Sam Wants Her Sweater Back!
Chicago, Illinois | Film Short
Comedy, LGBTQ
Three queer friends launch a half-witted heist to liberate a left-behind sweater from one of their exes. A joyful, ridiculous romp from denial to acceptance after being broken up with, SAM WANTS HER SWEATER BACK! is ultimately about recovery from heartbreak through the love of friendship.
Sam Wants Her Sweater Back!
Chicago, Illinois | Film Short
Comedy, LGBTQ
1 Campaigns | Illinois, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $30,000 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
158 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Three queer friends launch a half-witted heist to liberate a left-behind sweater from one of their exes. A joyful, ridiculous romp from denial to acceptance after being broken up with, SAM WANTS HER SWEATER BACK! is ultimately about recovery from heartbreak through the love of friendship.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
ANDI and MAX’s best friend SAM was dumped months ago. But Sam’s ex, POPPY, still hasn’t returned her sweater. THE Sweater - cream colored, thick knit with the perfect hint of fraying. It’s an injustice which Andi, recently dumped herself (but why even bring that up?), demands Sam no longer suffers!
So, in Andi’s mind the world becomes a gritty, neon laced action-thriller as she and Max, with a reluctant Sam in tow, infiltrate Poppy’s house party in search of The Sweater. As the night unfolds and multiple plans unravel, though, it becomes clear Andi’s vehemence has little to do with her friend’s knitwear and all to do with hiding from her own heartbreak.
While Max remains endearingly committed to tracking down The Sweater and Sam finds herself ready to pursue a friendship with Poppy, Andi’s grip on her slick, action-hero-savior-complex threatens to tear the three pals apart!
Will they get The Sweater? Will Andi get over her ex? Will you laugh?
Maybe! Maybe! Yeah duh!!
A delightful romp from denial to acceptance after being broken up with, SAM WANTS HER SWEATER BACK! is ultimately about recovery from heartbreak through the love of friends.
.jpg)
Strong-willed with a spark of spitefulness, ANDI refuses to face the cornucopia of complicated emotions that comes with heartbreak - leading to the delusion that she is/has to be a badass hero for Sam.
Lovable and earnest, MAX throws themself into every endeavor, especially when the end result is The Sweater (which they look really good in).
Sincere and amiable, SAM is less than a step away from making a full heartbreak recovery - a place she’d love to help Andi find.
Sam’s ex and the consummate hostess, POPPY has very few “bad” bones in her body even though Andi’s skewed point of view casts her as evil incarnate.
The undeniably magnetic cutie Max crushes on, LINDSEY loves a body roll.
Too often queer and trans narratives are demanded by the film industry to center struggle and strife and pain. Sad shit.
THIS ISN'T ONE OF THOSE STORIES!
Shenanigans and elaborate plans inevitably foiled, SAM WANTS HER SWEATER BACK! is goofery with a heart of gold. Just as BOTTOMS and FIRE ISLAND were anchored by queer friendships, so too does SAM WANTS HER SWEATER BACK! center queer characters while having a damn good time along the way.
To illustrate the depth of Andi’s escapism, her heist "fantasy" world is cinematically characterized by 2.39:1 letterboxing and the slick neon saturation of a JOHN WICK or ATOMIC BLONDE.
This "fantasy" stands in dramatic contrast to reality which has a personal naturalism. Through this juxtaposition, the audience catches wise to Andi’s unreliable narrator-ness. (But being a reliable narrator while having a broken heart is hard, so go easy on her!)
Eventually, Andi can no longer cling to her denial and delusion. As she pushes Sam away the "fantasy" snaps in-and-out uncontrollably until: “Andi watches them go. Left alone, the final remnant of her FANTASY WORLD FLICKERS away. Completely. It’s just a bug zapper’s humming blue light.”
The remainder of the film lives in reality where the beauty of truth and vulnerability in relationships are all the special effects Andi needs to realize her bravery.
