Fundraising Project
What if you lived in a world claiming inclusivity and acceptance while society quietly shunned you every day of your life? What if you’re offered minimal program outlets to express yourself, but still it takes extraordinary effort to reach small heights compared to the majority? What if you possess the beauty and possibilities that one could bring into the world, but it’s forever locked into a limited and distorted body?
Depending on the environment, each of us can experience some level of invisibility or unacceptance. We live in a competitive society that demands we prove ourselves every day. Our story is about "unlocking" your full potential despite impossible limitations!
“I Want To Hear My Voice” is a 30 minute narrative film inspired by a charming and creative woman named Viktoryia from South Brooklyn, New York. Viktoryia has three challenging conditions: she’s an immigrant from Ukraine, she has big dreams, and... she has cerebral palsy.
The script was a finalist of New Works Lab writer's collective at New York Women in Film and Television in 2020 (
https://www.nywift.org ) and was a part of the NYWIFT Annual Showcase. Two actors with cerebral palsy performed in the main and principal roles along with 150 virtual audience members in attendance.
WHY
Why Viktoryia? How did she become the inspiration for this short film? Why do we, her friends, think this movie is special?
Despite her challenges, Viktoryia dares to live life to the fullest and help those with a similar story. Her paramount achievement is founding Para Arts Foundation (
https://www.paraart.org) with the mission to provide a platform for disabled people with artistic inclinations to express their talents while addressing their special needs. Viktoryia is also a great artist in her own right and a benefactor to fellow classmates with disabilities in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
The journey of Viktoriya's determination, breakdowns, and hopes are an emotional rollercoaster with a powerful life affirming message. Our wish is for the audience to see a million magnificent possibilities within themselves and others beyond societal validations such as physical perfection, power, awards, social or financial status. With your help and support we will bring this movie to life!
UNIQUENESS
Among a handful of narrative movies that deal with physically challenged people as the main character only very few explore cerebral palsy. Almost none cast actors with cerebral palsy in a leading role.
So, in that sense our project is absolutely rare.
WHAT WE NEED
This film is extensive and challenging. The story we want to tell requires more location, actors and days of shooting than the average low budget short film. We also have to ensure everyone’s safety, having extra crew members such asattendants that will help our lead and principal actors who have cerebral palsy. We’re seeking to raise 45K. It will cover 9-10 days of basic production costs. (See chart below.) The budget is based on a 5k per day shooting schedule, which is considered a minimum budget for a professional independent film set in NYC.
We are driven by faith in this story and passion, not monetary gain. This modest but sufficient budget would help to minimize the stress of the production so things will be smooth and safe.
No donation is too small!! Any amount will help us move forward.
HOW TO HELP
SHARE This campaign with everyone you know and all social media platforms! Use the GoFund Me share tools.
DONATE If you can! The project is affiliated with 501 (3)(c) non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible.
JOIN Be a part of the crew, support with in kind donations, or help with suggesting locations.
Examples of OUR THANKS TO YOU:
All donations are Tax Deductible (*Your donation amount will include all examples that precedes it.)
$25 - ‘Thank You’ film credit.
$50 - Behind the scene photos
$100 - Unique digital postcard w/Vika Gorelik’s painting and poem
$250 - Extra in the movie (please let us if interested), private link to the film
$500 - Tour the set (please let us know)
$1000 - Donor business shout out on social media/websites of the crew members and ParArts Foundation, Inc . (*you will need to provide your weblink)
$2000 informal cocktail meeting with Director and Producers team.
$5000 - Welcome to the team! Co-Producer credit, our brilliant photographer Aksinia Abiagam,
www.fotorumm.com will volunteer up to 90 minutes on person portrait session (NYC only)
And... hey, you never know :), $10,000 - everything above + EXECUTIVE PRODUCER credit!
WHO ARE WE
Pictured here from left to right:
Vika Gorelik/Victoria (Lead) , an Ukraine born artist who has cerebral palsy and resides in NYC.
Wyonna Rutledge (Co-Producer) , a producer and writer based in NY.
Johana Rodriguez (Associate Producer) , a Colombian born actress and producer based in NY
Special Thanks for pitch video support to :
Irma Veller, media/ tech
Location support: Rita Ioffe
Jewish Center of Brighton Beach
Mission Statement
Para Arts Foundation's mission is to encourage people with disabilities to express themselves through multiple forms of arts such as literature (poetry and prose), painting, comedy, music, fashion, dance, video and photography. We want to establish unique database of talented people, unknown to the world and give them opportunity to be recognized and also financially rewarded/ supported for their work.