The Big Match Girl
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, Family
We’re tired of the “UNTIL YOU MEET THE ONE” formula! TBMG amplifies the hidden voices of women who often hold back due to embarrassment, unfulfillment, or feelings of failure. Films that cling to a fantasy checklist, simply don’t reflect the reality we live in now.
The Big Match Girl
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, Family
Green Light
This campaign raised $13,200 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
62 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
We’re tired of the “UNTIL YOU MEET THE ONE” formula! TBMG amplifies the hidden voices of women who often hold back due to embarrassment, unfulfillment, or feelings of failure. Films that cling to a fantasy checklist, simply don’t reflect the reality we live in now.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
FOURTY, the age that we think that we’re supposed to have a house, kids, and have it all figured out! The age that we start feeling, am I categorized as MIDDLE AGE now?
The Big Match Girl, is a story inspired by Rosie’s real life story and the experience shared among generations. Sometimes, we long for “growing out that phase”, whether that’s being single, renting an apartment, making the decision to have kids.
In The Big Match Girl, the lead Brielle doesn’t have what she imagined for where she’s supposed to be, so she decides to pursue an alternative for herself - A DAY OF DREAM COME TRUE.
Brielle, a talented and dedicated ballet teacher in her late 30s, has built a successful career mentoring young dancers. Though adored by her students, her personal life feels hollow. As her 40th birthday looms, the pressure of not having the family she envisioned begins to weigh on her.
Struggling with this feeling of inadequacy, Brielle makes a drastic decision: she hires actors to create the perfect family for one day. She stages her perfect birthday dinner, where she’s surrounded by a charming husband, Alex, and two beautiful lovely children, June and Ben.
The story poses the question — will her dream come true like a fairy tale?
The film embraces a dramatic and authentic aesthetic, using natural light to create warmth in Brielle’s dream home, evoking comfort and surreal beauty. In contrast, her apartment will feature cooler tones, reflecting her feelings of isolation and internal struggle.
The Big Match Girl is a story about females’ unique challenges, we believe it is best told by a female-led crew. The story stems from Rosie Roy’s real-life experience of modern dating and switching careers. The feminine fear of being unable to form a family is often overlooked as we prioritize independence and careers so much in the current social landscape.
TBMG is supported by a strong team that not only resonates with the narrative but also has professional track records in filmmaking. Valentina Chang contributes her victorious experience in marketing and crowdfunding campaign. She developed the story with Rosie and the writer/director Marie Rouhban, whose work is recognized by major film festivals like LA Film Shorts and HollyShorts.
Our production will be led by Ilayda Cetinkaya, a Student Academy Awards winner, and Sarah Woodruff, who transitioned into film production from her extensive finance background in The Vanguard Group.
To learn more about our team, please check out The Team section.
Our initial crowdfunding goal of $16,000 is set to cover the foundational needs of the project. However, an increased target of $23,000–$30,000 would enable us to elevate production quality, allow us to secure higher-caliber equipment, increase crew support, and cover essential costs such as insurance and festival submissions—ultimately maximizing the impact and quality of the film.
Below is a breakdown of critical expenses:
PRODUCTION COSTS:
- Working with Minors: Our story features over ten young actors, each requiring a legal guardian. By law, working with minors entails special insurance, a certified studio teacher, and employment permits, as well as paying standard rates.
- Production Insurance: Required for equipment rentals, workers’ compensation, cast and crew safety, and necessary for employing minors.
- Catering: Meals for cast and crew on 12-hour shoot days.
- Production Supplies: Hard drives, tables, chairs, walkie-talkies, and other essential tools.
- Location Rental Fees and Permits: Including FilmLA permit fees.
- Camera, Grip, and Electric Equipment
- Transportation: Equipment truck rentals and fuel.
- Set Dressing and Props
- Makeup, Hair, and Costume
POST-PRODUCTION COSTS:
- Editing
- Sound Design
- Color Correction
- Music and Score
- Licensing Fees
- Deliverables: Festival-ready file exports, such as DCPs, which require specialized software and expertise.
FESTIVALS & PUBLICITY:
- Promotional Artwork: Posters and other visuals.
- Festival Submission Fees
Reaching our base goal of $16,000 will allow us to cover essentials, but we may need to rely on industry favors to lower certain expenses, such as location and equipment rentals, and could face a reduced contingency against any unforeseeable costs, or loss and damages.
Regardless of the final amount raised, we’re committed to bringing this film to life with resourcefulness and dedication!
PLEDGE, FOLLOW, & SHARE our Seed & Spark campaign & Instagram all help tremendously.
