Malka
New York City, New York | Film Short
Musical, Biography
Malka is a short film about Margie (Malka) Appel who survived the atrocities of the Holocaust. She always recalled a gorgeous sunrise she saw on the train to Auschwitz that inspired her to persist and gave her faith to carry on. Using actors and music, this short film tells part of her story.
Malka
New York City, New York | Film Short
Musical, Biography
1 Campaigns | New York, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $29,670 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
420 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Malka is a short film about Margie (Malka) Appel who survived the atrocities of the Holocaust. She always recalled a gorgeous sunrise she saw on the train to Auschwitz that inspired her to persist and gave her faith to carry on. Using actors and music, this short film tells part of her story.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
The Sun Will Rise Again: Keeping My Grandmother’s Legacy Alive
The film begins as Malka and her sister Ruchel huddle in Auschwitz, starving because the food is almost inedible. We flashback to the hardships she endured in her hometown of Klečenov (in the former country of Czechoslovakia) as the Nazis took over and then as her family is rounded up and eventually brought to the camp.
On the train, Malka sees a gorgeous sunrise, which inspired the song I wrote for the film. In every talk/interview she gave (which was many), my grandmother mentioned this sunrise as proof of the undeniable beauty in the world, even in the worst of times. In the film, as in life, the sunrise renews her optimism even as she heads into the unknown atrocities to come.
My grandmother was a remarkable woman, and without her perseverance I would not be here today. There are so few Holocaust survivors who remain, and at times it feels like the world has completely moved on from this horror. It took decades before my grandmother began to talk candidly about what she had experienced. Once she opened up, her mission became clear. She talked in any temple or school that would have her. She gave multiple interviews for papers, was featured on a few cable TV shows, and her story appears in Stephen Spielberg's Holocaust anthology. In the last few years of her life when she was confined to a hospital bed, she told her story to students via Skype.
Following the path she set upon, I have vehemently taken up her mantle. I am honored to immortalize my grandmother in this short film, which we hope will lead to a full feature film.
Watch a tribute I gave about my grandmother at Auschwitz, here:
Watch the full "Sunrise" song, here:
Watch the full 2 hour interview with Margie (Malka) Appel, here:
https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn503096
With the rise in antisemitism, it is essential we keep telling authentic Jewish stories, and I thank you in advance for helping me.
Timeline & Cost:
We will film this fall, and submit it to short film festivals starting in 2024. People wonder why short film costs so much money, so I have spelled out the budget items under the WishList tab.
First off, there are normal film costs: hiring a production producer, a director, a crew (DP, sound operators, AD, PAs) and hiring SAG (union) actors. (We will adhere to current SAG guidelines re: COVID.) Given that this is a period piece, we are going to have to create a shtetl and cattle train car from scratch. Every actor, principals and extras will have to have period costumes and hair. And all the props, as well. This will require astute designers and then materials to create the sets and costumes.
Furthermore, as this film is also a musical, there are costs associated with hiring a studio engineer, a musical director, and a great sound editor. For this sparse short film, I will be orchestrating the music for string quartet, and I will have to hire those four musicians, too. Speaking of editing, for post production, I will also need a visual editor and colorizer.
After that, applying to hundreds of film festivals will cost money because they all have submission fees. And should the movie be accepted, then there will be travel costs to attend these festivals to make connections for the future of the project.
Indeed, $36,000, AKA 2,000 times $18 (ie. Chai the Hebrew word for life synonymous with the number 18) is probably on the low end of what is required. Thus, if we can, I would love to raise more to not have to produce this film on a shoestring budget!
All donations, both large and small, will be greatly appreciated. We need to reach $36,000 by June 16th to receive any funds from this campaign. Please help us meet our goal and share Malka's story of faith, hope, and survival.
Why should you believe in me? For 2 decades I have been an award-winning composer in New York City. I have written hundreds of songs, produced over 800 cabarets, produced my musical Love Quirks off-Broadway where it won 4 BroadwayWorld Awards, and had a crossword puzzle in the New York Times. I am pernicious and perseverant and once I start a project, I see it through.
Crowdfunding campaigns rely on community. I humbly request your support sharing this campaign! Feel free to copy/paste one of the texts & graphic below or write your own. Please share them on social media, email them to any Jewish organizations you are a part of, and personally text them to close friends/family individually.
