Quest for the Heart
Kansas City, Missouri | Film Short
Fantasy, Drama
QUEST FOR THE HEART is an immersive fantasy and drama short film, but most importantly, a message of hope for the neurodivergent community. The film follows Dani, a woman lost in life, who is led on a fantastical journey by Another-Dani, a manifestation of her neurodivergence, to find her own heart.
Quest for the Heart
Kansas City, Missouri | Film Short
Fantasy, Drama
1 Campaigns | Missouri, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $1,000 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
15 supporters | followers
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QUEST FOR THE HEART is an immersive fantasy and drama short film, but most importantly, a message of hope for the neurodivergent community. The film follows Dani, a woman lost in life, who is led on a fantastical journey by Another-Dani, a manifestation of her neurodivergence, to find her own heart.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Dani, a neurodivergent woman lost in life, is led on a fantastical journey by another version of herself to find her own heart.
GENRES: FANTASY AND DRAMA
Every day is a performance for Dani, masking her autism to cater to the world around her. She has become distant from her friends and family, and has become a stranger to her own self.
One fateful day she encounters Another-Dani, an alternate version of herself and a manifestation of Dani's mind...and she looks like she just stepped out of a fantasy book. She is Dani's relentless guide on the quest to recover her lost heart.
Dani and her doppelganger journey into Dani's mind, through libraries and theaters and gardens, to uncover the truth of what lies within her lost heart.
Quest for the Heart is a story about the loss of identity. The act of neglecting yourself for the sake of making others comfortable. But it is also a question; how do you learn to be yourself again?
In our world where neurodivergence is taught to be repressed, we need a reminder of the magic that comes with expression. But this hero’s journey comes with a twist - will our hero make the right choice?
First and foremost, Quest for the Heart is a fantasy film. This classic genre will be utilized through intricate production design, precise cinematography, a mesmerizing original score, and a deep focus on high fantasy storytelling and its unique aesthetics. This film sets out to pay homage to this genre of fantasy as a legitimate and powerful form of filmmaking.
At the core of the film, however, is the goal to bring awareness to masking and show just how harmful it is to the neurodivergent community. This is a call to action; a reclamation of our identity despite a world that wants us to be ashamed of it.
Camryn Caruthers is the writer, director, and editor of Quest for the Heart. She is a recent graduate of the University of Kansas in the Film & Media Department, with a minor in Creative Writing and Visual Arts, where she honed her passion for storytelling. These projects include Parcivis, a six-part historical fantasy series, and Perfect Machines, an award-winning sci-fi short film. As a filmmaker, she is developing Perfect Machines into a feature-length script, directing her own short films, and working on set on feature productions.
Garrett Howard is the project’s cinematographer. He is a Kansas City based filmmaker, and a recent graduate of the Community College of Aurora Cinematic Arts Department - where he majored in Cinematography/Videography. He has worked on many award winning short films, such as “The Fisherman”, “The Restaurant”, and “Grandma’s Couch”, as well as his own documentary short film “Bouldering Colorado”. He also has experience shooting music videos, feature films - such as “Untitled Love Song”, and spec Commercials. Additionally, he does portrait and 35mm film photography.
Matthew Kurniawan is an Indonesian composer and classical guitarist who is currently studying music composition at the University of Kansas. He has written solo, chamber, vocal, and award-winning orchestral works that have been performed internationally in Malaysia, Brazil, Iran, and the United States. In collaboration with the film department, he has also composed scores for capstone movies, one of which has been nominated for best sound.
Andy Chanthalhaka is the producer of Quest For The Heart, helping bring the project to life through pre-production coordination, developing schedules, and logical problem-solving for the QFTH team. A graduate of the University of Kansas with a bachelors in Film & Media studies with a minor in business, Andy is passionate about meaningful stories and supporting the teams that make them possible.
Production for Quest for the Heart will be in March 2026! Our team is currently in pre production, where we are casting, designing the sets, planning our shoots, and fundraising. We are ensuring plenty of time to bring this fantasy-centric vision to life.
