Last Days of Koreshan
Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Film Short
History, Drama
Based on a true story, this short explores how utopian idealism can crumble when unfulfilled promises are made by false prophets. Although it occurred over a century ago, the tale of the Koreshans is one both overlooked and quite prescient towards today’s climate.
Last Days of Koreshan
Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Film Short
History, Drama
Green Light
This campaign raised $8,036 for pre-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
68 supporters | followers
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Based on a true story, this short explores how utopian idealism can crumble when unfulfilled promises are made by false prophets. Although it occurred over a century ago, the tale of the Koreshans is one both overlooked and quite prescient towards today’s climate.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Logline: When her brother, the leader of a Florida cult, passes away, Emma struggles to maintain faith while she and the group await his resurrection.
It's 1908: Cyrus Teed, aka Koresh, leader of the egalitarian, socialist, and celibate Koreshan Unity, has uttered his last breath. Fortunately for him and his followers, salvation is upon them when his soul is transferred into the body of his platonic co-leader, Victoria Gratia. Unfortunately for the Koreshans, his teachings haven’t made clear when that will be. As they wait for Victoria’s arrival, Teed’s sister and most devoted follower, Emma, must lead the community in prayer while his body lies on display in a bathtub—testing time, her faith, and notions of mortality.
Genre: Historical Drama with elements of religious fervor/fantasy.
Robert Eggers influence in historicity.
Aesthetics: Picnic at Hanging Rock,
Tuck Everlasting, Daughters of the Dust,
Midsommar, There Will Be Blood
Themes: Mortality, Religious uncertainty, loyalty to false prophets.
Guided by a prophecy, Cyrus Teed along with 200 other followers, called Koreshans, settled near Fort Myers, Florida to create a utopia that carried values such as gender equality, socialism, and celibacy. They were also early adopters of technology, such as electricity in medicine and the four-color printing press. With Teed’s background in science and medicine, some might find it odd that one of their main tenets was that the earth was hollow—this became known as cosmogeny—and that we lived on the inside surface of the planet.
Their utopia didn’t come without baggage, Teed had a history and a reputation in the previous cities in which he dwelt. In his hometown in Western New York, Teed’s merging of science with religion, which he believed would bring immortality, actually brought contempt and even lawsuits from the medical community.
While in Chicago, because of Teed’s ideas on marriage and gender equity, many of the Koreshans were educated single women who had left their spouses. Angry husbands brought forth accusations of immorality and brainwashing.
Following years of scrutiny, Teed decided to move his comunity to the sleepy estuary of Estero to build a “New Jerusalem.” The Koreshans struggled to tame the land, but eventually, were able to thrive for twelve years. They had established several industries for income: a general store, a concrete factory, lumber mill, and a furniture company, to name a few. And despite being self-proclaimed communists, their society even became a corporation. Their power eventually led them to getting involved in local politics, and later caused tension between themselves and the people of Fort Myers.
Climactically, in 1906, a brawl in the streets of Fort Myers led to injuries that the Koreshans believed ultimately killed their leader two years later. Although some think his death was unrelated to the fight, the narrative supported his prediction and martyr complex.
The Koreshans were both incredibly progressive to the point that some today would consider them left-leaning with their ideas on communism, gender equality. At the same time, they held beliefs more often associated with the political right: hollow-earth theory, and religious imperialism.
Given how strange their story is, how dogmatic our own society has become, and the fact that Florida itself is a meme, it’s surprising that the Koreshans’ legacy has slipped under culture’s radar, until now...
Final Goal: $25k–30k
· Personnel (Cast & Crew) $11,500
· Equipment Rental $2,300
· Art Department $7,200
· Legal/rights $3,750
· Materials & Supplies $1,600
· Marketing $1,000
· Travel $1,375
· Contingency reserve $1,436
· Total Budget $30,161
Acquired: $15k
Broward County Cultural Division: FY26 Artist Innovation Grant Recipient. Grant funds will be used towards:
· Production Cast & Crew $8,500
· Equipment $2,300
· Legal $3,100
· Contingency $750
· Materials & Supplies $350
Current Seed&Spark Goal: $7,700
· Art Department $7,200
· Materials & Supplies $500
For this crowd-funder, I am focusing on the pre and production phase, specifically Art Department needs and Crew Meals (some is supplemented in the Materials & Supplies budget). Please see wishlist for details. Surpassing our goal of $7,700 will set us ahead once we kick into post-production or allow for us to shoot bonus scenes.
