WITHER
Los Angeles, California | Film Feature
Drama, Thriller
In 72 high-stakes hours during Mardi Gras, a resilient mother races against time to reunite with her six-year-old twins after a medical emergency leads to state custody. Navigating a bureaucratic nightmare, she fights to restore her parental rights before an irreversible decision is made.
75 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$13,145
Goal: $15,000 for pre-production
In 72 high-stakes hours during Mardi Gras, a resilient mother races against time to reunite with her six-year-old twins after a medical emergency leads to state custody. Navigating a bureaucratic nightmare, she fights to restore her parental rights before an irreversible decision is made.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Wither is a story I carry deeply as a father—
The fear of losing my child to a system that doesn’t always understand love. This fear of having a child taken away over a medical misunderstanding is a reality for many families, one that I know firsthand. But this film isn’t just for me—it’s for everyone who has ever been questioned in their care for their child, for those whose love has been misinterpreted. It’s a chance to open the door to a much-needed conversation about how we, as a society, define care, neglect and safety.
Wither
After a medical emergency leads to the separation of her six-year-old twins, a mother in New Orleans has just 72 hours during Mardi Gras to bring them home. Misunderstood and running out of time, she races through the chaos to protect the bond that holds her family together.
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Why Me?
This story is more than just fiction. As a father, I know what it’s like to fear that a system could wrongly assess my intentions for my child. It’s a fear that’s very real and it's one I had to address. My personal connection to this film is at its heart: it's my story, the story of people I care deeply about and the experiences of others who’ve lived through this fear.
Why This?
Wither speaks to an issue that isn’t often discussed—how easily a medical misunderstanding can tear a family apart. It’s a conversation that needs to be had now, because the system can—and does—fail families. By telling this story, we shine a light on that failure, while also opening the door for healing and change.
Why Now?
This issue is not theoretical. It’s happening right now. Families continue to face the possibility of having their children taken away for reasons as simple as an incorrect diagnosis. The urgency behind Wither is inescapable. It’s about starting a conversation that will help improve how we, as a society, protect children without misinterpreting love as harm.
Where we are now?
Right now, Wither is in development, with all the key pieces in place: a talented cast and crew who have lived this story. We’ve already secured key locations in New Orleans, where the film’s story is deeply rooted and are ready to begin filming in July. The funds raised here will allow us to complete production, focusing on preserving the authentic New Orleans feel with 16mm film, handheld camerawork and natural lighting. It’s a gritty, immersive approach that mirrors the emotional truth of the film.
When the film is finished, it will be submitted to festivals, aiming to bring this story to a wider audience and continue the conversation. Our goal is not just to tell a story, but to use the film as a tool for change—starting with our communities and hopefully, reaching policymakers who can help shape the future of these policies.
If we exceed our funding goal, we’ll be able to enhance the post-production process, including sound design and color correction, to give the film a polished, professional finish that will help it stand out in festival circles and beyond.
Calls to Action
This is where you come in. Your support will help bring this important story to life and ensure that families have the tools to fight back when the system fails them. Here’s how you can help:
- Pledge: Your donation helps us fund everything from locations to film stock to post-production.
- Follow: Stay connected with us for behind-the-scenes updates and progress. Every follower helps us grow our community.
- Share: Spread the word about Wither and help us amplify the conversation around medical neglect. Here’s a message you can use to share:
- "A parent’s love shouldn’t be questioned by the system. Support Wither, a film that confronts the devastating impact of medical neglect. Help us raise awareness and start the conversation.”
Your contribution isn’t just to a film—it’s to a movement toward change. Let’s make sure these families are seen and heard.
How You Can Help
Your support will help us complete Wither and provide crucial resources for families in need. Here’s how you can make a difference:
- Donate: Your contributions will help fund the production of Wither and ensure that a portion of the funds, matched by producers, are allocated to legal aid for families facing separation and working toward reunification.
- Support Families: The funds raised through the producer's personal match commitment will be used to support organizations providing legal counseling, emotional support and reunification services for families.
