In The Mourning - A Short Film
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, Sci-Fi
Following a 10-year plague, a small town church mysteriously reopens its doors to its congregation, becoming a stage for grief and trauma.
In The Mourning - A Short Film
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, Sci-Fi
1 Campaigns |
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This campaign raised $35,810 for development. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
119 supporters | followers
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Following a 10-year plague, a small town church mysteriously reopens its doors to its congregation, becoming a stage for grief and trauma.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Overview: This is a film about when grief meets faith. It takes place in a small town. For the last 10 years, a disease has swept through this town killing off its members one by one and leaving the hopeless behind. Amid this suffering and grief, the church—which sits at the center of this town—closed its doors. 10 years later, mysteriously the church doors open and invites its members in.
During the span of one day, we witness the result of intense grief turned to faith. This film explores the diversity of grief and the need to be comforted by a God at the realization of one’s own humanity. "In The Mourning",is a nod to the human experience storytelling a la Barry Jenkins and Melina Matsoukas. Emotional, cinematic, and deeply rooted in character.“
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Why Me and Why Now? I, Naomi (writer & director), grew up in the pentecostal church. My father was a preacher and my mother, a minister. My earliest memory within the church is of my mother catching the Holy Ghost. I was five. I remember the distinct, consuming, energizing and intimate feel of worship: people danced, screamed, ran, cried, and it was overwhelming. Yet, even at five, I believed.
Years later, when my father passed away from Covid in 2020, my belief system and faith shattered. Grief is a fascinating experience. While we all, collectively have experienced the effects of Covid as a country, we have different testimonies. Some experienced great joy in the midst of collective heartbreak. Some of you are grateful for your time. Some are still mending the brokenness of those years. Some are angry. Some have developed mental health issues. There is not a singular way to experience collective tragedy. This film aims to show that very thing.
This film was ultimately inspired by a singular moment: Easter 2021. It was the first time many people went back to church since the original lockdown. While I, having lost a father and grandfather during this time, returned to the house of God angry and anxious, others danced, and praised God with extreme joy. Grief doesn’t have a singular face.
“In The Mourning” is an ode to grief and its relationship with faith. It is meant to be a mirror of its experience and a dedication to those now living on the other side, more specifically, my father: Francois Valere Merlain. Rest in perfect peace.
Characters:
Johannes: An older man who is grieving everything he's lost, and fighting ptsd, as he hallucinates images of his dead family members. He’s a desperate believer searching for a God that will be his hope and give him a solution to everything he's experienced. He’ll go to lead the church towards a spiritual awakening.
Thomas: A teenage boy who is skeptical and observant, testing every spirit and demonstration of faith he sees. He is an unbeliever who shows us the gaps in the events happening around us.
Lotus: A woman with crippling anxiety. The weight of her grief leaves her mute but her actions are loud and suffocating. She may not verbally speak, but her expression tells the viewer everything they need to know.
Isaac: the youngest of three boys. He’s innocent in every way and blindly follows his brothers out of a desperate need to be accepted by them. He is the first of his brothers to touch the cross when his mother asks him to, the first to get baptized, and in the end, he’ll be the first to die.
Conclusion: As a team, we hope to raise our stretch goal of $70,000 through our Seed&Spark funding, sponsorships, and the collective input of our network. After our campaign, we plan to dive into our work plan, which follows a 5-month? timeline that includes all pre-production prep, cast and production needs, and acquiring the equipment and approved locations for "In The Mourning". Following this schedule, we will focus on our post-production process which is currently set to begin in January. After this process is complete, we would like to submit "In The Mourning" to the following film festivals:
- Black American Film Festival
- Martha Vineyard African American Film Festival
- Sundance Film Festival
- LA Shorts
- Tribeca Film Festival
- Atlanta Film Festival
- Social Relevant Film Festival NY
- Hollyshorts Film Festival
- Woodstock Film Festival
Thank you in advance from the "In The Mourning" team <3 You can further support us by amplifying this campaign, following us on social media @mourningfilm, and visiting our website.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cast
Costs $7,740
We would like to have a robust cast to make sure the film can come to life how we envision it.