The 20-minute film takes place over the course of a single evening in and around Poppy (and formerly Sam)’s house. Located on a Chicago street reminiscent of, if not actually, Belmont Cragin or Portage Park - the wonderful neighborhood will play itself in our exterior scenes!
Within the home, the common spaces will lean overly-hip millennial minimalist in design aesthetic allowing us to imply a nightclub feel when "fantasy" calls for it. In contrast the bedroom will feel warmer, comfier, more lived in and maybe decorated by someone with a little too much taste.
Across the board, in every space we hope to include work from the vibrant, queer, independent art scene that Chicago boasts! And, of course, tunes from Chicago's own!
Oh! And Andi’s car? It’ll be a hatchback. Because that’s the kind of queer she is.
.jpg)
(If we don't reach 80% of our goal, then we lose it all.)
This queer & trans-made project is only possible with you!
There are a slew of ways to become a SAM WANTS HER SWEATER BACK! community member...
MAKE A PLEDGE
We're offering some truly delightful incentives (we're especially excited about the Autographed Movie Poster! designed by the one and only Marina Kozak)
SPONSOR A DEPARTMENT
Peep the Wishlist and sponsor an entire department!
LIKE, FOLLOW, SHARE
"Followers" are massively important for our placement on this site. Even if you can't be a financial contributor, "following" this campaign will make a huge difference.
Of course we have INSTAGRAM if you're into that sort of thing!
Spreading the word about the campaign would be indescribably appreciated!
Joining this community means you're an absolutely badass supporter of Chicago filmmaking and queer & trans artists up and down the call sheet.
We're so glad to have you!!!
.jpg)
*Specific projected costs can be found on the "Wishlist" page (based on 30k raised)*
STRETCH GOALS
30,000 is our bare minimum to shoot SAM WANTS HER SWEATER BACK! If we raise more:
+5K Everyone's wages increase!
+10K A high quality post production is completely covered!
+15K We'll be able to pay our Director, Director of Photography, and Designer (who are currently forgoing any compensation to get this flick made).
.jpg)
WHITNEY CHITWOOD (Writer/Director): Former horse girl and current grownup gay lady, Whitney is a Chicago based writer, director, and comedian. Prior to moving behind the camera full time, Whit toured nationally as a headlining standup and her debut album “THE BAKERY CASE'' premiered at #1 on iTunes and Top 10 on the BILLBOARD COMEDY CHARTS. Currently, Whit’s queer anti-western TV series KID is in development with Anarchists United (Lilly Wachowski).
As an artist, Whit’s work always beats the hell out of the Bechdel test and centers queer characters.
MOLL JEAN (Director of Photography): Chicago based cinematographer, Moll Jean Nye has been capturing and shaping stories for more than 12 years. After honing their craft as a union camera assistant on projects ranging from Fox’s EMPIRE to Comedy Central’s SOUTHSIDE to indie films like SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU, Moll transitioned into the commercial world as a Director of Photography and collaborated with brands like MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART CHICAGO, TIME MAGAZINE, RED BULL, PERNOD RICHARD, and SOTHEBY’S (to name a few). Moll’s had the honor of being a go-to collaborator and director for organizations such as the NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE, MEALS ON WHEELS, BLACK ARTISTS RETREAT, and many more.
Regardless of the endeavor, though, amplifying voices and images of diverse people and ideas has always thrummed at the heart of Moll’s work.
MARINA KOZAK (Designer): Marina is a multidisciplinary designer based in Chicago, whose work spans a myriad of mediums, straddling the line between the timeless and the surreal. She’s worked with Chicago and international brands ranging from CHICAGO ATHLETIC ASSOC. and HOWARD BROWN HEALTH to RED BULL, SOHO HOUSE, and LULULEMON. Marina’s vast experience ultimately led her to PITCHFORK, where she served as the Creative Director for the PITCHFORK MUSIC FESTIVALS before becoming the Design Director for PITCHFORK MEDIA - where she oversaw both Editorial and Festival Design.
