THIRTEEN
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, Family
During a time when antisemitism is raging and disability stories are few and far between, THIRTEEN puts Judaism and disability front and center with a heartfelt story based on the writer's life.
THIRTEEN
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama, Family
2 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $21,252 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
209 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
During a time when antisemitism is raging and disability stories are few and far between, THIRTEEN puts Judaism and disability front and center with a heartfelt story based on the writer's life.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
THIRTEEN is a short film I wrote that follows a mother as she fights to have a Bat Mitzvah for her terminally ill, severely disabled daughter at their synagogue that refuses to break from tradition. The story is inspired by reality. Specifically, it was based on my older sister's Bat Mitzvah 26 years ago and my mother's advocacy.
My mom - a single mother - worked tirelessly to ensure that my sister and I always felt loved, cared for, and happy in the home. She also did everything in her power to change the way the world viewed disabilities and to advocate for my sister so she could experience life milestones like everyone else.
Her advocacy led her to request a Bat Mitzvah, or the Jewish coming-of-age ceremony, for my sister at our conservative synagogue, something many didn't think would happen. The negativity stems from tradition. For Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, a child must attend Hebrew school and study for nine months to a year before reciting their Torah portion in front of a congregation - something my sister couldn't do.
But our rabbi, Rabbi Kahn, granted my mom's request, who modified and officiated the Bat Mitzvah for my sister. My mom recalls him saying it was "the holiest Bat Mitzvah he'd ever been a part of."
It was an emotional day, full of lots of tears and smiles. It was such a big deal at the time in our town that not one but two Jewish publications wrote articles. (You can see a photo of my mom and sister in one of the articles above.)
It's a day that stayed with me for over two decades, so I decided to produce a short film based on the experience.
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THIRTEEN is a bit different from the real-life story. My sister wasn't terminally ill, and our rabbi was happy to help. But the rabbi in THIRTEEN, the 'roadblock' in the story, is an amalgamation of other contentious situations we faced at our synagogue - and in life - because our family wasn't normal or traditional in the Jewish world or the non-Jewish world. The short also exemplifies my mother's endless love for her children and work to create a better world.
We live during a time when antisemitism is rising; in fact, it's been at an all-time high in the past few years. According to the Anti-defamation League (ADL), in 2021, there were 2,717 antisemitic incidents of assault, harassment, and vandalism - the highest number of incidents since the ADL began tracking in 1979. In 2022, according to Statistica, that number jumped significantly to 3,697. Also, when it comes to Hollywood, Jews are often portrayed poorly in the media, which many believe contributes to the rising antisemitism and misunderstanding of Jewish people.
When it comes to disability, 61 million Americans identify as disabled, and yet only 3.1% of characters on screen have a disability.
And that's why you should donate to help create THIRTEEN - a nuanced story that puts people with disabilities and Jewish people - front and center - and explores tradition, progression, culture, family, disability, and motherhood.
We plan to film THIRTEEN in late July or early August to complete the editing process by the end of the year. Following the film's completion, we will submit it to film festivals worldwide.
We ask that you donate to assist us in creating a film that has the potential to impact change, spread the message of inclusion, and amplify two communities that often find themselves on the receiving end of bigotry and hate.
Also, please follow us on social media (Twitter: @Thirteen_Film and Instagram: Thirteen_short_film) and spread the word to friends and family!
Note: We will be following all state/union COVID protocols.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Synagogue/Doctor's office
Costs $4,000
Our film takes place in a synagogue, doctor's office, and home - we need funds for location fees.
Director/DP/Producer/etc
Costs $3,000
We need to pay the people who are creating THIRTEEN!
Actors
Costs $2,000
We need to pay the people who are performing in THIRTEEN.
Practical FX
Costs $1,000
We need practical FX for scenes in THIRTEEN!
Equipment
Costs $5,000
Cameras/lighting/etc
Costumes/Makeup
Costs $2,000
Costumes/makeup for actors
Props
Costs $700
Props for set
Set dressing
Costs $500
Dressing up the locations we're filming
Lunch
Costs $1,600
We need to feed people while they are working 12 hour days for four days!
Crafty
Costs $200
Snacks for cast and crew
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Allison Norlian - Writer/Co-director
Allison is a three-time Emmy-nominated journalist, and co-founder of BirdMine, a production company focused on amplifying the voices and stories of people with disabilities and other groups underrepresented within society. With BirdMine, Allison films, edits, reports, and produces, creating short and long-form documentaries.Allison became a journalist and filmmaker to speak for those who are often voiceless, like her severely disabled sister. She has used her platform to shed light on important issues impacting people with disabilities and other vulnerable and disenfranchised communities. She won a Catalyst for Change award from the ARC of Virginia for the impact of her reporting and an Emmy nomination for an investigation exposing neglect and abuse at an assisted living facility.
