The Art of Contradiction / Frere Jacques
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
Comedy, Thriller
Actors audition for the hardest role ever: themselves. Sleep Paralysis reveals a nightmare beyond reality and faith. Dreams that haunt and drive us reveal who we are. From psychological suspense to the raw, comedic journey of life, we're creating bold stories that entertain, challenge, and inspire.
The Art of Contradiction / Frere Jacques
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
Comedy, Thriller
28 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$1,687
Goal: $15,000 for pre-production
Actors audition for the hardest role ever: themselves. Sleep Paralysis reveals a nightmare beyond reality and faith. Dreams that haunt and drive us reveal who we are. From psychological suspense to the raw, comedic journey of life, we're creating bold stories that entertain, challenge, and inspire.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Do you want comedy? Do you want thriller? We're giving you both. My name is Obum Nwankwo. I'm an actor, writer, director, and founder of Films With Benefits, a community built on bringing people together through a shared love of cinema. This November, our team will produce two original short films: Frere Jacques and The Art of Contradiction.
Frere Jacques is a psychological thriller exploring faith, fear, and the fragile line between reality and the unseen.
The Art of Contradiction is a heartfelt comedy following aspiring actors chasing purpose, identity, and their place in the world.
Though different in genre, both films share one mission: encourage reflection, inspire laughter, spark conversation, and most importantly, bring people together. We believe stories should do more than entertain. They should challenge perspectives, invite debate, create connections, and leave audiences thinking long after the credits roll. In a world that often asks us to pick sides, these films ask a different question: What if storytelling could help us better understand ourselves and one another?
Through Films With Benefits, we've witnessed firsthand the power of gathering strangers in a room to watch, discuss, and celebrate independent film.
These projects are an extension of that vision.
We aren't simply creating two short films, we're creating opportunities for actors, filmmakers, and audiences to connect through meaningful stories that inspire thought, laughter, and honest conversation.
At a time when authentic human connection feels increasingly rare, we believe cinema remains one of the most powerful tools for bringing people together.
Stories have the power to make us laugh, think, question, and connect. The following stories have helped shape the heart, tone, and visual language of our two short films.
Inspired by:
Atlanta • The Office • Community • Insecure • American Vandal • Abbott Elementary
The Art of Contradiction blends mockumentary storytelling, grounded comedy, and heartfelt character work to explore identity, ambition, relationships, and the contradictions we all carry. Like its influences, the series finds humor in uncomfortable truths and asks what happens when people stop performing and start becoming themselves.
Inspired by:
Get Out • Inception • Gravity Falls
Frere Jacques explores the fragile boundary between faith, fear, and reality. Drawing from the psychological tension of Get Out, the layered mysteries of Inception, and the hidden symbolism of Gravity Falls, the film invites audiences to question whether the things that haunt us are supernatural, psychological, or something beyond explanation.
Disclaimer: The campaign's poster images were generated using AI from the original look book images to help introduce you to the worlds we are building. Once the full cast has been cast and filming has begun, new original posters will take their place without AI.
Frere Jacques and The Art of Contradiction are currently in pre-production, with principal photography scheduled for November 2026.
Our production team is hard at work finalizing locations, securing cast and crew, designing production elements, and preparing to bring these stories to life.
Our crowdfunding campaign goal is $15,000, and we must reach at least 80% of that goal to receive funding.
Your investment will help cover essential costs, including:
• Camera, lighting, and sound equipment
• Location rentals and permits
• Wardrobe, props, and production design
• Hair and makeup services
• Meals and transportation for our hardworking team
• Festival submissions and distribution planning
Every contribution directly supports independent artists committed to telling bold, meaningful stories.
• $17,500 - CREW! We all want to make something our supporters and donors are proud of and more importantly, we wast to appropriately compensate the creatives that are taking time out of their schedule to help bring these stories to life.
• $20,000 - EQUIPMENT! We want to create high-quality products that our supporters and audiences can enjoy. Reaching $20,000 helps us to pay for the cost of added equipment rentals and expendables that will elevate the viewing experience.
• $25,000 - THANK YOU VERY MUCH! Reaching our $25,000 goal not only means that we have successfully completed filming, but our project can now be fully edited and the entire post production team can be compensated. Hitting this milestone will provide us with the essential budget to increase our budget for Production Design and Film Festivals.