Last Days is currently crewing up and filming will occur April–May. With the help of your contributions, the production will be able to film using era appropriate locations and clothing. Without forgetting the elephant in the room—or the body in the zinc tub— Last Days also includes a plot point that requires the craft of a special effects makeup artist, in order to show the progression of the Koreshan Master's mortal body over the course of time.
A public WIP screening will be held near the Autumnal equinox where guests will be encouraged to dress up as the Koreshans once did for their Founder's Day celebrations. Stellar Chamber members and above who are unable to attend the celebration will receive a link of the screening.
Like, Share, follow, & Subscribe
Instagram @lastdaysofkoreshan
Website lastdaysofkoreshan.site
Are you interested in the potential of this project? Would you like to collaborate?
Send an email to [email protected]
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Special FX Cadaver
Costs $3,000
Their Master's decomposing body is a centerpiece within the film, and the catalyst which sets off the rest of it.
Locations
Costs $2,000
To immerse our audience into 1908, we need era appropriate architecture and furnishings
Art Supplies & Costumes
Costs $2,700
What is a historical drama without it's extravagant textures and costumes? What is a cult without it's propaganda?
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
L. Fried is the director, writer and producer of Last Days of Koreshan. It all began in the year 2020, when the world was wrought with COVID. Fearing a state shutdown, L returned to South Florida to be closer to her family during uncertain times. They began taking weekend trips around Old Florida, to explore pockets they hadn’t seen before. L’s sister, Adina, recommended the Koreshan State Park—about a 2 hour drive from their hometown; this is when L first learned about the eccentric society.
There are many components of the Koreshan’s story that fascinates L. The impetus for this short film began with the image of Teed’s body on display in a zinc tub, and the unshakable faith his followers held, refusing to bury him and believing he would return, just as Jesus had. While Teed is no doubt a compelling figure, upon doing more research, L’s curiosity centered around the his sister and interim second-in-command, Emma, and what was going through her mind during such uncertainty.
Having come from a background in Design and Art History, L is also intrigued by belief systems and cultural moments that ultimately shape society and the objects we surround ourselves with.
(BTS of L's work as a Production Designer on a Y2K period piece)
While in the Pacific Northwest, she worked for institutions such as the Seattle Art Museum, Northwest Film Forum, The Stranger and CUT. Her debut short film, I Know How You Like Your Coffee was an official selection at Local Sightings Film Festival, Tacoma International Film Festival, and Twist. Since then, and after spending over a decade in Seattle, L has returned to the swamps from whence she came.
In the last year, L has partnered with the Hollywood Historical Society, designing 100 Years Young: Our Founder’s Vision, an exhibition for the Centennial of Hollywood, Florida's creation. She has also worked on Florida-based short films including Madame (set dresser), Underground River (set dresser), The Steele Brothers Band (set dresser), and Wing Man (editor). Last Days of Koreshan is L’s directorial debut since returning to her home state.
Tabatha Mudra is an award-winning director, cinematographer, and producer whose work has been featured by PBS, the United Nations Women’s Fund, and the American Heart Association. She is the recipient of the Dejunius Hughes Award for activism and a back-to-back winner of the 48-Hour Film Festival, leading the first female-led team to win in Miami.
Self-described as a “creative outlaw,” Tabatha is drawn to stories that amplify underrepresented voices and challenge conventional narratives. She is deeply committed to creating opportunities for women in the film industry and empowering artists to thrive in a competitive creative landscape. Known for pushing teams beyond their comfort zones, she fosters growth, expansion, and impactful outcomes while consistently centering equality as the foundation of her work.