Help award-winning writer/producer @sethbhdotcom with his dramatic short @malkafilm on @seedandspark! It’s about his grandmother Malka who survived the atrocities of the Holocaust. She always recalled a gorgeous sunrise she saw on the train to Auschwitz that inspired her to persist and gave her faith to carry on. tinyurl.com/malkafund
Please follow the campaign on Facebook & Instagram: @malkafilm
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Director
Costs $2,500
It's essential to hire an experienced director.
Producer
Costs $2,500
It's important to hire an experienced producer.
Cast
Costs $8,000
We definitely need both principals and extras.
Music
Costs $3,000
We need to hire a musical director, string quartet, and a studio engineer to produce the live score.
Set, Costume & Props
Costs $3,000
For a period piece, we are going to have to create sets and costumes from scratch.
Camera Equipment
Costs $2,000
We will need to rent a 4K camera and buy hard drives, SIM cards, etc.
Post Production
Costs $5,000
We will need to hire a video editor, a sound editor and colorization experts.
Designers
Costs $3,000
We will need costume, set and prop designers.
Production Staff
Costs $5,000
We will need a DP (Director of Photographer), Sound Crew, Production Assistants, etc.
Festival Fees
Costs $2,000
We will need at least $2000 to submit to festivals and then travel to them.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Seth Bisen-Hersh (Producer/Composer/Lyricist) is an award-winning composer/lyricist. Musicals: Love Quirks (AMT Theater 2022, Off-Broadway BroadwayWorld Award for Best New Score), The Diamond as Big as the Ritz (2019 Finalist: Stiles & Drewe Best Song Award), Stanley's Party (Manhattan Children's Theatre, 2010), More to Love (2014 Winner: Best Lyrics, WVMTF), The Spickner Spin (2004 FringeNYC Audience Favorite Award), Meaningless Sex (2003 FringeNYC Audience Favorite Award). 10 cabaret song cycles: And Then She Dumped Me, The Gayest Straight Man Alive, Meaningful Sex, Neurotic Tendencies, Why am I Not Famous Yet?, Writer's Block: a cabaret that was hard to write, I'll Relax When I'm Dead: a reluctantly prolific cabaret, If Adele Can Do It, So Can I: an evening of mostly sorrow, Not Your Grandma's Cabaret (unless she’s really naughty) and The Self-Isolation Song Cycle. He wrote/starred in the 5 seasons of the web series "Every Day a Little Seth," co-wrote/co-starred in the TV pilot version and has emceed, produced and accompanied over 750 musical theatre talent showcases at Don't Tell Mama. 3 books: "Sleep. Write. Now. Emerging from a dark year of insomnia, anxiety and depression from loss”, "Every Page a Little Seth" and "Millennials are Ruining the World!", (also an audiobook and podcast). Also, he was a winner of 2019, 2020 & 2022 ASCAP Plus Awards. Additionally, he's had multiple crossword puzzles published in the NY Times, LA Times, and Universal Crossword. He has two Bachelors from MIT (Computer Science & Engineering and Music Composition) and a Masters in Music Technology from NYU. www.sethbh.com FB/Twitter/Instagram/TikTok: @sethbhdotcom
Lenny Schwartz (Screenwriter) is the writer/director of such plays as Subject 62, Kung-Fu Babies, The Inside of His Severed Head, Ben Minus Zoe Minus Ben, The Social Avenger and Co-Creator amongst many others. He is also the screenwriter of such films as "Murder University", “Normal", "Accidental Incest" and the upcoming "The Haunted and The Hunted", "Codename: Dynastud" (Scorpio Films Releasing), Long Night in a Dead City" (Scorpio Film Releasing), and "Higher Methods" (IM Filmworks) as well as a few more things he cannot talk about. His latest plays were Me Three: A Guide to New Beginnings, A Seduction of the Innocent and An American History of Guns. Lenny’s next play is the long awaited musical Pussy Hanukkah Comes to Harlem.