- Spread the Word: Share our campaign to raise awareness of the challenges faced by families dealing with separation. Your voice can inspire action and create a ripple effect of support.
How Your $15,000 Donation Will Be Used
100% will go directly toward completing Wither, covering production costs like crew wages, equipment rentals, 16mm film stock and processing, editing, sound, score, color and final festival prep. This ensures we bring the story to life with care, craft and the cinematic quality it deserves.
Follow Us
Visit our official website www.withermovie.com for more information.
Join us in telling the story of Wither—a story that could change the conversation around parental rights and systemic change.
Why Logan Jackson Is the Perfect Director for Wither
Logan Jackson’s voice as a filmmaker is deeply personal, visually striking and emotionally resonant—qualities that Wither demands. This story isn’t just close to his heart—it echoes lived experiences, real fears and urgent questions he’s carried as a father and an artist. Logan knows what it means to love and protect a child in a world that can misread that love.
And through his award-winning body of work, he’s proven time and again that he can translate that depth of emotion into unforgettable, human stories.
This film requires more than technical skill—it needs someone with sensitivity, tenacity and vision. Logan brings all three.
Logan Jackson – Key Affiliations
- Film Independent’s Project Involve Directors Track alum
- Selected for Warner Bros. Discovery TV Directing Program
- Semi-finalist, NBCU TV Directing Program
- Alumni of the Rideback Rise Circle for his feature film script
- Selected for Ryan Murphy’s Half Initiative Shadow Program on ABC’s 9-1-1
Logan Jackson – Awards & Recognition
- Emerging Director Award, 2020 American Black Film Festival (Oscar-qualifying)
- Best United States Short Film Award, Palm Springs International ShortFest for My Hero
- Special Jury Nominee, Nashville International Film Festival for My Hero
- Grand Jury Prize Nominee, Nashville Film Festival for My Hero
- Films screened at over 50+ festivals worldwide, including SXSW, LA Shorts, Toronto Black Film Festival, Flickerfest and New Orleans Film Festival
- SXSW 2023 Grand Jury Award Nominee for Leonetty
- Multiple honors at Oscar-qualifying festivals, including Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival and HollyShorts
- Directed The Bluest Hour, which premiered at the 2024 Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival
With Wither, Logan brings all of this experience to bear—merging craft with purpose to tell a story that matters.
Now Is the Time—Help Bring Wither to Life
We’re in a crucial window to raise the funds needed to make Wither a reality. This isn’t just a film—it’s a call for compassion, awareness and meaningful conversation around how we treat families caught in moments of vulnerability.
Your support helps us get there. It helps us shoot in New Orleans, on 16mm, with authenticity and care. It helps us finish this film the way it deserves to be finished.
If you believe in the power of family, in the urgency of justice and in the ability of art to spark healing—this is your moment.
✨ Stretch Goals
- $20,000 – Post-Production Polish
Elevate the final product with:
- Professional sound design & mixing
- Color correction & grading
- DCP creation for festivals and theatrical screenings
- $30,000 – Community Screenings + Access Initiatives
- Host free community screenings in New Orleans and LA
- Provide discussion guides and educational materials to community groups and advocates
- Begin outreach to policy changemakers and legal aid orgs
- $40,000 – Festival Run + Industry Outreach
- Submit to major festivals (Sundance, Tribeca, ABFF, etc.)
- Design and produce a festival-ready press kit and impact trailer
- Hire a publicist for key festivals to boost visibility and reviews
- $60,000 – Advocacy & Action Grant
- Launch a Wither Impact Grant: a micro-fund (from campaign matching funds, not nonprofit status) supporting one verified family advocacy organization
- Backers receive a transparency and impact report post-campaign
Back the campaign. Spread the word. Be part of the movement.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Publicist
Costs $3,000
In order to reach as many people as possible we need a publicist to stay with us from now through our festival run.
Lighting Package
Costs $5,000
2x ARRI SkyPanels $2.4K, Aputure 300D $400, Litepanels $800, C-stands $80, flags $300, power $100
Wardrobe and Props
Costs $300
Things we need: Gold fish and bowl, floral dress, unique men's coat, locket, 2 birthday cakes, toothbrushes, antique mirror.
