Beso Ajeno (an NYU Student Thesis Film)

LOGLINE: After realizing infidelity exists within her relationship, a young immigrant mother must decide if she wants to navigate a new environment all alone or accept her harsh reality.

SYNOPSIS: After her mother falls ill, Altagracia emigrates to

New York from the Dominican Republic alongside her

unfaithful husband Gabriel in search of a better life, only to find America is anything but. She works long hours, and her husband Is rarely home to help support her child. After planning her son’s birthday family portraits,

Gabriel does not show up. Later that night, he

comes home intoxicated and lays his hand on her. It

is then that she decides that single motherhood is

better than the illusion of a perfect nuclear family unit and she must continue on her own.

DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT: Growing up, I never met my biological grandfather. It was something that had been kept a secret from me until I was around 8 years old. He left her shortly

after giving birth to their first son. This short film is a love letter to my grandmother and a testimony of her strength. I wanted to use this project as an opportunity to not only honor her but also highlight strong female protagonists in film.

Fundraising Goals:

Beso Ajeno's will be a multi-location three-day shoot. $5,500 allows us to make our vision more obtainable. Since this is a period piece we want to be able to tell the most authentic version of this film. We want the audience to feel the nostalgia of New York during the late 90s/early 2000s. Outside of our creative goals, $5,500 will allow us camera equipment and gear, feed our crew, and transportation.

Your financial contributions will be the world to use, and believe us a little goes a long way. If you can not give right now, sharing this fundraiser with other friends, family, and colleagues will also help us spread the word and get more donations.

Incentives

Your support is appreciated and will be recognized! Below are some rewards that will come when you donate:

$10-IG Shout Out

$25- Added to Beso Ajeno Close Friends with live updates

$45-90s/2000s Latin Playlist curated by our team

$60-Exclusive Behind The Scenes Photos

$75-Signed script from our Director

$150-Special Thanks in Credits

$200-Special Thank You Package signed by the director + Tickets to Film premiere

$500- All of the Above

$1,375-Associate Producer

For More Information and updates follow our Instagram!

Beso Ajeno Instagram

About the Team

Director:

Katelyn Contreras is an emerging Dominican American filmmaker and sophomore at NYU studying Film and TV Production. She is an alumnus of the prestigious Ghetto Film School and an NYU Future Artist Scholars member. Her first short film, “Kingdom Come” won a Special Grand Jury Prize at the Landmark Theater. Her goal in the industry is to tell stories that amplify underrepresented voices and uplift women in film.

Producers:



Taliyah Whitaker is a current NYU Tisch School of Arts Undergraduate Film and Television Program student. Taliyah has worked in front and behind the camera as an actress, director, writer, and producer. As an filmmaker, she uses her passion for producing to elevate stories highlighting stories of people of color across the diaspora.

Director Of Photographer:



Ariana Marie Luque is a cinematographer based in NY, from The Bronx. She is a Ghetto Film School Alumna and is currently studying Film/TV Production at New York University Tisch School of the Arts. Her goal is to amplify stories from underrepresented communities and diversify the entertainment industry behind the camera. Ariana also has experience working abroad, most recently as the camera operator on a short independent film in Iceland. Previously, she has also shot in Italy and Puerto Rico. She has worked with major studios like Amazon Prime, Walt Disney, and Paramount under the production departments.

Casting Director:

Akira Golz is a Sophomore in Film and Television at Tisch School of the arts. With years of experience in front of the camera she’s excited to be apart of Beso Ajeno in pre- production, helping to tell under represented stories.