Independently Marina is the Creative Director of IN BOCCA AL LUPO, an art and design studio focusing on homewares and other products, including FINESTRA, a series of dark and surreal conversation prompts that was 175% backed on Kickstarter.
Just for stopping by and reading this far!!!
Even if you can't donate, a follow and a share go SUCH a long way (especially in how we get placed on this website).
So if you have a second to spread the word about this queer-ass movie a slew of queer-ass Chicagoans are trying to make, that would mean the world.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cast & Crew Compensation
Costs $16,860
We gotta pay people! (To maintain a transparent, equitable workplace, we plan to set a consistent day rate for all positions)
Share this update!
About This Team
Former horse girl and current grownup gay lady, Whitney Chitwood (she/they) is a Chicago based writer, director, and comedian who was raised by two theatre owner/director parents in small-town Illinois. Prior to moving behind the camera full time, Whit toured nationally as a headlining standup and her debut album “THE BAKERY CASE'' premiered at #1 on iTunes and Top 10 on the BILLBOARD COMEDY CHARTS. Currently, Whit’s queer anti-western TV series KID is in development with Anarchists United (Lilly Wachowski).
As an artist, Whit’s work always beats the hell out of the Bechdel test and centers queer characters.
Chicago based cinematographer, Moll Jean Nye (she/they) has been capturing and shaping stories for more than 12 years. After honing their craft as a union camera assistant on projects ranging from Fox’s EMPIRE to Comedy Central’s SOUTHSIDE to indie films like SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU, Moll transitioned into the commercial world as a Director of Photography and collaborated with brands like MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART CHICAGO, TIME MAGAZINE, RED BULL, PERNOD RICHARD, and SOTHEBY’S (to name a few). Moll’s had the honor of being a go-to collaborator and director for organizations such as the NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE, MEALS ON WHEELS, BLACK ARTISTS RETREAT, and many more.
Regardless of the endeavor, though, amplifying voices and images of diverse people and ideas has always thrummed at the heart of Moll’s work.
Marina Kozak (she/her) is a multidisciplinary designer based in Chicago, whose work spans a myriad of mediums, straddling the line between the timeless and the surreal. She’s worked with Chicago and international brands ranging from CHICAGO ATHLETIC ASSOC. and HOWARD BROWN HEALTH to RED BULL, SOHO HOUSE, and LULULEMON. Marina’s vast experience ultimately led her to PITCHFORK, where she served as the Creative Director for the PITCHFORK MUSIC FESTIVALS before becoming the Design Director for PITCHFORK MEDIA - where she oversaw both Editorial and Festival Design.
Independently Marina is the Creative Director of IN BOCCA AL LUPO, an art and design studio focusing on homewares and other products, including FINESTRA, a series of dark and surreal conversation prompts that was 175% backed on Kickstarter.
Katie Johnston-Smith (she/they) is a Chicago-based Creative Producer who cut her teeth in live entertainment and the advertising worlds. She prides herself on working from a place of ethical empathy with a "labor is entitled to all it creates" mentality. A happy and well cared for team creates better work. Past clients include: Netflix, Ulta Beauty, WBEZ, Mega: the Podcast.
MotherTwin Productions is owned and operated by artists/designers Kate Fernandez and Gurtie Hansell. Together with our collaborators we bring to life creative projects for film and stage through costume, set design and prop fabrication. We are known in Chicago's creative community for translating our clients’ concepts and visions into dazzling visual narratives, often to great public acclaim. Our style is marked by a scrappy Punk/DIY aesthetic, sourcing second hand clothing, dead stock yardage and salvaged materials as much as possible. Our work can be seen in music videos from beloved Chicago musicians Finom, Andrew Sa, NNAMDÏ, Liam Kazar, Nico Segal, Deeper, and Sen Morimoto.
Our stage work includes props for Desert Liminal’s record release party and costuming for the live Kate Bush tribute show “Full Bush” starring Finom, Alex Grelle, and Darling Shear. We have also had the great privilege to collaborate with talented local directors such as Jesse Morgan Young, Glam Hag, New Trash, and Austin Vesley.
