circumstances. We are a female-powered team with a vision of empathy for women on the edge.About The Project
A small mountain town in the Colorado Rockies.
Gritty. Raw. Real.
June
A single mom. A nurse. A friend. A liar. A lover. A drug user...
Charlie
June's rebellious teenage daughter.
An unplanned mother and daughter road trip.
A motel on the wrong side of the tracks.
Finding a strange kind of happiness.
The last crime and final redemption.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
Why this story – why now?
In the time of the pandemic, the opiate crisis is only worsening. Tens of thousands of people are struggling. Substance abuse and subsequent deaths are rising.
Happy Birthday Charlie is about June, a religious woman struggling with drug addiction, and her teenage girl Charlie. June’s life is a chain of ups and downs as she desperately tries to escape reality. She fails, gets back up, falls down again.
June will do anything to prevent Charlie from going down her path, the path of self-destruction. The story mixes desperation and hope.
The film relates to my real-life experiences. I am a mother, I am a daughter, I grew up in a religious family and have experienced the complexities it entails. I believe in understanding and that positive outcomes can arise from dramatic and tragic circumstances.
The Big Picture
Stories affect change. They take us on journeys that allow us to see the world through other people's experiences. Stories connect us, all of us, to one another.
This story de-stigmatizes and humanizes single mothers and women with addictions. It is an honest story invoking empathy for those who live on the edge.
June and Charlie are not victims, they are fighters. They are real-life characters, living and loving, and in need of each other. Like us.
We invite you to enter their world of strange happiness.
Please, come with us on this journey as we create this unique film.
~Nina
WHAT WE NEED
Your support in this campaign goes towards production – hiring cast and crew, securing great locations, renting cameras, lighting and sound equipment, production design (wardrobe & props), Covid-19 safety measures, food, transportation, accommodation, and insurance.
Brief breakdown of campaign fund use:
20% Cast
20% Crew
15% Locations
15% Production design
10% Covid compliance
10% Legal Fees
5% Food and Housing
5% Insurance
HOW YOU CAN HELP
As a supporter of our film, you are a part of the Community. We want to maintain a connection with you throughout the production process so you feel you have a hand in its creation. Climb in, buckle up, and join us on this adventure!
There are two big ways you can help us make this film get across the finish line and come to life:
1. CONTRIBUTE (& RECEIVE INCENTIVES!)!
Filmmaking is expensive. We have a variety of wonderful incentives and opportunities to show our gratitude for your help in making this film a reality. Check them out just over there! →
Contributions of any size are deeply and truly appreciated.
2. TELL YOUR PEOPLE!
Word of mouth beats every form of advertising. You can help us build awareness and grow our community by telling your friends, family, and network about this new film you're helping support! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram (@HBDCharlieMovie) and like, comment, and share our posts so people around the world can get in the know about Happy Birthday Charlie.
If you want the most insider info, sign up for our HBDC Community eNewsletter!
Thank YOU for your interest, enthusiasm, and support for our film! Seriously, thank you, thank you, thank you!
This project is fiscally sponsored by Film Independent. If you would like to make a larger tax-deductible donation, please go to my.filmindependent.org/HappyBirthdayCharlie and contact Nina directly at [email protected]
Incentives
$10
The Check-In
Like the first thing you do when you arrive in a new place - check in on social media to let all your followers know WYA! For $10 we'll give you a personal shout-out on our social media pages.
$25
The I-Spy
Be the pick of your own I-Spy game with your face on a billboard! Send us a selfie and we'll put your personalized billboard up on our social with a shout-out!
$50
The Early Arrival
Are you the traveler who always shows up early? For $50 you get early access to the completed Happy Birthday Charlie for a limited time! See it before the festivals and be able to tell your friends you've "already seen that movie!" (And a personal social shout-out!)
$75
The Taste of the Trip
What's a birthday without cake? We'll send you a digital recipe book of 5 different cupcake recipes based on 5 of the film's characters. Did someone say rum and coconut? (And previous incentives!)