This project will be completed by the fall of 2026, giving the team plenty of time to carefully edit, compose, and color grade for a finished short film! Once the short film is completed, it will be submitted to festivals, and then make its way online for anyone to view. (Those who contribute $50 or more will receive an early link to the finished film!)
Any additional funding from this campaign will go towards production design and festival submissions. Help us dive deep into the fantasy aesthetic!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Production Design
Costs $500
The set pieces, props, and decor are vital in bringing the fantasy of this film to life.
Wardrobe
Costs $200
A thorough wardrobe will show the distinct personalities of Dani and her high fantasy counterpart in all of her renaissance-style glory.
Lighting and Camera Equipment
Costs $300
We will use industry standard filming equipment achieve the distinct fantasy aesthetic.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Camryn Caruthers is the writer, director, and editor of Quest for the Heart. She is a recent graduate of the University of Kansas in the Film & Media Department, with a minor in Creative Writing and Visual Arts, where she honed her passion for storytelling. These projects include Parcivis, a six-part historical fantasy series, and Perfect Machines, an award-winning sci-fi short film. As a filmmaker, she is developing Perfect Machines into a feature-length script, directing her own short films, and working on set on feature productions.
Garrett Howard is the project’s cinematographer. He is a Kansas City based filmmaker, and a recent graduate of the Community College of Aurora Cinematic Arts Department - where he majored in Cinematography/Videography. He has worked on many award winning short films, such as “The Fisherman”, “The Restaurant”, and “Grandma’s Couch”, as well as his own documentary short film “Bouldering Colorado”. He also has experience shooting music videos, feature films - such as “Untitled Love Song”, and spec Commercials. Additionally, he does portrait and 35mm film photography.
Matthew Kurniawan is an Indonesian composer and classical guitarist who is currently studying music composition at the University of Kansas. He has written solo, chamber, vocal, and award-winning orchestral works that have been performed internationally in Malaysia, Brazil, Iran, and the United States. In collaboration with the film department, he has also composed scores for capstone movies, one of which has been nominated for best sound.
Andy Chanthalhaka is the producer of Quest For The Heart, helping bring the project to life through pre-production coordination, developing schedules, and logical problem-solving for the QFTH team. A graduate of the University of Kansas with a bachelors in Film & Media studies with a minor in business, Andy is passionate about meaningful stories and supporting the teams that make them possible.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Dani, a neurodivergent woman lost in life, is led on a fantastical journey by another version of herself to find her own heart.
GENRES: FANTASY AND DRAMA
Every day is a performance for Dani, masking her autism to cater to the world around her. She has become distant from her friends and family, and has become a stranger to her own self.
One fateful day she encounters Another-Dani, an alternate version of herself and a manifestation of Dani's mind...and she looks like she just stepped out of a fantasy book. She is Dani's relentless guide on the quest to recover her lost heart.
Dani and her doppelganger journey into Dani's mind, through libraries and theaters and gardens, to uncover the truth of what lies within her lost heart.
Quest for the Heart is a story about the loss of identity. The act of neglecting yourself for the sake of making others comfortable. But it is also a question; how do you learn to be yourself again?
In our world where neurodivergence is taught to be repressed, we need a reminder of the magic that comes with expression. But this hero’s journey comes with a twist - will our hero make the right choice?
First and foremost, Quest for the Heart is a fantasy film. This classic genre will be utilized through intricate production design, precise cinematography, a mesmerizing original score, and a deep focus on high fantasy storytelling and its unique aesthetics. This film sets out to pay homage to this genre of fantasy as a legitimate and powerful form of filmmaking.
At the core of the film, however, is the goal to bring awareness to masking and show just how harmful it is to the neurodivergent community. This is a call to action; a reclamation of our identity despite a world that wants us to be ashamed of it.
