Préstame tu claridad (Lend Me Your Light)
Grand Rapids, Michigan | Film Feature
Drama, Foreign Film
A Venezuelan independent film about the largest refugee crisis in the history of the Americas. It focuses on Ana María's difficult journey and her hope of returning to a new Venezuela to meet her parents. It is a token of sympathy for the Venezuelan diaspora. Join us in telling this touching story!
Préstame tu claridad (Lend Me Your Light)
Grand Rapids, Michigan | Film Feature
Drama, Foreign Film
2 Campaigns | Michigan, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $24,880 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
33 supporters | followers
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A Venezuelan independent film about the largest refugee crisis in the history of the Americas. It focuses on Ana María's difficult journey and her hope of returning to a new Venezuela to meet her parents. It is a token of sympathy for the Venezuelan diaspora. Join us in telling this touching story!
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
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T H E S T O R Y
A Venezuelan millenial flees to Argentina seeking independence and a better future. After her journey encounters legal and economic difficulties, her only hope becomes that of returning to a new Venezuela to meet her parents again.
S Y N O P S I S
22-year-old Ana María flees from the Venezuelan crisis to Argentina, seeking independence and a better future. After a number of setbacks during her ground route trip and the unknown city of Buenos Aires, reality reminds her she is not a tourist, but a refugee. As her journey gets complicated legally and economically, Ana María is forced to embrace her new reality as an adult immigrant. She just joined the more than 4 million Venezuelans who are part of the largest refugee crisis in the history of the Americas. She will work hard, holding on to the hope that the regime in Venezuela will fall, and of returning to a new country to meet her parents again.
D I R E C T O R ‘ S S T A T E M E N T
The title, Préstame tu claridad (Lend me Your Light), is a line of a popular song by the well-known Venezuelan musician Simón Díaz, in which a lover commends his partner to the Morning Star to bless her and shed light on her path for the hardships that will come her way. The film carries a message of hope that will lighten the hearts and have a lasting impression on the audience.
Préstame tu claridad is a story about the experience of Venezuelan migration told from the perspective of a millennial who never thought she would face such a journey.
A mixture of fiction and documentary, Préstame tu claridad (Lend Me Your Light) seeks to tell the story of the more than 4 million Venezuelan refugees, and to capture the historic moments that Venezuela is currently going through. “I want this film to be a token of sympathy to the entire Venezuelan diaspora” Writer and director David Astudillo said. “The story is made up of little true stories, experienced by many of my friends and family across Latin America”.
My deep wish is that returning Venezuelans and reunited families watch this film and feel a connection with Ana María and her parents throughout the movie. It is my hope that the world takes a closer look at the individual hardships that immigrants go through, and that this film will become an object of cultural and artistic value to the Venezuelan cinema.
WHAT IS GOING ON IN VENEZUELA?
Lend Me Your Light seeks to answer the question, "What is going on in Venezuela?" From the mouths of Venezuelans themselves. Writer & Director David Astudillo says: “In her acting debut, Ana Graciela Cartaya…migrated to Buenos Aires seeking for a better future. Her gifts and circumstances have prepared her to interpret the fictional character, Ana María”. In many ways, Ana Graciela Cartaya, the lead actress of the film, will be reenacting her own experiences in the city in which she lived those experiences.
The film will carry the voice of Venezuelans who want to see a free country. The film is being made this July, because 2019 is possibly one of the most historic years in Venezuelan history. “In the scenario that the Maduro regime falls within the next months, if I’m not there already, my 1st Assistant Camera has my instructions to go out with Ana, and shoot the massive celebration that will burst in Buenos Aires during these historic moments for Venezuela”, said Astudillo.
These elements make Préstame Tu Claridad an authentic film with which Venezuelans and immigrants around the world can feel identified.
THE WRITER AND DIRECTOR
David Astudillo spent his childhood in Guarenas, a city near Caracas, Venezuela. When he arrived in the United Sates in 2015 he became an independent filmmaker. As his country goes through the worst economic crisis in its history, he is relentless in pursuing film and taking deeply-touching stories to the screen. David has traveled to England, Nigeria, Cuba, Colombia, and Bolivia doing documentary work for non-profits in diverse and challenging places. After writing and directing several award-winning short films, David has found the opportunity to tell the one story that has touched him the most: the situation of the millions of Venezuelans forced to leave their homeland in order to survive. His Latino heritage and his family-oriented culture have not only largely defined his character as a person to tell stories that matter and are close to him, but have also influenced his next project—a Spanish-language film about the diaspora of his fellow countrymen.
