SEA LEGS
Portland, Oregon | Film Short
Horror, Teen
When her sister falls for a local swim star with a bad reputation, an amateur taxidermist crafts her revenge using a dead whale and her sewing skills.
SEA LEGS
Portland, Oregon | Film Short
Horror, Teen
2 Campaigns | Oregon, United States
168 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$15,600
Goal: $15,000 for production
When her sister falls for a local swim star with a bad reputation, an amateur taxidermist crafts her revenge using a dead whale and her sewing skills.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
A proof-of-concept that challenges the social demand for women to reshape themselves to feel safe, and instead forces the transformation onto the abuser. Through body horror, SEA LEGS aims to reclaim female power and disrupt film narratives that ask survival from abuse to be polite.
SEA LEGS is a nautical revenge body horror about sisterhood and the lasting effects of trauma. When Shelly falls for Shawn, a hometown swim star with a dark past, her older sister Maris grows uneasy. After discovering a beached pilot whale, Maris channels her unease into a brutal act of protection; using her amateur taxidermy skills to fuse predator to prey. As Shelly's abuser becomes something monstrous, the sisters must confront what they've created...and what it costs to survive.
The Inspiration
SEA LEGS draws narrative and tonal inspiration from THE SUBSTANCE, PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN and AUDITION. While it draws visual inspiration from the maritime worlds of JAWS, THE FOG and THE GOONIES, our film favors a darker stylized tone.
SEA LEGS tackles issues of sexual misconduct and the lack of legal consequences, drawing inspiration from real cases such as Brock Turner, the Murdaugh family, and most recently the DOJ’s mishandling of the Epstein files in which wealth, status, and community loyalty shield perpetrators while victims are silenced. By critiquing the protection of affluent men and the silence of their female victims, our film showcases the ripple effects of this in a nautical folkloric inspired parable.
The Setting
The fictional town of Fog Harbor, Oregon will be emblematic of a world that feels unmoored from any specific era to underscore the timelessness, and persistence, of the subject matter. To evoke this raw, timeless feel, the film will be shot on Kodak 16mm.
The Tone
SEA LEGS moves away from the camp of retro creature features and adopts a quieter, darker tone. The camerawork remains close and intimate to center the drama of sisterhood at the heart of the film.
Director's Statement
By reimagining the mermaid and Frankenstein archetypes through a female lens, SEA LEGS explores reclamation through bodily destruction. The film centers on a man who has committed violence against women and is punished through the destruction of his own body. Stripped of his genitalia and fused to a "mermaid's tail," he's trapped in a grotesque parody of a girlhood fantasy. With this, we are playing with a Cronenbergian approach to Freudian castration anxiety and Kristeva’s theory of the abject. Our protagonist Maris is taking the abuser’s power by removing his manhood, and replacing it with something that is innately feminine and grotesque.
Since 2017, Monstrous Femme Films has been dedicated to producing progressive, political horror flicks, reclaiming and subverting traditional horror tropes related to femininity and gender roles, and creating complex and dynamic female characters within the horror genre. It’s been several years since our last project, BABY FEVER, explored bodily autonomy and reproductive rights through a campy, candy colored, horror comedy lens.
Director Hannah May Cumming’s latest return to the horror genre, SEA LEGS, is led by a new producing team of queer, femme, and trans filmmakers: Garrett Recker, Kelly Wilcox, and Sarah Whelden. Their films have premiered at top genre fests such as Sitges and Fantasia, as well as Sundance, Slamdance, and SXSW. Together, we have developed a totally original, truly horrific, and painfully relevant story.
The Monster
ChumFX is a Portland, Oregon–based practical effects studio tasked with bringing the nautical monster of SEA LEGS to life. Known for their work on independent films across the Pacific Northwest, ChumFX specializes in creating realistic, tactile prosthetic limbs and creature tails.
Following a recent collaboration with Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions, the team has carved out a distinctive niche in the world of special effects through meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to realism. Their work prioritizes tangible builds and puppeteered elements to elevate acting performances and better immerse the audience in the physicality of the world.