Our goal isn't simply to make films. It's to build a community around them.
I've always believed that great stories do more than entertain—they make us laugh, think, question, connect, and see ourselves in one another. Frere Jacques and The Art of Contradiction are rooted in that belief. They explore faith, identity, ambition, fear, and the roles we play in everyday life, inviting audiences into conversations that continue long after the credits roll. Your support isn't simply helping fund two short films. It's creating opportunities for actors, filmmakers, and artists to tell bold, meaningful stories that challenge perspectives and bring people together. We must reach at least 80% of our $15,000 goal to bring these projects to life and begin filming this September. Every contribution, no matter the size, moves us one step closer. And if you can't give financially, sharing our campaign and championing independent film means the world to us. Thank you for believing in authentic storytelling, community, and the power of cinema to inspire, connect, and liberate.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cast
Costs $5,000
For the versatile and talented cast coming together over the course of two films
Crew
Costs $3,000
The number of hours that will be utilized within a limited window, we have to take care of our people.
Location
Costs $2,500
Over the course of two films, we'll need to secure perfect locations to drive the work home.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
FIFTEEN Studios, we like to focus on capturing the essence of any story we come in contact with. We like to invade your personal space, get up close and personal so you feel as if you're there in the scene with us. We're old school guys when it comes to movies. We enjoy exploring rich, diverse, full characters that by the time we’ve filled the pages with their story, they’ve shown us a part of ourselves we didn’t know was there.
We've been blessed to be able to do what we love and for people to enjoy our work. Inspiration comes from all around, but mostly from the people we're lucky enough to work with. Each one of them gives us an energy that points us in the direction I need to make masterpieces out of them.
We're thankful that we've been able to come as far as we have with such a great team, and I trust that there is much more to come.
Untraditional Films is an Award-winning independent production company that specializes in film and television. Our mission is to tell authentic stories told through an untraditional lens grounded in realism and visual expressionism.
Gabrielle is a filmmaker, producer, and content creator whose work explores diverse subjects through an abstract storytelling lens. She works across comedy, drama, and animation, collaborating with organizations like Adult Swim and independent studios.
She produces content for comedians in the Atlanta scene and is a co-founder of a DJ collective operating between New York City and Atlanta. In addition, she develops and manages social and branded content for agencies and global brands including Spotify, 20th Century Studios, Dagger, TED, and Vacation.
Driven by collaboration, she creates engaging, original work across platforms with a simple goal: to make fun stuff.
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Do you want comedy? Do you want thriller? We're giving you both. My name is Obum Nwankwo. I'm an actor, writer, director, and founder of Films With Benefits, a community built on bringing people together through a shared love of cinema. This November, our team will produce two original short films: Frere Jacques and The Art of Contradiction.
Frere Jacques is a psychological thriller exploring faith, fear, and the fragile line between reality and the unseen.
The Art of Contradiction is a heartfelt comedy following aspiring actors chasing purpose, identity, and their place in the world.
Though different in genre, both films share one mission: encourage reflection, inspire laughter, spark conversation, and most importantly, bring people together. We believe stories should do more than entertain. They should challenge perspectives, invite debate, create connections, and leave audiences thinking long after the credits roll. In a world that often asks us to pick sides, these films ask a different question: What if storytelling could help us better understand ourselves and one another?
Through Films With Benefits, we've witnessed firsthand the power of gathering strangers in a room to watch, discuss, and celebrate independent film.
These projects are an extension of that vision.
We aren't simply creating two short films, we're creating opportunities for actors, filmmakers, and audiences to connect through meaningful stories that inspire thought, laughter, and honest conversation.
At a time when authentic human connection feels increasingly rare, we believe cinema remains one of the most powerful tools for bringing people together.
Stories have the power to make us laugh, think, question, and connect. The following stories have helped shape the heart, tone, and visual language of our two short films.
Inspired by:
Atlanta • The Office • Community • Insecure • American Vandal • Abbott Elementary
The Art of Contradiction blends mockumentary storytelling, grounded comedy, and heartfelt character work to explore identity, ambition, relationships, and the contradictions we all carry. Like its influences, the series finds humor in uncomfortable truths and asks what happens when people stop performing and start becoming themselves.