We offer eight tiers of incentives, including the opportunities to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
The Script of TBMG, A Deleted Scene, Screening Tickets, A Coffee Meetup, or even Invitations to the Editing Room/Product Placement!
You are also welcome to customize your pledge amount in whichever way you'd like to support us!
We aim to go into production in January 2025 and slay the festival circuit.
Spread the word and dream with us. Let's tell a meaningful, unheard, and underrepresented story.
Thank you so much for your support.
** If you would like to be involved with the filmmaking process in any capacity, please don't hesitate to contact us ❤️
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Dream Home
Costs $6,000
Brielle's dream come true in this dream house. It will be the main set of the entire film!
Camera Package
Costs $1,000
There's no film without a camera.
Lighting & Grip Package
Costs $2,000
Illuminate Brielle's dream.
Cast - Dream Husband & Kids
Costs $2,200
The key of her dream day!
Meals
Costs $1,100
Never starve the crew
Art, Props & Costume
Costs $1,500
It's supposed to be Brielle's perfect day!
Post Production - Editor, Music, Coloring, VFX, etc.
Costs $2,200
Team work makes the dream work!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
As The Big Match Girl is a story about females’ unique challenges, we believe it is best told by a female-led crew. The story stems from Rosie Roy’s real-life experience of modern dating and switching careers. The feminine fear of being unable to form a family is often overlooked as we prioritize independence and careers so much in the current social landscape.
TBMG is supported by a strong team that not only resonates with the narrative but also has professional track records in filmmaking. Valentina Chang contributes her victorious experience in marketing and crowdfunding campaigns. She developed the story with Rosie and the writer/director Marie Rouhban, whose work is recognized by major film festivals like LA Film Shorts and HollyShorts.
Our production will be led by Ilayda Cetinkaya, a Student Academy Awards winner, and Sarah Woodruff, who transitioned into film production from her extensive finance background in The Vanguard Group.
Rosie Roy | Lead Cast
Rosie is a dynamic performer from Quebec City, brings over 20 years of stage experience to her craft. Starting in contemporary dance, she earned a diploma from L’École de danse de Québec before transitioning to acting in 2021 with an acting certificate from UCLA Extension.
With lead roles in multiple short films, Rosie shone this past spring in Generation X, Y, Z, a theater production by (un)defined arts collective. Bilingual and proud of her French-Canadian heritage, she is passionate about storytelling, bringing bold, authentic narratives to life that resonate with audiences and challenge conventions.
Valentina Chang | Executive Producer
Valentina brings a holistic view of the creative pipeline, encompassing development, marketing, and production. She debuted as a writer/producer with the short film Ménage in August 2023. Grub, the short film she successfully fund-raised and produced, is officially selected for Screamfest Horror Film Festival 2024 and mentioned on Deadline. She is also responsible for Marketing & Communications at the Asian World Film Festival 2024.
Before moving to LA in 2022, Valentina honed her craft in Taiwan, contributing to HBO Max's reality competition show and the PBS feature Girl What Do You Want. She deepened her expertise in Film & TV Development at UCLA Extension, and is passionate about stories that explore gender politics and socioeconomic dynamics.
Marie Rouhban | Writer/Director
Website．Instagram．LinkedIn．IMDB
Marie has been passionate about films for as long as she can remember. But she made a detour before beginning her filmmaking career. After a business degree in France, she spent 7 years working in marketing and strategy, including three years within The Walt Disney Company.
In 2021, she moved to Los Angeles to study directing at UCLA. Currently, she is a freelance filmmaker and serves as the Director of Operations for the Asian World Film Festival. Her films have been featured in festivals such as the Oscar-qualifying LA Film Shorts and HollyShorts, but also the American Cinematheque's Proof Festival.
Ilayda Cetinkaya | Producer
Website．Instagram．LinkedIn．IMDB
Ilayda is an award-winning Middle-Eastern producer based in Los Angeles. Her solo-produced trans short film SKIN, shot on 35mm, won the Gold Medal at the 2023 Student Academy Awards, screened at over 50 festivals worldwide, and earned her Best Producer awards at the 2024 Reale Film Festival and Los Angeles Cinematography Awards 2023.
She line-produced the Rising Voices short Corpse Fishing, a collaboration with Lena Waithe's Hillman Grad, which premiered at Tribeca 2024. A graduate of AFI Conservatory’s Producing Fellowship, she received the Ataturk Youth Award in 2024 and produced her Sloan Foundation–backed thesis film RE-ENTRY.