The Cast
We have attached Garrett Wareing (The Long Walk, Ransom Canyon) to play the antagonist, Shawn Ripley, and Lizzy Greene (A Million Little Things, Ransom Canyon) to play Shelly Eriksson. We are still on the hunt for our lead, Maris Eriksson.
Garrett Wareing is an American actor best known for his portrayal of Stebbins in the Stephen King adaptation of THE LONG WALK and his recurring role as Lucas Russel on Netflix’s RANSOM CANYON. Earlier in his career, Wareing starred in BOYCHOIR alongside Dustin Hoffman before appearing in INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE, and the hit series MANIFEST. Most recently, he was the male lead in CHASING SUMMER which received critic and audience praise at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
Lizzy Greene is an award-nominated American actress who captured audience’s attention as the lead on Nickelodeon's hit series NICKY, RICKY, DICKY & DAWN, earning three consecutive Kids' Choice Award nominations for Favorite Female Star. Following leading turns in Nickelodeon's TINY CHRISTMAS and ABC's pilot DAMAGED GOODS, Greene transitioned into adult drama with her acclaimed portrayal of Sophie Dixon in ABC's A MILLION LITTLE THINGS. Upcoming, she will be playing Kristine Lilly in the sports drama THE 99'ERS alongside Emilia Jones.
Budget Breakdown
We’re thrilled to have been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Regional Arts & Cultural Council. With continued support from our community and beyond, we aim to secure additional funding to help reach our total production budget of $49,000.
Other Ways To Help
Join Our Crew: If you can’t contribute financially, sharing the campaign is just as powerful. Help us hoist the sails and carry this film to its finish line!
Follow Our Voyage: Follow us on social media as well as our Seed&Spark page by hitting the heart button at the top right of the page. You can also get updates by following us on Instagram and TikTok.
In-Kind Donations: Introduce us to people or vendors who can offer goods & services for free (think catering, cast & crew housing, etc.). Click on our wishlist to see a list of potential donations that count towards our goal amount!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
VFX
Costs $500
Even though we're using all practical effects, we are in need of VFX help for the final shot of the film! Donate your VFX skills here!
Trucks
Costs $500
Help us move our gear and set decoration every day with a box truck or sprinter van!
External Hard Drives
Costs $200
Help us with the offloading and shuttling of our footage with some hard-drives!
Heaters
Costs $50
Keep us warm while we shoot on the Oregon Coast with some propane heaters.
Pop-Up Tent
Costs $50
Keep us dry while we're on the Oregon Coast with popup tents (and sides!)
Walkie Talkies
Costs $300
Help our crew stay in contact while on set with walkie talkie rentals!
Set Decorations
Costs $500
In need of lots of amateur & nautical taxidermy (must be local to Portland, Oregon or within a 20 mile radius)
Labor & Services
Costs $1,000
Donate your rate and volunteer your professional skills for the shoot!
Catering
Costs $2,000
A well-fed set is a sharp set. Help us ensure our cast and crew are fed balanced meals to stay focused, present, and precise.
Sound Design
Costs $500
Shape the eerie sonic world of Fog Harbor with every crashing wave, distant creak, slicing of flesh, and unnatural silence...
Crafty
Costs $400
Everybody loves snacking on set! Provide us with craft services for our 4 day shoot (water, coffee, snacks, etc!)
Film Stock
Costs $1,000
We want to capture this story on 16mm film - do you have a hookup? Some film you're not using? Help make our dreams come true!
G&E Rental
Costs $1,500
The right tools for the job. Help equip our crew with the proper lighting, power distribution, and rigging to run a safe and efficient set.
Camera Rental
Costs $3,000
Did someone say fisheye lens? Help us secure the right camera and lenses to capture both the coastal beauty and nautical gore.
Lodging
Costs $2,000
Support our team by providing a space to rest and recharge after long days on set on the Northern Oregon Coast.
Insurance
Costs $1,500
A safety net for creative risks. Production insurance ensures that if something goes wrong, we can keep moving forward without compromise.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Hannah May Cumming is a Portland based queer writer, director, producer and the creator of the feminist horror production company Monstrous Femme Films. She is most known for her short award-winning horror films BABY FEVER (2022) and FANATICO (2019) both of which are platformed on WatchAlter.com, amassing hundreds of thousands of views. Hannah's work is an amalgamation of feminist horror, camp, and her love of retro design and fashion. She has a knack for creating highly stylized wos and fascinating, complex female characters. As seen clearly in her films, Hannah is unafraid to take provocative, creative risks within the horror genre, especially when that work is taking a strong socio-political stance.