Production Staff
Costs $10,650
Our production crew will be in charge of all elements behind the scenes to ensure the film makes it to post-production smoothly.
Camera
Costs $6,325
We would like to use a film camera to capture the essence of the story we are trying to tell.
Production Sound
Costs $4,200
This funding will help us produce an original score for the film.
Post-Production Film and Lab
Costs $6,000
This funding will ensure the film can be edited smoothly and succinctly.
Location
Costs $3,600
This will allow us to have the location needed to set the scene for the story
Production Design
Costs $4,700
Our production design is a crucial element to the film. It'll create and elevate the story by creating and building the world.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
NAOMI MERLAIN - WRITER, DIRECTOR
Naomi Merlain is a Haitian-American filmmaker known for her compelling narratives that explore the raw truths and cultural nuances of Black life. Naomi's directorial debut, "The Genesis Project," premiered in 2019 and showed an avant-garde exploration of womanhood through the lens of scripture, showcasing her bold and innovative approach to storytelling. Her work has continued to delve into human themes with a specific focus on emotion, texture, and authenticity within the Black community. Naomi has work featured in Vogue, BeatsbyDre, YouTube, and Complex.
Naomi obtained her BA at Howard University. Currently, Naomi works as a Cultural Strategist, working with brands such as Nike, Apple TV+, Honest Co and Therabody.
CAROLE COPELAND - EXEC PRODUCER
Carole Copeland, Producer, credits include various projects both in front of and behind the camera as Producer, Locations Manager, Assistant Director and Casting.
The most recent feature film projects produced by Carole, #BlackSkin, You Married Dat, Survival, and Another Love Story have won awards at several film festivals.
She is the Founder of Recovery Media, a nonprofit organization that teaches filmmaking to survivors of trauma.
NAOMI LILLY - EXEC PRODUCER
Naomi Lilly is the founder and CEO of NAL Media, a company dedicated to improving representation and opportunities for marginalized groups within the media industry. Located in New York, Naomi has had experience at Viacom, Live Nation Entertainment, Radio One, LinkedIn, Forbes Tate Partners, and Depop.
Naomi obtained her dual degree MBA/MA in Communications at Johns Hopkins University and was a participant in the Class of '22 Techstars Music program. Lilly completed her undergraduate career at Duke University where she majored in African American Studies and received a double minor in Gender Studies and Visual Media Studies. Lilly currently serves as the Director of Marketing and Storytelling at Girls for Gender Equity.
JULIAN VARGAS - PRODUCER
Julian Vargas is a Writer-Producer-Director born & raised in Los Angeles, CA. In 2022 he founded 3Ponds Films, a production company based out of LA that has since produced 5 short films, including 3 so far in 2024. Julian wrote his first feature script by hand when he was 14 and has been rewriting it ever since.
EMEM ESSIEN - PRODUCER
Emem is a producer who loves telling stories that capture the authenticity of our human experience and really makes people feel more seen. Her favorite genre is hands down a good "dramedy" because she believes that it's a good reminder that despite life's challenges, laughter brings us together.
Emem is very passionate about building engaging spaces and highlighting resources to black/ brown individuals to advance in their professional development. She graduated with her BS in Business Management and obtained her MBA concentrated in Marketing Analytics. She currently works at a large Tech Consulting Firm as a Senior Media Analyst.
SADE NDYA - DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY/CINEMATOGRAPHER
Sade Ndya is an LA-based Cinematographer, who also specializes in Fine Art and Community Organizing. Sade’s creative style is grounded in surreal-like imagery and dynamic lighting dedicated to portraying the beauty in being black. American Cinematographer has named Sade Ndya as a '2023 ASC Rising Star' for her recent advancements in cinematography.