Cast + Crew Accomodations
Costs $1,200
This will ensure our cast and crew have comfortable accommodations for the duration of production.
Share this update!
About This Team
Writer/Director
Logan Jackson, winner of the Emerging Director Award at ABFF, earned Best U.S. Short Film at Palm Springs and a Grand Jury nomination at SXSW for Leonetty. Recognized by Film Independent and Warner Bros., his work continues to receive global acclaim.
Producer
Eboni Robinson Norwood, a former entertainment lawyer turned producer, has worked on The Changeling (Apple TV) and Searching for Soul Food (Hulu). As an Executive at The SpringHill Company, she empowered underrepresented voices. Co-founder of UNLEARN Productions, she aims to shift global perspectives through mission-driven films.
Producer
Chyna Robinson, an award-winning writer, director, and producer, has won multiple Best Director and Best Film accolades. Her debut feature, No Ordinary Love, was named one of 2021's "Biggest Summer Movies" by USA Today. She was featured at ABFF and SXSW.
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Producer
Tony Chennault, in 2014, Tony won “Best Director” at the Ekiah Film Festival. His Philadelphia roots have allowed him to have a wide range of experiences that help shape his perspective on life. Tony has continued to build his resume as his screenplay “Dollar Party” won the Act Up! Screenwriters competition at the Hip Hop Film Festival in 2018. In the meantime, he continues to hone his craft by working on commercial productions for Superprime Films producing commercials for brands such as; Nike, Chase Bank, NFL, and Fox Sports.
Producer
Rui Xu is an LA-based producer and PMP® certified professional dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices. Her films have premiered at Cannes, Venice, and Marseille, earning critical acclaim. She co-leads Chinese in Entertainment, supporting emerging Chinese heritage talent, and holds master’s degrees from NYU and CalArts. Rui is a producing fellow with Film Independent Project Involve, Spotlight Dorado, and a PGA CREATE finalist.
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Producer
Monique Curry is a producer, writer, and entertainment attorney. She negotiates talent and production deals for high-budget television projects and advises on key creative and business decisions from development through delivery for major motion picture studios such as Marvel Studios. She’s also provided strategic counsel to clients including the NFL and the Women's Tennis Association. As a writer, her work has earned multiple screenwriting accolades.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Wither is a story I carry deeply as a father—
The fear of losing my child to a system that doesn’t always understand love. This fear of having a child taken away over a medical misunderstanding is a reality for many families, one that I know firsthand. But this film isn’t just for me—it’s for everyone who has ever been questioned in their care for their child, for those whose love has been misinterpreted. It’s a chance to open the door to a much-needed conversation about how we, as a society, define care, neglect and safety.
Wither
After a medical emergency leads to the separation of her six-year-old twins, a mother in New Orleans has just 72 hours during Mardi Gras to bring them home. Misunderstood and running out of time, she races through the chaos to protect the bond that holds her family together.
Why Me?
This story is more than just fiction. As a father, I know what it’s like to fear that a system could wrongly assess my intentions for my child. It’s a fear that’s very real and it's one I had to address. My personal connection to this film is at its heart: it's my story, the story of people I care deeply about and the experiences of others who’ve lived through this fear.
Why This?
Wither speaks to an issue that isn’t often discussed—how easily a medical misunderstanding can tear a family apart. It’s a conversation that needs to be had now, because the system can—and does—fail families. By telling this story, we shine a light on that failure, while also opening the door for healing and change.
Why Now?
This issue is not theoretical. It’s happening right now. Families continue to face the possibility of having their children taken away for reasons as simple as an incorrect diagnosis. The urgency behind Wither is inescapable. It’s about starting a conversation that will help improve how we, as a society, protect children without misinterpreting love as harm.
Where we are now?
Right now, Wither is in development, with all the key pieces in place: a talented cast and crew who have lived this story. We’ve already secured key locations in New Orleans, where the film’s story is deeply rooted and are ready to begin filming in July. The funds raised here will allow us to complete production, focusing on preserving the authentic New Orleans feel with 16mm film, handheld camerawork and natural lighting. It’s a gritty, immersive approach that mirrors the emotional truth of the film.