Allison's goal as a journalist, and filmmaker, is to change the world, one story at a time.
----------
Jean Li - Co-director
Jean is a TV drama and dramedy writer whose work focuses on ambition, found families, and Asian characters. Jean’s unique experiences in cybersecurity, human rights investigations, and living overseas has instilled a deep empathy for people, regardless of background.
Within entertainment, Jean writes freelance for a YouTube channel, and has written coverage for production companies and worked on multiple short films. She recently participated in the Coverfly Act Two mentorship and advanced in the Circle of Confusion Discovery Fellowship.
----------
Valentina Vee - Director of photography
Vee is a director, cinematographer, photographer, and educator. She has directed and shot a variety of film and video projects, including music videos, short films, commercials, and an Emmy-nominated TV show for Discovery - Gimme Mo. She has also created content for Adobe and Aputure on YouTube, where she shares her filmmaking expertise and offers advice to aspiring artists. In addition to her work behind the camera, Valentina Vee is also an advocate for diversity and representation in the film industry.
----------
Heather Ostrove - Producer
Heather's short films have screened in numerous film festivals, won awards, and received distribution. Originally from Silver Spring, Maryland, Heather sharpened her keen sense of story editing EPK and marketing featurettes for such films as Moonrise Kingdom, Anna Karenina, and Dallas Buyers Club. She's written projects for Crypt TV and Netflix and is a winner of the PAGE Awards.
----------
Shane Cacy - Producer
Shane has worked for companies such as Scott Sternberg Productions, batteryPOP, and LA Femme in both principal and post production. With a strong understanding of the flow from one stage to another, he is able to see this project through to completion.
----------
Kody Leibowitz - Executive Producer
Kody is a co-founder of BirdMine and a multi- award-winning investigative journalist who specializes in long-form stories and documentaries, most recently working as an investigative reporter at FOX13 in Memphis, Tenn.
Kody began his reporting career at 47ABC in Salisbury, Md. in August 2012. He has worked across the country for more than seven years as a local television news reporter.
As a political reporter, Kody extensively covered the 2018 California gubernatorial primary race and Trump vs. California lawsuits, including the federal government's suit over the state's undocumented immigration laws.
In Johnstown, Pa., Kody investigated the scheme how several Pennsylvania dioceses settled clergy sex abuse cases.
----------
Judith Rubin - Executive Producer
After spending untold hours in "video village" as the parent of a young actor, Judith was inspired to switch hats after 20 years as a mom and Executive Coach. She recently produced two short films for the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, "Reaching Athena" and "Leap of Love" both of which centered on themes of both external and internalized ableism. As a passionate advocate for autism inclusion and acceptance in Jewish communal life, Judith is thrilled to be part of the Thirteen team. She is a proud mother of three, and married to violinist Jonathan Rubin.
----------
Sean Collins-Smith - Executive Producer
Sean is a TV writer and national award-winning journalist from Richmond, Virginia. Since 2018, he has lived in Los Angeles, where he’s represented by 3 Arts and A3 Artists Agency. Sean’s most recent pilot, WONDER DRUG: A LIMITED SERIES, reached number one on The Black List website in 2021. In 2022, Sean wrapped his first gig as a Staff Writer on Michael Schur’s FIELD OF DREAMS reboot. He is currently a Story Editor on one of television’s most-watched dramas, CHICAGO PD.
----------
Naomi Rubin - Actress playing Yael
When we were casting THIRTEEN, it was important that we have authentic representation - meaning Jewish actors for a very Jewish script. Not only is Naomi Jewish, but she is also on the autism spectrum, fulfilling our commitment to authentic casting.
Naomi has performed on Broadway ?, appeared as Noelle, a recurring role in three seasons on Netflix’s Atypical, Ellie on Amazon Prime’s As We See It, and appears in Dear Evan Hansen. She has even acted opposite Jason Sudeikis!
----------
Lee Shorten - Actor playing the doctor
Raised in Australia by his adoptive parents Lee Shorten is a multi disciplinary actor. Lee has recurred on Amazon's The Man in the High Castle, AMC's The Terror: Infamy and appears as Kazumasa Sakai in Sony's Ghost of Tsushima. Most recently Lee has worked opposite Glenn Close and Mahershala Ali in Apple's Swan Song.