Through her organizing work, Sade works with Made In Her Image, a non-profit that provides women and non-binary youth of color with education, resources, and industry opportunities in film, media, and technology. Their programs have expanded with partnerships from companies like Panavision, A24, and Sundance.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Overview: This is a film about when grief meets faith. It takes place in a small town. For the last 10 years, a disease has swept through this town killing off its members one by one and leaving the hopeless behind. Amid this suffering and grief, the church—which sits at the center of this town—closed its doors. 10 years later, mysteriously the church doors open and invites its members in.
During the span of one day, we witness the result of intense grief turned to faith. This film explores the diversity of grief and the need to be comforted by a God at the realization of one’s own humanity. "In The Mourning",is a nod to the human experience storytelling a la Barry Jenkins and Melina Matsoukas. Emotional, cinematic, and deeply rooted in character.“
Why Me and Why Now? I, Naomi (writer & director), grew up in the pentecostal church. My father was a preacher and my mother, a minister. My earliest memory within the church is of my mother catching the Holy Ghost. I was five. I remember the distinct, consuming, energizing and intimate feel of worship: people danced, screamed, ran, cried, and it was overwhelming. Yet, even at five, I believed.
Years later, when my father passed away from Covid in 2020, my belief system and faith shattered. Grief is a fascinating experience. While we all, collectively have experienced the effects of Covid as a country, we have different testimonies. Some experienced great joy in the midst of collective heartbreak. Some of you are grateful for your time. Some are still mending the brokenness of those years. Some are angry. Some have developed mental health issues. There is not a singular way to experience collective tragedy. This film aims to show that very thing.
This film was ultimately inspired by a singular moment: Easter 2021. It was the first time many people went back to church since the original lockdown. While I, having lost a father and grandfather during this time, returned to the house of God angry and anxious, others danced, and praised God with extreme joy. Grief doesn’t have a singular face.
“In The Mourning” is an ode to grief and its relationship with faith. It is meant to be a mirror of its experience and a dedication to those now living on the other side, more specifically, my father: Francois Valere Merlain. Rest in perfect peace.
Characters:
Johannes: An older man who is grieving everything he's lost, and fighting ptsd, as he hallucinates images of his dead family members. He’s a desperate believer searching for a God that will be his hope and give him a solution to everything he's experienced. He’ll go to lead the church towards a spiritual awakening.
Thomas: A teenage boy who is skeptical and observant, testing every spirit and demonstration of faith he sees. He is an unbeliever who shows us the gaps in the events happening around us.
Lotus: A woman with crippling anxiety. The weight of her grief leaves her mute but her actions are loud and suffocating. She may not verbally speak, but her expression tells the viewer everything they need to know.
Isaac: the youngest of three boys. He’s innocent in every way and blindly follows his brothers out of a desperate need to be accepted by them. He is the first of his brothers to touch the cross when his mother asks him to, the first to get baptized, and in the end, he’ll be the first to die.
Conclusion: As a team, we hope to raise our stretch goal of $70,000 through our Seed&Spark funding, sponsorships, and the collective input of our network. After our campaign, we plan to dive into our work plan, which follows a 5-month? timeline that includes all pre-production prep, cast and production needs, and acquiring the equipment and approved locations for "In The Mourning". Following this schedule, we will focus on our post-production process which is currently set to begin in January. After this process is complete, we would like to submit "In The Mourning" to the following film festivals:
- Black American Film Festival
- Martha Vineyard African American Film Festival
- Sundance Film Festival
- LA Shorts
- Tribeca Film Festival
- Atlanta Film Festival
- Social Relevant Film Festival NY
- Hollyshorts Film Festival
- Woodstock Film Festival
Thank you in advance from the "In The Mourning" team <3 You can further support us by amplifying this campaign, following us on social media @mourningfilm, and visiting our website.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cast
Costs $7,740
We would like to have a robust cast to make sure the film can come to life how we envision it.