Parsons Twesten (He/Him) is an award-winning screenwriter and essayist specializing in horror and the bad choices we can’t help but make. His film Angels is currently streaming on Hulu as part of Bite Size Halloween season three. His first feature, Shapeless, premiered at Tribeca 2021 after being selected as a fellow in the IFP Narrative Filmmaker Lab, and in 2020, his feature Mai Pen Rai (Nevermind) advanced to the second round in Sundance Development Track. His screenplay Little Lying Wild won the WomeninFan Pitch at the Sitges Film Festival, was selected as a Breaking Through the Lens finalist, and has participated in the Berlinale Talents, Tribeca Film Institute Network, Tribeca Writing in Unreal, and the Emerging Voices Program.
Parsons is also the co-creator of Finestra, a deck of surreal conversation cards that was fully funded through Kickstarter in 2023.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
ANDI and MAX’s best friend SAM was dumped months ago. But Sam’s ex, POPPY, still hasn’t returned her sweater. THE Sweater - cream colored, thick knit with the perfect hint of fraying. It’s an injustice which Andi, recently dumped herself (but why even bring that up?), demands Sam no longer suffers!
So, in Andi’s mind the world becomes a gritty, neon laced action-thriller as she and Max, with a reluctant Sam in tow, infiltrate Poppy’s house party in search of The Sweater. As the night unfolds and multiple plans unravel, though, it becomes clear Andi’s vehemence has little to do with her friend’s knitwear and all to do with hiding from her own heartbreak.
While Max remains endearingly committed to tracking down The Sweater and Sam finds herself ready to pursue a friendship with Poppy, Andi’s grip on her slick, action-hero-savior-complex threatens to tear the three pals apart!
Will they get The Sweater? Will Andi get over her ex? Will you laugh?
Maybe! Maybe! Yeah duh!!
A delightful romp from denial to acceptance after being broken up with, SAM WANTS HER SWEATER BACK! is ultimately about recovery from heartbreak through the love of friends.
Strong-willed with a spark of spitefulness, ANDI refuses to face the cornucopia of complicated emotions that comes with heartbreak - leading to the delusion that she is/has to be a badass hero for Sam.
Lovable and earnest, MAX throws themself into every endeavor, especially when the end result is The Sweater (which they look really good in).
Sincere and amiable, SAM is less than a step away from making a full heartbreak recovery - a place she’d love to help Andi find.
Sam’s ex and the consummate hostess, POPPY has very few “bad” bones in her body even though Andi’s skewed point of view casts her as evil incarnate.
The undeniably magnetic cutie Max crushes on, LINDSEY loves a body roll.
Too often queer and trans narratives are demanded by the film industry to center struggle and strife and pain. Sad shit.
THIS ISN'T ONE OF THOSE STORIES!
Shenanigans and elaborate plans inevitably foiled, SAM WANTS HER SWEATER BACK! is goofery with a heart of gold. Just as BOTTOMS and FIRE ISLAND were anchored by queer friendships, so too does SAM WANTS HER SWEATER BACK! center queer characters while having a damn good time along the way.
To illustrate the depth of Andi’s escapism, her heist "fantasy" world is cinematically characterized by 2.39:1 letterboxing and the slick neon saturation of a JOHN WICK or ATOMIC BLONDE.
This "fantasy" stands in dramatic contrast to reality which has a personal naturalism. Through this juxtaposition, the audience catches wise to Andi’s unreliable narrator-ness. (But being a reliable narrator while having a broken heart is hard, so go easy on her!)
Eventually, Andi can no longer cling to her denial and delusion. As she pushes Sam away the "fantasy" snaps in-and-out uncontrollably until: “Andi watches them go. Left alone, the final remnant of her FANTASY WORLD FLICKERS away. Completely. It’s just a bug zapper’s humming blue light.”
The remainder of the film lives in reality where the beauty of truth and vulnerability in relationships are all the special effects Andi needs to realize her bravery.
