Student Film Competition

Meet the Director and his intentions for this film

Hello, I'm Matthew Cotom, a filmmaker based in Los Angeles. I am grateful to have been accepted into an online filmmaking program called Frieze. As part of this program, students are educated on the fundamentals of filmmaking and motivated to produce their creative visions.

As an up-and-coming Director/Writer this opportunity means so much to me as it will give me the chance to add another personal project to my portfolio. I am so blessed to be working with my long-time and great creative friend, Erick Grajeda who will be shooting this project with me.

The funds we raise through this campaign will be utilized to cover our production costs (camera rentals and lighting, grip truck and driver, craft services, production design expenses, location, compliance officers, and safety costs). Our crew is comprised of talented up-and-coming filmmakers. We have both become increasingly passionate about making this film since the beginning of the covid pandemic. With this film, we intend to bring appropriate POC representation into the film community and we aim to accomplish this goal by casting and hiring a full POC crew. Through our project, we hope to promote diversity in the film industry and emphasize the importance of having our people represented.

Project Synopsis

In my film "He Died of An Illness Called Life," a young child's journey is guided by the theme of courage. The child goes through the stages of life but greatly reflects on the reality of courage and memory. An unbreakable bond is ripped apart as a sorrowful moment blurs the line between past and future.

Please Share Our Story!

Our team greatly appreciates your support of our film, even spreading the word can help us take another step forward in our careers. Your contribution will help us enhance the comfort and security of our production by improving the quality of the set. Thank you for taking the time to read our message, spread the word, and please remember no contribution is too small!!