----------
David Pevsner - Actor playing Rabbi Aaron Naftali
David is an incredible talent, specifically, he is an actor and writer with a long list of accolades including appearances in Scrooge and Marley (as Ebenezer Scrooge), Spa Night, Joshua Tree 1951: A Portrait of James Dean, Role/Play, and Corpus Christi: Playing with Redemption. His guest starring roles on television include Silicon Valley, NCIS, I’m Dying Up Here, Modern Family, Grey’s Anatomy, Liz and Dick, Law and Order LA, and he starred in the popular web series Old Dogs and New Tricks.
David has had a diverse stage acting career, from regional theaters to Broadway. As a songwriter, his work has been featured in the global hit show Naked Boys Singing!, his CD of original comedy songs Most Versatile, and his two one man musicals, including Musical Comedy Whore! which is currently streaming and available on DVD.
David also recently launched his debut memoir “Damn Shame: A Memoir of Desire, Defiance, and Show Tunes.”
David also happens to be Jewish and immediately connected to the story.
----------
Rena Strober, Actor playing Leah Swartz
Rena began her career on the Broadway stage in Les Miserables and went on to star in Beauty and The Beast, Fiddler on the Roof, Zhivago and many more. She moved to Los Angeles in 2011 where she has voiced hundreds of animated characters for Disney, Netflix and in video games for Nintendo, Sega and more. Rena was a recurring guest star on Disney Channel's Liv & Maddie and Nickelodeon's Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn, Side Hustle and recently on That Girl Lay Lay. Rena has guest starred on grownup shows like Veep, Shameless and Hacks. Rena recently released her short film Spaghetti & Matzo Balls! based on her Off-Broadway 1-woman show.
One of her proudest projects to date is her award winning Sesame Street album Imagine That! It features Jason Alexander, French Stewart and a choir of young blind singers from the Academy of Music for the Blind, where Rena was the head of voice for years. Proceeds go to Guide Dogs of America.
Rena is also Jewish and is currently studying to become a Cantor with the Academy of Jewish Religion and can be heard leading Shabbat services around LA and around the country.
She says she is always trying to find a balance between being an artist, a Jewish leader, a mom and an advocate.
----------
David Williams - Script Supervisor
David is a former Brooklynite-turned-Angeleno who’s been writing screenplays since working at Blockbuster centuries ago. Latino/Black, former pro gamer and D1 athlete -- David specializes in galactic concepts that are grounded in the real world with real people, as well as thrillers that leave you with a heart condition. David also has been a script supervisor on various productions over the last decade.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
THIRTEEN is a short film I wrote that follows a mother as she fights to have a Bat Mitzvah for her terminally ill, severely disabled daughter at their synagogue that refuses to break from tradition. The story is inspired by reality. Specifically, it was based on my older sister's Bat Mitzvah 26 years ago and my mother's advocacy.
My mom - a single mother - worked tirelessly to ensure that my sister and I always felt loved, cared for, and happy in the home. She also did everything in her power to change the way the world viewed disabilities and to advocate for my sister so she could experience life milestones like everyone else.
Her advocacy led her to request a Bat Mitzvah, or the Jewish coming-of-age ceremony, for my sister at our conservative synagogue, something many didn't think would happen. The negativity stems from tradition. For Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, a child must attend Hebrew school and study for nine months to a year before reciting their Torah portion in front of a congregation - something my sister couldn't do.
But our rabbi, Rabbi Kahn, granted my mom's request, who modified and officiated the Bat Mitzvah for my sister. My mom recalls him saying it was "the holiest Bat Mitzvah he'd ever been a part of."
It was an emotional day, full of lots of tears and smiles. It was such a big deal at the time in our town that not one but two Jewish publications wrote articles. (You can see a photo of my mom and sister in one of the articles above.)
It's a day that stayed with me for over two decades, so I decided to produce a short film based on the experience.
THIRTEEN is a bit different from the real-life story. My sister wasn't terminally ill, and our rabbi was happy to help. But the rabbi in THIRTEEN, the 'roadblock' in the story, is an amalgamation of other contentious situations we faced at our synagogue - and in life - because our family wasn't normal or traditional in the Jewish world or the non-Jewish world. The short also exemplifies my mother's endless love for her children and work to create a better world.
We live during a time when antisemitism is rising; in fact, it's been at an all-time high in the past few years. According to the Anti-defamation League (ADL), in 2021, there were 2,717 antisemitic incidents of assault, harassment, and vandalism - the highest number of incidents since the ADL began tracking in 1979. In 2022, according to Statistica, that number jumped significantly to 3,697. Also, when it comes to Hollywood, Jews are often portrayed poorly in the media, which many believe contributes to the rising antisemitism and misunderstanding of Jewish people.
