That Summer: a short film
Temiskaming Shores, Canada | Film Short
Comedy, Drama
This film is an ensemble piece and explores interpersonal relationships. Each character harbours a secret from the group, ranging from heartbreak to queer identity. Life seldom turns out how we thought it would, but why is it difficult to share vulnerabilities with the people who love us the most?
That Summer: a short film
Temiskaming Shores, Canada | Film Short
Comedy, Drama
1 Campaigns | British Columbia, Canada
27 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
C$2,920
Goal: C$12,000 for production
This film is an ensemble piece and explores interpersonal relationships. Each character harbours a secret from the group, ranging from heartbreak to queer identity. Life seldom turns out how we thought it would, but why is it difficult to share vulnerabilities with the people who love us the most?
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Welcome to ’That Summer’!
I’m Tracy Varju - writer, co-producer and I’ll be acting in it as well.
Synopsis:
6 old friends head up to a cottage on the Montreal River for the weekend. What should be a fun and relaxing weekend proves difficult, as each friend is harbouring a secret. With help from alcohol and drugs, everyone’s secrets finally bubble to the surface and explode like a shaken tallboy of beer.
The idea for this story came out of being in quarantine in 2021 while living in Toronto. I was isolated in my room for two weeks when I had this imagined circumstance based on real people pop into my head. A natural procrastinator, I promised myself to write everyday, no matter if it was editing one word or writing 5 pages, to see what I could create. By the end of the year, I had finished my first solo feature screenplay! I adapted the feature into a short film due to time constraints and resources (indie filmmaking is a lot of work, besides having to show up for your day job). We are filming the short this August as a stand-alone film that will be submitted to film festivals and then hopefully, be used as a sizzle reel to receive further funding to make the feature film in the near future.
I have always been interested in ensemble pieces that have interpersonal relationships and friendships. I’m intrigued how different characters bring out different nuances and sides of others. I was inspired by ensemble films and TV shows such as: About Alex, The Big Chill and Friends From College. I've also always enjoyed stories set in one location, not only because it’s cheaper to film but because the stakes are higher since everything is happening in a shorter amount of time (for example: Friends, The One Where No One’s Ready).
It's a slice-of-life film that offers a glimpse into the world of six friends in their 30’s. The characters in ’That Summer’ are inspired by friends and friends of friends. They are relatable, diverse, mainly Queer folks who are dynamic and have flaws. In a world where racism, prejudice and homophobia seem to be slowly on an upswing, it's important to keep telling stories that make people feel seen and allowed to live joyful, messy, vibrant lives.
Tracy worked with Alyssa Kostello to adapt the film for Northern Ontario. This includes adding French to the script, to represent the Franco-Ontarian community!
One of the things that we’re both excited about this film is showcasing the beauty of Northern Ontario. Canada has an abundance of natural wonder and we are so looking forward to incorporating it to the film to show people a side of Canada that perhaps they didn’t know of. We will be filming in Coleman Township near the Montreal River.
Alyssa has been establishing herself as a filmmaker and creative in Temiskaming Shores for two years and is passionate about creating opportunities for Northern creatives. There is a lot of talent both in-front of and behind the camera up North and we are looking forward to collaborating with them!
We’re very proud to say that we have received $11,500 for the Northern Arts Project Grant from the Ontario Arts Council! We have also received $2,500 from local businesses/organizations bringing our total up to $13,500. The funds that we have so far will help us pay for:
- insurance
- location
- gear (sound equipment, lighting & camera equipment, cords, safety gear, location gear)
- wardrobe
- hair and makeup kits
- sustenance (especially important since we won’t be paying our cast & crew industry scale, we want to make sure everyone is well fed with nutritious meals and snacks
This is our stunning location we have locked!
The $12,000 we’re crowdfunding is to pay our cast & crew and cover travel & accommodation! We hope to have a skeleton crew of 20 people, each receiving $200/day for production days, the days when we actually film. We plan to have a 3-day shoot and are aiming for 10 hour days. It is important for us to pay everyone for their hard work and to not have extremely long shooting days (though 10 hours is still long!) If we are able to raise more than $12,000, we will continue to divvy the money up equally among cast & crew.