When the film is finished, it will be submitted to festivals, aiming to bring this story to a wider audience and continue the conversation. Our goal is not just to tell a story, but to use the film as a tool for change—starting with our communities and hopefully, reaching policymakers who can help shape the future of these policies.
If we exceed our funding goal, we’ll be able to enhance the post-production process, including sound design and color correction, to give the film a polished, professional finish that will help it stand out in festival circles and beyond.
Calls to Action
This is where you come in. Your support will help bring this important story to life and ensure that families have the tools to fight back when the system fails them. Here’s how you can help:
- Pledge: Your donation helps us fund everything from locations to film stock to post-production.
- Follow: Stay connected with us for behind-the-scenes updates and progress. Every follower helps us grow our community.
- Share: Spread the word about Wither and help us amplify the conversation around medical neglect. Here’s a message you can use to share:
- "A parent’s love shouldn’t be questioned by the system. Support Wither, a film that confronts the devastating impact of medical neglect. Help us raise awareness and start the conversation.”
Your contribution isn’t just to a film—it’s to a movement toward change. Let’s make sure these families are seen and heard.
How You Can Help
Your support will help us complete Wither and provide crucial resources for families in need. Here’s how you can make a difference:
- Donate: Your contributions will help fund the production of Wither and ensure that a portion of the funds, matched by producers, are allocated to legal aid for families facing separation and working toward reunification.
- Support Families: The funds raised through the producer's personal match commitment will be used to support organizations providing legal counseling, emotional support and reunification services for families.
- Spread the Word: Share our campaign to raise awareness of the challenges faced by families dealing with separation. Your voice can inspire action and create a ripple effect of support.
How Your $15,000 Donation Will Be Used
100% will go directly toward completing Wither, covering production costs like crew wages, equipment rentals, 16mm film stock and processing, editing, sound, score, color and final festival prep. This ensures we bring the story to life with care, craft and the cinematic quality it deserves.
Follow Us
Visit our official website www.withermovie.com for more information.
Join us in telling the story of Wither—a story that could change the conversation around parental rights and systemic change.
Why Logan Jackson Is the Perfect Director for Wither
Logan Jackson’s voice as a filmmaker is deeply personal, visually striking and emotionally resonant—qualities that Wither demands. This story isn’t just close to his heart—it echoes lived experiences, real fears and urgent questions he’s carried as a father and an artist. Logan knows what it means to love and protect a child in a world that can misread that love.
And through his award-winning body of work, he’s proven time and again that he can translate that depth of emotion into unforgettable, human stories.
This film requires more than technical skill—it needs someone with sensitivity, tenacity and vision. Logan brings all three.
Logan Jackson – Key Affiliations
- Film Independent’s Project Involve Directors Track alum
- Selected for Warner Bros. Discovery TV Directing Program
- Semi-finalist, NBCU TV Directing Program
- Alumni of the Rideback Rise Circle for his feature film script
- Selected for Ryan Murphy’s Half Initiative Shadow Program on ABC’s 9-1-1
Logan Jackson – Awards & Recognition
- Emerging Director Award, 2020 American Black Film Festival (Oscar-qualifying)
- Best United States Short Film Award, Palm Springs International ShortFest for My Hero
- Special Jury Nominee, Nashville International Film Festival for My Hero
- Grand Jury Prize Nominee, Nashville Film Festival for My Hero
- Films screened at over 50+ festivals worldwide, including SXSW, LA Shorts, Toronto Black Film Festival, Flickerfest and New Orleans Film Festival
- SXSW 2023 Grand Jury Award Nominee for Leonetty
- Multiple honors at Oscar-qualifying festivals, including Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival and HollyShorts
- Directed The Bluest Hour, which premiered at the 2024 Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival
With Wither, Logan brings all of this experience to bear—merging craft with purpose to tell a story that matters.