When it comes to disability, 61 million Americans identify as disabled, and yet only 3.1% of characters on screen have a disability.
And that's why you should donate to help create THIRTEEN - a nuanced story that puts people with disabilities and Jewish people - front and center - and explores tradition, progression, culture, family, disability, and motherhood.
We plan to film THIRTEEN in late July or early August to complete the editing process by the end of the year. Following the film's completion, we will submit it to film festivals worldwide.
We ask that you donate to assist us in creating a film that has the potential to impact change, spread the message of inclusion, and amplify two communities that often find themselves on the receiving end of bigotry and hate.
Also, please follow us on social media (Twitter: @Thirteen_Film and Instagram: Thirteen_short_film) and spread the word to friends and family!
Note: We will be following all state/union COVID protocols.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Synagogue/Doctor's office
Costs $4,000
Our film takes place in a synagogue, doctor's office, and home - we need funds for location fees.
Director/DP/Producer/etc
Costs $3,000
We need to pay the people who are creating THIRTEEN!
Actors
Costs $2,000
We need to pay the people who are performing in THIRTEEN.
Practical FX
Costs $1,000
We need practical FX for scenes in THIRTEEN!
Equipment
Costs $5,000
Cameras/lighting/etc
Costumes/Makeup
Costs $2,000
Costumes/makeup for actors
Props
Costs $700
Props for set
Set dressing
Costs $500
Dressing up the locations we're filming
Lunch
Costs $1,600
We need to feed people while they are working 12 hour days for four days!
Crafty
Costs $200
Snacks for cast and crew
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Allison Norlian - Writer/Co-director
Allison is a three-time Emmy-nominated journalist, and co-founder of BirdMine, a production company focused on amplifying the voices and stories of people with disabilities and other groups underrepresented within society. With BirdMine, Allison films, edits, reports, and produces, creating short and long-form documentaries.Allison became a journalist and filmmaker to speak for those who are often voiceless, like her severely disabled sister. She has used her platform to shed light on important issues impacting people with disabilities and other vulnerable and disenfranchised communities. She won a Catalyst for Change award from the ARC of Virginia for the impact of her reporting and an Emmy nomination for an investigation exposing neglect and abuse at an assisted living facility.
Allison's goal as a journalist, and filmmaker, is to change the world, one story at a time.
----------
Jean Li - Co-director
Jean is a TV drama and dramedy writer whose work focuses on ambition, found families, and Asian characters. Jean’s unique experiences in cybersecurity, human rights investigations, and living overseas has instilled a deep empathy for people, regardless of background.
Within entertainment, Jean writes freelance for a YouTube channel, and has written coverage for production companies and worked on multiple short films. She recently participated in the Coverfly Act Two mentorship and advanced in the Circle of Confusion Discovery Fellowship.
----------
Valentina Vee - Director of photography
Vee is a director, cinematographer, photographer, and educator. She has directed and shot a variety of film and video projects, including music videos, short films, commercials, and an Emmy-nominated TV show for Discovery - Gimme Mo. She has also created content for Adobe and Aputure on YouTube, where she shares her filmmaking expertise and offers advice to aspiring artists. In addition to her work behind the camera, Valentina Vee is also an advocate for diversity and representation in the film industry.
----------
Heather Ostrove - Producer
Heather's short films have screened in numerous film festivals, won awards, and received distribution. Originally from Silver Spring, Maryland, Heather sharpened her keen sense of story editing EPK and marketing featurettes for such films as Moonrise Kingdom, Anna Karenina, and Dallas Buyers Club. She's written projects for Crypt TV and Netflix and is a winner of the PAGE Awards.
----------
Shane Cacy - Producer
Shane has worked for companies such as Scott Sternberg Productions, batteryPOP, and LA Femme in both principal and post production. With a strong understanding of the flow from one stage to another, he is able to see this project through to completion.
----------
Kody Leibowitz - Executive Producer
Kody is a co-founder of BirdMine and a multi- award-winning investigative journalist who specializes in long-form stories and documentaries, most recently working as an investigative reporter at FOX13 in Memphis, Tenn.
Kody began his reporting career at 47ABC in Salisbury, Md. in August 2012. He has worked across the country for more than seven years as a local television news reporter.
As a political reporter, Kody extensively covered the 2018 California gubernatorial primary race and Trump vs. California lawsuits, including the federal government's suit over the state's undocumented immigration laws.