Sustainability is a core value for Alyssa and Tracy. Alyssa has worked as a Sustainability Coordinator on the feature film “Mix Tape” and her first short film, ‘Zero’ was awarded a green seal from the Environmental Media Association. For our film, these are some of the measures we are taking to be as zero-waste as possible:
- ask everyone to bring a reusable water bottle and have water stations
- borrow dishes/cutlery from the Temiskaming Art Gallery
- use local establishments for catering and ask for food to be put into reusable dishes or aluminum containers for easy recycling
- sort recycling and compost
- carpool as much as possible
- grid power for cleaner air and less sound pollution
Tracy and Alyssa have worked together on countless projects since 2011. They are both passionate about creating an open and safe production full of collaboration and integrity.
We need you to help us bring this film to life! We know cost of living is super expensive but we would really appreciate a donation and/or share with family + friends! <3
thank you!!!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Tracy Varju - Writer/Producer/Actor
Tracy is a first generation Hungarian-Canadian, neurodivergent, queer filmmaker. She’s been acting since 2011 and filmmaking since 2016. Her film ‘Check’, which she wrote, produced and starred in, won Best Short Film at Covellite International Film Festival. ‘Technically Human’ was a Quarterfinalist in the 2026 GEMfest Screenplay Competition which she co-wrote with Alyssa Kostello.
Alyssa Kostello - Producer/Actor
Alyssa is a queer, neurodivergent filmmaker and actor. Her first film ‘ZERO’ played at festivals globally. She produced the Crazy8s film ‘Weeds Are Flowers, Too’, Co-Produced the award winning feature film ‘One Must Wash Eyes’ and her latest short film ‘Ms Mary’ won ‘Most Uplifting Film’ at Canada International Children’s Film Festival.
Darby Kay - Director
Darby Kay’s work flows from cinematic art to invisible, character-driven pieces. For this northern wonder, film has always been a constant presence. She allows the script to shape the visual world, letting each piece stand alone. Darby is a Sudbury-based filmmaker.
Sonny Nightingale - Co Producer
Sonny is a neurodivergent bi-racial Producer based in Temiskaming Shores. She’s the Executive Producer of Victoria College Drama Society at University of Toronto where she took Cinema Studies. Her dream is to be a Line Producer.
Pranav Jayaprakash - Cinematographer
Pranav Jayaprakash is an Indian filmmaker based in Northern Ontario. He is self-taught, has made 3 short films and various commercial work with his company Soda Studios. He enjoys exploring different visual styles and is excited to work on 'That Summer’.
Sabrina Somersall - Production Designer
Sabrina is a queer, Black Visual Artist based in Coleman Township. She is also a business owner, art therapist, and production designed the award winning short film ‘Ms Mary'.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Welcome to ’That Summer’!
I’m Tracy Varju - writer, co-producer and I’ll be acting in it as well.
Synopsis:
6 old friends head up to a cottage on the Montreal River for the weekend. What should be a fun and relaxing weekend proves difficult, as each friend is harbouring a secret. With help from alcohol and drugs, everyone’s secrets finally bubble to the surface and explode like a shaken tallboy of beer.
The idea for this story came out of being in quarantine in 2021 while living in Toronto. I was isolated in my room for two weeks when I had this imagined circumstance based on real people pop into my head. A natural procrastinator, I promised myself to write everyday, no matter if it was editing one word or writing 5 pages, to see what I could create. By the end of the year, I had finished my first solo feature screenplay! I adapted the feature into a short film due to time constraints and resources (indie filmmaking is a lot of work, besides having to show up for your day job). We are filming the short this August as a stand-alone film that will be submitted to film festivals and then hopefully, be used as a sizzle reel to receive further funding to make the feature film in the near future.
I have always been interested in ensemble pieces that have interpersonal relationships and friendships. I’m intrigued how different characters bring out different nuances and sides of others. I was inspired by ensemble films and TV shows such as: About Alex, The Big Chill and Friends From College. I've also always enjoyed stories set in one location, not only because it’s cheaper to film but because the stakes are higher since everything is happening in a shorter amount of time (for example: Friends, The One Where No One’s Ready).
It's a slice-of-life film that offers a glimpse into the world of six friends in their 30’s. The characters in ’That Summer’ are inspired by friends and friends of friends. They are relatable, diverse, mainly Queer folks who are dynamic and have flaws. In a world where racism, prejudice and homophobia seem to be slowly on an upswing, it's important to keep telling stories that make people feel seen and allowed to live joyful, messy, vibrant lives.
