TRANSFER
Portland, Oregon | Film Short
Sci-Fi, Drama
When Janice discovers that her son’s brain implant is faulty, she must choose between letting him die or transferring his consciousness to her unborn child. Our story explores current issues like bodily autonomy, technology, and family dynamics through a grounded sci-fi lens.
TRANSFER
Portland, Oregon | Film Short
Sci-Fi, Drama
2 Campaigns | Oregon, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $14,105 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
69 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
When Janice discovers that her son’s brain implant is faulty, she must choose between letting him die or transferring his consciousness to her unborn child. Our story explores current issues like bodily autonomy, technology, and family dynamics through a grounded sci-fi lens.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
“You can choose end of life care, or you can transfer his consciousness. What’s it going to be?”
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🎉🎉🎉
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!
🎉🎉🎉
We ended our campaign at 112% funded. THANK YOU!!! This proves that there is a dedicated audience who wants to see this film, and will cover the baseline costs to put TRANSFER through production.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM.
STILL WANT TO SUPPORT? DONATE VIA ALLYRA.
Additional funding allows us to elevate production, and cover our post-production costs:
$20,000 allows us to pay competitive rates for our SAG-AFTRA talent and our professional crew, and elevate the caliber of our locations.
$45,000 covers our post-production wages for the edit, sound, color, and music, and allows us 1-2 days of pickups. Accomplishing this stretch goal also allows us to submit to every film festival on our list, and host a live screening event here in Portland.
TRANSFER follows a mother who seeks answers when the government forces her to choose between the life of her young son and his unborn sibling.
In a speculative 2040s where the government forces citizens to comply with brain implants, Janice and David are an ordinary family raising their son Brandon and preparing for a new baby on the way. Things change when Brandon’s implant malfunctions and his life becomes at risk. The only legal solutions are hospice care or to transfer Brandon’s consciousness into another person. Caught between a rock and a hard place and ignited by fierce maternal love, Janice does something for the first time: question her government and look for a third option.
TRANSFER is a live action short film about a mother on a mission to save her two children, no matter the cost. It is set in the not too distant future where brain implant technology has become commonplace. The film will adopt a grounded approach to a topic that was once confined to science fiction but is quickly becoming a reality in our modern world.
In a time when government surveillance and fascism masquerading as tech innovation pervades our real world, TRANSFER is a relevant and thought provoking story where the issues of governmental oppression reaches an individual in a demographic often protected by their privilege from these harsh realities. With this film, we explore the ethics of unchecked authority and invasive inventions. What role should technology play in our lives? Should our bodies be subject to new untested technologies? How do we fight back?
"One of my mantras while writing this script was, Make the movie you would want to see that hasn’t been made yet. I love science fiction and I am thrilled to contribute to a genre that is not only inspiring to me, but many others as well."
- Kyle Swanson, our Writer/Director
“Science fiction is the most important literature in the history of thought.”
- Isaac Asimov
Just like our characters making choices for the future they want without waiting for permission, our team is making the film we haven't seen yet and believe should exist, in a genre that points forward into the future we can shape for ourselves.
We are creating the world of TRANSFER in Portland, Oregon in late spring of this year with a team of professional crew and union talent — all of whom are part of the PDX filmmaking community. Portland's rich history of street activism provides an ideal setting for our narrative of government influence and secret underground rebellion.
OUR FISCAL SPONSOR!
TRANSFER is sponsored by From the Heart Productions. This means that pledges of ANY amount are TAX-DEDUCTIBLE! We think that's a pretty sweet deal. Here's a statement from our sponsor:
To Whom It May Concern:
From the Heart Productions, Inc. is honored to provide fiscal sponsorship for the film Transfer. We carefully select the films we sponsor, and believe that this project will make a positive contribution to society and to the field of filmmaking.
We have been successfully funding films since our inception in 1993 under the 501(c )(3) Internal Revenue Code of 1954. We are also classified as a public charity under section 509(a)(2) of the Code. As such, any monetary donations to our Fiscal Sponsorship Program qualify as charitable contributions under the U.S. Tax Code.
Our IRS number is 95 444 5418 and, as a donor, you may use this number on your taxes with the donated amount for a tax deduction.
