GRIEF Fundraising Campaign
By donating through Stowe Story Labs, a
501c, any donation over $250
will receive a tax receipt.
Don’t need a tax receipt?
Use one of the following:
LGBTQ+ Drama Short Film
Logline:
Following the sudden, suspected suicide of her wife, a grieving widow must navigate the shattering weight of her loss while facing a tense confrontation with her conservative mother-in-law over her late wife's remains.
Synopsis:
The story opens in the deafening silence of a hospital waiting room at 2:00 AM. Clare sits alone, receiving a plastic bag containing the personal effects of her wife, Samantha: a phone, a wallet, and a gold wedding band severed in half. Among the items is a locket containing photos of the couple, which Clare cherishes before leaving the hospital to return to an empty, silent home.
As Clare struggles to cope—flushing Samantha’s antidepressants down the toilet and sleeping in a fetal position—she is bombarded by aggressive text messages from Janice, Samantha’s estranged, conservative mother. Janice, furious that Clare had Samantha cremated, demands possession of the locket.
Through flashbacks, the script reveals the deterioration of Samantha’s mental health, torn between her love for Clare and the pressure from Janice, who weaponized religion to guilt her daughter.
A police report eventually confirms Clare’s worst fears: the brakes were not deployed during the crash, ruling the death a suspected suicide. Clare meets Janice at a hotel, where they argue violently behind soundproof glass.
Later, seeking a resolution, Clare separates Samantha’s ashes into two urns. When Janice arrives at the house, Clare leaves a small urn and the locket on the foyer table for her. Janice takes them and leaves.
Alone once more, Clare locks the door, slides to the floor, and finally breaks the silence with a primal, agonizing scream.
Writer/Director’s Artist Statement:
Through From the Fringe Entertainment, my goal is to craft narratives that amplify underrepresented voices and explore the raw, unfiltered realities of the human experience. Grief is an intensely personal exploration of love, loss, and the devastating intersections of identity and familial expectation. By centering the story on Clare's silent, suffocating mourning and her confrontation with Samantha's fundamentalist mother, the film strips away the polished veneer of grief. It forces us to look at the collateral damage left in the wake of unresolved religious conflict and mental health struggles. This short film is designed to be an intimate, claustrophobic journey that focuses on the quiet moments of a shattered life, ultimately building to a singular, necessary release of emotion.
Donation Tiers and Perks
The "Fan"
Donation Amount: $10 - $99
What’s included:
Social Media Shoutout: A public thank you on social media.
The "Influencer"
Donation Amount: $100 - $249
What’s included:
Digital Download of the Film: A private link to watch the finished movie before it is released publicly.
Everything included in the Fan tier.
The "Enduring Light"
The "In Memoriam" Dedication
Donation Amount: $250 - $999
Grief is a universal experience, and we make art to remember those we have lost. At this level, the donor can dedicate their contribution to the memory of a loved one.
Their name will appear in a special "In Loving Memory" section of the film’s end credits, separate from the standard donor list. This is a beautiful way to immortalize their name on screen and support a story that honors the complexity of loss.
What’s Included:
IMDb Credit: Special Thanks
ON-SCREEN DEDICATION: "In Loving Memory of [Name]" listed in the credits.
SPECIAL DONOR SCREENING: Two tickets to a special donor screening, so you can see their name on the big screen.
Everything included in the Influencer tier.
The "Patron of the Arts"
Donation Amount: $1000 - $9,999
Short films are the purest form of cinematic storytelling, unencumbered by studio mandates. By joining us as an Associate Producer, you are becoming a guardian of this story. You are ensuring that Grief is told with the visual poetry and emotional weight it deserves.
Your contribution allows us to secure top-tier talent and high-end production design, ensuring this film creates a lasting impact on the festival circuit.
What’s Included:
IMDb CREDIT: Official "Associate Producer" credit.
FESTIVAL STRATEGY: You will be included on updates regarding our festival run—when we submit, where we get in, and where we win.
THE SCRIPT: A bound, signed copy of the shooting script.
Everything included in the Enduring Light tier.
The "Fringe Founder’s Circle"
Donation Amount: $10,000+
You are the cornerstone of this production. This level of support goes beyond just making a movie; it is an investment in From the Fringe Entertainment and the voice of the filmmaker.
As Executive Producer, you are making a statement that independent, queer, and emotionally resonant cinema matters. You make it possible for us to pay our cast and crew fair wages and maintain the highest ethical standards on set.
What’s Included:
IMDb CREDIT: Official "Executive Producer" credit.
SINGLE CARD CREDIT: Your name appears alone on screen in the opening sequence.
SET VISIT: Come sit in "Video Village" with the director during the shoot.
Everything included in the Patron of the Arts tier.
