Dom thinks forcing his estranged sister Gia back into their family will reunite them. But Nonna Bonfiglio is not here for it. How’s she gonna make a Feast of Seven Fishes with Gia’s allergy? Dom attempts to play peacemaker, but everyone has a breaking point - unfortunately, no one saw Gia’s coming.
Dom thinks forcing his estranged sister Gia back into their family will reunite them. But Nonna Bonfiglio is not here for it. How’s she gonna make a Feast of Seven Fishes with Gia’s allergy? Dom attempts to play peacemaker, but everyone has a breaking point - unfortunately, no one saw Gia’s coming.
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Story
Mission Statement
Mental health issues aren’t just for people in their 20's - Seven Fishes depicts a woman (Gia, late 30's) still struggling to keep herself alive while her support system is too old (Nonna, around 80 years old), or too busy caring for their own families (Dom, early 40's) to see the warning signs.About The Project
Seven Fishes is a film about someone (Gia) struggling with mental health, seen through the eyes of a family who isn't aware of the extent of her struggle.
We're launching our film's campaign during the last week of May in honor of Mental Health Awareness month. We hope that Seven Fishes will help raise awareness for suicide prevention. And, in that spirit, if we hit our goal of $12,000, Ali will make a personal donation (of her own money) equivalent to 20% of the total funds raised to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).
The more money raised, the more Ali will donate!
But what will we do with that extra money? We're glad you asked:
Stretch Goals
$17,000
The extra $5k in contributions will be used to cover our post-production costs (editing, sound mixing, color correction, original music composition, etc.)
$22,000The extra $10k in contributions will be used to cover festival submission fees, distribution, and promotional costs so the film can reach a wider audience (as well as the aforementioned post-production costs.)
$32,000
The extra $20k in contributions will be used to host a much bigger New York premiere for the cast, crew, family, and friends. We'll be able to increase the cast and crew's pay AND we'll be able to afford travel and housing money so the whole team can attend the festivals Seven Fishes gets into (as well as all the aforementioned expenditures).Although Seven Fishes touches on serious topics, we like to think of it as a very dark comedy (or a funny drama) because it's funny...until it's not anymore.
TONE
While it's got some drama, the movie has a lot of funny moments and big personalities. We like to think of it as a very dark comedy (or a funny drama) because it's funny...until it's not anymore.
Seven Fishes is:
Seven Fishes was initially developed with The CRY HAVOC Company.
Our Italian (American) Connection
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Italian Americans are depicted in the media as chefs, gangsters, and being extroverts to an extreme degree. And as proud Italian Americans, Ali and Jaclyn (the writer and director respectively) don't wish to shy away from what the public associates with their culture - they are looking to zoom in on how a strong culture of fiercely loving and protecting one's family makes the already difficult task of handling mental health issues that much harder.
CHARACTERS
Meet the strong, fiercely loving Bonfiglio family of Seven Fishes
Gia Bonfiglio
Gia loves her brother more than anything in the world and just wants to be accepted by her family but she is slowly giving up on that dream. Slightly more softspoken than your average Italian, she tends to let her actions speak louder than her words- think a younger Drea de Matteo or Janine Garafolo.
*Gia appears in several of Ali's short plays including "Un Altro Nella Famiglia" which has had workshops at Governor's Island and with Step1 Theatre Project.
Nonna Bonfiglio
Nonna's been running the Bonfiglio family since they came over from Sicily. She was there when the Bonfilgio’s Feast of the Seven Fishes traditions were first established. And they’re what’s going to be left of her when she’s gone. So she’s not changing them for anything - especially Gia who ran away from the only family she’s ever gonna have. She might show her love in odd ways, but she believes that you’re honest with the people you love and that things should be done a certain way. That’s especially true when it comes to the holidays.