Garrett Recker is a queer producer with a background in genre filmmaking and fashion photography. Their work often explores socio-economic disparities and the “monsters” embedded in everyday life. Following the success of their 2022 avant-garde dance short BORN, Garrett produced the award-winning sci-fi short THE HARVESTER, which garnered acclaim at the 2024 HollyShorts and Sitges International Film Festivals before securing distribution through Gunpowder & Sky and Cineverse Corp. In 2026, they executive produced the sci-fi feature SNARE, starring Marissa Bode. Upcoming, they will produce TRUST THE PROCESS alongside Annie Marie Elliot, as well as THE SCORPION—a body-horror feature set within the beauty industry that was selected for the 2025 Tribeca Creators Market.
Kelly Wilcox is drawn to narratives centered on characters living on the fringe of society. Her work as a producer and designer include the feminist revenge thriller TIGHT, a vimeo staff pick which also premiered in competition at SXSW in ‘24, the one-take thriller THE PLAN, which premiered in narrative competition at Slamdance in ‘26, and the suspense horror BEST FRIENDS WITH THE DEVIL which premiered in competition at SXSW in ‘26. Kelly also premiered the YA story THEIR TOWN and the sexy-quirky-comedy ACHIEVER at SXSW in ‘26. In April of ‘26 she premiered the subversive horror MINE, at Cleveland International Film Festival.
Sarah Whelden’s cinematography aims to capture the emotional tonalities that fall beyond the limited scope of human language, serving the story above all else. Named a 2025 Rising Star of Cinematography by American Cinematographer and the ASC, Sarah’s work has been screened at major festivals worldwide. Highlights of 2026 include her premier of THE PLAN, a single-take thriller at Slamdance Film Festival, and three films premiering at SXSW, including the coming-of-age story THEIR TOWN. Her 2025 SXSW premiere MAGIC HOUR is set for theatrical release in May of ‘26, and SCREAMS FROM THE TOWER, a high school buddy comedy hit major streaming platforms in April.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
A proof-of-concept that challenges the social demand for women to reshape themselves to feel safe, and instead forces the transformation onto the abuser. Through body horror, SEA LEGS aims to reclaim female power and disrupt film narratives that ask survival from abuse to be polite.
SEA LEGS is a nautical revenge body horror about sisterhood and the lasting effects of trauma. When Shelly falls for Shawn, a hometown swim star with a dark past, her older sister Maris grows uneasy. After discovering a beached pilot whale, Maris channels her unease into a brutal act of protection; using her amateur taxidermy skills to fuse predator to prey. As Shelly's abuser becomes something monstrous, the sisters must confront what they've created...and what it costs to survive.
The Inspiration
SEA LEGS draws narrative and tonal inspiration from THE SUBSTANCE, PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN and AUDITION. While it draws visual inspiration from the maritime worlds of JAWS, THE FOG and THE GOONIES, our film favors a darker stylized tone.
SEA LEGS tackles issues of sexual misconduct and the lack of legal consequences, drawing inspiration from real cases such as Brock Turner, the Murdaugh family, and most recently the DOJ’s mishandling of the Epstein files in which wealth, status, and community loyalty shield perpetrators while victims are silenced. By critiquing the protection of affluent men and the silence of their female victims, our film showcases the ripple effects of this in a nautical folkloric inspired parable.
The Setting
The fictional town of Fog Harbor, Oregon will be emblematic of a world that feels unmoored from any specific era to underscore the timelessness, and persistence, of the subject matter. To evoke this raw, timeless feel, the film will be shot on Kodak 16mm.
The Tone
SEA LEGS moves away from the camp of retro creature features and adopts a quieter, darker tone. The camerawork remains close and intimate to center the drama of sisterhood at the heart of the film.
