This story follows a loving mother who has lost her child to the foster system due to an innocent accident. For the past month she has been granted visitation only while she is evaluated to be a "fit mother". Leading up to this day, where she dreads the phone call she gets that will determine the fate of her future that may or may not include her daughter.

WHY THIS STORY ?

This story was created to challenge the way social workers are often portrayed in film. Too often, they are depicted as villains, faceless figures who tear families apart without context or compassion. But the reality is far more complex. Through this film, I wanted to shift that perspective and humanize the difficult, emotional decisions social workers are forced to make every day.

At its core, this film is also a story about motherhood. Its fragility, its resilience, and its unconditional love. It explores the idea that mistakes do not define a mother’s worth and that hardship does not always lead to tragedy. By centering a mother caught between loss and hope, the film highlights the emotional weight of separation while leaving space for possibility and healing.

WHY ME?

I am the right person to tell this story because I have lived alongside it. My mother is a social worker, and growing up, I witnessed the emotional weight of her job long before I understood it intellectually. I remember her coming home in tears after making decisions that would change families’ lives forever. Decisions she never took lightly. Those moments shaped how I see social workers, not as villains, but as people carrying impossible responsibilities with compassion and pain.

My mother often speaks about how social workers are portrayed in television and film. As cold, heartless figures rather than complex, empathetic individuals. Hearing her frustration stayed with me. This film is my response to that narrative. It is a way of honoring her experience and offering social workers something rare in the media: a reflection that feels truthful, human, and affirming.

Because I experienced these emotions firsthand, not just as a storyteller but as a daughter. I bring an emotional authenticity to this film that cannot be manufactured. My goal is not only to tell a compelling story, but to create something that my mother, and social workers like her, can watch and feel seen, understood, and proud of the work they do.

WITH YOUR CONTRIBUTION

Every dollar raised through this campaign will go directly toward the production of the film. We are committed to transparency and care in how funds are used, ensuring that each contribution supports the people, resources, and creative elements needed to bring this story to life.

Your support will help fund the following key areas of production:

$500 — Crafty Services: Meals and snacks to keep cast and crew energized during production days.

$300 — Props: Essential story-driven items that help build authenticity and emotional detail on screen.

$3,000 — Crew Wages: Fair compensation for the talented crew members who make the film possible.

$1,300 — Post-Production: Editing, sound design, color correction, and final deliverables.

$500 — Locations: Securing and preparing filming locations to create a realistic and immersive setting.

$400 — Equipment: Camera, lighting, and sound gear needed to achieve a cinematic visual quality.

$1,000 — Cast Wages: Compensation for actors bringing emotional truth and depth to the story.

By supporting this project, you are not only funding a film. You are investing in fair labor, authentic storytelling, and a narrative that challenges harmful stereotypes while uplifting overlooked perspectives.

OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT

Supporting this film doesn’t only mean donating, there are many ways to be part of our journey.

• Follow us on social media: Stay connected and follow @thekalifilm on all platforms for updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and milestones.
• Spread the word: Share our campaign with friends, family, and your community. Every share helps this story reach people who need to see it.
• Stay connected: Engage with our posts, join the conversation, and be part of the community growing around this film.

Whether you contribute financially, amplify our message, or simply follow along, your support matters. This film is built on collective belief, and every voice that helps carry it forward brings us closer to the screen.

🎯 Stretch Goals

Stretch Goal 1 — $8,000- Enhanced Production Value

If we exceed our initial goal, we’ll elevate the film’s visual and emotional impact by investing in improved production design, wardrobe, and lighting. This will allow us to create a richer cinematic world that better reflects the emotional weight of the story.

Stretch Goal 2 — $10,000- Expanded Crew & Fair Pay

With additional funding, we’ll increase crew wages and bring on extra support in key departments such as sound, art, and production. This ensures fair compensation and a smoother, more professional production environment.

Stretch Goal 3 — $12,000- Stronger Post-Production

Reaching this milestone will allow us to enhance post-production with advanced sound design, color grading, and music licensing. These elements will deepen the emotional resonance of the film and elevate its overall quality.

Stretch Goal 4 — $15,000- Community & Social Impact Screenings

At this level, we’ll host a free community screening and discussion centered on motherhood and social work representation. This creates space for dialogue and connection around the themes of the film.

Stretch Goal 5 — $18,000- Festival & Distribution Push

With these additional funds, we’ll submit the film to major film festivals and invest in marketing and distribution. This ensures the story reaches wider audiences and continues to challenge harmful narratives about social workers and mothers.