Dom Bonfiglio
Dom is the Italian American boy done good: he grew up, got married, and stayed close to home to take care of his aging Nonna - who’s all there mentally, but needs a little help with the driving and such. He loves his family above everything and wants to be a good protector and provider for all of them - even Gia. While everyone else wrote Gia off for her dramatics years ago, Dom always defended and protected his baby sister. ‘Cause that’s what a good brother does.
Gabby Bonfiglio
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Dom’s devoted, graceful, northern Italian, and very pregnant wife Gabby married into the Bonfiglio family and all the baggage that comes along with that (namely: Gia.) Gabby has no problem with Gia coming back, but now that Dom is missing shifts at work and his flare-ups with Gia and Nonna are creating extra work for her she’s forced to insert herself into the Bonfiglio family drama. After all, taking care of Gia is noble but it can’t come at the expense of their own family, including the new one who’s coming any day now.
Project Timeline
May - June
Complete Seven Fishes Funding
June - July
Pre-production & Shooting the Film
August - September
Post-production
September - October
Festival Submission Process Begins & Working on Distribution
November - December
New York Premiere
You've Contributed to the Seven Fishes Seed&Spark Campaign...Now What?
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FOLLOW ALL OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS
Follow us here on Seed&Spark, on Facebook (Seven Fishes Short Film), and Instagram (SevenFishes_Film). Please encourage friends to follow us too!
TELL EVERYONE ABOUT #SevenFishesFilm
Italian Americans aren't exactly known for their subtlety, so shout the news about Seven Fishes from the rooftops! Or just share our posts, campaign page, and backer updates with your friends, family, and anyone who you think might be excited about this project.
KEEP COMING BACK!
Regular visits to increase our chances of being featured on Seed&Spark and will keep you in the know 24/7!
Incentives
$5
Aperitivo
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Just as appetizers set the tone of a good Italian meal, every dollar counts when creating a film. For $5 or more, we will express our gratitude to you on our social media accounts, and include your name in the credits of the film!
$25
Antipasto
You're like a good classic dish, like a bruschetta, at the beginning of a meal - so for contributing $25 or more, we've got a classic crowdfunding reward - a digital download of the finished film! And instead of just getting a written "thank you" post, we'll send you a custom digital prayer card expressing our thanks for the generous saint that you are and post that instead!
$35
Primo
Primo, number 1! You kick off the hot dishes of an Italian feast. Like risotto or gnocchi, you are one of the stars of the show so doesn't it make sense that you'd get be credited like the stars of our film? We think so which is why for $35 or more, we're going to give you a Special Thanks credit on our IMDB page. You'll also receive a digital copy of some cool pre-production materials from the Seven Fishes production team, as well as all of the above rewards.$50
Secondo e Contorno
Like a second hot dish that comes with its own side dish, you're a little extra. And for your extra support of $50 or more, we're offering you MORE REWARDS! Along with the rewards listed above, you'll receive a Spotify playlist with the songs that inspired the screenplay AND the digital download to ANOTHER MOVIE!
We know the wait between a crowdfunding campaign and watching the finished film can be a long wait. So while you're waiting, we're going to send you a link to ZERO ISSUE, the world's first superhero mockumentary, which Ali produced with the New York Picture Company.
$75
Insalata
At this point in the meal, you need something light and refreshing to be able to keep eating - just like we still need your support! For $75 or more and you'll receive an electronic copy of the stageplay where Dom and Gia Bonfiglio first appeared in Ali's canon of work.
YOU'LL ALSO GET a singing "thank you" message from Donald Juceam, Tampa Bay's own Frank Sinatra. 'Cause who doesn't listen to Ol Blue Eyes during a festive meal amongst family and friends?
$75
Insalata (5/22 - 5/29 ONLY)
TOCCA means touch in Italian...for $75 or more to our campaign within its first week, we'll be so touched, we'll throw in a BONUS REWARD! A small TOCCA gift bag valued at $75. (If you've already contributed, but decide you want to increase your donation to this amount between 5/22 - 5/29, you'll get this reward as well!)