Director's Statement
By reimagining the mermaid and Frankenstein archetypes through a female lens, SEA LEGS explores reclamation through bodily destruction. The film centers on a man who has committed violence against women and is punished through the destruction of his own body. Stripped of his genitalia and fused to a "mermaid's tail," he's trapped in a grotesque parody of a girlhood fantasy. With this, we are playing with a Cronenbergian approach to Freudian castration anxiety and Kristeva’s theory of the abject. Our protagonist Maris is taking the abuser’s power by removing his manhood, and replacing it with something that is innately feminine and grotesque.
Since 2017, Monstrous Femme Films has been dedicated to producing progressive, political horror flicks, reclaiming and subverting traditional horror tropes related to femininity and gender roles, and creating complex and dynamic female characters within the horror genre. It’s been several years since our last project, BABY FEVER, explored bodily autonomy and reproductive rights through a campy, candy colored, horror comedy lens.
Director Hannah May Cumming’s latest return to the horror genre, SEA LEGS, is led by a new producing team of queer, femme, and trans filmmakers: Garrett Recker, Kelly Wilcox, and Sarah Whelden. Their films have premiered at top genre fests such as Sitges and Fantasia, as well as Sundance, Slamdance, and SXSW. Together, we have developed a totally original, truly horrific, and painfully relevant story.
The Monster
ChumFX is a Portland, Oregon–based practical effects studio tasked with bringing the nautical monster of SEA LEGS to life. Known for their work on independent films across the Pacific Northwest, ChumFX specializes in creating realistic, tactile prosthetic limbs and creature tails.
Following a recent collaboration with Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions, the team has carved out a distinctive niche in the world of special effects through meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to realism. Their work prioritizes tangible builds and puppeteered elements to elevate acting performances and better immerse the audience in the physicality of the world.
The Cast
We have attached Garrett Wareing (The Long Walk, Ransom Canyon) to play the antagonist, Shawn Ripley, and Lizzy Greene (A Million Little Things, Ransom Canyon) to play Shelly Eriksson. We are still on the hunt for our lead, Maris Eriksson.
Garrett Wareing is an American actor best known for his portrayal of Stebbins in the Stephen King adaptation of THE LONG WALK and his recurring role as Lucas Russel on Netflix’s RANSOM CANYON. Earlier in his career, Wareing starred in BOYCHOIR alongside Dustin Hoffman before appearing in INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE, and the hit series MANIFEST. Most recently, he was the male lead in CHASING SUMMER which received critic and audience praise at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
Lizzy Greene is an award-nominated American actress who captured audience’s attention as the lead on Nickelodeon's hit series NICKY, RICKY, DICKY & DAWN, earning three consecutive Kids' Choice Award nominations for Favorite Female Star. Following leading turns in Nickelodeon's TINY CHRISTMAS and ABC's pilot DAMAGED GOODS, Greene transitioned into adult drama with her acclaimed portrayal of Sophie Dixon in ABC's A MILLION LITTLE THINGS. Upcoming, she will be playing Kristine Lilly in the sports drama THE 99'ERS alongside Emilia Jones.
Budget Breakdown
We’re thrilled to have been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Regional Arts & Cultural Council. With continued support from our community and beyond, we aim to secure additional funding to help reach our total production budget of $49,000.
Other Ways To Help
Join Our Crew: If you can’t contribute financially, sharing the campaign is just as powerful. Help us hoist the sails and carry this film to its finish line!
Follow Our Voyage: Follow us on social media as well as our Seed&Spark page by hitting the heart button at the top right of the page. You can also get updates by following us on Instagram and TikTok.
In-Kind Donations: Introduce us to people or vendors who can offer goods & services for free (think catering, cast & crew housing, etc.). Click on our wishlist to see a list of potential donations that count towards our goal amount!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
VFX
Costs $500
Even though we're using all practical effects, we are in need of VFX help for the final shot of the film! Donate your VFX skills here!
Trucks
Costs $500
Help us move our gear and set decoration every day with a box truck or sprinter van!
External Hard Drives
Costs $200
Help us with the offloading and shuttling of our footage with some hard-drives!
Heaters
Costs $50
Keep us warm while we shoot on the Oregon Coast with some propane heaters.
