Hello! My name is Hundley Elliotte Jr. and this is the fundraiser for An Appeal to Heaven, a war short film being shot in October as a senior thesis for Western Carolina University. Please consider donating or sharing to make this project possible!

THE STORY

An Appeal to Heaven is set in a near future American Civil War. After a failed siege on the Capital, militia forces were pushed back and scrambled in the Appalachian region. Our story follows a drone recon team comprised of these scattered elements. Deployed in the mountains to coordinate artillery, the team is found and then ruthlessly hunted down by a highly organized and trained Army Special Forces unit. We see both perspectives of the Militia drone team and the Special Forces as they battle through the Appalachian mountains.

CHARACTERS

THE MILITIA

Eric - The squad leader of the militia drone team. With a background in the infantry, he brings calm and focused presence to the battlefield, while haunted by his leadership failures in the past

Preston- The newest member of the team. Coming from the Territory Defense, this will be his first glimpse of combat. He has a lot to prove.

Harper- An experienced drone pilot. Previously flew FPV drones in D.C. before having to leave the unit due to the crushing weight of her father's death in the same battle. Wired on revenge, she is out for blood. Unknowingly a victim to the cycle of violence.

James - A drone operator with humble beginnings. Dedicated to the cause, setting the example of a hard working fighter. He wants nothing more than to keep his community safe.

Russell - Forged in combat operations in Afghanistan and Syria, Russell could never let go of the adrenaline that made him feel alive all those years ago. With war on the home-front, he could not be more ready. Joining the militia to fight the good fight.

US MILITARY

Cpt. Kitsch - A senior Green Beret part of 5th SFG. With over two decades of experience, he's seen it all, from the fall of Saddam to the evacuation of Afghanistan. As commander of TASK FORCE GROWLER, he is responsible for securing the Appalachian region. And after 20 years in the sandbox with nothing to show for it, he wants a win.

INSPIRATIONS

WHY THIS FILM?

An Appeal to Heaven will be an a-political representation of a hypothesized future American civil war, attempting to give viewers a lens into what war in America could look like. This film isn’t about victory or defeat. It's about everyday people like you and me, forced to make impossible choices, and the human bond that flickers even in the darkest places. With raw, intimate performances and grounded, tactical realism, this is a war film that strips away politics to reveal the pain, the fear, and the moments of fragile connection that war leaves behind, serving as a warning for the future. An Appeal to Heaven is built on the backbone of realism, with the brutal setting of the Appalachian mountains serving as the vehicle for visual introspection, using the tragic beauty of nature as a backdrop to violence.

WITH YOUR SUPPORT

While I'm funding a portion of this film out of my own pocket, we are looking for support to acquire the remaining funds needed. With your help, the level of authenticity needed for the vision of this film will be possible, with a majority of the budget going towards the props and costumes for a realistic and purpose-built portrayal of the militia and US forces. The rest of the budget will go towards transportation, feeding the crew, actors, post-production, and festivals.

MEET THE TEAM

HUNDLEY ELLIOTTE JR.

WRITER/DIRECTOR

SPENCER MCGOUGH

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Thank you for checking out my fundraiser and do consider sharing or contributing to the project as any bit helps.