Originally from Miami, Giovanna is a production designer drawn to visual storytelling through character and space. Her work focuses on world-building, with an emphasis on creating environments that feel lived-in and emotionally grounded.
With a foundation in costume design, she brings a thoughtful sensitivity to texture, detail, and character, approaching each project collaboratively and with respect for the story being told.
Victoria Olson is a costumer/stylist/Designer working her way from Off-Off Broadway to Broadway. She has served as assistant to designer Ann Roth on many Broadway shows and film Hair, The Island and Rock of Ages.
Other credits include NBC’s Saturday Nite Live, soap operas and Late Nite with David Letterman. Ms. Olson is a proud member of IATSE Local 500 working with the New World Symphony, Florida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet
and served as wardrobe/shop supervisor at Palm Beach Opera. As a board member of the Broward Cultural Council and strives to fund the arts.
Adrienne Seraphina Helene Tabet is a figure sculptor responsible for works held in galleries and museums such as Mana Contemporary, 621 Gallery, 1310 Gallery, Tallahassee Museum of Fine Arts, and Thomas Dean Fine Art, Art Basel, and in major works of film such as NCIS New Orleans and Roots(2016). With a large material range and profound connection to nature, she explores any and all things required to bring forth the vision harmoniously, including metal, wood, clay, resin, stone, wax, recycled material, bone, animal skin, and plants.
Adrienne is a queer, mixed-race Lebanese American, raised between the layered realities of Miami and the Middle East, experiencing the firsthand effects of love, death, belief, cptsd, perspective shifts, rebirth, transformation, nourishment, and joy across cultures- having found solace in what unites and interconnects us all. Intertwined within her lifetime as a sculptor, she is also a Bodyworker, Energy Worker, and Death Doula, utilizing Sculpture as a large-scale healing modality- a Bridge between worlds.
Lyn Millner is the author of The Allure of Immortality: An American Cult, A Florida Swamp, and a Renegade Prophet, named by the Wall Street Journal as one of the top five books on cults. Her audio stories have been broadcast on National Public Radio’s “Morning Edition” and “Weekend Edition” and on American Public Media’s “Marketplace.” Her work has also appeared in the New York Times, USA Today, and Oxford American. She is a professor of journalism at Florida Gulf Coast University.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Logline: When her brother, the leader of a Florida cult, passes away, Emma struggles to maintain faith while she and the group await his resurrection.
It's 1908: Cyrus Teed, aka Koresh, leader of the egalitarian, socialist, and celibate Koreshan Unity, has uttered his last breath. Fortunately for him and his followers, salvation is upon them when his soul is transferred into the body of his platonic co-leader, Victoria Gratia. Unfortunately for the Koreshans, his teachings haven’t made clear when that will be. As they wait for Victoria’s arrival, Teed’s sister and most devoted follower, Emma, must lead the community in prayer while his body lies on display in a bathtub—testing time, her faith, and notions of mortality.
Genre: Historical Drama with elements of religious fervor/fantasy.
Robert Eggers influence in historicity.
Aesthetics: Picnic at Hanging Rock,
Tuck Everlasting, Daughters of the Dust,
Midsommar, There Will Be Blood
Themes: Mortality, Religious uncertainty, loyalty to false prophets.
Guided by a prophecy, Cyrus Teed along with 200 other followers, called Koreshans, settled near Fort Myers, Florida to create a utopia that carried values such as gender equality, socialism, and celibacy. They were also early adopters of technology, such as electricity in medicine and the four-color printing press. With Teed’s background in science and medicine, some might find it odd that one of their main tenets was that the earth was hollow—this became known as cosmogeny—and that we lived on the inside surface of the planet.
Their utopia didn’t come without baggage, Teed had a history and a reputation in the previous cities in which he dwelt. In his hometown in Western New York, Teed’s merging of science with religion, which he believed would bring immortality, actually brought contempt and even lawsuits from the medical community.