Camryn Caruthers is the writer, director, and editor of Quest for the Heart. She is a recent graduate of the University of Kansas in the Film & Media Department, with a minor in Creative Writing and Visual Arts, where she honed her passion for storytelling. These projects include Parcivis, a six-part historical fantasy series, and Perfect Machines, an award-winning sci-fi short film. As a filmmaker, she is developing Perfect Machines into a feature-length script, directing her own short films, and working on set on feature productions.
Garrett Howard is the project’s cinematographer. He is a Kansas City based filmmaker, and a recent graduate of the Community College of Aurora Cinematic Arts Department - where he majored in Cinematography/Videography. He has worked on many award winning short films, such as “The Fisherman”, “The Restaurant”, and “Grandma’s Couch”, as well as his own documentary short film “Bouldering Colorado”. He also has experience shooting music videos, feature films - such as “Untitled Love Song”, and spec Commercials. Additionally, he does portrait and 35mm film photography.
Matthew Kurniawan is an Indonesian composer and classical guitarist who is currently studying music composition at the University of Kansas. He has written solo, chamber, vocal, and award-winning orchestral works that have been performed internationally in Malaysia, Brazil, Iran, and the United States. In collaboration with the film department, he has also composed scores for capstone movies, one of which has been nominated for best sound.
Andy Chanthalhaka is the producer of Quest For The Heart, helping bring the project to life through pre-production coordination, developing schedules, and logical problem-solving for the QFTH team. A graduate of the University of Kansas with a bachelors in Film & Media studies with a minor in business, Andy is passionate about meaningful stories and supporting the teams that make them possible.
Production for Quest for the Heart will be in March 2026! Our team is currently in pre production, where we are casting, designing the sets, planning our shoots, and fundraising. We are ensuring plenty of time to bring this fantasy-centric vision to life.
This project will be completed by the fall of 2026, giving the team plenty of time to carefully edit, compose, and color grade for a finished short film! Once the short film is completed, it will be submitted to festivals, and then make its way online for anyone to view. (Those who contribute $50 or more will receive an early link to the finished film!)
Any additional funding from this campaign will go towards production design and festival submissions. Help us dive deep into the fantasy aesthetic!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Production Design
Costs $500
The set pieces, props, and decor are vital in bringing the fantasy of this film to life.
Wardrobe
Costs $200
A thorough wardrobe will show the distinct personalities of Dani and her high fantasy counterpart in all of her renaissance-style glory.
Lighting and Camera Equipment
Costs $300
We will use industry standard filming equipment achieve the distinct fantasy aesthetic.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Camryn Caruthers is the writer, director, and editor of Quest for the Heart. She is a recent graduate of the University of Kansas in the Film & Media Department, with a minor in Creative Writing and Visual Arts, where she honed her passion for storytelling. These projects include Parcivis, a six-part historical fantasy series, and Perfect Machines, an award-winning sci-fi short film. As a filmmaker, she is developing Perfect Machines into a feature-length script, directing her own short films, and working on set on feature productions.
Garrett Howard is the project’s cinematographer. He is a Kansas City based filmmaker, and a recent graduate of the Community College of Aurora Cinematic Arts Department - where he majored in Cinematography/Videography. He has worked on many award winning short films, such as “The Fisherman”, “The Restaurant”, and “Grandma’s Couch”, as well as his own documentary short film “Bouldering Colorado”. He also has experience shooting music videos, feature films - such as “Untitled Love Song”, and spec Commercials. Additionally, he does portrait and 35mm film photography.
Matthew Kurniawan is an Indonesian composer and classical guitarist who is currently studying music composition at the University of Kansas. He has written solo, chamber, vocal, and award-winning orchestral works that have been performed internationally in Malaysia, Brazil, Iran, and the United States. In collaboration with the film department, he has also composed scores for capstone movies, one of which has been nominated for best sound.
Andy Chanthalhaka is the producer of Quest For The Heart, helping bring the project to life through pre-production coordination, developing schedules, and logical problem-solving for the QFTH team. A graduate of the University of Kansas with a bachelors in Film & Media studies with a minor in business, Andy is passionate about meaningful stories and supporting the teams that make them possible.