$100
Formaggi e Frutta
The fruit and cheese course - simple, classic, crowdpleasing - and we're THRILLED by your generosity. To show our appreciation, you'll receive all of the above rewards and a large TOCCA gift bag around valued around $100.$250
Dolce
Like a good panna cotta, giving $250, seems simple but isn't always easy to do. To celebrate you and show our gratitude, we are inviting you to our wrap party! Come hang out with the Seven Fishes cast and crew when we wrap shooting and have some drinks with us to hear how everything went! You'll also receive all of the above rewards AND an invite to the reading of Ali's newest full length play, Gaslight, (TBD fall of 2019).
$500
Espresso
Every good Italian meal ends with a nice strong espresso and with contributions of $500 or more we'll have a strong, well-funded movie, which you'll get to be a part of! You get to be an extra in the film! Or, if screentime isn't your thing, come hang out with the production team - you can be an observer or we can put you to work as an intern for a day! You'll also get ALL OF THE ABOVE REWARDS!
BEST. INTERNSHIP. EVER.
(And you won't have to get anyone coffee.)
$700
Italiano Onorario
You're an honorary Italian (unless, of course, you're already Italian!) Either way, you're a part of our family! Not only will you get to be in the film, but YOU'LL HAVE A LINE! You'll get a producer credit and a free ticket to the cast & crew premiere (including VIP treatment, of course).
$1,000
Vino
Nothing is better than a fine Italian wine...except maybe a three course authentic Italian dinner that Ali will COOK FOR YOU and a few guests in your home! You'll also receive an Executive Producer Credit and all of the above rewards!
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$5
Aperitivo
Just as appetizers set the tone of a good Italian meal, every dollar counts when creating a film. For $5 or more, we will express our gratitude to you on our social media accounts, and include your name in the credits of the film!
$25
Antipasto
You're like a good classic dish, like a bruschetta, at the beginning of a meal - so for contributing $25 or more, we've got a classic crowdfunding reward - a digital download of the finished film! And instead of just getting a written "thank you" post, we'll send you a custom digital prayer card expressing our thanks for the generous saint that you are and post that instead!
$35
Primo
Primo, number 1! You kick off the hot dishes of an Italian feast. Like risotto or gnocchi, you are one of the stars of the show so doesn't it make sense that you'd get be credited like the stars of our film? We think so which is why for $35 or more, we're going to give you a Special Thanks credit on our IMDB page. You'll also receive a digital copy of some cool pre-production materials from the Seven Fishes production team, as well as all of the above rewards.$50
Secondo e Contorno
Like a second hot dish that comes with its own side dish, you're a little extra. And for your extra support of $50 or more, we're offering you MORE REWARDS! Along with the rewards listed above, you'll receive a Spotify playlist with the songs that inspired the screenplay AND the digital download to ANOTHER MOVIE!
We know the wait between a crowdfunding campaign and watching the finished film can be a long wait. So while you're waiting, we're going to send you a link to ZERO ISSUE, the world's first superhero mockumentary, which Ali produced with the New York Picture Company.
$75
Insalata
At this point in the meal, you need something light and refreshing to be able to keep eating - just like we still need your support! For $75 or more and you'll receive an electronic copy of the stageplay where Dom and Gia Bonfiglio first appeared in Ali's canon of work.YOU'LL ALSO GET a singing "thank you" message from Donald Juceam, Tampa Bay's own Frank Sinatra. 'Cause who doesn't listen to Ol Blue Eyes during a festive meal amongst family and friends?
$75
Insalata (5/22 - 5/29 ONLY)
TOCCA means touch in Italian...for $75 or more to our campaign within its first week, we'll be so touched, we'll throw in a BONUS REWARD! A small TOCCA gift bag valued at $75. (If you've already contributed, but decide you want to increase your donation to this amount between 5/22 - 5/29, you'll get this reward as well!)
