Good Fortune Island
Donation protected
Good Fortune Island Short film - Raising awareness about children affected by the Fukushima Disaster
Film Synopsis
This is a story about a boy from Fukushima who is invited into the enchanted world of Australia. The magic is not just about playing outside without the fear of radiation but finding a new way to see the world.
FACTS
On March 3, 2011 an earthquake and tsuami hit the coast of Fukushima, causing one of the worst nuclear disasters since Chenobyl. The eventual death toll from just the earthquake and tsunami alone, was in excess of 15,000 with close to 3,000 missing.
Due to the earthquake, the Fukushima Daichi nuclear power plant was damaged suffering a meltdown. Many residents were affected by the disaster, especially the children.
The number of people affected by nuclear related illness is still unknown.
Many of the children and adults still in the province of Fukushima affected by diaster, are living in areas that are deemed to have a ‘tolerable’ level of radiation to the human system. Many children in these areas have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
Children cannot go outside and lead a normal kid’s life, because of the radiation levels, and as a result suffer not only from physical issues, but mental health issues.
Many non profit organisations have been set up to help the children, such as assisting these children to go to non radioactive areas, so they can play outside, eat fresh food and enjoy being children.
Our short film 'Good Fortune Island' hopes to bring awareness of the struggles these children face. ‘Good Fortune Island’ is a short film, that is not only aimed at presenting an entertaining story, that touches the heart but also to raise awareness of the very important issues regarding the children of Fukushima.
We intend to enter ‘Good Fortune Island’ into film festivals, suitable for its genre (such as ‘Heart of Gold' International film festival in QLD and ‘Global Issues International Film Festival’ in the UK).
'Good Fortune Island,' will focus not on the politics of the disaster, but on the human side.
Principle filming will take place on the first weekend of October 2016.
LOCATION
'Good Fortune Island' will be filmed in Northern NSW in Bryon Bay. The tranquil rainforest setting will also serve as a complete contrast to the familiar images of tsunami-destroyed Fukushima. It will give a deeper meaning to the concept of ‘good fortune island,’ and make the characters and viewers believe that anything is possible.
CORE CREW
Jade Hassett (Director)
Jade Hassett is a film director based on the Gold Coast. Having directed three independent Australian feature films, Jade is a graduate of the Griffith film school and has done freelance work for several production companies in Brisbane for film and television work.
Having always been technically proficient when it came to creative visions of projects since she was little, Jade has worked in the last few years, towards her goal of becoming a director. Having been admitted as a lawyer to the Queensland Supreme Court in 2008, Jade left behind a career in law to focus on becoming a film and television director. Jade is accredited on Internet Movie Database (the premier industry film and television directory as director).
Jade’s credits as a director includes ‘Radio Treason,’ a feature film set during the Second World War in Australia and Japan, due for release this year, the gritty family drama ‘Tomorrow,’ and the horror thriller ‘Alice.’
Gemma Hassett (Writer / Producer)
Gemma is a writer and producer based on the Gold Coast and sister to Jade Hassett. Having been a writer her entire life, Gemma found during film school that she had the ability to be a film producer as well. Finding that producing compliments her writing, Gemma has produced and written three independent feature films ‘Radio Treason,’ ‘Tomorrow,’ and ‘Alice.’
Having been admitted as a lawyer too, to the Queensland Supreme Court in 2008, Gemma left the legal industry to focus on becoming a screenwriter and producer and is accredited on Internet Movie Database.
Gemma was approached by Saya about the Fukushima disaster, and if there was potential to turn this tragic event into a screenplay. Knowing very little about the Fukushima disaster, Gemma has found the research quite disturbing and tragic.
‘Good Fortune Island’ will focus not on the politics of the disaster, but on the human side and the resilience of the survivors of the Fukushima disaster. Her aim is to put a face to the tragedy and bring awareness to the wider community.
Saya Minami (Actor / Producer)
Saya Minami is a Japanese actress based in Mullumbimby in the Bryon Shire. Born and raised in Tokyo, Saya has been living in Australia for seven years. During this time, Saya has acted in several Australian independent feature films and short films.
In 2014, Saya was cast as the lead role of Midori, in the U.S feature film ‘Midori In Hawaii,’ which screened at the Hawaii International Film Festival in 2015 and nominated for best narrative award.
Saya’s other credits include a lead role in the Australian independent feature film ‘Radio Treason,’ set in wartime in Australia and Japan, love interest of the lead character in the family drama ‘Tomorrow,’ and the victim of a killer in the horror/thriller feature film ‘Alice’ (2016).
Besides her acting, Saya has been involved with the welfare and support of the children of Fukushima who are affected by nuclear related diseases after the nuclear factory disaster at the Fukushima Dai-chi power plant.
It has been Saya’s dream to have a film made about the children of Fukushima since 2011. ‘Good Fortune Island’ is Saya’s first foray into producing.
FUNDING
All of the crew and cast have donated their time to help on this film, as they believe this is a story that needs to be told.
How funding will be spent:
Every single dollar raised for this film, will straight towards the production. Monies raised will go to cover the following:
- Accommodation
- Catering
- Production design
- insurance
If you cannot donate monetarily, sharing the link to the film will help enourmously.
This has been a five year goal to bring the story of the children affected by the Fukushima disaster to life.