The 20-minute film takes place over the course of a single evening in and around Poppy (and formerly Sam)’s house. Located on a Chicago street reminiscent of, if not actually, Belmont Cragin or Portage Park - the wonderful neighborhood will play itself in our exterior scenes!
Within the home, the common spaces will lean overly-hip millennial minimalist in design aesthetic allowing us to imply a nightclub feel when "fantasy" calls for it. In contrast the bedroom will feel warmer, comfier, more lived in and maybe decorated by someone with a little too much taste.
Across the board, in every space we hope to include work from the vibrant, queer, independent art scene that Chicago boasts! And, of course, tunes from Chicago's own!
Oh! And Andi’s car? It’ll be a hatchback. Because that’s the kind of queer she is.
(If we don't reach 80% of our goal, then we lose it all.)
This queer & trans-made project is only possible with you!
There are a slew of ways to become a SAM WANTS HER SWEATER BACK! community member...
MAKE A PLEDGE
We're offering some truly delightful incentives (we're especially excited about the Autographed Movie Poster! designed by the one and only Marina Kozak)
SPONSOR A DEPARTMENT
Peep the Wishlist and sponsor an entire department!
LIKE, FOLLOW, SHARE
"Followers" are massively important for our placement on this site. Even if you can't be a financial contributor, "following" this campaign will make a huge difference.
Of course we have INSTAGRAM if you're into that sort of thing!
Spreading the word about the campaign would be indescribably appreciated!
Joining this community means you're an absolutely badass supporter of Chicago filmmaking and queer & trans artists up and down the call sheet.
We're so glad to have you!!!
*Specific projected costs can be found on the "Wishlist" page (based on 30k raised)*
STRETCH GOALS
30,000 is our bare minimum to shoot SAM WANTS HER SWEATER BACK! If we raise more:
+5K Everyone's wages increase!
+10K A high quality post production is completely covered!
+15K We'll be able to pay our Director, Director of Photography, and Designer (who are currently forgoing any compensation to get this flick made).
WHITNEY CHITWOOD (Writer/Director): Former horse girl and current grownup gay lady, Whitney is a Chicago based writer, director, and comedian. Prior to moving behind the camera full time, Whit toured nationally as a headlining standup and her debut album “THE BAKERY CASE'' premiered at #1 on iTunes and Top 10 on the BILLBOARD COMEDY CHARTS. Currently, Whit’s queer anti-western TV series KID is in development with Anarchists United (Lilly Wachowski).
As an artist, Whit’s work always beats the hell out of the Bechdel test and centers queer characters.
MOLL JEAN (Director of Photography): Chicago based cinematographer, Moll Jean Nye has been capturing and shaping stories for more than 12 years. After honing their craft as a union camera assistant on projects ranging from Fox’s EMPIRE to Comedy Central’s SOUTHSIDE to indie films like SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU, Moll transitioned into the commercial world as a Director of Photography and collaborated with brands like MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART CHICAGO, TIME MAGAZINE, RED BULL, PERNOD RICHARD, and SOTHEBY’S (to name a few). Moll’s had the honor of being a go-to collaborator and director for organizations such as the NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE, MEALS ON WHEELS, BLACK ARTISTS RETREAT, and many more.
Regardless of the endeavor, though, amplifying voices and images of diverse people and ideas has always thrummed at the heart of Moll’s work.
MARINA KOZAK (Designer): Marina is a multidisciplinary designer based in Chicago, whose work spans a myriad of mediums, straddling the line between the timeless and the surreal. She’s worked with Chicago and international brands ranging from CHICAGO ATHLETIC ASSOC. and HOWARD BROWN HEALTH to RED BULL, SOHO HOUSE, and LULULEMON. Marina’s vast experience ultimately led her to PITCHFORK, where she served as the Creative Director for the PITCHFORK MUSIC FESTIVALS before becoming the Design Director for PITCHFORK MEDIA - where she oversaw both Editorial and Festival Design.
