Someday, Somewhere
Hamden, Connecticut | Film Short
Drama, Sci-Fi
In a cold world that hunts their kind, a family of aliens goes on a journey to find a rumored safe haven for people like them. As humanity's cruelty surrounds them, their struggle for survival becomes a fight for belonging, which questions what it truly means to be human.
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This campaign raised $14,205 for pre-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
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In a cold world that hunts their kind, a family of aliens goes on a journey to find a rumored safe haven for people like them. As humanity's cruelty surrounds them, their struggle for survival becomes a fight for belonging, which questions what it truly means to be human.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
.jpeg)
Graphic by: Kiên Phạm
Eight years ago, the Onexians arrived on Earth escaping their planet drained of life and resources. Now, three of them (Jim, Sandy, and their ailing Ma) are struggling to build a quiet existence in the shadows of human society. Jim works as a woodworker, trying to pass as ordinary, while Sandy cares for their mother as her condition steadily worsens.
But Earth has brought more than just opportunity. The atmosphere reacts violently with Onexian biology, causing a viscous, mucus-like substance to seep from their hands and slowly spread across their bodies as they age. What was once a secret they could hide has become nearly impossible to contain.
(Euphoria 2019)
Everything collapses on February 15th, the day humanity discovers that aliens have been living among them for years disguised as humans. In response, a militarized force known as A.R.T. (Alien Roundup Team) is deployed to track down every surviving Onexian.
Album cover of Never Enough by Daniel Caesar
Forced to abandon the life they built, the family of three go on the run, clinging to rumors of a distant safe haven. Their journey becomes a test of loyalty, survival, and identity as they navigate a world that fears them, and a future that may no longer have room for them.
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
.jpeg)
Prisoners (2013)
.jpeg)
No Country for Old Men (2007)
With the use of strong shot composition and lighting, we want to have an immersive visual style that elevates our storytelling. While it is a Sci-fi story, we want to implement a sense of realism by using a lot of practical lighting and natural light, while also using LEDs to mix in the Sci-Fi elements. Since our story follows a family on the run, the use of negative space can enhance the tension throughout the film, creating a feeling that anyone could be around the corner. Films that inspired us for their visual storytelling are No Country for Old Men, Prisoners, and Blade Runner.
I come from a rich Irish and Hispanic background, with many of my family members leaving their homes to build new ones in the U.S. The stories my parents would tell me about my Abuela and Pop-pop finding each other and navigating through life while raising my Mom and Uncle, as well as my Dad telling me about the O’Neill family farm back in Ireland motivated me to learn more about my family history. As these stories were told, I began to have a deeper appreciation for their long journeys and sacrifices they had to make to get here. My family has shaped my understanding of what it means to search for belonging, safety, and identity. However, my family’s experience isn’t one of a kind. A vast majority of us come from generations of people who journeyed to unfamiliar places with the hope of simply existing without fear. And yet, it seems like we’ve begun to lose sight of that shared history. That is why it is the perfect time to make this film, to show that no matter what our background is, we all belong.
"Someday, Somewhere" was an idea born through that tension. Through the Onexians, a family of aliens forced into hiding, we explore our own struggles with acceptance, otherness, and coexistence. Their story resembles numerous real ones, asking why we continue to draw lines between “us” and “them” even though our stories overlap more than we realize. As filmmakers, our team is driven by a single question: Why can’t we all belong? In this film, we will attempt to answer that question through a lens grounded in both science fiction and reality.
Currently, "Someday, Somewhere" is in the pre-production stage as we continue to rewrite dialogue and refine certain details in the script. At the end of our crowdfunding campaign in December 2025, we will look to lock locations and begin the casting process as we want to ensure that we acquire the sets, and talent needed for our film. By the start of February 2026, we will begin the filming process where we will shoot for seven days. Shortly after, we swiftly move into the post production process, giving us plenty of time to edit and have the final product ready by May. With your help, we will have a professional color grade and sound mix budgeted to make sure that the audience is getting the best experience when we screen our film in May. Lastly, we will look to submit "Someday, Somewhere" to film festivals to get the most amount of exposure possible.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Hard Drives
Costs $500
We need the highest quality hard drives to store all our our footage and ensure that our editor can work in a neat, organized manner.
Canon Cine Lens
Costs $650
To make this production look the way we want it to, were going to need a variety of different camera lenses to capture our visual style.
Audio
Costs $425
Audio is essential on a film production and we want to ensure that we have professional grade audio equipment for our film.
Production Design
Costs $1,425
We want to give our villains a distinct, intimidating look. To do that, we want to create a uniform synonymous with corruption.
Post Production
Costs $1,300
This will go towards a professional sound mix and color grade, in order to get the best quality out of our film.
Actors
Costs $4,500
In order to have a good film, you need good actors. This money will go towards paying our talented actors the money they deserve.
Locations and travel
Costs $3,600
Having locations that match the vision of our story elevates the way our production to another level.
Catering/food services
Costs $600
Our cast and crew won't be as productive without food, this will help cover those costs.