From the Heart Productions will administer any funds received in support of this project. As fiscal sponsor for this film, we will be closely monitoring its progress. We will contribute advice and feedback where needed on fundraising initiatives, trailers, rough cuts, festival submissions, distribution, and outreach strategies.
If you have any other questions, please contact us at [email protected].
We are proud to endorse this project and encourage you to support it.
Best Regards,
Carole Dean
President
From the Heart Productions, Inc.
1013 Harbor Blvd. #53
Oxnard, CA 93035
THE PRODUCTION COMPANY
Vi Arts Co. is a Portland local production company founded in 2021 that specializes in manifesting the dreams of first-time writers and directors. You have a dream? Vi Arts takes pride in being the nitty-gritty, start-to-finish partner and guide for emerging artists, and our shorts have gone on to win awards local and international. Visit viarts.co to learn more.
THIS IS NOT A RISK.
Vi Arts and our surrounding community has proven they can make thoughtful, unique, and professional short films on lean micro-budgets time and time again for nearly ten years.
Our projects go to festivals and hold their own against films with ten times the budget. Our audience loves resonant, emotional stories, across genres and styles.
Now, down to brass tacks...
Inspired by CHILDREN OF MEN, SEVERANCE, AFTER YANG, and BLACK MIRROR.
THE LOOK
Courtesy of Ty, our Director of Photography!
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THE CAST & CHARACTERS
Follow us as we finish our casting process and bring even more incredible talent to the film.
Learn more about our crew on the TEAM tab.
With your generous support, we are going to raise $12,500 which is the baseline cost for TRANSFER to go into production. This amount covers the following:
CAST & CREW WAGES: We are grateful to work with incredible professionals who live and work here in Oregon.
LOCATION FEES: Our story follows Janice and her family as they go about their everyday life, plus some...less than ordinary locations. This portion of the budget goes toward rental costs and related expenses.
PRODUCTION DESIGN: Creating a lived-in science fiction environment takes intention and craftsmanship. This portion of the budget gives our talented artists the materials and time to create the world you will see on screen.
LEGAL COSTS: As essential as it is unexciting. Covering general liability allows us the ability to rent gear and film on location.
STRETCH GOALS
Meeting our greenlight goal will prove that there is a dedicated audience who wants to see this film, and will cover the baseline costs to put TRANSFER through production. Additional funding allows us to elevate production, and cover our post-production costs:
$20,000 allows us to pay competitive rates for our SAG-AFTRA talent and our professional crew, and elevate the caliber of our locations.
$45,000 covers our post-production wages for the edit, sound, color, and music, and allows us 1-2 days of pickups. Accomplishing this stretch goal also allows us to submit to every film festival on our list, and host a live screening event here in Portland.
TIMELINE
APRIL 2026: rehearse, secure locations, create and built props and set elements
MAY 2026: principal photography
JUNE 2026: picture lock
JULY 2026: color, sound, and music completed
AUGUST 2026: preview screenings for our Seed & Spark audience
JOIN US – AND JANICE – ON THIS JOURNEY
By participating in the creation of TRANSFER, you become part of an indie film endeavor that supports local artists and tells a thought-provoking, highly relevant story with an unlikely heroine front and center.
After the film is completed, we will host at least one LIVE SCREENING in PDX, and submit to science-fiction themed festivals. Stay tuned for where the film goes after that!
Together we can bring this film to its audience! Do you know 2-3 people who enjoy thoughtful, morally complex science fiction stories with female leads? Send our campaign their way! We’ve even provided a few words you can copy and paste:
I thought you’d be interested in this science fiction short film TRANSFER. It’s right up your alley and you can follow their progress at https://seedandspark.com/fund/transfershortfilm
You can also share our our campaign on your socials by copy and pasting the following message:
Support sci-fi short #TRANSFERshortfilm on Seed & Spark! Give them a follow at https://seedandspark.com/fund/transfershortfilm
We are @transfershortfilm on Instagram, and we share something new about the film and the process nearly every day.
We are nothing without our community! Are you a restaurant owner (or have a connection) who could provide meal catering? Do you have access to gear, props, or set dressing such as furniture? Are you a graphic designer or a podcast creator? We’d love to work with you! If this is you, email us at [email protected] :)
Thank you so much for your consideration and for coming along with us as we bring TRANSFER to life!