Inspired by:
Get Out • Inception • Gravity Falls
Frere Jacques explores the fragile boundary between faith, fear, and reality. Drawing from the psychological tension of Get Out, the layered mysteries of Inception, and the hidden symbolism of Gravity Falls, the film invites audiences to question whether the things that haunt us are supernatural, psychological, or something beyond explanation.
Disclaimer: The campaign's poster images were generated using AI from the original look book images to help introduce you to the worlds we are building. Once the full cast has been cast and filming has begun, new original posters will take their place without AI.
Frere Jacques and The Art of Contradiction are currently in pre-production, with principal photography scheduled for November 2026.
Our production team is hard at work finalizing locations, securing cast and crew, designing production elements, and preparing to bring these stories to life.
Our crowdfunding campaign goal is $15,000, and we must reach at least 80% of that goal to receive funding.
Your investment will help cover essential costs, including:
• Camera, lighting, and sound equipment
• Location rentals and permits
• Wardrobe, props, and production design
• Hair and makeup services
• Meals and transportation for our hardworking team
• Festival submissions and distribution planning
Every contribution directly supports independent artists committed to telling bold, meaningful stories.
• $17,500 - CREW! We all want to make something our supporters and donors are proud of and more importantly, we wast to appropriately compensate the creatives that are taking time out of their schedule to help bring these stories to life.
• $20,000 - EQUIPMENT! We want to create high-quality products that our supporters and audiences can enjoy. Reaching $20,000 helps us to pay for the cost of added equipment rentals and expendables that will elevate the viewing experience.
• $25,000 - THANK YOU VERY MUCH! Reaching our $25,000 goal not only means that we have successfully completed filming, but our project can now be fully edited and the entire post production team can be compensated. Hitting this milestone will provide us with the essential budget to increase our budget for Production Design and Film Festivals.
Our goal isn't simply to make films. It's to build a community around them.
I've always believed that great stories do more than entertain—they make us laugh, think, question, connect, and see ourselves in one another. Frere Jacques and The Art of Contradiction are rooted in that belief. They explore faith, identity, ambition, fear, and the roles we play in everyday life, inviting audiences into conversations that continue long after the credits roll. Your support isn't simply helping fund two short films. It's creating opportunities for actors, filmmakers, and artists to tell bold, meaningful stories that challenge perspectives and bring people together. We must reach at least 80% of our $15,000 goal to bring these projects to life and begin filming this September. Every contribution, no matter the size, moves us one step closer. And if you can't give financially, sharing our campaign and championing independent film means the world to us. Thank you for believing in authentic storytelling, community, and the power of cinema to inspire, connect, and liberate.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cast
Costs $5,000
For the versatile and talented cast coming together over the course of two films
Crew
Costs $3,000
The number of hours that will be utilized within a limited window, we have to take care of our people.
Location
Costs $2,500
Over the course of two films, we'll need to secure perfect locations to drive the work home.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
FIFTEEN Studios, we like to focus on capturing the essence of any story we come in contact with. We like to invade your personal space, get up close and personal so you feel as if you're there in the scene with us. We're old school guys when it comes to movies. We enjoy exploring rich, diverse, full characters that by the time we’ve filled the pages with their story, they’ve shown us a part of ourselves we didn’t know was there.
We've been blessed to be able to do what we love and for people to enjoy our work. Inspiration comes from all around, but mostly from the people we're lucky enough to work with. Each one of them gives us an energy that points us in the direction I need to make masterpieces out of them.
We're thankful that we've been able to come as far as we have with such a great team, and I trust that there is much more to come.
Untraditional Films is an Award-winning independent production company that specializes in film and television. Our mission is to tell authentic stories told through an untraditional lens grounded in realism and visual expressionism.
Gabrielle is a filmmaker, producer, and content creator whose work explores diverse subjects through an abstract storytelling lens. She works across comedy, drama, and animation, collaborating with organizations like Adult Swim and independent studios.
She produces content for comedians in the Atlanta scene and is a co-founder of a DJ collective operating between New York City and Atlanta. In addition, she develops and manages social and branded content for agencies and global brands including Spotify, 20th Century Studios, Dagger, TED, and Vacation.
Driven by collaboration, she creates engaging, original work across platforms with a simple goal: to make fun stuff.