Sonder Short Film

Logline:

On the verge of divorce, an estranged couple fight to be seen as individuals in their relationship as they revisit shared memories.

Synopsis:

Anthony and Alex have only been married a year, but their relationship has already grown strained. Anthony works long hours to support them, but frequently returns to an empty home; Alex’s pursuit of her acting dream has rapidly absorbed her free time, and though Anthony used to be supportive, his enthusiasm has withered and died.

After an intense argument makes them realize that things aren’t working, the couple visits moments from their past. Each moment prompts new arguments, forcing them to discuss the problems that they’ve been too afraid to bring up.

Crowdfunding:

We are grateful for all of the support we have received so far. Now we are raising the final $12,000. Every single contribution helps elevate the quality of our work, and we appreciate it more than we can say.

Here’s how we plan to spend the funds:

Production: 10%

Art & Locations: 30%

Talent: 15%

Food, Lodging & Travel: 35%

Post-Production: 10%

Incentives:

Pick a tier, contribute, receive the incentive when Production starts!

$15 - Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Access

-Private link to BTS photos, rehearsal clips, and production updates

$30 - Digital Thank You + Film Poster (Digital)

-Personalized digital thank-you card from the team

-Digital High-res digital film poster

-Includes all previous tiers

$50 - Sonder-Inspired Playlist

-A curated Spotify playlist inspired by the characters’ journey (can be moody, romantic, nostalgic, etc.)

-Comes with a brief note about why each song fits.

$75 - "Marriage Advice" from the Characters

-A short, sarcastic or heartfelt piece of advice from Anthony or Alex (in character).

-Delivered as a graphic or handwritten note.

$150 - Polaroid from Set

-A limited number of real or printed "polaroid-style" snapshots from the set with a handwritten caption.

-Could show cast, behind-the-scenes, or even “memories” from the characters' past.

$500 - Producer Pack

-“Associate Producer” credit

-Access to a live Q&A or virtual screening with cast & crew

-Includes all previous tiers

Director’s Statement:

Over the course of recent history, the world of dating, marriage, and relationships has seen a significant shift. Centuries ago, marriage at a young age was expected, even encouraged, and life commitments were taken very seriously. Today, there has been much discourse over what a healthy relationship actually looks like. Is marriage necessary? Can people experiment with different partners? Is it even worth dating seriously at all when so many people cause pain for others or have been hurt themselves? These questions seem particularly common in my own generation (Gen Z)– Sonder is my definitive take on them.

Yes, you can commit to one person, and while it may seem difficult, it can be worth it if both people are willing to put in the effort to grow together. As I like to say, it takes two to tango; if either person refuses to try, then the dance is forfeit, but if they both put their best foot forward, then they will create magic.

Sonder is unlike any film I have made before. In the past, I have experimented with different genres, making movies such as Burden (2023, family drama), Wataté (2023, family comedy) and The In-Between (2025, coming-of-age horror). With Sonder, I aim to make my most mature film yet– one about an estranged couple who fight to be seen as individuals in their relationship by revisiting their shared memories (literally). It is a magical realist romance-drama meant to instill hope in the hopeless romantic.

While romance as a genre is new to me, it serves as an opportunity to speak my mind on love. Perhaps I am too young to speak on such a thing, but I argue that my generation is in need of belief– belief in unity, belief in romance. I believe that love is worth the risk, and others should, too. My characters, Anthony and Alex, have a troubled romance. I invite you to join them as they rediscover each other through a reflection on their past, rekindling their love in the process.

Thank you!

When you give, you’re not just donating, you're joining us. You’re saying yes to a story that matters, and your belief in what we’re creating drives us forward. We’re truly honored to have you on this journey. Thank you from all of us for believing in Sonder.

Want to stay in the loop? Follow us on social media for updates, sneak peeks, and behind-the-scenes content. You don’t want to miss what we have in store.

@sonder_short_film