Tracy worked with Alyssa Kostello to adapt the film for Northern Ontario. This includes adding French to the script, to represent the Franco-Ontarian community!
One of the things that we’re both excited about this film is showcasing the beauty of Northern Ontario. Canada has an abundance of natural wonder and we are so looking forward to incorporating it to the film to show people a side of Canada that perhaps they didn’t know of. We will be filming in Coleman Township near the Montreal River.
Alyssa has been establishing herself as a filmmaker and creative in Temiskaming Shores for two years and is passionate about creating opportunities for Northern creatives. There is a lot of talent both in-front of and behind the camera up North and we are looking forward to collaborating with them!
We’re very proud to say that we have received $11,500 for the Northern Arts Project Grant from the Ontario Arts Council! We have also received $2,500 from local businesses/organizations bringing our total up to $13,500. The funds that we have so far will help us pay for:
- insurance
- location
- gear (sound equipment, lighting & camera equipment, cords, safety gear, location gear)
- wardrobe
- hair and makeup kits
- sustenance (especially important since we won’t be paying our cast & crew industry scale, we want to make sure everyone is well fed with nutritious meals and snacks
This is our stunning location we have locked!
The $12,000 we’re crowdfunding is to pay our cast & crew and cover travel & accommodation! We hope to have a skeleton crew of 20 people, each receiving $200/day for production days, the days when we actually film. We plan to have a 3-day shoot and are aiming for 10 hour days. It is important for us to pay everyone for their hard work and to not have extremely long shooting days (though 10 hours is still long!) If we are able to raise more than $12,000, we will continue to divvy the money up equally among cast & crew.
Sustainability is a core value for Alyssa and Tracy. Alyssa has worked as a Sustainability Coordinator on the feature film “Mix Tape” and her first short film, ‘Zero’ was awarded a green seal from the Environmental Media Association. For our film, these are some of the measures we are taking to be as zero-waste as possible:
- ask everyone to bring a reusable water bottle and have water stations
- borrow dishes/cutlery from the Temiskaming Art Gallery
- use local establishments for catering and ask for food to be put into reusable dishes or aluminum containers for easy recycling
- sort recycling and compost
- carpool as much as possible
- grid power for cleaner air and less sound pollution
Tracy and Alyssa have worked together on countless projects since 2011. They are both passionate about creating an open and safe production full of collaboration and integrity.
We need you to help us bring this film to life! We know cost of living is super expensive but we would really appreciate a donation and/or share with family + friends! <3
thank you!!!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Tracy Varju - Writer/Producer/Actor
Tracy is a first generation Hungarian-Canadian, neurodivergent, queer filmmaker. She’s been acting since 2011 and filmmaking since 2016. Her film ‘Check’, which she wrote, produced and starred in, won Best Short Film at Covellite International Film Festival. ‘Technically Human’ was a Quarterfinalist in the 2026 GEMfest Screenplay Competition which she co-wrote with Alyssa Kostello.
Alyssa Kostello - Producer/Actor
Alyssa is a queer, neurodivergent filmmaker and actor. Her first film ‘ZERO’ played at festivals globally. She produced the Crazy8s film ‘Weeds Are Flowers, Too’, Co-Produced the award winning feature film ‘One Must Wash Eyes’ and her latest short film ‘Ms Mary’ won ‘Most Uplifting Film’ at Canada International Children’s Film Festival.
Darby Kay - Director
Darby Kay’s work flows from cinematic art to invisible, character-driven pieces. For this northern wonder, film has always been a constant presence. She allows the script to shape the visual world, letting each piece stand alone. Darby is a Sudbury-based filmmaker.
Sonny Nightingale - Co Producer
Sonny is a neurodivergent bi-racial Producer based in Temiskaming Shores. She’s the Executive Producer of Victoria College Drama Society at University of Toronto where she took Cinema Studies. Her dream is to be a Line Producer.
Pranav Jayaprakash - Cinematographer
Pranav Jayaprakash is an Indian filmmaker based in Northern Ontario. He is self-taught, has made 3 short films and various commercial work with his company Soda Studios. He enjoys exploring different visual styles and is excited to work on 'That Summer’.
Sabrina Somersall - Production Designer
Sabrina is a queer, Black Visual Artist based in Coleman Township. She is also a business owner, art therapist, and production designed the award winning short film ‘Ms Mary'.