Production Staff
Costs $10,650
Our production crew will be in charge of all elements behind the scenes to ensure the film makes it to post-production smoothly.
Camera
Costs $6,325
We would like to use a film camera to capture the essence of the story we are trying to tell.
Production Sound
Costs $4,200
This funding will help us produce an original score for the film.
Post-Production Film and Lab
Costs $6,000
This funding will ensure the film can be edited smoothly and succinctly.
Location
Costs $3,600
This will allow us to have the location needed to set the scene for the story
Production Design
Costs $4,700
Our production design is a crucial element to the film. It'll create and elevate the story by creating and building the world.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
NAOMI MERLAIN - WRITER, DIRECTOR
Naomi Merlain is a Haitian-American filmmaker known for her compelling narratives that explore the raw truths and cultural nuances of Black life. Naomi's directorial debut, "The Genesis Project," premiered in 2019 and showed an avant-garde exploration of womanhood through the lens of scripture, showcasing her bold and innovative approach to storytelling. Her work has continued to delve into human themes with a specific focus on emotion, texture, and authenticity within the Black community. Naomi has work featured in Vogue, BeatsbyDre, YouTube, and Complex.
Naomi obtained her BA at Howard University. Currently, Naomi works as a Cultural Strategist, working with brands such as Nike, Apple TV+, Honest Co and Therabody.
CAROLE COPELAND - EXEC PRODUCER
Carole Copeland, Producer, credits include various projects both in front of and behind the camera as Producer, Locations Manager, Assistant Director and Casting.
The most recent feature film projects produced by Carole, #BlackSkin, You Married Dat, Survival, and Another Love Story have won awards at several film festivals.
She is the Founder of Recovery Media, a nonprofit organization that teaches filmmaking to survivors of trauma.
NAOMI LILLY - EXEC PRODUCER
Naomi Lilly is the founder and CEO of NAL Media, a company dedicated to improving representation and opportunities for marginalized groups within the media industry. Located in New York, Naomi has had experience at Viacom, Live Nation Entertainment, Radio One, LinkedIn, Forbes Tate Partners, and Depop.
Naomi obtained her dual degree MBA/MA in Communications at Johns Hopkins University and was a participant in the Class of '22 Techstars Music program. Lilly completed her undergraduate career at Duke University where she majored in African American Studies and received a double minor in Gender Studies and Visual Media Studies. Lilly currently serves as the Director of Marketing and Storytelling at Girls for Gender Equity.
JULIAN VARGAS - PRODUCER
Julian Vargas is a Writer-Producer-Director born & raised in Los Angeles, CA. In 2022 he founded 3Ponds Films, a production company based out of LA that has since produced 5 short films, including 3 so far in 2024. Julian wrote his first feature script by hand when he was 14 and has been rewriting it ever since.
EMEM ESSIEN - PRODUCER
Emem is a producer who loves telling stories that capture the authenticity of our human experience and really makes people feel more seen. Her favorite genre is hands down a good "dramedy" because she believes that it's a good reminder that despite life's challenges, laughter brings us together.
Emem is very passionate about building engaging spaces and highlighting resources to black/ brown individuals to advance in their professional development. She graduated with her BS in Business Management and obtained her MBA concentrated in Marketing Analytics. She currently works at a large Tech Consulting Firm as a Senior Media Analyst.
SADE NDYA - DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY/CINEMATOGRAPHER
Sade Ndya is an LA-based Cinematographer, who also specializes in Fine Art and Community Organizing. Sade’s creative style is grounded in surreal-like imagery and dynamic lighting dedicated to portraying the beauty in being black. American Cinematographer has named Sade Ndya as a '2023 ASC Rising Star' for her recent advancements in cinematography.
Through her organizing work, Sade works with Made In Her Image, a non-profit that provides women and non-binary youth of color with education, resources, and industry opportunities in film, media, and technology. Their programs have expanded with partnerships from companies like Panavision, A24, and Sundance.