Jaclyn Amor (Producer) is often appropriately deemed as a "Jac of all trades". She is an international, Filipino Australian, director, producer, writer and artist. With a unique background in creative direction, fine arts and performance, Jaclyn’s work includes music videos, fashion editorial films, branded content, influencer campaigns, digital series, VR projects, narrative shorts and features. From directing the Asian American International Film Festival and off Broadway plays, to creating content for the likes of ABC Australia, Bravo, Google, YouTube, College Humor, Adaptive Studios, TikTok and Condé Nast (Architectural Digest, CN Traveler, Vanity Fair), Jaclyn has worked passionately towards highlighting the talents of fellow creators from diverse backgrounds, in hopes to contribute to the positive change in the entertainment industry. During the pandemic, Jaclyn shot a winning 2 minute quarantine film for the Reframe Women in Film competition (which has a permanent showcase on IMDB pro), produced and directed a weekly online live Zoom variety show for AAPI heritage month featuring celebrities with local LA hosts and started her own small production company - Agent 86. She most recently wrapped work on two indie horror features and currently has a couple of exciting new projects in development. www.jaclynamor.com
Mara Jill Herman (Consulting Producer) is an award-winning, multidisciplinary Jewish artist. Her work has been featured on CBS Mornings, NPR, New York Jewish Week, Playbill, AM New York, Backstage, BroadwayWorld Japan, and more. Benefit concerts conceived, directed, and produced include Ruth Sent Us, Changemakers, and Stronger Than Hate at The Green Room 42. Other producing credits include Communion (The Cell), The Moss Maidens (SheNYC), Museum of the Moving Image (Technotherapy NYC) and ART/New York (Parent Artist Advocacy League). As a Communications Strategist, Mara built and implemented campaigns for YoungArts, Rachel Media, and MAR Productions. She received NYFA's City Artist Corps Grant and YoungArts' Creative Grant for generating original work. Her satiric music videos have been hailed as “brilliant,” “hilarious,” “very versatile,” and “absolutely spectacular.” She is a coauthor of So You Wanna Be A Superstar? The Ultimate Audition Guide (Running Press Kids) and contributor to Musical Theater Today, Vol. 3 (Yonkers International Press). Mara made her Carnegie Hall debut in We Are Here: Songs From The Holocaust. Performance highlights include Fiddler On The Roof (Fruma-Sarah), On The Town (Hildy) and the International Tours of Disney On Classic (Mother Gothel) and Jesus Christ Superstar. Mara is a 2023 & 2024 nominee for the Barbara Whitman Award from the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation. She volunteers for Maestra Music, Flip The Vote, and Knock For Democracy. www.marajillherman.com @marajillherman
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
The Sun Will Rise Again: Keeping My Grandmother’s Legacy Alive
The film begins as Malka and her sister Ruchel huddle in Auschwitz, starving because the food is almost inedible. We flashback to the hardships she endured in her hometown of Klečenov (in the former country of Czechoslovakia) as the Nazis took over and then as her family is rounded up and eventually brought to the camp.
On the train, Malka sees a gorgeous sunrise, which inspired the song I wrote for the film. In every talk/interview she gave (which was many), my grandmother mentioned this sunrise as proof of the undeniable beauty in the world, even in the worst of times. In the film, as in life, the sunrise renews her optimism even as she heads into the unknown atrocities to come.
My grandmother was a remarkable woman, and without her perseverance I would not be here today. There are so few Holocaust survivors who remain, and at times it feels like the world has completely moved on from this horror. It took decades before my grandmother began to talk candidly about what she had experienced. Once she opened up, her mission became clear. She talked in any temple or school that would have her. She gave multiple interviews for papers, was featured on a few cable TV shows, and her story appears in Stephen Spielberg's Holocaust anthology. In the last few years of her life when she was confined to a hospital bed, she told her story to students via Skype.
Following the path she set upon, I have vehemently taken up her mantle. I am honored to immortalize my grandmother in this short film, which we hope will lead to a full feature film.
Watch a tribute I gave about my grandmother at Auschwitz, here:
Watch the full "Sunrise" song, here:
Watch the full 2 hour interview with Margie (Malka) Appel, here:
https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn503096
With the rise in antisemitism, it is essential we keep telling authentic Jewish stories, and I thank you in advance for helping me.
Timeline & Cost:
We will film this fall, and submit it to short film festivals starting in 2024. People wonder why short film costs so much money, so I have spelled out the budget items under the WishList tab.