$100
The Social Proof
Sometimes it's so good you need proof. For $100 you'll get a special handwritten thank you card from Nina! A great opportunity to prove to your friends your contribution to this indie film was highly valued! You will also receive The Check-In, Early Arrival, and Taste of the Trip incentives!
$200
The Local Treasure
What's the best kind of souvenir? Something meaningful, unique, handmade, and able to be put on display of course! For $200 you can get a limited release signed print of a Nina Martinek original painting (your choice of a few options). Curious as to the kind of art? Check out her website for a taste - ninamartinek.com/art/
(And the previous incentives!!)
Claimed: 5 of 10
$300
The "Hey I know that thing!"
Isn't it so cool when you're traveling and you come across something seemingly so random and yet you like know all about it and love to flaunt that knowledge? Here's your chance to get your brand/product/business name shown in this feature film in one scene for 3 seconds. Cheaper than a Superbowl commercial!
(Also get: The Check-In, Early Arrival, Taste of the Trip, and Social Proof)$500
The Roadside Assistance
Like when your car breaks down and you need to consult an expert and that expert tells a crazy good story. This is like that. But for film production. Have a one-on-one 2-hour meeting/consultation with our very talented and experienced director where she will talk to you about whatever you want! Now that's assistance!
(Also get: The Check-In, Early Arrival, Taste of the Trip, and Social Proof)$1,000
The First Class Treatment
Ok, you're officially a VIP. Be among the very first viewers of the completed film, followed by your own private Q&A session with the filmmakers. You will also get a special thank you in the movie credits! Plus the first 5 incentives!!
$2,500
The Like a Local
When in Rome...right? Join us ON SET for a day of filming! See what the making of a road trip film looks like from behind the camera. You'll get a special chair with your name on it and lunch with the cast! Must be 18+, travel not included.
(Also get: The Check-In, I-Spy, Taste of the Trip, Social Proof, and First Class Treatment)$5,000
The All Inclusive
You want the prix fixe. And for $5,000 you can have it all!!! You get the associate producer credit on IMDB and in end credits, PLUS The Check-In, I-Spy, Taste of the Trip, Social Proof, and First Class Treatment!!
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$10
The Check-In
Like the first thing you do when you arrive in a new place - check in on social media to let all your followers know WYA! For $10 we'll give you a personal shout-out on our social media pages.
$25
The I-Spy
Be the pick of your own I-Spy game with your face on a billboard! Send us a selfie and we'll put your personalized billboard up on our social with a shout-out!
$50
The Early Arrival
Are you the traveler who always shows up early? For $50 you get early access to the completed Happy Birthday Charlie for a limited time! See it before the festivals and be able to tell your friends you've "already seen that movie!" (And a personal social shout-out!)
$75
The Taste of the Trip
What's a birthday without cake? We'll send you a digital recipe book of 5 different cupcake recipes based on 5 of the film's characters. Did someone say rum and coconut? (And previous incentives!)
$100
The Social Proof
Sometimes it's so good you need proof. For $100 you'll get a special handwritten thank you card from Nina! A great opportunity to prove to your friends your contribution to this indie film was highly valued! You will also receive The Check-In, Early Arrival, and Taste of the Trip incentives!
$200
The Local Treasure
What's the best kind of souvenir? Something meaningful, unique, handmade, and able to be put on display of course! For $200 you can get a limited release signed print of a Nina Martinek original painting (your choice of a few options). Curious as to the kind of art? Check out her website for a taste - ninamartinek.com/art/
(And the previous incentives!!)
Claimed: 5 of 10
$300
The "Hey I know that thing!"
Isn't it so cool when you're traveling and you come across something seemingly so random and yet you like know all about it and love to flaunt that knowledge? Here's your chance to get your brand/product/business name shown in this feature film in one scene for 3 seconds. Cheaper than a Superbowl commercial!