Pop-Up Tent
Costs $50
Keep us dry while we're on the Oregon Coast with popup tents (and sides!)
Walkie Talkies
Costs $300
Help our crew stay in contact while on set with walkie talkie rentals!
Set Decorations
Costs $500
In need of lots of amateur & nautical taxidermy (must be local to Portland, Oregon or within a 20 mile radius)
Labor & Services
Costs $1,000
Donate your rate and volunteer your professional skills for the shoot!
Catering
Costs $2,000
A well-fed set is a sharp set. Help us ensure our cast and crew are fed balanced meals to stay focused, present, and precise.
Sound Design
Costs $500
Shape the eerie sonic world of Fog Harbor with every crashing wave, distant creak, slicing of flesh, and unnatural silence...
Crafty
Costs $400
Everybody loves snacking on set! Provide us with craft services for our 4 day shoot (water, coffee, snacks, etc!)
Film Stock
Costs $1,000
We want to capture this story on 16mm film - do you have a hookup? Some film you're not using? Help make our dreams come true!
G&E Rental
Costs $1,500
The right tools for the job. Help equip our crew with the proper lighting, power distribution, and rigging to run a safe and efficient set.
Camera Rental
Costs $3,000
Did someone say fisheye lens? Help us secure the right camera and lenses to capture both the coastal beauty and nautical gore.
Lodging
Costs $2,000
Support our team by providing a space to rest and recharge after long days on set on the Northern Oregon Coast.
Insurance
Costs $1,500
A safety net for creative risks. Production insurance ensures that if something goes wrong, we can keep moving forward without compromise.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Hannah May Cumming is a Portland based queer writer, director, producer and the creator of the feminist horror production company Monstrous Femme Films. She is most known for her short award-winning horror films BABY FEVER (2022) and FANATICO (2019) both of which are platformed on WatchAlter.com, amassing hundreds of thousands of views. Hannah's work is an amalgamation of feminist horror, camp, and her love of retro design and fashion. She has a knack for creating highly stylized wos and fascinating, complex female characters. As seen clearly in her films, Hannah is unafraid to take provocative, creative risks within the horror genre, especially when that work is taking a strong socio-political stance.
Garrett Recker is a queer producer with a background in genre filmmaking and fashion photography. Their work often explores socio-economic disparities and the “monsters” embedded in everyday life. Following the success of their 2022 avant-garde dance short BORN, Garrett produced the award-winning sci-fi short THE HARVESTER, which garnered acclaim at the 2024 HollyShorts and Sitges International Film Festivals before securing distribution through Gunpowder & Sky and Cineverse Corp. In 2026, they executive produced the sci-fi feature SNARE, starring Marissa Bode. Upcoming, they will produce TRUST THE PROCESS alongside Annie Marie Elliot, as well as THE SCORPION—a body-horror feature set within the beauty industry that was selected for the 2025 Tribeca Creators Market.
Kelly Wilcox is drawn to narratives centered on characters living on the fringe of society. Her work as a producer and designer include the feminist revenge thriller TIGHT, a vimeo staff pick which also premiered in competition at SXSW in ‘24, the one-take thriller THE PLAN, which premiered in narrative competition at Slamdance in ‘26, and the suspense horror BEST FRIENDS WITH THE DEVIL which premiered in competition at SXSW in ‘26. Kelly also premiered the YA story THEIR TOWN and the sexy-quirky-comedy ACHIEVER at SXSW in ‘26. In April of ‘26 she premiered the subversive horror MINE, at Cleveland International Film Festival.
Sarah Whelden’s cinematography aims to capture the emotional tonalities that fall beyond the limited scope of human language, serving the story above all else. Named a 2025 Rising Star of Cinematography by American Cinematographer and the ASC, Sarah’s work has been screened at major festivals worldwide. Highlights of 2026 include her premier of THE PLAN, a single-take thriller at Slamdance Film Festival, and three films premiering at SXSW, including the coming-of-age story THEIR TOWN. Her 2025 SXSW premiere MAGIC HOUR is set for theatrical release in May of ‘26, and SCREAMS FROM THE TOWER, a high school buddy comedy hit major streaming platforms in April.