$100
Formaggi e Frutta
The fruit and cheese course - simple, classic, crowdpleasing - and we're THRILLED by your generosity. To show our appreciation, you'll receive all of the above rewards and a large TOCCA gift bag around valued around $100.$250
Dolce
Like a good panna cotta, giving $250, seems simple but isn't always easy to do. To celebrate you and show our gratitude, we are inviting you to our wrap party! Come hang out with the Seven Fishes cast and crew when we wrap shooting and have some drinks with us to hear how everything went! You'll also receive all of the above rewards AND an invite to the reading of Ali's newest full length play, Gaslight, (TBD fall of 2019).
$500
Espresso
Every good Italian meal ends with a nice strong espresso and with contributions of $500 or more we'll have a strong, well-funded movie, which you'll get to be a part of! You get to be an extra in the film! Or, if screentime isn't your thing, come hang out with the production team - you can be an observer or we can put you to work as an intern for a day! You'll also get ALL OF THE ABOVE REWARDS!
BEST. INTERNSHIP. EVER.
(And you won't have to get anyone coffee.)
$700
Italiano Onorario
You're an honorary Italian (unless, of course, you're already Italian!) Either way, you're a part of our family! Not only will you get to be in the film, but YOU'LL HAVE A LINE! You'll get a producer credit and a free ticket to the cast & crew premiere (including VIP treatment, of course).
$1,000
Vino
Nothing is better than a fine Italian wine...except maybe a three course authentic Italian dinner that Ali will COOK FOR YOU and a few guests in your home! You'll also receive an Executive Producer Credit and all of the above rewards!
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Ali Keller (Writer/Executive Producer) - Ali is a writer and producer based in NYC. Ali's stage play Good for You was a Second Rounder at the Austin Film Festival in 2018. Ali produced ZERO ISSUE, the world's first superhero mockumentary, with the award-winning New York Picture Company. Check out the trailer here. Ali's concert series, ...The F*ck Am I Doing? is premiering in the New York Musical Festival (NYMF) this summer. Other Select Writing Credits Include: Standards (The Dramatists Guild, Skeletop Rep), For Goodness Sake (4th Street Theatre @ New York Theatre Workshop), The Interview (The Flea), Good for You (The Assembly Hall at Judson Memorial Church). Select Film Credits Include: Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened (Production Assistant), Believin' (Production Manager/Producer), Zeitgeist (Producer). Select Associate/Assistant Director Credits Include: Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill (Broadway), the 2012 Oscar Hammerstein Award, and Live from Lincoln Center: Sweeney Todd, and Rob Fischer Celebrates Kander & Ebb. Ali's a Dramaturg with NYMF, where she helped Peter, Who? win Best Book at the festival in 2018. She's a member of Stillwater Writers Group and a Member of the Dramatists Guild of America. She's a 2019 recipient of the Mary Louise Rockwell Scholarship from Primary Stages. Whether on stage, screen, spoken, or sung, Ali writes dark comedies that center around strong female characters that drive the action of the story. Check out her website here.
Jaclyn Gramigna (Director) - Jaclyn is an award-winning director who makes richly sound designed films that use humor to push boundaries and social consciousness. She graduated from NYU with a BFA in Film & Television Production and has since directed upwards of 16 short films, music videos and web series, which have screened in film festivals like Northside Festival, Art of Brooklyn FF, Coney Island FF, Gasparilla International FF, Big Apple FF. In 2018, Jaclyn was a fellow in New York Women in Film & TV’s “From Script to Preproduction” lab, with her debut feature, “Someone to Watch,” and is now approaching production. Two plays that she directed have won first place in theater festivals and she has adapted 3 plays into films. In 2013 she was highlighted as an "emerging filmmaker to watch" in Miramax's blog and additionally, was the keynote speaker at the 2016 Visions Film Festival & Conference.