Please help us bring this to life.
Film Synopsis
This is a story about a boy from Fukushima who is invited into the enchanted world of Australia. The magic is not just about playing outside without the fear of radiation but finding a new way to see the world.
FACTS
On March 3, 2011 an earthquake and tsuami hit the coast of Fukushima, causing one of the worst nuclear disasters since Chenobyl. The eventual death toll from just the earthquake and tsunami alone, was in excess of 15,000 with close to 3,000 missing.
Due to the earthquake, the Fukushima Daichi nuclear power plant was damaged suffering a meltdown. Many residents were affected by the disaster, especially the children.
The number of people affected by nuclear related illness is still unknown.
Many of the children and adults still in the province of Fukushima affected by diaster, are living in areas that are deemed to have a ‘tolerable’ level of radiation to the human system. Many children in these areas have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
Children cannot go outside and lead a normal kid’s life, because of the radiation levels, and as a result suffer not only from physical issues, but mental health issues.
Many non profit organisations have been set up to help the children, such as assisting these children to go to non radioactive areas, so they can play outside, eat fresh food and enjoy being children.
Our short film 'Good Fortune Island' hopes to bring awareness of the struggles these children face. ‘Good Fortune Island’ is a short film, that is not only aimed at presenting an entertaining story, that touches the heart but also to raise awareness of the very important issues regarding the children of Fukushima.
We intend to enter ‘Good Fortune Island’ into film festivals, suitable for its genre (such as ‘Heart of Gold' International film festival in QLD and ‘Global Issues International Film Festival’ in the UK).
'Good Fortune Island,' will focus not on the politics of the disaster, but on the human side.
Principle filming will take place on the first weekend of October 2016.
LOCATION
'Good Fortune Island' will be filmed in Northern NSW in Bryon Bay. The tranquil rainforest setting will also serve as a complete contrast to the familiar images of tsunami-destroyed Fukushima. It will give a deeper meaning to the concept of ‘good fortune island,’ and make the characters and viewers believe that anything is possible.
CORE CREW
Jade Hassett (Director)
Jade Hassett is a film director based on the Gold Coast. Having directed three independent Australian feature films, Jade is a graduate of the Griffith film school and has done freelance work for several production companies in Brisbane for film and television work.
Having always been technically proficient when it came to creative visions of projects since she was little, Jade has worked in the last few years, towards her goal of becoming a director. Having been admitted as a lawyer to the Queensland Supreme Court in 2008, Jade left behind a career in law to focus on becoming a film and television director. Jade is accredited on Internet Movie Database (the premier industry film and television directory as director).
Jade’s credits as a director includes ‘Radio Treason,’ a feature film set during the Second World War in Australia and Japan, due for release this year, the gritty family drama ‘Tomorrow,’ and the horror thriller ‘Alice.’
Gemma Hassett (Writer / Producer)
Gemma is a writer and producer based on the Gold Coast and sister to Jade Hassett. Having been a writer her entire life, Gemma found during film school that she had the ability to be a film producer as well. Finding that producing compliments her writing, Gemma has produced and written three independent feature films ‘Radio Treason,’ ‘Tomorrow,’ and ‘Alice.’
Having been admitted as a lawyer too, to the Queensland Supreme Court in 2008, Gemma left the legal industry to focus on becoming a screenwriter and producer and is accredited on Internet Movie Database.
Gemma was approached by Saya about the Fukushima disaster, and if there was potential to turn this tragic event into a screenplay. Knowing very little about the Fukushima disaster, Gemma has found the research quite disturbing and tragic.
‘Good Fortune Island’ will focus not on the politics of the disaster, but on the human side and the resilience of the survivors of the Fukushima disaster. Her aim is to put a face to the tragedy and bring awareness to the wider community.
Saya Minami (Actor / Producer)
Saya Minami is a Japanese actress based in Mullumbimby in the Bryon Shire. Born and raised in Tokyo, Saya has been living in Australia for seven years. During this time, Saya has acted in several Australian independent feature films and short films.
In 2014, Saya was cast as the lead role of Midori, in the U.S feature film ‘Midori In Hawaii,’ which screened at the Hawaii International Film Festival in 2015 and nominated for best narrative award.
Saya’s other credits include a lead role in the Australian independent feature film ‘Radio Treason,’ set in wartime in Australia and Japan, love interest of the lead character in the family drama ‘Tomorrow,’ and the victim of a killer in the horror/thriller feature film ‘Alice’ (2016).
Besides her acting, Saya has been involved with the welfare and support of the children of Fukushima who are affected by nuclear related diseases after the nuclear factory disaster at the Fukushima Dai-chi power plant.
It has been Saya’s dream to have a film made about the children of Fukushima since 2011. ‘Good Fortune Island’ is Saya’s first foray into producing.
FUNDING
All of the crew and cast have donated their time to help on this film, as they believe this is a story that needs to be told.
How funding will be spent:
Every single dollar raised for this film, will straight towards the production. Monies raised will go to cover the following:
- Accommodation
- Catering
- Production design
- insurance
If you cannot donate monetarily, sharing the link to the film will help enourmously.
This has been a five year goal to bring the story of the children affected by the Fukushima disaster to life.
Please help us bring this to life.
Organizer
Gemma Hassett
Organizer
Upper Coomera QLD
