Somewhere You Feel Free
Austin, Texas | Film Short
Drama
Rebelling against the expectations for the life that was carefully scripted for her, while on a secluded hike, Martina challenges her unconsciously patriarchally rooted mom by living a free and adventurous life only to have her freedom be confronted by three men at a moment of vulnerability.
Somewhere You Feel Free
Austin, Texas | Film Short
Drama
2 Campaigns | Texas, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $17,680 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
133 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Rebelling against the expectations for the life that was carefully scripted for her, while on a secluded hike, Martina challenges her unconsciously patriarchally rooted mom by living a free and adventurous life only to have her freedom be confronted by three men at a moment of vulnerability.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Based on a true story. Somewhere You Feel Free magnifies the moments when a woman's sense of safety is threatened when unfamiliar men come across her at a moment of vulnerability, and the life-altering impacts that the scenarios of abuse have on our sense of safety and belonging. Our mission is to raise awareness of sexual harassment and gender-related violence.
After #metoo, change was palpable, but the recent overturn of Roe V Wade; The insatiable and constant sexual harassment that doesn't discriminate time or place; the lack of interest from our governments to mandate comprehensive and positive sex education in schools; the plethora of "men of influence" accused of sexual misconduct who are still holding office, tells us a different story. The fight is not over.
One of the most effective ways to raise awareness and educate people about sexual harassment is through storytelling. By telling stories that highlight the reality of sexual abuse and its aftermath, we can help others understand the profound impact that these experiences have on victims and their loved ones. Storytelling has the power to widen perspectives and make an ally of the unexpected. It can be a cathartic experience for those yearning to be seen, and a wake-up call for those daring to see it. With this film, we hope to spark conversations that will inevitably lead to positive change.
Synopsis
Martina, an adventurous and thrill-seeking woman, celebrates her 30th birthday by taking a day-long hiking trip with her mother, Eve. Packed with all her training essentials, Martina is determined to take this hike as an opportunity to train before her first solo hiking trip to the Pacific North Trail, something Eve is not too thrilled about.
As they are hiking, Eve's fears bubble to the surface when Martina spontaneously climbs a tree, shining a light on Eve's patriarchal beliefs of what Martina's place should be in the world.
The tension finally breaks as they come across a beautiful remote spring. Swimming and skinny dipping are not off the table. Martina and Eve share a long-yearned moment of bonding and connection between mother and daughter.
Seemingly out of nowhere, three men with dubious intentions appear on the isolated spring. Eve and Martina have now become pray. The men pester and intimidate them, instantaneously robbing them of their sense of autonomy and belonging.
Fortunately for Martina and Eve, a couple of hikers appear on the scene, breaking the tension and imminent threat.
Somewhere You Feel Free magnifies the moments when a woman's sense of safety is threatened and the life-altering impacts that these scenarios of abuse have on our sense of safety and belonging. Based on a true story.
Writer's Statement
Somewhere You Feel Free is inspired by an unfortunate but true story. On the day of my 29th birthday, my mom and I celebrated by having a picnic in a secluded spring in the Texas Hill Country. What started as a celebration, quickly turned into a nightmare when unfamiliar men whose intention was to intimidate us came across our path. We were able to retrieve from the situation safely and physically unharmed, but I knew what this meant for us and how it would impact our sense of freedom and belonging.
I had feelings of anger, heartbreak, and impotence. Heartbreak because the actions of those men reminded me that this world is not for me to enjoy freely. Anger because of the ownership they wrongly believed they had over us. And the impotence of knowing that there was nothing I could do. I could not fight back. I could only offer fearful polite smiles hoping that these will make the men go away.
Today I stand on a different ground, believing that art and filmmaking have the power to change the world. I wrote this story not to make a victim out of myself. I wrote this film because it's what I can do to help shine a light on these inexcusable forms of abuse, with the hope to build a safer and freer place for all people.
What we need?
We are Somewhere You Feel Free, a team of passionate filmmakers dedicated to bringing stories to life through the power of filmmaking. Our team consists of talented and experienced writers, directors, cinematographers, actors, producers, and editors with a plethora of experience ranging from documentaries to music videos, commercials, and narrative films. We strive to create films that inspire and provoke thought.
Our goal is to raise all the necessary funds that will bring this film into production. That includes cast & crew fees, music licensing, film rental equipment, locations, and much more! Thank you for considering supporting Somewhere You Feel Free. We look forward to bringing our vision and mission to the big screen!
How else can I help?
Help us by liking Somewhere You Feel Free on Seed and Spark, following us on Instagram and sharing our campaign with your friends and family!