(Also get: The Check-In, Early Arrival, Taste of the Trip, and Social Proof)$500
The Roadside Assistance
Like when your car breaks down and you need to consult an expert and that expert tells a crazy good story. This is like that. But for film production. Have a one-on-one 2-hour meeting/consultation with our very talented and experienced director where she will talk to you about whatever you want! Now that's assistance!
(Also get: The Check-In, Early Arrival, Taste of the Trip, and Social Proof)$1,000
The First Class Treatment
Ok, you're officially a VIP. Be among the very first viewers of the completed film, followed by your own private Q&A session with the filmmakers. You will also get a special thank you in the movie credits! Plus the first 5 incentives!!
$2,500
The Like a Local
When in Rome...right? Join us ON SET for a day of filming! See what the making of a road trip film looks like from behind the camera. You'll get a special chair with your name on it and lunch with the cast! Must be 18+, travel not included.
(Also get: The Check-In, I-Spy, Taste of the Trip, Social Proof, and First Class Treatment)$5,000
The All Inclusive
You want the prix fixe. And for $5,000 you can have it all!!! You get the associate producer credit on IMDB and in end credits, PLUS The Check-In, I-Spy, Taste of the Trip, Social Proof, and First Class Treatment!!
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Nina Martinek
A filmmaker, originally from Australia. Nina is an alumna of the MFA writer/director program NYU Tisch School of the Arts. She has worked in extensively Africa as a video journalist and videographer for UNICEF and later for Reuters and the New York Times. Her short films THE DOCK, PULPVILLE, and ANGEL have been screened at festivals around the world, including Sundance, Edinburgh, Mannheim/Heidelberg, and Brooklyn International.
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Boris Frumin
An acclaimed writer/director/producer. He directed many noteworthy feature films, including THE ERRORS OF YOUTH (“Oshibki Yunosti”) which was part of Un Certain Regard at the Cannes Festival in 1989. Frumin was a professor of directing at the prestigious Tisch School of the Arts of NYU. His students include world-renowned directors - Debra Garnik, Levan Koguashvili, Gianfranko Rosi, Cary Fukunaga, Bennet Miller, Kirill Mikhanovski, Vince Gilligan, Eli Roth, Joel Hopkins, Teona Mitevska, Gaston Solnicki. Boris works as a screenwriter and consultant.
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Sharri Hefner
An independent filmmaker and producer. As a member of the independent production entity Hyphenate Films, Sharri has line produced Joel Viertel’s STRICTLY SEXUAL and guerilla marketed Mora Stephens’ Independent Spirit Award-winning CONVENTIONEERS. Sharri co-produced an independent feature FAITH with Mike S. Ryan and starring Brian Geraghty, Nora Jane Noone, and Iddo Goldberg. Sharri is a Sundance and Women in Film Finance Lab alum with Marquette Jones’ AFTER THE JUMP and has produced several award-winning shorts, including Mrs. America writer Sharon Hoffman’s ALMOST, and Elias Daughdrill’s PROFESSOR.
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Bino Marsetti
A recipient of his Masters in Film from New York University’s Tisch School of The Arts. Bino has worked both internationally and domestically on feature films, commercials, music videos, television series, and short films. Notable past credits include Satellite, Happy Now, and Area 52, which all had various successes at film festivals around the world. His work has been screened at countless festivals including Cannes, Avignon, London, and New York, and has appeared on various national and international networks including NBC, CBS, MTV, ESPN, VH-1, SciFi, and IFC.
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Liz Bolejack
As a creative and gritty problem-solver, Liz is passionate about getting things done to make stuff happen and turning obstacles into opportunities. Her positive energy and go-get-em attitude are contagious and add the unidentifiable special something to a productive and fun team. With a BA from the University of Colorado Boulder and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas, she is a skilled juggler of various projects in the realm of project management, marketing, operations, and strategy.
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