Stephanie Iscovitz (Producer) -
Originally from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, many of her personal projects have screened at film festivals internationally and have been distributed through various platforms. As a filmmaker, Stephanie is dedicated to advocating for a stronger female presence in all aspects of film (Sleeping With Earrings On had a cast and crew of 22 women strong) and driving social change through storytelling. She is especially passionate about telling stories with underrepresented female characters, emphasizing triumph over adversity.
Jenny Kirlin (Producer) -
Jenny Kirlin is an Agent with CAMI Music, where she is solely responsible for ongoing sales efforts for over two hundred and fifty markets in the West Coast territory. Kirlin is formerly an Agent with The Road Company, an independent theatrical booking agency, where she worked on the company's Broadway and off-Broadway non-Equity titles, including Kinky Boots, Dirty Dancing, The Sound of Music, Elf: The Broadway Musical, The Illusionists, Rock of Ages, and The Choir of Man. Before joining The Road Company in 2009, she spent seven years working on the general management staff at Broadway's Lyric Theatre. Kirlin is also Associate Artistic Director for The CRY HAVOC Company, where she oversees the company's new play development and artist training programs. As an actor and playwright, she has appeared in dozens of stage productions, commercials, and films, as well as her plays having been produced at Lincoln Center and at theaters across the United States, Norway, Germany, Indonesia, Costa Rica, and South Africa.
Jennifer Curfman (Producer) - Jennifer is a freelance director and producer and Associate Artistic Director of The CRY HAVOC Company in NYC. Select Director/Associate Director credits include: Lincoln Center Originals, Pioneer Theatre, New York Shakespeare Exchange, Vital Theater, FringeNYC/Encores, Live from Lincoln Center, Joe’s Pub, Primary Stages. She is a teaching artist with the Public Theater’s Hunts Point Children’s Shakespeare Ensemble. Jennifer is a 2017 SDCF Observership Fellow, and a member of the Lincoln Center Directors Lab.
Caitlin Machak (Director of Photography) - Caitlin is a cinematographer originally from Chicago, who studied at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and FAMU Praha. Caitlin shot Ask for Jane, starring Cait Cortelyou, Cody Horn (Magic Mike), Alison Wright, (The Americans), Chloe Levine (The OA), Sarah Steele (The Good Fight), and Sarah Ramos (Parenthood), which is now playing in select theaters. Marie Claire applauds its timely narrative about abortion rights, and Gloria Steinham says it “should be seen by every American.” A member of the International Cinematographers Guild, Caitlin worked her way up on projects such as Netflix's House of Cards and HBO's GIRLS. Recently, she operated Villains, starring Maika Monroe (It Follows) and Bill Skarsgård (It), Standing Up, Falling Down, starring Billy Crystal and Ben Schwartz (Parks and Rec), TruTV’s At Home with Amy Sedaris, and Netflix's Friends from College, on which she also acted as a 2nd Unit Cinematographer.
She is also the other half of the band Clapper/Loader.
John Brunner (Associate Producer/Dramaturg) - A theater director and dramaturg, John Brunner is based out of New York and specializes in new play/musical development and production. John's New York credits include Medea (Columbia University), For Goodness Sake (Asst. Director, 4th Street Theatre @ New York Theatre Workshop), VSHP Festivals (2015-2018, The CRY HAVOC Company), Legend of the Voice (Workshop, LPAC). Other select credits include Dead Man's Cell Phone (Director), Waiting from Almost an Evening (Director), and Masks, Movement, and Mayhem (Asst. Director). John has served as a reader over multiple years for The Bay Area Playwrighting Festival and the Kitchen Dog Theatre New Works Festival. He is currently an intern under Alexis Soloski of The New York Times and The Guardian, the Artistic Intern at The PlayCo in New York and is an alumnus of apprenticeship program with The CRY HAVOC Company. John is also currently a 2021 MFA candidate for Theatre - Dramaturgy at Columbia University School of the Arts.
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