Feel free to copy & paste either of these blurbs to share on social media, thank you so much!
- Local Austin filmmakers are making a short film to raise awareness on #genderviolence You can help them by pledging on @seedandspark Sharing the campaign on social media @somewhereyoufeelfree_film and with your friends and family. LINK:https://seedandspark.com/fund/somewhere-you-feel-free?token=e607e22627a446a13dd28a8b63ae5c71ecb5c20fa387ad34662e09cf63dd93d3
- Help us raise awareness of sexual harassment and gender-related violence by supporting the film @somewhereyoufeelfree_film You can help them by pledging on @seedandspark Sharing our campaign on social media and with your friends and family. LINK: https://seedandspark.com/fund/somewhere-you-feel-free?token=e607e22627a446a13dd28a8b63ae5c71ecb5c20fa387ad34662e09cf63dd93d3
Covid Compliance.
Somewhere You Feel Free will be following State and Local Non-Union Guidance for Texas and the City of Austin COVID-19 protocols.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Travel
Costs $200
Our location is an hour outside of Austin, Texas so gas for transportation will be crucial!
Catering
Costs $800
A work day on set is 12 hours! That's a lot of mouths to feed y'all.
Insurance
Costs $250
Let's make sure everyone is covered and safe on set!
Camera Equipment
Costs $5,000
We got a camera but we need lenses, rigs and all those fancy things.
Cast & Crew
Costs $7,000
The people are the most vital part. Without a cast and crew, there would be no film!
Sound Design & Music
Costs $1,000
Sound can make or break a film! Gotta sweeten that sound to make it top tier quality!
1500
Costs $1,500
Every film needs a great score!
Props
Costs $200
The everyday objects actors use to help tell the story.
Makeup & Wardrobe
Costs $700
Actors can't be naked!
Picture Car
Costs $350
Martina's Mom, Eve, will be driving a car in the film.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
To maintain the purity and authenticity of the topic, we made the decision to have a female-majority crew. Unfortunately, sexual harassment and gender-based violence are topics that are all too common. Every crew member in this production has their own version of this story and shares the same fears and frustrations and yearning for freedom as our main characters do. We want to tell a story that is unfiltered, raw, and truthfully portrays what it means to not be free in the free world. Storytelling has the power to widen perspectives and to make an ally from the unexpected. It can be a cathartic experience for those yearning to be seen and a wake-up call for those that dare to see it.
Sarah Joy Byington (Director)Over the last decade Sarah has become a notable up and coming voice in the Austin film community. She is an accomplished screenwriter, director, and award winning actress. Some notable credits include Friday’s Child (AJ Edwards), Parkland (Peter Landesman), and The Night We Met (Jon Cring), for which she took home the Best Actress award at the Atlantic City Cinefest in 2017. Sarah has also produced over 20 commercials and short films including her entry “Payday” that took home semifinalist for Doritos Crash The Super Bowl in their final year. Sarah's feature length screenplay, Let Me Do Right By You, was accepted into many notable festivals including Academy Qualifying festival Flickers Rhode Island Intl Festival, a Finalist in La Femme Intl Film Festival and Austin Revolution Film Festival, and semifinalists for Bluecat and Scriptapalooza.
In 2022, Sarah directed her first short film to make the festival circuit, Labor+Justice.
Sarah is drawn to dark, raw stories, as well as absurd tales of eccentric characters, all the while unearthing her fears and flaws into her stories. As a mother of two, her thought provoking and loudly creative work begs us to address many modern day dilemmas and exposes the sufferings of faces outside our own bubble with an urgent message of empathy.
David Wells (Director of Photography) David is an Austin TX based Director of Photography. Over the last decade David has curated a visual style that has led him to work on a wide variety of commercial, music videos, and narrative projects all over the world. His architecture background and degree has influenced his eye for perspective, framing, and visual layouts in his work. David owns part of Moon Tower Cinema, an Austin based production/camera rental business. He has worked with clients such as Cadillac, Titos, Under Armor, and Shane Smith and the Saints.
Catie Elaine Hankins (Assisitant Director) (SAG-E & AEA) is an American actress, writer, and producer from Mansfield, TX. Catie began acting on stage at the age of 9 and has since continued her passion by receiving her B.F.A. in Acting from St. Edward's University, performing in several theatres both union and non-union, leading indie shorts, and even wrtiting, producing, and starring in her own productions.
Jenny De La Fuente (Actor, Writer and Co-Producer) is an actor, director and writer from Mexico City, Mexico. Jenny graduated from The University of Texas at Austin where she received the "Spotlight Student Award" after getting a B.A. in Theatre. A professionally Meisner trained actor, Jenny has performed in several plays, short and feature films, commercials, as well as the acclaimed Amazon Prime show "An Unknown Enemy". When she is not acting, Jenny is writing, directing, and leading a bilingual puppet show for kinder graden students around Austin, Texas.