While in Chicago, because of Teed’s ideas on marriage and gender equity, many of the Koreshans were educated single women who had left their spouses. Angry husbands brought forth accusations of immorality and brainwashing.
Following years of scrutiny, Teed decided to move his comunity to the sleepy estuary of Estero to build a “New Jerusalem.” The Koreshans struggled to tame the land, but eventually, were able to thrive for twelve years. They had established several industries for income: a general store, a concrete factory, lumber mill, and a furniture company, to name a few. And despite being self-proclaimed communists, their society even became a corporation. Their power eventually led them to getting involved in local politics, and later caused tension between themselves and the people of Fort Myers.
Climactically, in 1906, a brawl in the streets of Fort Myers led to injuries that the Koreshans believed ultimately killed their leader two years later. Although some think his death was unrelated to the fight, the narrative supported his prediction and martyr complex.
The Koreshans were both incredibly progressive to the point that some today would consider them left-leaning with their ideas on communism, gender equality. At the same time, they held beliefs more often associated with the political right: hollow-earth theory, and religious imperialism.
Given how strange their story is, how dogmatic our own society has become, and the fact that Florida itself is a meme, it’s surprising that the Koreshans’ legacy has slipped under culture’s radar, until now...
Final Goal: $25k–30k
· Personnel (Cast & Crew) $11,500
· Equipment Rental $2,300
· Art Department $7,200
· Legal/rights $3,750
· Materials & Supplies $1,600
· Marketing $1,000
· Travel $1,375
· Contingency reserve $1,436
· Total Budget $30,161Acquired: $15k
Broward County Cultural Division: FY26 Artist Innovation Grant Recipient. Grant funds will be used towards:
· Production Cast & Crew $8,500
· Equipment $2,300
· Legal $3,100
· Contingency $750
· Materials & Supplies $350
Current Seed&Spark Goal: $7,700
· Art Department $7,200
· Materials & Supplies $500
For this crowd-funder, I am focusing on the pre and production phase, specifically Art Department needs and Crew Meals (some is supplemented in the Materials & Supplies budget). Please see wishlist for details. Surpassing our goal of $7,700 will set us ahead once we kick into post-production or allow for us to shoot bonus scenes.
Last Days is currently crewing up and filming will occur April–May. With the help of your contributions, the production will be able to film using era appropriate locations and clothing. Without forgetting the elephant in the room—or the body in the zinc tub— Last Days also includes a plot point that requires the craft of a special effects makeup artist, in order to show the progression of the Koreshan Master's mortal body over the course of time.
A public WIP screening will be held near the Autumnal equinox where guests will be encouraged to dress up as the Koreshans once did for their Founder's Day celebrations. Stellar Chamber members and above who are unable to attend the celebration will receive a link of the screening.
Like, Share, follow, & Subscribe
Instagram @lastdaysofkoreshan
Website lastdaysofkoreshan.site
Are you interested in the potential of this project? Would you like to collaborate?
Send an email to [email protected]
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Special FX Cadaver
Costs $3,000
Their Master's decomposing body is a centerpiece within the film, and the catalyst which sets off the rest of it.
Locations
Costs $2,000
To immerse our audience into 1908, we need era appropriate architecture and furnishings
Art Supplies & Costumes
Costs $2,700
What is a historical drama without it's extravagant textures and costumes? What is a cult without it's propaganda?
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
L. Fried is the director, writer and producer of Last Days of Koreshan. It all began in the year 2020, when the world was wrought with COVID. Fearing a state shutdown, L returned to South Florida to be closer to her family during uncertain times. They began taking weekend trips around Old Florida, to explore pockets they hadn’t seen before. L’s sister, Adina, recommended the Koreshan State Park—about a 2 hour drive from their hometown; this is when L first learned about the eccentric society.
There are many components of the Koreshan’s story that fascinates L. The impetus for this short film began with the image of Teed’s body on display in a zinc tub, and the unshakable faith his followers held, refusing to bury him and believing he would return, just as Jesus had. While Teed is no doubt a compelling figure, upon doing more research, L’s curiosity centered around the his sister and interim second-in-command, Emma, and what was going through her mind during such uncertainty.