First off, there are normal film costs: hiring a production producer, a director, a crew (DP, sound operators, AD, PAs) and hiring SAG (union) actors. (We will adhere to current SAG guidelines re: COVID.) Given that this is a period piece, we are going to have to create a shtetl and cattle train car from scratch. Every actor, principals and extras will have to have period costumes and hair. And all the props, as well. This will require astute designers and then materials to create the sets and costumes.
Furthermore, as this film is also a musical, there are costs associated with hiring a studio engineer, a musical director, and a great sound editor. For this sparse short film, I will be orchestrating the music for string quartet, and I will have to hire those four musicians, too. Speaking of editing, for post production, I will also need a visual editor and colorizer.
After that, applying to hundreds of film festivals will cost money because they all have submission fees. And should the movie be accepted, then there will be travel costs to attend these festivals to make connections for the future of the project.
Indeed, $36,000, AKA 2,000 times $18 (ie. Chai the Hebrew word for life synonymous with the number 18) is probably on the low end of what is required. Thus, if we can, I would love to raise more to not have to produce this film on a shoestring budget!
All donations, both large and small, will be greatly appreciated. We need to reach $36,000 by June 16th to receive any funds from this campaign. Please help us meet our goal and share Malka's story of faith, hope, and survival.
Why should you believe in me? For 2 decades I have been an award-winning composer in New York City. I have written hundreds of songs, produced over 800 cabarets, produced my musical Love Quirks off-Broadway where it won 4 BroadwayWorld Awards, and had a crossword puzzle in the New York Times. I am pernicious and perseverant and once I start a project, I see it through.
Crowdfunding campaigns rely on community. I humbly request your support sharing this campaign! Feel free to copy/paste one of the texts & graphic below or write your own. Please share them on social media, email them to any Jewish organizations you are a part of, and personally text them to close friends/family individually.
Help award-winning writer/producer @sethbhdotcom with his dramatic short @malkafilm on @seedandspark! It’s about his grandmother Malka who survived the atrocities of the Holocaust. She always recalled a gorgeous sunrise she saw on the train to Auschwitz that inspired her to persist and gave her faith to carry on. tinyurl.com/malkafund
Please follow the campaign on Facebook & Instagram: @malkafilm
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Director
Costs $2,500
It's essential to hire an experienced director.
Producer
Costs $2,500
It's important to hire an experienced producer.
Cast
Costs $8,000
We definitely need both principals and extras.
Music
Costs $3,000
We need to hire a musical director, string quartet, and a studio engineer to produce the live score.
Set, Costume & Props
Costs $3,000
For a period piece, we are going to have to create sets and costumes from scratch.
Camera Equipment
Costs $2,000
We will need to rent a 4K camera and buy hard drives, SIM cards, etc.
Post Production
Costs $5,000
We will need to hire a video editor, a sound editor and colorization experts.
Designers
Costs $3,000
We will need costume, set and prop designers.
Production Staff
Costs $5,000
We will need a DP (Director of Photographer), Sound Crew, Production Assistants, etc.