OUR GOAL
Our goal is to raise $30,000 to cover the expenses of the production in Argentina and Venezuela. We are working in Argentina, and this is good news in terms of costs and quality. Argentinian filmmakers are commited, passionated and talented. Together with Sonia Stigliano, our producer in Buenos Aires, we built a fitting budget with accesible prices.
FOLLOW AND SHARE
Thank you for considering our project, spread the word to help make it happen!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Payroll
Costs $13,000
We are hiring crew and cast in Argentina, alumni from one of the best film schools of the world.
Lodging, Catering, and Transportation
Costs $15,000
We will make our journey through Venezuela and Argentina, and we want to ensure needs are covered.
Digital Storage
Costs $1,000
We are making sure our massive data is secure and all backed up in several hard drives.
Rentals
Costs $1,000
Though we have most equipment available, we need to rent some extra items in Argentina and Venezuela
Share this update!
About This Team
David Astudillo, Writer & Director
David Astudillo spent his childhood in Guarenas, a city near Caracas, Venezuela. When he arrived in the United Sates in 2015 he became an independent filmmaker. He is now finishing his film studies at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As his country goes through the worst economic crisis in its history, he is relentless in pursuing film and taking deeply-touching stories to the screen. David has traveled to England, Nigeria, Cuba, Colombia, and Bolivia doing documentary work for non-profits in diverse and challenging places. After writing and directing several award-winning short films, David has finally found the opportunity to tell the one story that has touched him the most: the situation of the millions of Venezuelans forced to leave their homeland in order to survive. His Latino heritage and his family-oriented culture have not only largely defined his character as a person to tell stories that matter and are close to him, but have also influenced his next project—a Spanish-language film about the diaspora of his fellow countrymen.
Ana Graciela Cartaya, Lead Actress
In her acting debut, Ana Graciela Cartaya is a Venezuelan fashion designer and model who migrated to Buenos Aires seeking a better future. Her gifts and circumstances have prepared her to interpret the fictional character Ana María, who not only represents some of her experiences as a Venezuelan, but also that of many other immigrants across Latin America and the world. Ana has worked hard to fulfill her dreams, and Préstame Tu Claridad is a platform that seeks to display her talent and reward the struggle she shares with all Venezuelans.
Veronica Kirin, Executive Producer
Veronica Kirin is a serial entrepreneur, anthropologist, and author. She is founder of a recognized Top Women Owned Business and has been named a 40 Under 40 Business Leader. She is comfortable behind the camera as a former photographer, and in front of the lens as both a former actress and model. In 2018 Kirin published her first book, Stories Of Elders: What the Greatest Generation Knows About Technology That You Don’t (accompanied by a documentary edited by David Astudillo), and has presented her work worldwide, including on the TED stage. She currently coaches other audacious entrepreneurs who want to take their business to the next level through podcasting, crowdfunding, or writing.
James Sturtridge, Editor
Getting his start behind the camera as a cinematographer, James Sturtridge has followed the filmmaking process to post production. He has cut and colored dozens of corporate, fiction and promotional projects full time since graduating from Grand Valley State University in 2018. Won over by Alumnus David Astudillo’s infectious passion for the material, James joined the “Lend Me Your Light” team. His dedication to visual storytelling and the art of the cut are matched by his admiration of fellow Michigan native Iggy Pop.
Brenda Bursuk, Assistant Director
Brenda Bursuk is an actress and director. She finished her studies at Universidad del Cine (FUC) in 2018, receiving a degree on film directing. From the outset of her filmmaking career, she has performed the role of Assistant Director in several student and alumni short films from the same university. She was also Assistant Director in the short film “Error 404”, which obtained the Cóndor de Plata award to best short film. Bursuk studied at The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in New York City. She also studied theater and theatrical directing under Agustín Alezzo, finishing 5 years of studies in acting school, and completed the acting seminar for professional actors under the teacher Augusto Fernandes. Now, Bursuk will be Assistant Director in Préstame Tu Claridad (Lend Me Your Light).
Lautaro Homero Aguerreche, Assistant Camera
Lautaro Homero Aguerreche is a film student at Universidad del Cine (FUC) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He performed his skills in camera and lighting in a number of films made by fellow students. Préstame tu claridad (Lend Me Your Light) is important to Aguerreche because it brings to the screen images of real events that show social conflicts of the 21st Century.