Sarah Woodruff | Producer
Sarah is an LA based producer who joined the film industry after a decade working for The Vanguard Group in Philadelphia, primarily as a senior corporate finance analyst. Even prior to transitioning to the film industry full-time, Sarah has held a variety of production roles in short films and features. Sarah holds an MBA from Pennsylvania State University and is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Society.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
FOURTY, the age that we think that we’re supposed to have a house, kids, and have it all figured out! The age that we start feeling, am I categorized as MIDDLE AGE now?
The Big Match Girl, is a story inspired by Rosie’s real life story and the experience shared among generations. Sometimes, we long for “growing out that phase”, whether that’s being single, renting an apartment, making the decision to have kids.
In The Big Match Girl, the lead Brielle doesn’t have what she imagined for where she’s supposed to be, so she decides to pursue an alternative for herself - A DAY OF DREAM COME TRUE.
Brielle, a talented and dedicated ballet teacher in her late 30s, has built a successful career mentoring young dancers. Though adored by her students, her personal life feels hollow. As her 40th birthday looms, the pressure of not having the family she envisioned begins to weigh on her.
Struggling with this feeling of inadequacy, Brielle makes a drastic decision: she hires actors to create the perfect family for one day. She stages her perfect birthday dinner, where she’s surrounded by a charming husband, Alex, and two beautiful lovely children, June and Ben.
The story poses the question — will her dream come true like a fairy tale?
The film embraces a dramatic and authentic aesthetic, using natural light to create warmth in Brielle’s dream home, evoking comfort and surreal beauty. In contrast, her apartment will feature cooler tones, reflecting her feelings of isolation and internal struggle.
The Big Match Girl is a story about females’ unique challenges, we believe it is best told by a female-led crew. The story stems from Rosie Roy’s real-life experience of modern dating and switching careers. The feminine fear of being unable to form a family is often overlooked as we prioritize independence and careers so much in the current social landscape.
TBMG is supported by a strong team that not only resonates with the narrative but also has professional track records in filmmaking. Valentina Chang contributes her victorious experience in marketing and crowdfunding campaign. She developed the story with Rosie and the writer/director Marie Rouhban, whose work is recognized by major film festivals like LA Film Shorts and HollyShorts.
Our production will be led by Ilayda Cetinkaya, a Student Academy Awards winner, and Sarah Woodruff, who transitioned into film production from her extensive finance background in The Vanguard Group.
To learn more about our team, please check out The Team section.
Our initial crowdfunding goal of $16,000 is set to cover the foundational needs of the project. However, an increased target of $23,000–$30,000 would enable us to elevate production quality, allow us to secure higher-caliber equipment, increase crew support, and cover essential costs such as insurance and festival submissions—ultimately maximizing the impact and quality of the film.
Below is a breakdown of critical expenses:
PRODUCTION COSTS:
- Working with Minors: Our story features over ten young actors, each requiring a legal guardian. By law, working with minors entails special insurance, a certified studio teacher, and employment permits, as well as paying standard rates.
- Production Insurance: Required for equipment rentals, workers’ compensation, cast and crew safety, and necessary for employing minors.
- Catering: Meals for cast and crew on 12-hour shoot days.
- Production Supplies: Hard drives, tables, chairs, walkie-talkies, and other essential tools.
- Location Rental Fees and Permits: Including FilmLA permit fees.
- Camera, Grip, and Electric Equipment
- Transportation: Equipment truck rentals and fuel.
- Set Dressing and Props
- Makeup, Hair, and Costume
POST-PRODUCTION COSTS:
- Editing
- Sound Design
- Color Correction
- Music and Score
- Licensing Fees
- Deliverables: Festival-ready file exports, such as DCPs, which require specialized software and expertise.
FESTIVALS & PUBLICITY:
- Promotional Artwork: Posters and other visuals.
- Festival Submission Fees
Reaching our base goal of $16,000 will allow us to cover essentials, but we may need to rely on industry favors to lower certain expenses, such as location and equipment rentals, and could face a reduced contingency against any unforeseeable costs, or loss and damages.
Regardless of the final amount raised, we’re committed to bringing this film to life with resourcefulness and dedication!
PLEDGE, FOLLOW, & SHARE our Seed & Spark campaign & Instagram all help tremendously.
We offer eight tiers of incentives, including the opportunities to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
The Script of TBMG, A Deleted Scene, Screening Tickets, A Coffee Meetup, or even Invitations to the Editing Room/Product Placement!
You are also welcome to customize your pledge amount in whichever way you'd like to support us!