In Johnstown, Pa., Kody investigated the scheme how several Pennsylvania dioceses settled clergy sex abuse cases.
----------
Judith Rubin - Executive Producer
After spending untold hours in "video village" as the parent of a young actor, Judith was inspired to switch hats after 20 years as a mom and Executive Coach. She recently produced two short films for the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, "Reaching Athena" and "Leap of Love" both of which centered on themes of both external and internalized ableism. As a passionate advocate for autism inclusion and acceptance in Jewish communal life, Judith is thrilled to be part of the Thirteen team. She is a proud mother of three, and married to violinist Jonathan Rubin.
----------
Sean Collins-Smith - Executive Producer
Sean is a TV writer and national award-winning journalist from Richmond, Virginia. Since 2018, he has lived in Los Angeles, where he’s represented by 3 Arts and A3 Artists Agency. Sean’s most recent pilot, WONDER DRUG: A LIMITED SERIES, reached number one on The Black List website in 2021. In 2022, Sean wrapped his first gig as a Staff Writer on Michael Schur’s FIELD OF DREAMS reboot. He is currently a Story Editor on one of television’s most-watched dramas, CHICAGO PD.
----------
Naomi Rubin - Actress playing Yael
When we were casting THIRTEEN, it was important that we have authentic representation - meaning Jewish actors for a very Jewish script. Not only is Naomi Jewish, but she is also on the autism spectrum, fulfilling our commitment to authentic casting.
Naomi has performed on Broadway ?, appeared as Noelle, a recurring role in three seasons on Netflix’s Atypical, Ellie on Amazon Prime’s As We See It, and appears in Dear Evan Hansen. She has even acted opposite Jason Sudeikis!
----------
Lee Shorten - Actor playing the doctor
Raised in Australia by his adoptive parents Lee Shorten is a multi disciplinary actor. Lee has recurred on Amazon's The Man in the High Castle, AMC's The Terror: Infamy and appears as Kazumasa Sakai in Sony's Ghost of Tsushima. Most recently Lee has worked opposite Glenn Close and Mahershala Ali in Apple's Swan Song.
----------
David Pevsner - Actor playing Rabbi Aaron Naftali
David is an incredible talent, specifically, he is an actor and writer with a long list of accolades including appearances in Scrooge and Marley (as Ebenezer Scrooge), Spa Night, Joshua Tree 1951: A Portrait of James Dean, Role/Play, and Corpus Christi: Playing with Redemption. His guest starring roles on television include Silicon Valley, NCIS, I’m Dying Up Here, Modern Family, Grey’s Anatomy, Liz and Dick, Law and Order LA, and he starred in the popular web series Old Dogs and New Tricks.
David has had a diverse stage acting career, from regional theaters to Broadway. As a songwriter, his work has been featured in the global hit show Naked Boys Singing!, his CD of original comedy songs Most Versatile, and his two one man musicals, including Musical Comedy Whore! which is currently streaming and available on DVD.
David also recently launched his debut memoir “Damn Shame: A Memoir of Desire, Defiance, and Show Tunes.”
David also happens to be Jewish and immediately connected to the story.
----------
Rena Strober, Actor playing Leah Swartz
Rena began her career on the Broadway stage in Les Miserables and went on to star in Beauty and The Beast, Fiddler on the Roof, Zhivago and many more. She moved to Los Angeles in 2011 where she has voiced hundreds of animated characters for Disney, Netflix and in video games for Nintendo, Sega and more. Rena was a recurring guest star on Disney Channel's Liv & Maddie and Nickelodeon's Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn, Side Hustle and recently on That Girl Lay Lay. Rena has guest starred on grownup shows like Veep, Shameless and Hacks. Rena recently released her short film Spaghetti & Matzo Balls! based on her Off-Broadway 1-woman show.
One of her proudest projects to date is her award winning Sesame Street album Imagine That! It features Jason Alexander, French Stewart and a choir of young blind singers from the Academy of Music for the Blind, where Rena was the head of voice for years. Proceeds go to Guide Dogs of America.
Rena is also Jewish and is currently studying to become a Cantor with the Academy of Jewish Religion and can be heard leading Shabbat services around LA and around the country.
She says she is always trying to find a balance between being an artist, a Jewish leader, a mom and an advocate.
----------
David Williams - Script Supervisor
David is a former Brooklynite-turned-Angeleno who’s been writing screenplays since working at Blockbuster centuries ago. Latino/Black, former pro gamer and D1 athlete -- David specializes in galactic concepts that are grounded in the real world with real people, as well as thrillers that leave you with a heart condition. David also has been a script supervisor on various productions over the last decade.