@TRANSFERSHORTFILM
#TRANSFERSHORTFILM
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
LEGAL & CONTINGENCY
Costs $2,500
Allows us to safetly rent gear and shoot on location.
CAST & CREW WAGES
Costs $6,500
We are nothing without the people in front of and behind the camera.
LOCATIONS
Costs $2,000
Rental fees for the 8 locations across our script.
ART DEPARTMENT
Costs $1,500
Allows our art department crew the time and supplies to build the world you will see on screen.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
KYLE SWANSON - writer/director
This is Kyle's directorial debut. He has been a member of the indie film community in Portland for many years.
TY CAYATINETO - director of photography
Ty Cayatineto is a Diné artist originally from the Southwest desert of New Mexico. He brings a standard of excellence to projects big and small that reflects beauty and truth in every detail. You can often find him journaling in nature or at the editing bay.
LAUREN JOHNSON - production designer
Lauren is a multidisciplinary artist who has worked on film sets for seven years as Production Design Lead, Art Director, and Director, with a focus on reuse, collaboration, and experimentation.
RUSSELL BOWEN - first assistant director
Russell Bowen is a filmmaker from the Pacific Northwest based in Portland, OR. While he wears many hats across production and behind the camera, he was recently the 1st AD on local short films MARSHLAND and MAX & GENIE.
MATTHEW JOHNSON - sound designer
Born and raised in Alaska, Matt Johnson has been creating sound in and around Portland for the last decade. On location or in the studio, mixing or recording, you can find Matt tapping or scratching on various objects to see what they sound like.
KATIE WAGNER - art director
Katie is stoked to be welcomed into the Transfer crew! She's an up and coming Portland art director with a deeply conflicting love for everything horror, and cutesy. From interior design, to a local haunted house, to having several shorts and feature film THE GROVE under her belt, Katie is just a goofy creative who is always excited to try new things.
AVERY ABIGAIL - producer (vi arts co.)
Avery Abigail has been producing microbudget indie films in Portland, OR with his production company Vi Arts for the last ten years. They have produced award-winning shorts such as MIDNIGHT RHYTHMS (2021) and THE PATRON (2024).
COSMO SPADA - co-producer
Cosmo Spada is a filmmaker born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. He is a lover of sci-fi and movies that take place in cramped/confined spaces. His passion for filmmaking is deeply rooted and nourished by the works of the talented artists that make it all possible.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
“You can choose end of life care, or you can transfer his consciousness. What’s it going to be?”
🎉🎉🎉
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!
🎉🎉🎉
We ended our campaign at 112% funded. THANK YOU!!! This proves that there is a dedicated audience who wants to see this film, and will cover the baseline costs to put TRANSFER through production.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM.
STILL WANT TO SUPPORT? DONATE VIA ALLYRA.
Additional funding allows us to elevate production, and cover our post-production costs:
$20,000 allows us to pay competitive rates for our SAG-AFTRA talent and our professional crew, and elevate the caliber of our locations.
$45,000 covers our post-production wages for the edit, sound, color, and music, and allows us 1-2 days of pickups. Accomplishing this stretch goal also allows us to submit to every film festival on our list, and host a live screening event here in Portland.
TRANSFER follows a mother who seeks answers when the government forces her to choose between the life of her young son and his unborn sibling.
In a speculative 2040s where the government forces citizens to comply with brain implants, Janice and David are an ordinary family raising their son Brandon and preparing for a new baby on the way. Things change when Brandon’s implant malfunctions and his life becomes at risk. The only legal solutions are hospice care or to transfer Brandon’s consciousness into another person. Caught between a rock and a hard place and ignited by fierce maternal love, Janice does something for the first time: question her government and look for a third option.
TRANSFER is a live action short film about a mother on a mission to save her two children, no matter the cost. It is set in the not too distant future where brain implant technology has become commonplace. The film will adopt a grounded approach to a topic that was once confined to science fiction but is quickly becoming a reality in our modern world.
In a time when government surveillance and fascism masquerading as tech innovation pervades our real world, TRANSFER is a relevant and thought provoking story where the issues of governmental oppression reaches an individual in a demographic often protected by their privilege from these harsh realities. With this film, we explore the ethics of unchecked authority and invasive inventions. What role should technology play in our lives? Should our bodies be subject to new untested technologies? How do we fight back?