Javier Fernandez Jensen, Boom Operator
Javier Fernández Jensen studied Direction at Universidad del Cine (FUC). He quickly got involved as sound engineer in a number of audiovisual projects. With 7 years of experience on sound design for film, Jensen has been involved in more than 70 audiovisual projects, Préstame tu claridad (Lend me Your Light) being his third feature film. In 2016, Jensen started his studies on film editing and sound design, then, he did an internship on Universidad del Cine's sound department. During that time, he was able to edit more than 15 short films and a feature film, created by the university's students. Jensen's trajectory and expertise assure that a story like Lend me Your Light, will get the sound quality it deserves.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
T H E S T O R Y
A Venezuelan millenial flees to Argentina seeking independence and a better future. After her journey encounters legal and economic difficulties, her only hope becomes that of returning to a new Venezuela to meet her parents again.
S Y N O P S I S
22-year-old Ana María flees from the Venezuelan crisis to Argentina, seeking independence and a better future. After a number of setbacks during her ground route trip and the unknown city of Buenos Aires, reality reminds her she is not a tourist, but a refugee. As her journey gets complicated legally and economically, Ana María is forced to embrace her new reality as an adult immigrant. She just joined the more than 4 million Venezuelans who are part of the largest refugee crisis in the history of the Americas. She will work hard, holding on to the hope that the regime in Venezuela will fall, and of returning to a new country to meet her parents again.
D I R E C T O R ‘ S S T A T E M E N T
The title, Préstame tu claridad (Lend me Your Light), is a line of a popular song by the well-known Venezuelan musician Simón Díaz, in which a lover commends his partner to the Morning Star to bless her and shed light on her path for the hardships that will come her way. The film carries a message of hope that will lighten the hearts and have a lasting impression on the audience.
Préstame tu claridad is a story about the experience of Venezuelan migration told from the perspective of a millennial who never thought she would face such a journey.
A mixture of fiction and documentary, Préstame tu claridad (Lend Me Your Light) seeks to tell the story of the more than 4 million Venezuelan refugees, and to capture the historic moments that Venezuela is currently going through. “I want this film to be a token of sympathy to the entire Venezuelan diaspora” Writer and director David Astudillo said. “The story is made up of little true stories, experienced by many of my friends and family across Latin America”.
My deep wish is that returning Venezuelans and reunited families watch this film and feel a connection with Ana María and her parents throughout the movie. It is my hope that the world takes a closer look at the individual hardships that immigrants go through, and that this film will become an object of cultural and artistic value to the Venezuelan cinema.
WHAT IS GOING ON IN VENEZUELA?
Lend Me Your Light seeks to answer the question, "What is going on in Venezuela?" From the mouths of Venezuelans themselves. Writer & Director David Astudillo says: “In her acting debut, Ana Graciela Cartaya…migrated to Buenos Aires seeking for a better future. Her gifts and circumstances have prepared her to interpret the fictional character, Ana María”. In many ways, Ana Graciela Cartaya, the lead actress of the film, will be reenacting her own experiences in the city in which she lived those experiences.
The film will carry the voice of Venezuelans who want to see a free country. The film is being made this July, because 2019 is possibly one of the most historic years in Venezuelan history. “In the scenario that the Maduro regime falls within the next months, if I’m not there already, my 1st Assistant Camera has my instructions to go out with Ana, and shoot the massive celebration that will burst in Buenos Aires during these historic moments for Venezuela”, said Astudillo.
These elements make Préstame Tu Claridad an authentic film with which Venezuelans and immigrants around the world can feel identified.
THE WRITER AND DIRECTOR
David Astudillo spent his childhood in Guarenas, a city near Caracas, Venezuela. When he arrived in the United Sates in 2015 he became an independent filmmaker. As his country goes through the worst economic crisis in its history, he is relentless in pursuing film and taking deeply-touching stories to the screen. David has traveled to England, Nigeria, Cuba, Colombia, and Bolivia doing documentary work for non-profits in diverse and challenging places. After writing and directing several award-winning short films, David has found the opportunity to tell the one story that has touched him the most: the situation of the millions of Venezuelans forced to leave their homeland in order to survive. His Latino heritage and his family-oriented culture have not only largely defined his character as a person to tell stories that matter and are close to him, but have also influenced his next project—a Spanish-language film about the diaspora of his fellow countrymen.
OUR GOAL
Our goal is to raise $30,000 to cover the expenses of the production in Argentina and Venezuela. We are working in Argentina, and this is good news in terms of costs and quality. Argentinian filmmakers are commited, passionated and talented. Together with Sonia Stigliano, our producer in Buenos Aires, we built a fitting budget with accesible prices.