Sam Robinson (Producer) is a freelance filmmaker in Austin, TX. She has produced and production-designed films that have won awards at SXSW, gained distribution with The New Yorker, and been invited to expand for streaming. She owns Royal Pine, a production company whose clients include A24, ARRAY, Dell, Discovery+, Ford, Gravitas Ventures, HBO and Voxtrot. IndieWire honored her Maine Coon, named Cat, as the 5th best supporting actor at SXSW 2017. Michael Fassbender was 4th.
Seehum Isa (Line Producer) passion for film began when she was 11 years old. She loves the art of storytelling and many allowances were saved for the coolest camera she could get her hands on. Years later she gets to be a part of the film world as a Creative Producer. A native of El Paso, TX, and a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington, Seehum gave a Ted Talk when she was only 20. She has authored two children’s books on culture and religion, and also enjoys painting and baking. Seehum and her husband James make their home in Fort Worth, which they share with their French bulldog Matcha.
Lizette Barrera (Consulting Producer) is a filmmaker whose films have played at festivals and networks worldwide, including her HBO previously licensed short films MOSCA (FLY) and ¡CÓME!, ESPN licensed short documentary film MR. PASTOR JONES, and her short film CHICLE (GUM) world premiering at South By Southwest. She received the 2020 Austin Film Society Development Grant for her upcoming Feature CHICLE (GUM). She is also a recipient of WarnerMedia’s 150 Grant and the 2021 SFFILM Rainin Grant as well as been accepted to this year’s Gotham Market for the Anthology feature UNTITLED TEXAS LATINA PROJECT she is co-directing with four other directors.In addition, Lizette produces branded content for Prelude Films, where several of their contents have garnered numerous awards, including their Emmy-award-winning video Allen Fire Department. She has received her MFA in Film Production at The University of Texas at Austin and has previously served as a Senior Lecturer and Adjunct Assistant Professor at The University of Texas at Arlington.
Sam Butler (Editor) is an accomplished editor in both the narrative film and commercial industries. He has edited hundreds of videos for companies all over the globe, over a dozen award winning short films, web series, and several feature films. Most recently he was the editor on AJ Edward’s film Age Out that has won several awards including Best Narrative Feature(Buffalo Intl’ Film Festival) and Best Actor (Shanghai Intl’ Film Festival) and premiered at SXSW 2018, as well as “Home”, a web series from Bob Billiam’s Productions which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival in 2018.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Based on a true story. Somewhere You Feel Free magnifies the moments when a woman's sense of safety is threatened when unfamiliar men come across her at a moment of vulnerability, and the life-altering impacts that the scenarios of abuse have on our sense of safety and belonging. Our mission is to raise awareness of sexual harassment and gender-related violence.
After #metoo, change was palpable, but the recent overturn of Roe V Wade; The insatiable and constant sexual harassment that doesn't discriminate time or place; the lack of interest from our governments to mandate comprehensive and positive sex education in schools; the plethora of "men of influence" accused of sexual misconduct who are still holding office, tells us a different story. The fight is not over.
One of the most effective ways to raise awareness and educate people about sexual harassment is through storytelling. By telling stories that highlight the reality of sexual abuse and its aftermath, we can help others understand the profound impact that these experiences have on victims and their loved ones. Storytelling has the power to widen perspectives and make an ally of the unexpected. It can be a cathartic experience for those yearning to be seen, and a wake-up call for those daring to see it. With this film, we hope to spark conversations that will inevitably lead to positive change.
Synopsis
Martina, an adventurous and thrill-seeking woman, celebrates her 30th birthday by taking a day-long hiking trip with her mother, Eve. Packed with all her training essentials, Martina is determined to take this hike as an opportunity to train before her first solo hiking trip to the Pacific North Trail, something Eve is not too thrilled about.
As they are hiking, Eve's fears bubble to the surface when Martina spontaneously climbs a tree, shining a light on Eve's patriarchal beliefs of what Martina's place should be in the world.
The tension finally breaks as they come across a beautiful remote spring. Swimming and skinny dipping are not off the table. Martina and Eve share a long-yearned moment of bonding and connection between mother and daughter.
Seemingly out of nowhere, three men with dubious intentions appear on the isolated spring. Eve and Martina have now become pray. The men pester and intimidate them, instantaneously robbing them of their sense of autonomy and belonging.
Fortunately for Martina and Eve, a couple of hikers appear on the scene, breaking the tension and imminent threat.