Independently Marina is the Creative Director of IN BOCCA AL LUPO, an art and design studio focusing on homewares and other products, including FINESTRA, a series of dark and surreal conversation prompts that was 175% backed on Kickstarter.
Just for stopping by and reading this far!!!
Even if you can't donate, a follow and a share go SUCH a long way (especially in how we get placed on this website).
So if you have a second to spread the word about this queer-ass movie a slew of queer-ass Chicagoans are trying to make, that would mean the world.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cast & Crew Compensation
Costs $16,860
We gotta pay people! (To maintain a transparent, equitable workplace, we plan to set a consistent day rate for all positions)
Share this update!
About This Team
Former horse girl and current grownup gay lady, Whitney Chitwood (she/they) is a Chicago based writer, director, and comedian who was raised by two theatre owner/director parents in small-town Illinois. Prior to moving behind the camera full time, Whit toured nationally as a headlining standup and her debut album “THE BAKERY CASE'' premiered at #1 on iTunes and Top 10 on the BILLBOARD COMEDY CHARTS. Currently, Whit’s queer anti-western TV series KID is in development with Anarchists United (Lilly Wachowski).
As an artist, Whit’s work always beats the hell out of the Bechdel test and centers queer characters.
Chicago based cinematographer, Moll Jean Nye (she/they) has been capturing and shaping stories for more than 12 years. After honing their craft as a union camera assistant on projects ranging from Fox’s EMPIRE to Comedy Central’s SOUTHSIDE to indie films like SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU, Moll transitioned into the commercial world as a Director of Photography and collaborated with brands like MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART CHICAGO, TIME MAGAZINE, RED BULL, PERNOD RICHARD, and SOTHEBY’S (to name a few). Moll’s had the honor of being a go-to collaborator and director for organizations such as the NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE, MEALS ON WHEELS, BLACK ARTISTS RETREAT, and many more.
Regardless of the endeavor, though, amplifying voices and images of diverse people and ideas has always thrummed at the heart of Moll’s work.
Marina Kozak (she/her) is a multidisciplinary designer based in Chicago, whose work spans a myriad of mediums, straddling the line between the timeless and the surreal. She’s worked with Chicago and international brands ranging from CHICAGO ATHLETIC ASSOC. and HOWARD BROWN HEALTH to RED BULL, SOHO HOUSE, and LULULEMON. Marina’s vast experience ultimately led her to PITCHFORK, where she served as the Creative Director for the PITCHFORK MUSIC FESTIVALS before becoming the Design Director for PITCHFORK MEDIA - where she oversaw both Editorial and Festival Design.
Independently Marina is the Creative Director of IN BOCCA AL LUPO, an art and design studio focusing on homewares and other products, including FINESTRA, a series of dark and surreal conversation prompts that was 175% backed on Kickstarter.
Katie Johnston-Smith (she/they) is a Chicago-based Creative Producer who cut her teeth in live entertainment and the advertising worlds. She prides herself on working from a place of ethical empathy with a "labor is entitled to all it creates" mentality. A happy and well cared for team creates better work. Past clients include: Netflix, Ulta Beauty, WBEZ, Mega: the Podcast.
MotherTwin Productions is owned and operated by artists/designers Kate Fernandez and Gurtie Hansell. Together with our collaborators we bring to life creative projects for film and stage through costume, set design and prop fabrication. We are known in Chicago's creative community for translating our clients’ concepts and visions into dazzling visual narratives, often to great public acclaim. Our style is marked by a scrappy Punk/DIY aesthetic, sourcing second hand clothing, dead stock yardage and salvaged materials as much as possible. Our work can be seen in music videos from beloved Chicago musicians Finom, Andrew Sa, NNAMDÏ, Liam Kazar, Nico Segal, Deeper, and Sen Morimoto.
Our stage work includes props for Desert Liminal’s record release party and costuming for the live Kate Bush tribute show “Full Bush” starring Finom, Alex Grelle, and Darling Shear. We have also had the great privilege to collaborate with talented local directors such as Jesse Morgan Young, Glam Hag, New Trash, and Austin Vesley.