We aim to go into production in January 2025 and slay the festival circuit.
Spread the word and dream with us. Let's tell a meaningful, unheard, and underrepresented story.
Thank you so much for your support.
** If you would like to be involved with the filmmaking process in any capacity, please don't hesitate to contact us ❤️
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Dream Home
Costs $6,000
Brielle's dream come true in this dream house. It will be the main set of the entire film!
Camera Package
Costs $1,000
There's no film without a camera.
Lighting & Grip Package
Costs $2,000
Illuminate Brielle's dream.
Cast - Dream Husband & Kids
Costs $2,200
The key of her dream day!
Meals
Costs $1,100
Never starve the crew
Art, Props & Costume
Costs $1,500
It's supposed to be Brielle's perfect day!
Post Production - Editor, Music, Coloring, VFX, etc.
Costs $2,200
Team work makes the dream work!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
As The Big Match Girl is a story about females’ unique challenges, we believe it is best told by a female-led crew. The story stems from Rosie Roy’s real-life experience of modern dating and switching careers. The feminine fear of being unable to form a family is often overlooked as we prioritize independence and careers so much in the current social landscape.
TBMG is supported by a strong team that not only resonates with the narrative but also has professional track records in filmmaking. Valentina Chang contributes her victorious experience in marketing and crowdfunding campaigns. She developed the story with Rosie and the writer/director Marie Rouhban, whose work is recognized by major film festivals like LA Film Shorts and HollyShorts.
Our production will be led by Ilayda Cetinkaya, a Student Academy Awards winner, and Sarah Woodruff, who transitioned into film production from her extensive finance background in The Vanguard Group.
Rosie Roy | Lead Cast
Rosie is a dynamic performer from Quebec City, brings over 20 years of stage experience to her craft. Starting in contemporary dance, she earned a diploma from L’École de danse de Québec before transitioning to acting in 2021 with an acting certificate from UCLA Extension.
With lead roles in multiple short films, Rosie shone this past spring in Generation X, Y, Z, a theater production by (un)defined arts collective. Bilingual and proud of her French-Canadian heritage, she is passionate about storytelling, bringing bold, authentic narratives to life that resonate with audiences and challenge conventions.
Valentina Chang | Executive Producer
Valentina brings a holistic view of the creative pipeline, encompassing development, marketing, and production. She debuted as a writer/producer with the short film Ménage in August 2023. Grub, the short film she successfully fund-raised and produced, is officially selected for Screamfest Horror Film Festival 2024 and mentioned on Deadline. She is also responsible for Marketing & Communications at the Asian World Film Festival 2024.
Before moving to LA in 2022, Valentina honed her craft in Taiwan, contributing to HBO Max's reality competition show and the PBS feature Girl What Do You Want. She deepened her expertise in Film & TV Development at UCLA Extension, and is passionate about stories that explore gender politics and socioeconomic dynamics.
Marie Rouhban | Writer/Director
Website．Instagram．LinkedIn．IMDB
Marie has been passionate about films for as long as she can remember. But she made a detour before beginning her filmmaking career. After a business degree in France, she spent 7 years working in marketing and strategy, including three years within The Walt Disney Company.
In 2021, she moved to Los Angeles to study directing at UCLA. Currently, she is a freelance filmmaker and serves as the Director of Operations for the Asian World Film Festival. Her films have been featured in festivals such as the Oscar-qualifying LA Film Shorts and HollyShorts, but also the American Cinematheque's Proof Festival.
Ilayda Cetinkaya | Producer
Website．Instagram．LinkedIn．IMDB
Ilayda is an award-winning Middle-Eastern producer based in Los Angeles. Her solo-produced trans short film SKIN, shot on 35mm, won the Gold Medal at the 2023 Student Academy Awards, screened at over 50 festivals worldwide, and earned her Best Producer awards at the 2024 Reale Film Festival and Los Angeles Cinematography Awards 2023.
She line-produced the Rising Voices short Corpse Fishing, a collaboration with Lena Waithe's Hillman Grad, which premiered at Tribeca 2024. A graduate of AFI Conservatory’s Producing Fellowship, she received the Ataturk Youth Award in 2024 and produced her Sloan Foundation–backed thesis film RE-ENTRY.
Sarah Woodruff | Producer
Sarah is an LA based producer who joined the film industry after a decade working for The Vanguard Group in Philadelphia, primarily as a senior corporate finance analyst. Even prior to transitioning to the film industry full-time, Sarah has held a variety of production roles in short films and features. Sarah holds an MBA from Pennsylvania State University and is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Society.