Somewhere You Feel Free magnifies the moments when a woman's sense of safety is threatened and the life-altering impacts that these scenarios of abuse have on our sense of safety and belonging. Based on a true story.
Writer's Statement
Somewhere You Feel Free is inspired by an unfortunate but true story. On the day of my 29th birthday, my mom and I celebrated by having a picnic in a secluded spring in the Texas Hill Country. What started as a celebration, quickly turned into a nightmare when unfamiliar men whose intention was to intimidate us came across our path. We were able to retrieve from the situation safely and physically unharmed, but I knew what this meant for us and how it would impact our sense of freedom and belonging.
I had feelings of anger, heartbreak, and impotence. Heartbreak because the actions of those men reminded me that this world is not for me to enjoy freely. Anger because of the ownership they wrongly believed they had over us. And the impotence of knowing that there was nothing I could do. I could not fight back. I could only offer fearful polite smiles hoping that these will make the men go away.
Today I stand on a different ground, believing that art and filmmaking have the power to change the world. I wrote this story not to make a victim out of myself. I wrote this film because it's what I can do to help shine a light on these inexcusable forms of abuse, with the hope to build a safer and freer place for all people.
What we need?
We are Somewhere You Feel Free, a team of passionate filmmakers dedicated to bringing stories to life through the power of filmmaking. Our team consists of talented and experienced writers, directors, cinematographers, actors, producers, and editors with a plethora of experience ranging from documentaries to music videos, commercials, and narrative films. We strive to create films that inspire and provoke thought.
Our goal is to raise all the necessary funds that will bring this film into production. That includes cast & crew fees, music licensing, film rental equipment, locations, and much more! Thank you for considering supporting Somewhere You Feel Free. We look forward to bringing our vision and mission to the big screen!
How else can I help?
Help us by liking Somewhere You Feel Free on Seed and Spark, following us on Instagram and sharing our campaign with your friends and family!
Feel free to copy & paste either of these blurbs to share on social media, thank you so much!
- Local Austin filmmakers are making a short film to raise awareness on #genderviolence You can help them by pledging on @seedandspark Sharing the campaign on social media @somewhereyoufeelfree_film and with your friends and family. LINK:https://seedandspark.com/fund/somewhere-you-feel-free?token=e607e22627a446a13dd28a8b63ae5c71ecb5c20fa387ad34662e09cf63dd93d3
- Help us raise awareness of sexual harassment and gender-related violence by supporting the film @somewhereyoufeelfree_film You can help them by pledging on @seedandspark Sharing our campaign on social media and with your friends and family. LINK: https://seedandspark.com/fund/somewhere-you-feel-free?token=e607e22627a446a13dd28a8b63ae5c71ecb5c20fa387ad34662e09cf63dd93d3
Covid Compliance.
Somewhere You Feel Free will be following State and Local Non-Union Guidance for Texas and the City of Austin COVID-19 protocols.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Travel
Costs $200
Our location is an hour outside of Austin, Texas so gas for transportation will be crucial!
Catering
Costs $800
A work day on set is 12 hours! That's a lot of mouths to feed y'all.
Insurance
Costs $250
Let's make sure everyone is covered and safe on set!
Camera Equipment
Costs $5,000
We got a camera but we need lenses, rigs and all those fancy things.
Cast & Crew
Costs $7,000
The people are the most vital part. Without a cast and crew, there would be no film!
Sound Design & Music
Costs $1,000
Sound can make or break a film! Gotta sweeten that sound to make it top tier quality!
1500
Costs $1,500
Every film needs a great score!
Props
Costs $200
The everyday objects actors use to help tell the story.
Makeup & Wardrobe
Costs $700
Actors can't be naked!
Picture Car
Costs $350
Martina's Mom, Eve, will be driving a car in the film.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
To maintain the purity and authenticity of the topic, we made the decision to have a female-majority crew. Unfortunately, sexual harassment and gender-based violence are topics that are all too common. Every crew member in this production has their own version of this story and shares the same fears and frustrations and yearning for freedom as our main characters do. We want to tell a story that is unfiltered, raw, and truthfully portrays what it means to not be free in the free world. Storytelling has the power to widen perspectives and to make an ally from the unexpected. It can be a cathartic experience for those yearning to be seen and a wake-up call for those that dare to see it.
