MOON is an 8-10 minute short sci-fi/fantasy film. It is a magical realism piece that deals compassionately with trauma and redemption from guilt and shame. MOON talks about death and unexpected, senseless loss... far-too-early loss. Having said that, the filmmaker Toy Lei wants this film to leave people with a feeling of hope, by comprehending and having empathy for people's pain. While all of us carry some kind of guilt, we don't have to be burdened by it forever by remembering we are loved, and that we too can love.

This film is about the infinite possibilities on the outside and the infinite knowledge within.

SpaceX Private Experience Tour for You and a Guest! Go Behind the Scenes!

MOON the Film is pleased to announce a Private Experience Tour of SpaceX for MOON the Film supporters.

Are you interested in this stellar giveaway? A SpaceX Private Experience Tour will be awarded to the qualified supporter with the highest donation.

During our Crowdfunding Campaign, MOON the Film will also randomly draw and award one of our qualified film supporters with a solo SpaceX Private Experience Tour!

If you are passionate about space, science, or technology, this behind the scenes experience in Los Angeles is perfect for you!

Your donation is beyond appreciated as we endeavor to recreate the Moon here on Earth for our film. Thank you in advance for being heartfelt supporters of MOON the Film and Intrepid Storytellers! You are such an important part of our production and we cannot do this without your support!

Selected as one of the top 5 new filmmakers by the prestigious Asian-American Film Lab and New York Women in Film and Television, for her 2012 directorial debut THE WEDDING, Toy Lei is a multi-talented director, actor, fight choreographer and swordswoman. Lei has won multiple Film, Best Actress, Best Action, Best Stunts awards across the breadth of her projects, and she has screened at prestigious festivals such as Etheria and San Diego Comic-con. In 2019 her feature-length script of BOXER was a semifinalist at the iconic Austin Film Fest. In addition, in 2019, not only did she attended the highly selective NYWIFT FS2P directing program in New York, but also, she directed and 2nd-unit directed several projects ranging from shorts to branded content web series which were crewed and cast with Emmy winners. And now, she is proud to have MOON as her next project. Lei is a proud mom to her dog, Wilfred and resides in Los Angeles.

The MOON script is a Finalist in Women in Media's CAMERAderie Initiative. The Initiative is an amazing opportunity where WiM offers above and below the line community the opportunity to gain experience and support. This Lab includes networking, mentorship, and professional development via online classes, comprehensive weekend workshops, and hands-on training. Writer/Director Finalists build their teams from the WiM membership (70%+ women, women-identifying and gender nonconforming crews!). Crew members have support from initiative producers and industry professionals in each department.

We need funds now to plan and proceed with our shoot. A solid portion of our shoot will take place on an LED stage, which requires more pre-production resources than normal. We also need to build the MOON, the vast majority of our costs will go towards the construction of the moon.

We will be shooting in Los Angles in August of 2021. We are fully planning for a Covid safe shoot and are budgeting for those costs. We will adhere to all guidelines and regulations as set forth by the industry at the time of the shoot.

Our main producing group includes industry veterans who have worked on award winning films and hit TV shows and have had their work featured at Sundance, Tribeca and SXSW festivals. Thus far our team is made up of an amazing group of women as well as a few accomplished gentlemen. We are building our cast and crew to include individuals with strong entertainment resumes who are passionate about filmmaking and want to make a mark in this industry. We are dedicated to focus on sustainable practices during all stages of production. In short, our team will make a great film you can be sure to be proud to have been a part of!

Toy Lei has written the script in the Summer of 2020 and has been in pre-production since September. With the involvement of Women in Media, the selection of the production team and key members of the crew began in January of 2021. We currently have key positions filled and are recruiting others. Our team is comprised of amazing people with applicable experience who want to continue to shape their craft. They not only have been selected by the filmmaker and producers, but have also been vetted by Women in Media. They have been selected to be a part of the project through several levels of approval. It is also valuable to note that everyone on this film is volunteering their time because of their strong belief in the project and their desire to be a part of this amazing film.

Kate and Alex, besties since they were 6 years old, are hanging out on his mom’s patio as they’ve always done. Now in their 40’s, Kate tells Alex, that she spent eight days on the moon - a lovely peaceful staycation. She knows Alex will believe her when she confides that it really happened, that it wasn’t a dream. And of course, as a true friend, he does.

Now, she has to believe him when he tells her that this isn’t his mom’s patio and that he was brutally murdered and that as a result, she decided to overdose on pills. They go back to the moon where she must now make a choice to return to life on Earth or stay with him.

We have big plans for MOON, but of course our immediate focus is on the shoot of the film.

Once complete we plan to submit the film to a number of film festivals throughout North America. We are confident that we will also be able to secure a placing on a major streaming platform.

Our film touches on a number of themes relevant in today’s social climate. We have a social impact producer on our team, who is helping us come up with strategies during all stages of production to promote our film and highlight its social importance.

We are highlighting the following themes as part of our social impact initiatives:

“It’s Okay to Not Be Okay. You are not alone. Help is Available.” 
Destigmatizing Mental Health Crisis by Fostering Educational Talks with Mental Health Resources. Peer support and storytelling bolsters community building. 

“Wondery, Discovery and Exploration in Storytelling”
Amplifying more representation in STEM centered characters, or STEM themed films, provides opportunities to break the generalized stereotype of Women. Films with STEM themes lead to exploration and discovery around story development and connect audiences with Space exploration and Astronomical sciences. 

“Creativity and Innovation is Where Film Tech Meets”
Innovation is birthed both by creative constraints and creative design. A film with budget and unlimited expansive goals will utilize their creative skill set to incorporate methods and film technology to recreate a MOON landscape. It’s a practice that is pioneering and resourceful.

“Sustainable Green Production is Mindful Production”
Reducing carbon footprints, being resourceful and respectful towards the Planet reduces our environmental impact. With respects to usage, recycling, fuel and energy consumption production will assess impact before use. Streamlining unnecessary costs to the environment and repurposing when applicable.

“Asian American Representation Women of Color in Film WOC Director”

“Socially Conscious Inclusive Team and Practices via DEI Lens”