Festival Fees
Costs $2,000
We will need at least $2000 to submit to festivals and then travel to them.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Seth Bisen-Hersh (Producer/Composer/Lyricist) is an award-winning composer/lyricist. Musicals: Love Quirks (AMT Theater 2022, Off-Broadway BroadwayWorld Award for Best New Score), The Diamond as Big as the Ritz (2019 Finalist: Stiles & Drewe Best Song Award), Stanley's Party (Manhattan Children's Theatre, 2010), More to Love (2014 Winner: Best Lyrics, WVMTF), The Spickner Spin (2004 FringeNYC Audience Favorite Award), Meaningless Sex (2003 FringeNYC Audience Favorite Award). 10 cabaret song cycles: And Then She Dumped Me, The Gayest Straight Man Alive, Meaningful Sex, Neurotic Tendencies, Why am I Not Famous Yet?, Writer's Block: a cabaret that was hard to write, I'll Relax When I'm Dead: a reluctantly prolific cabaret, If Adele Can Do It, So Can I: an evening of mostly sorrow, Not Your Grandma's Cabaret (unless she’s really naughty) and The Self-Isolation Song Cycle. He wrote/starred in the 5 seasons of the web series "Every Day a Little Seth," co-wrote/co-starred in the TV pilot version and has emceed, produced and accompanied over 750 musical theatre talent showcases at Don't Tell Mama. 3 books: "Sleep. Write. Now. Emerging from a dark year of insomnia, anxiety and depression from loss”, "Every Page a Little Seth" and "Millennials are Ruining the World!", (also an audiobook and podcast). Also, he was a winner of 2019, 2020 & 2022 ASCAP Plus Awards. Additionally, he's had multiple crossword puzzles published in the NY Times, LA Times, and Universal Crossword. He has two Bachelors from MIT (Computer Science & Engineering and Music Composition) and a Masters in Music Technology from NYU. www.sethbh.com FB/Twitter/Instagram/TikTok: @sethbhdotcom
Lenny Schwartz (Screenwriter) is the writer/director of such plays as Subject 62, Kung-Fu Babies, The Inside of His Severed Head, Ben Minus Zoe Minus Ben, The Social Avenger and Co-Creator amongst many others. He is also the screenwriter of such films as "Murder University", “Normal", "Accidental Incest" and the upcoming "The Haunted and The Hunted", "Codename: Dynastud" (Scorpio Films Releasing), Long Night in a Dead City" (Scorpio Film Releasing), and "Higher Methods" (IM Filmworks) as well as a few more things he cannot talk about. His latest plays were Me Three: A Guide to New Beginnings, A Seduction of the Innocent and An American History of Guns. Lenny’s next play is the long awaited musical Pussy Hanukkah Comes to Harlem.
Jaclyn Amor (Producer) is often appropriately deemed as a "Jac of all trades". She is an international, Filipino Australian, director, producer, writer and artist. With a unique background in creative direction, fine arts and performance, Jaclyn’s work includes music videos, fashion editorial films, branded content, influencer campaigns, digital series, VR projects, narrative shorts and features. From directing the Asian American International Film Festival and off Broadway plays, to creating content for the likes of ABC Australia, Bravo, Google, YouTube, College Humor, Adaptive Studios, TikTok and Condé Nast (Architectural Digest, CN Traveler, Vanity Fair), Jaclyn has worked passionately towards highlighting the talents of fellow creators from diverse backgrounds, in hopes to contribute to the positive change in the entertainment industry. During the pandemic, Jaclyn shot a winning 2 minute quarantine film for the Reframe Women in Film competition (which has a permanent showcase on IMDB pro), produced and directed a weekly online live Zoom variety show for AAPI heritage month featuring celebrities with local LA hosts and started her own small production company - Agent 86. She most recently wrapped work on two indie horror features and currently has a couple of exciting new projects in development. www.jaclynamor.com
Mara Jill Herman (Consulting Producer) is an award-winning, multidisciplinary Jewish artist. Her work has been featured on CBS Mornings, NPR, New York Jewish Week, Playbill, AM New York, Backstage, BroadwayWorld Japan, and more. Benefit concerts conceived, directed, and produced include Ruth Sent Us, Changemakers, and Stronger Than Hate at The Green Room 42. Other producing credits include Communion (The Cell), The Moss Maidens (SheNYC), Museum of the Moving Image (Technotherapy NYC) and ART/New York (Parent Artist Advocacy League). As a Communications Strategist, Mara built and implemented campaigns for YoungArts, Rachel Media, and MAR Productions. She received NYFA's City Artist Corps Grant and YoungArts' Creative Grant for generating original work. Her satiric music videos have been hailed as “brilliant,” “hilarious,” “very versatile,” and “absolutely spectacular.” She is a coauthor of So You Wanna Be A Superstar? The Ultimate Audition Guide (Running Press Kids) and contributor to Musical Theater Today, Vol. 3 (Yonkers International Press). Mara made her Carnegie Hall debut in We Are Here: Songs From The Holocaust. Performance highlights include Fiddler On The Roof (Fruma-Sarah), On The Town (Hildy) and the International Tours of Disney On Classic (Mother Gothel) and Jesus Christ Superstar. Mara is a 2023 & 2024 nominee for the Barbara Whitman Award from the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation. She volunteers for Maestra Music, Flip The Vote, and Knock For Democracy. www.marajillherman.com @marajillherman