"One of my mantras while writing this script was, Make the movie you would want to see that hasn’t been made yet. I love science fiction and I am thrilled to contribute to a genre that is not only inspiring to me, but many others as well."
- Kyle Swanson, our Writer/Director
“Science fiction is the most important literature in the history of thought.”
- Isaac Asimov
Just like our characters making choices for the future they want without waiting for permission, our team is making the film we haven't seen yet and believe should exist, in a genre that points forward into the future we can shape for ourselves.
We are creating the world of TRANSFER in Portland, Oregon in late spring of this year with a team of professional crew and union talent — all of whom are part of the PDX filmmaking community. Portland's rich history of street activism provides an ideal setting for our narrative of government influence and secret underground rebellion.
OUR FISCAL SPONSOR!
TRANSFER is sponsored by From the Heart Productions. This means that pledges of ANY amount are TAX-DEDUCTIBLE! We think that's a pretty sweet deal. Here's a statement from our sponsor:
To Whom It May Concern:
From the Heart Productions, Inc. is honored to provide fiscal sponsorship for the film Transfer. We carefully select the films we sponsor, and believe that this project will make a positive contribution to society and to the field of filmmaking.
We have been successfully funding films since our inception in 1993 under the 501(c )(3) Internal Revenue Code of 1954. We are also classified as a public charity under section 509(a)(2) of the Code. As such, any monetary donations to our Fiscal Sponsorship Program qualify as charitable contributions under the U.S. Tax Code.
Our IRS number is 95 444 5418 and, as a donor, you may use this number on your taxes with the donated amount for a tax deduction.
From the Heart Productions will administer any funds received in support of this project. As fiscal sponsor for this film, we will be closely monitoring its progress. We will contribute advice and feedback where needed on fundraising initiatives, trailers, rough cuts, festival submissions, distribution, and outreach strategies.
If you have any other questions, please contact us at [email protected].
We are proud to endorse this project and encourage you to support it.
Best Regards,
Carole Dean
President
From the Heart Productions, Inc.
1013 Harbor Blvd. #53
Oxnard, CA 93035
THE PRODUCTION COMPANY
Vi Arts Co. is a Portland local production company founded in 2021 that specializes in manifesting the dreams of first-time writers and directors. You have a dream? Vi Arts takes pride in being the nitty-gritty, start-to-finish partner and guide for emerging artists, and our shorts have gone on to win awards local and international. Visit viarts.co to learn more.
THIS IS NOT A RISK.
Vi Arts and our surrounding community has proven they can make thoughtful, unique, and professional short films on lean micro-budgets time and time again for nearly ten years.
Our projects go to festivals and hold their own against films with ten times the budget. Our audience loves resonant, emotional stories, across genres and styles.
Now, down to brass tacks...
Inspired by CHILDREN OF MEN, SEVERANCE, AFTER YANG, and BLACK MIRROR.
THE LOOK
Courtesy of Ty, our Director of Photography!
THE CAST & CHARACTERS
Follow us as we finish our casting process and bring even more incredible talent to the film.
Learn more about our crew on the TEAM tab.
With your generous support, we are going to raise $12,500 which is the baseline cost for TRANSFER to go into production. This amount covers the following:
CAST & CREW WAGES: We are grateful to work with incredible professionals who live and work here in Oregon.
LOCATION FEES: Our story follows Janice and her family as they go about their everyday life, plus some...less than ordinary locations. This portion of the budget goes toward rental costs and related expenses.
PRODUCTION DESIGN: Creating a lived-in science fiction environment takes intention and craftsmanship. This portion of the budget gives our talented artists the materials and time to create the world you will see on screen.
LEGAL COSTS: As essential as it is unexciting. Covering general liability allows us the ability to rent gear and film on location.
STRETCH GOALS
Meeting our greenlight goal will prove that there is a dedicated audience who wants to see this film, and will cover the baseline costs to put TRANSFER through production. Additional funding allows us to elevate production, and cover our post-production costs:
$20,000 allows us to pay competitive rates for our SAG-AFTRA talent and our professional crew, and elevate the caliber of our locations.