FOLLOW AND SHARE
Thank you for considering our project, spread the word to help make it happen!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Payroll
Costs $13,000
We are hiring crew and cast in Argentina, alumni from one of the best film schools of the world.
Lodging, Catering, and Transportation
Costs $15,000
We will make our journey through Venezuela and Argentina, and we want to ensure needs are covered.
Digital Storage
Costs $1,000
We are making sure our massive data is secure and all backed up in several hard drives.
Rentals
Costs $1,000
Though we have most equipment available, we need to rent some extra items in Argentina and Venezuela
Share this update!
About This Team
David Astudillo, Writer & Director
David Astudillo spent his childhood in Guarenas, a city near Caracas, Venezuela. When he arrived in the United Sates in 2015 he became an independent filmmaker. He is now finishing his film studies at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As his country goes through the worst economic crisis in its history, he is relentless in pursuing film and taking deeply-touching stories to the screen. David has traveled to England, Nigeria, Cuba, Colombia, and Bolivia doing documentary work for non-profits in diverse and challenging places. After writing and directing several award-winning short films, David has finally found the opportunity to tell the one story that has touched him the most: the situation of the millions of Venezuelans forced to leave their homeland in order to survive. His Latino heritage and his family-oriented culture have not only largely defined his character as a person to tell stories that matter and are close to him, but have also influenced his next project—a Spanish-language film about the diaspora of his fellow countrymen.
Ana Graciela Cartaya, Lead Actress
In her acting debut, Ana Graciela Cartaya is a Venezuelan fashion designer and model who migrated to Buenos Aires seeking a better future. Her gifts and circumstances have prepared her to interpret the fictional character Ana María, who not only represents some of her experiences as a Venezuelan, but also that of many other immigrants across Latin America and the world. Ana has worked hard to fulfill her dreams, and Préstame Tu Claridad is a platform that seeks to display her talent and reward the struggle she shares with all Venezuelans.
Veronica Kirin, Executive Producer
Veronica Kirin is a serial entrepreneur, anthropologist, and author. She is founder of a recognized Top Women Owned Business and has been named a 40 Under 40 Business Leader. She is comfortable behind the camera as a former photographer, and in front of the lens as both a former actress and model. In 2018 Kirin published her first book, Stories Of Elders: What the Greatest Generation Knows About Technology That You Don’t (accompanied by a documentary edited by David Astudillo), and has presented her work worldwide, including on the TED stage. She currently coaches other audacious entrepreneurs who want to take their business to the next level through podcasting, crowdfunding, or writing.
James Sturtridge, Editor
Getting his start behind the camera as a cinematographer, James Sturtridge has followed the filmmaking process to post production. He has cut and colored dozens of corporate, fiction and promotional projects full time since graduating from Grand Valley State University in 2018. Won over by Alumnus David Astudillo’s infectious passion for the material, James joined the “Lend Me Your Light” team. His dedication to visual storytelling and the art of the cut are matched by his admiration of fellow Michigan native Iggy Pop.
Brenda Bursuk, Assistant Director
Brenda Bursuk is an actress and director. She finished her studies at Universidad del Cine (FUC) in 2018, receiving a degree on film directing. From the outset of her filmmaking career, she has performed the role of Assistant Director in several student and alumni short films from the same university. She was also Assistant Director in the short film “Error 404”, which obtained the Cóndor de Plata award to best short film. Bursuk studied at The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in New York City. She also studied theater and theatrical directing under Agustín Alezzo, finishing 5 years of studies in acting school, and completed the acting seminar for professional actors under the teacher Augusto Fernandes. Now, Bursuk will be Assistant Director in Préstame Tu Claridad (Lend Me Your Light).
Lautaro Homero Aguerreche, Assistant Camera
Lautaro Homero Aguerreche is a film student at Universidad del Cine (FUC) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He performed his skills in camera and lighting in a number of films made by fellow students. Préstame tu claridad (Lend Me Your Light) is important to Aguerreche because it brings to the screen images of real events that show social conflicts of the 21st Century.
Javier Fernandez Jensen, Boom Operator
Javier Fernández Jensen studied Direction at Universidad del Cine (FUC). He quickly got involved as sound engineer in a number of audiovisual projects. With 7 years of experience on sound design for film, Jensen has been involved in more than 70 audiovisual projects, Préstame tu claridad (Lend me Your Light) being his third feature film. In 2016, Jensen started his studies on film editing and sound design, then, he did an internship on Universidad del Cine's sound department. During that time, he was able to edit more than 15 short films and a feature film, created by the university's students. Jensen's trajectory and expertise assure that a story like Lend me Your Light, will get the sound quality it deserves.