Sarah Joy Byington (Director)Over the last decade Sarah has become a notable up and coming voice in the Austin film community. She is an accomplished screenwriter, director, and award winning actress. Some notable credits include Friday’s Child (AJ Edwards), Parkland (Peter Landesman), and The Night We Met (Jon Cring), for which she took home the Best Actress award at the Atlantic City Cinefest in 2017. Sarah has also produced over 20 commercials and short films including her entry “Payday” that took home semifinalist for Doritos Crash The Super Bowl in their final year. Sarah's feature length screenplay, Let Me Do Right By You, was accepted into many notable festivals including Academy Qualifying festival Flickers Rhode Island Intl Festival, a Finalist in La Femme Intl Film Festival and Austin Revolution Film Festival, and semifinalists for Bluecat and Scriptapalooza.
In 2022, Sarah directed her first short film to make the festival circuit, Labor+Justice.
Sarah is drawn to dark, raw stories, as well as absurd tales of eccentric characters, all the while unearthing her fears and flaws into her stories. As a mother of two, her thought provoking and loudly creative work begs us to address many modern day dilemmas and exposes the sufferings of faces outside our own bubble with an urgent message of empathy.
David Wells (Director of Photography) David is an Austin TX based Director of Photography. Over the last decade David has curated a visual style that has led him to work on a wide variety of commercial, music videos, and narrative projects all over the world. His architecture background and degree has influenced his eye for perspective, framing, and visual layouts in his work. David owns part of Moon Tower Cinema, an Austin based production/camera rental business. He has worked with clients such as Cadillac, Titos, Under Armor, and Shane Smith and the Saints.
Catie Elaine Hankins (Assisitant Director) (SAG-E & AEA) is an American actress, writer, and producer from Mansfield, TX. Catie began acting on stage at the age of 9 and has since continued her passion by receiving her B.F.A. in Acting from St. Edward's University, performing in several theatres both union and non-union, leading indie shorts, and even wrtiting, producing, and starring in her own productions.
Jenny De La Fuente (Actor, Writer and Co-Producer) is an actor, director and writer from Mexico City, Mexico. Jenny graduated from The University of Texas at Austin where she received the "Spotlight Student Award" after getting a B.A. in Theatre. A professionally Meisner trained actor, Jenny has performed in several plays, short and feature films, commercials, as well as the acclaimed Amazon Prime show "An Unknown Enemy". When she is not acting, Jenny is writing, directing, and leading a bilingual puppet show for kinder graden students around Austin, Texas.
Sam Robinson (Producer) is a freelance filmmaker in Austin, TX. She has produced and production-designed films that have won awards at SXSW, gained distribution with The New Yorker, and been invited to expand for streaming. She owns Royal Pine, a production company whose clients include A24, ARRAY, Dell, Discovery+, Ford, Gravitas Ventures, HBO and Voxtrot. IndieWire honored her Maine Coon, named Cat, as the 5th best supporting actor at SXSW 2017. Michael Fassbender was 4th.
Seehum Isa (Line Producer) passion for film began when she was 11 years old. She loves the art of storytelling and many allowances were saved for the coolest camera she could get her hands on. Years later she gets to be a part of the film world as a Creative Producer. A native of El Paso, TX, and a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington, Seehum gave a Ted Talk when she was only 20. She has authored two children’s books on culture and religion, and also enjoys painting and baking. Seehum and her husband James make their home in Fort Worth, which they share with their French bulldog Matcha.
Lizette Barrera (Consulting Producer) is a filmmaker whose films have played at festivals and networks worldwide, including her HBO previously licensed short films MOSCA (FLY) and ¡CÓME!, ESPN licensed short documentary film MR. PASTOR JONES, and her short film CHICLE (GUM) world premiering at South By Southwest. She received the 2020 Austin Film Society Development Grant for her upcoming Feature CHICLE (GUM). She is also a recipient of WarnerMedia’s 150 Grant and the 2021 SFFILM Rainin Grant as well as been accepted to this year’s Gotham Market for the Anthology feature UNTITLED TEXAS LATINA PROJECT she is co-directing with four other directors.In addition, Lizette produces branded content for Prelude Films, where several of their contents have garnered numerous awards, including their Emmy-award-winning video Allen Fire Department. She has received her MFA in Film Production at The University of Texas at Austin and has previously served as a Senior Lecturer and Adjunct Assistant Professor at The University of Texas at Arlington.
Sam Butler (Editor) is an accomplished editor in both the narrative film and commercial industries. He has edited hundreds of videos for companies all over the globe, over a dozen award winning short films, web series, and several feature films. Most recently he was the editor on AJ Edward’s film Age Out that has won several awards including Best Narrative Feature(Buffalo Intl’ Film Festival) and Best Actor (Shanghai Intl’ Film Festival) and premiered at SXSW 2018, as well as “Home”, a web series from Bob Billiam’s Productions which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival in 2018.