$45,000 covers our post-production wages for the edit, sound, color, and music, and allows us 1-2 days of pickups. Accomplishing this stretch goal also allows us to submit to every film festival on our list, and host a live screening event here in Portland.
TIMELINE
APRIL 2026: rehearse, secure locations, create and built props and set elements
MAY 2026: principal photography
JUNE 2026: picture lock
JULY 2026: color, sound, and music completed
AUGUST 2026: preview screenings for our Seed & Spark audience
JOIN US – AND JANICE – ON THIS JOURNEY
By participating in the creation of TRANSFER, you become part of an indie film endeavor that supports local artists and tells a thought-provoking, highly relevant story with an unlikely heroine front and center.
After the film is completed, we will host at least one LIVE SCREENING in PDX, and submit to science-fiction themed festivals. Stay tuned for where the film goes after that!
Together we can bring this film to its audience! Do you know 2-3 people who enjoy thoughtful, morally complex science fiction stories with female leads? Send our campaign their way! We’ve even provided a few words you can copy and paste:
I thought you’d be interested in this science fiction short film TRANSFER. It’s right up your alley and you can follow their progress at https://seedandspark.com/fund/transfershortfilm
You can also share our our campaign on your socials by copy and pasting the following message:
Support sci-fi short #TRANSFERshortfilm on Seed & Spark! Give them a follow at https://seedandspark.com/fund/transfershortfilm
We are @transfershortfilm on Instagram, and we share something new about the film and the process nearly every day.
We are nothing without our community! Are you a restaurant owner (or have a connection) who could provide meal catering? Do you have access to gear, props, or set dressing such as furniture? Are you a graphic designer or a podcast creator? We’d love to work with you! If this is you, email us at [email protected] :)
Thank you so much for your consideration and for coming along with us as we bring TRANSFER to life!
@TRANSFERSHORTFILM
#TRANSFERSHORTFILM
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
LEGAL & CONTINGENCY
Costs $2,500
Allows us to safetly rent gear and shoot on location.
CAST & CREW WAGES
Costs $6,500
We are nothing without the people in front of and behind the camera.
LOCATIONS
Costs $2,000
Rental fees for the 8 locations across our script.
ART DEPARTMENT
Costs $1,500
Allows our art department crew the time and supplies to build the world you will see on screen.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
KYLE SWANSON - writer/director
This is Kyle's directorial debut. He has been a member of the indie film community in Portland for many years.
TY CAYATINETO - director of photography
Ty Cayatineto is a Diné artist originally from the Southwest desert of New Mexico. He brings a standard of excellence to projects big and small that reflects beauty and truth in every detail. You can often find him journaling in nature or at the editing bay.
LAUREN JOHNSON - production designer
Lauren is a multidisciplinary artist who has worked on film sets for seven years as Production Design Lead, Art Director, and Director, with a focus on reuse, collaboration, and experimentation.
RUSSELL BOWEN - first assistant director
Russell Bowen is a filmmaker from the Pacific Northwest based in Portland, OR. While he wears many hats across production and behind the camera, he was recently the 1st AD on local short films MARSHLAND and MAX & GENIE.
MATTHEW JOHNSON - sound designer
Born and raised in Alaska, Matt Johnson has been creating sound in and around Portland for the last decade. On location or in the studio, mixing or recording, you can find Matt tapping or scratching on various objects to see what they sound like.
KATIE WAGNER - art director
Katie is stoked to be welcomed into the Transfer crew! She's an up and coming Portland art director with a deeply conflicting love for everything horror, and cutesy. From interior design, to a local haunted house, to having several shorts and feature film THE GROVE under her belt, Katie is just a goofy creative who is always excited to try new things.
AVERY ABIGAIL - producer (vi arts co.)
Avery Abigail has been producing microbudget indie films in Portland, OR with his production company Vi Arts for the last ten years. They have produced award-winning shorts such as MIDNIGHT RHYTHMS (2021) and THE PATRON (2024).
COSMO SPADA - co-producer
Cosmo Spada is a filmmaker born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. He is a lover of sci-fi and movies that take place in cramped/confined spaces. His passion for filmmaking is deeply rooted and nourished by the works of the talented artists that make it all possible.