Now Is the Time—Help Bring Wither to Life
We’re in a crucial window to raise the funds needed to make Wither a reality. This isn’t just a film—it’s a call for compassion, awareness and meaningful conversation around how we treat families caught in moments of vulnerability.
Your support helps us get there. It helps us shoot in New Orleans, on 16mm, with authenticity and care. It helps us finish this film the way it deserves to be finished.
If you believe in the power of family, in the urgency of justice and in the ability of art to spark healing—this is your moment.
✨ Stretch Goals
- $20,000 – Post-Production Polish
Elevate the final product with:
- Professional sound design & mixing
- Color correction & grading
- DCP creation for festivals and theatrical screenings
- $30,000 – Community Screenings + Access Initiatives
- Host free community screenings in New Orleans and LA
- Provide discussion guides and educational materials to community groups and advocates
- Begin outreach to policy changemakers and legal aid orgs
- $40,000 – Festival Run + Industry Outreach
- Submit to major festivals (Sundance, Tribeca, ABFF, etc.)
- Design and produce a festival-ready press kit and impact trailer
- Hire a publicist for key festivals to boost visibility and reviews
- $60,000 – Advocacy & Action Grant
- Launch a Wither Impact Grant: a micro-fund (from campaign matching funds, not nonprofit status) supporting one verified family advocacy organization
- Backers receive a transparency and impact report post-campaign
Back the campaign. Spread the word. Be part of the movement.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Publicist
Costs $3,000
In order to reach as many people as possible we need a publicist to stay with us from now through our festival run.
Lighting Package
Costs $5,000
2x ARRI SkyPanels $2.4K, Aputure 300D $400, Litepanels $800, C-stands $80, flags $300, power $100
Wardrobe and Props
Costs $300
Things we need: Gold fish and bowl, floral dress, unique men's coat, locket, 2 birthday cakes, toothbrushes, antique mirror.
Cast + Crew Accomodations
Costs $1,200
This will ensure our cast and crew have comfortable accommodations for the duration of production.
Share this update!
About This Team
Writer/Director
Logan Jackson, winner of the Emerging Director Award at ABFF, earned Best U.S. Short Film at Palm Springs and a Grand Jury nomination at SXSW for Leonetty. Recognized by Film Independent and Warner Bros., his work continues to receive global acclaim.
Producer
Eboni Robinson Norwood, a former entertainment lawyer turned producer, has worked on The Changeling (Apple TV) and Searching for Soul Food (Hulu). As an Executive at The SpringHill Company, she empowered underrepresented voices. Co-founder of UNLEARN Productions, she aims to shift global perspectives through mission-driven films.
Producer
Chyna Robinson, an award-winning writer, director, and producer, has won multiple Best Director and Best Film accolades. Her debut feature, No Ordinary Love, was named one of 2021's "Biggest Summer Movies" by USA Today. She was featured at ABFF and SXSW.
Producer
Tony Chennault, in 2014, Tony won “Best Director” at the Ekiah Film Festival. His Philadelphia roots have allowed him to have a wide range of experiences that help shape his perspective on life. Tony has continued to build his resume as his screenplay “Dollar Party” won the Act Up! Screenwriters competition at the Hip Hop Film Festival in 2018. In the meantime, he continues to hone his craft by working on commercial productions for Superprime Films producing commercials for brands such as; Nike, Chase Bank, NFL, and Fox Sports.
Producer
Rui Xu is an LA-based producer and PMP® certified professional dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices. Her films have premiered at Cannes, Venice, and Marseille, earning critical acclaim. She co-leads Chinese in Entertainment, supporting emerging Chinese heritage talent, and holds master’s degrees from NYU and CalArts. Rui is a producing fellow with Film Independent Project Involve, Spotlight Dorado, and a PGA CREATE finalist.
Producer
Monique Curry is a producer, writer, and entertainment attorney. She negotiates talent and production deals for high-budget television projects and advises on key creative and business decisions from development through delivery for major motion picture studios such as Marvel Studios. She’s also provided strategic counsel to clients including the NFL and the Women's Tennis Association. As a writer, her work has earned multiple screenwriting accolades.