Collateral and contingency
Costs $1,000
This will be used for any additional fees such as film festival fees and more.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Director - Quinn O'Neill
My passion for filmmaking began when I was ten, making films with my cousins on a Flip camcorder. Since then, I’ve been drawn to the creative process of visual storytelling. Over my three years at Quinnipiac, I’ve honed my craft by shooting, editing, and directing a wide range of projects. My goal with every film is to leave an impact, to make the audiences think and feel long after the credits roll. "Someday, Somewhere" is no exception.
Producer - James Nolan
My excitement for this project stems primarily from the people that I get to work with. This team is filled with the best people I've found myself working alongside during my time at Quinnipiac. My hope as producer is to coordinate with each department head to make our story come to life. I think we have a really unique and profound narrative on our hands and I cannot wait to see what we are able to accomplish!
Writer / 1st Assistant Director - Michael Castillo
I'm a student filmmaker at Quinnipiac University, originally from the vibrant West side of Manhattan, NYC. I'm absolutely thrilled to be diving deep into our film! For this production, I'll be taking on the crucial role of 1st Assistant Director (1st AD), ensuring our vision stays on track, in addition to being one of the writers shaping the story itself. The entire team is pouring their hearts into this project, and I couldn't be more excited to share the finished product with everyone!
Director of Photography - Morganne Lucier
I take inspiration from the cinematography of Linus Sandgren and Chloe Zhao in my own work. My goal is to create something that is beautiful and meaningful. I'm so excited to be working on this film alongside out incredibly talented team and I can't wait to see what we create!
Editor - Markus King
Ever since I was a kid, I've been obsessed with the technical side of video production. Over the years, I've developed that passion through edition sports videos and collaborating with small businesses in my hometown. My passion for post-production and storytelling has only continued to grow. I'm excited to bring that passion and skill to "Someday, Somewhere." Thank you for your support!
Sound Designer - Will Youkilis
I'm a Film, TV, Media Arts major with a minor in marketing from Bellingham, Massachusetts. I have a strong passion for storytelling, digital content, and creative marketing strategies. I am excited to bring our awesome story to life and create the sound for our first full-fledged short film.
Production Designer - Dorothy Ferrigno
Being the production designer on the short film allows me to use my creativity to invent an entire story world. From the moment I first read the script, I felt an immediate pull toward the world it offered. The story has become something I can help, shape layer by layer, through color texture, space, and detail. Every set choice, prop and environment is an opportunity to deepen the narrative and support the characters' journeys. What excites me most about filmmaking is the collaborative magic of it and the way everyone's individual role merges into one shared vision. As production designer, I get to be at the heart of that process, building the physical reality that the rest of the film grows from. The project reminded me why I'm passionate about storytelling, as it provides the chance to create something immersive, meaningful and visually rich.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Graphic by: Kiên Phạm
Eight years ago, the Onexians arrived on Earth escaping their planet drained of life and resources. Now, three of them (Jim, Sandy, and their ailing Ma) are struggling to build a quiet existence in the shadows of human society. Jim works as a woodworker, trying to pass as ordinary, while Sandy cares for their mother as her condition steadily worsens.
But Earth has brought more than just opportunity. The atmosphere reacts violently with Onexian biology, causing a viscous, mucus-like substance to seep from their hands and slowly spread across their bodies as they age. What was once a secret they could hide has become nearly impossible to contain.
(Euphoria 2019)
Everything collapses on February 15th, the day humanity discovers that aliens have been living among them for years disguised as humans. In response, a militarized force known as A.R.T. (Alien Roundup Team) is deployed to track down every surviving Onexian.
Album cover of Never Enough by Daniel Caesar
Forced to abandon the life they built, the family of three go on the run, clinging to rumors of a distant safe haven. Their journey becomes a test of loyalty, survival, and identity as they navigate a world that fears them, and a future that may no longer have room for them.
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Prisoners (2013)
No Country for Old Men (2007)
With the use of strong shot composition and lighting, we want to have an immersive visual style that elevates our storytelling. While it is a Sci-fi story, we want to implement a sense of realism by using a lot of practical lighting and natural light, while also using LEDs to mix in the Sci-Fi elements. Since our story follows a family on the run, the use of negative space can enhance the tension throughout the film, creating a feeling that anyone could be around the corner. Films that inspired us for their visual storytelling are No Country for Old Men, Prisoners, and Blade Runner.
I come from a rich Irish and Hispanic background, with many of my family members leaving their homes to build new ones in the U.S. The stories my parents would tell me about my Abuela and Pop-pop finding each other and navigating through life while raising my Mom and Uncle, as well as my Dad telling me about the O’Neill family farm back in Ireland motivated me to learn more about my family history. As these stories were told, I began to have a deeper appreciation for their long journeys and sacrifices they had to make to get here. My family has shaped my understanding of what it means to search for belonging, safety, and identity. However, my family’s experience isn’t one of a kind. A vast majority of us come from generations of people who journeyed to unfamiliar places with the hope of simply existing without fear. And yet, it seems like we’ve begun to lose sight of that shared history. That is why it is the perfect time to make this film, to show that no matter what our background is, we all belong.