Having come from a background in Design and Art History, L is also intrigued by belief systems and cultural moments that ultimately shape society and the objects we surround ourselves with.
(BTS of L's work as a Production Designer on a Y2K period piece)
While in the Pacific Northwest, she worked for institutions such as the Seattle Art Museum, Northwest Film Forum, The Stranger and CUT. Her debut short film, I Know How You Like Your Coffee was an official selection at Local Sightings Film Festival, Tacoma International Film Festival, and Twist. Since then, and after spending over a decade in Seattle, L has returned to the swamps from whence she came.
In the last year, L has partnered with the Hollywood Historical Society, designing 100 Years Young: Our Founder’s Vision, an exhibition for the Centennial of Hollywood, Florida's creation. She has also worked on Florida-based short films including Madame (set dresser), Underground River (set dresser), The Steele Brothers Band (set dresser), and Wing Man (editor). Last Days of Koreshan is L’s directorial debut since returning to her home state.
Tabatha Mudra is an award-winning director, cinematographer, and producer whose work has been featured by PBS, the United Nations Women’s Fund, and the American Heart Association. She is the recipient of the Dejunius Hughes Award for activism and a back-to-back winner of the 48-Hour Film Festival, leading the first female-led team to win in Miami.
Self-described as a “creative outlaw,” Tabatha is drawn to stories that amplify underrepresented voices and challenge conventional narratives. She is deeply committed to creating opportunities for women in the film industry and empowering artists to thrive in a competitive creative landscape. Known for pushing teams beyond their comfort zones, she fosters growth, expansion, and impactful outcomes while consistently centering equality as the foundation of her work.
Originally from Miami, Giovanna is a production designer drawn to visual storytelling through character and space. Her work focuses on world-building, with an emphasis on creating environments that feel lived-in and emotionally grounded.
With a foundation in costume design, she brings a thoughtful sensitivity to texture, detail, and character, approaching each project collaboratively and with respect for the story being told.
Victoria Olson is a costumer/stylist/Designer working her way from Off-Off Broadway to Broadway. She has served as assistant to designer Ann Roth on many Broadway shows and film Hair, The Island and Rock of Ages.
Other credits include NBC’s Saturday Nite Live, soap operas and Late Nite with David Letterman. Ms. Olson is a proud member of IATSE Local 500 working with the New World Symphony, Florida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet
and served as wardrobe/shop supervisor at Palm Beach Opera. As a board member of the Broward Cultural Council and strives to fund the arts.
Adrienne Seraphina Helene Tabet is a figure sculptor responsible for works held in galleries and museums such as Mana Contemporary, 621 Gallery, 1310 Gallery, Tallahassee Museum of Fine Arts, and Thomas Dean Fine Art, Art Basel, and in major works of film such as NCIS New Orleans and Roots(2016). With a large material range and profound connection to nature, she explores any and all things required to bring forth the vision harmoniously, including metal, wood, clay, resin, stone, wax, recycled material, bone, animal skin, and plants.
Adrienne is a queer, mixed-race Lebanese American, raised between the layered realities of Miami and the Middle East, experiencing the firsthand effects of love, death, belief, cptsd, perspective shifts, rebirth, transformation, nourishment, and joy across cultures- having found solace in what unites and interconnects us all. Intertwined within her lifetime as a sculptor, she is also a Bodyworker, Energy Worker, and Death Doula, utilizing Sculpture as a large-scale healing modality- a Bridge between worlds.
Lyn Millner is the author of The Allure of Immortality: An American Cult, A Florida Swamp, and a Renegade Prophet, named by the Wall Street Journal as one of the top five books on cults. Her audio stories have been broadcast on National Public Radio’s “Morning Edition” and “Weekend Edition” and on American Public Media’s “Marketplace.” Her work has also appeared in the New York Times, USA Today, and Oxford American. She is a professor of journalism at Florida Gulf Coast University.