"Someday, Somewhere" was an idea born through that tension. Through the Onexians, a family of aliens forced into hiding, we explore our own struggles with acceptance, otherness, and coexistence. Their story resembles numerous real ones, asking why we continue to draw lines between “us” and “them” even though our stories overlap more than we realize. As filmmakers, our team is driven by a single question: Why can’t we all belong? In this film, we will attempt to answer that question through a lens grounded in both science fiction and reality.
Currently, "Someday, Somewhere" is in the pre-production stage as we continue to rewrite dialogue and refine certain details in the script. At the end of our crowdfunding campaign in December 2025, we will look to lock locations and begin the casting process as we want to ensure that we acquire the sets, and talent needed for our film. By the start of February 2026, we will begin the filming process where we will shoot for seven days. Shortly after, we swiftly move into the post production process, giving us plenty of time to edit and have the final product ready by May. With your help, we will have a professional color grade and sound mix budgeted to make sure that the audience is getting the best experience when we screen our film in May. Lastly, we will look to submit "Someday, Somewhere" to film festivals to get the most amount of exposure possible.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Hard Drives
Costs $500
We need the highest quality hard drives to store all our our footage and ensure that our editor can work in a neat, organized manner.
Canon Cine Lens
Costs $650
To make this production look the way we want it to, were going to need a variety of different camera lenses to capture our visual style.
Audio
Costs $425
Audio is essential on a film production and we want to ensure that we have professional grade audio equipment for our film.
Production Design
Costs $1,425
We want to give our villains a distinct, intimidating look. To do that, we want to create a uniform synonymous with corruption.
Post Production
Costs $1,300
This will go towards a professional sound mix and color grade, in order to get the best quality out of our film.
Actors
Costs $4,500
In order to have a good film, you need good actors. This money will go towards paying our talented actors the money they deserve.
Locations and travel
Costs $3,600
Having locations that match the vision of our story elevates the way our production to another level.
Catering/food services
Costs $600
Our cast and crew won't be as productive without food, this will help cover those costs.
Collateral and contingency
Costs $1,000
This will be used for any additional fees such as film festival fees and more.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Director - Quinn O'Neill
My passion for filmmaking began when I was ten, making films with my cousins on a Flip camcorder. Since then, I’ve been drawn to the creative process of visual storytelling. Over my three years at Quinnipiac, I’ve honed my craft by shooting, editing, and directing a wide range of projects. My goal with every film is to leave an impact, to make the audiences think and feel long after the credits roll. "Someday, Somewhere" is no exception.
Producer - James Nolan
My excitement for this project stems primarily from the people that I get to work with. This team is filled with the best people I've found myself working alongside during my time at Quinnipiac. My hope as producer is to coordinate with each department head to make our story come to life. I think we have a really unique and profound narrative on our hands and I cannot wait to see what we are able to accomplish!
Writer / 1st Assistant Director - Michael Castillo
I'm a student filmmaker at Quinnipiac University, originally from the vibrant West side of Manhattan, NYC. I'm absolutely thrilled to be diving deep into our film! For this production, I'll be taking on the crucial role of 1st Assistant Director (1st AD), ensuring our vision stays on track, in addition to being one of the writers shaping the story itself. The entire team is pouring their hearts into this project, and I couldn't be more excited to share the finished product with everyone!
Director of Photography - Morganne Lucier
I take inspiration from the cinematography of Linus Sandgren and Chloe Zhao in my own work. My goal is to create something that is beautiful and meaningful. I'm so excited to be working on this film alongside out incredibly talented team and I can't wait to see what we create!
Editor - Markus King
Ever since I was a kid, I've been obsessed with the technical side of video production. Over the years, I've developed that passion through edition sports videos and collaborating with small businesses in my hometown. My passion for post-production and storytelling has only continued to grow. I'm excited to bring that passion and skill to "Someday, Somewhere." Thank you for your support!
Sound Designer - Will Youkilis
I'm a Film, TV, Media Arts major with a minor in marketing from Bellingham, Massachusetts. I have a strong passion for storytelling, digital content, and creative marketing strategies. I am excited to bring our awesome story to life and create the sound for our first full-fledged short film.
Production Designer - Dorothy Ferrigno
Being the production designer on the short film allows me to use my creativity to invent an entire story world. From the moment I first read the script, I felt an immediate pull toward the world it offered. The story has become something I can help, shape layer by layer, through color texture, space, and detail. Every set choice, prop and environment is an opportunity to deepen the narrative and support the characters' journeys. What excites me most about filmmaking is the collaborative magic of it and the way everyone's individual role merges into one shared vision. As production designer, I get to be at the heart of that process, building the physical reality that the rest of the film grows from. The project reminded me why I'm passionate about storytelling, as it provides the chance to create something immersive, meaningful and visually rich.