What happens when a 16-year-old ballerina directs a horror film? This campaign brings to life The Final Variation, a horror short by rising British filmmaker Nia Matthews, alongside a feature-length documentary about its making. With teens leading the creative charge and adults supporting from the sidelines, this project isn’t just about making a scary movie, it’s about empowering young voices in horror. Support us, and help a new generation of creators terrify the world.

What?

Hi! I’m Xanthe, a PhD student and filmmaker. When people hear me say, “I research children’s horror,” the first reaction is usually, “Wait… what?!” Children’s horror is exactly what it sounds like: films aimed at young audiences, like Frankenweenie, Gremlins, or Wendell & Wild. But my main passion is even stranger (and scarier): children who make horror films themselves.

Yes, they exist! An iconic example is Emily Hagins, who directed a full zombie feature at just 12-years-old and is now released on Blu-ray by Vinegar Syndrome. Kids making horror isn’t just possible… it’s extraordinary.

This GoFundMe fuels a two-part project:

Why?

My love for amplifying young voices in horror began with the Kindergeist Podcast, which I co-hosted with my niece when she was 12. We discovered something fascinating: kids overwhelmingly prefer horror meant for adults, and dismiss so-called “kid-friendly horror” as “too tame” or “not scary enough.”

This project gives young creators the chance to flip the script… literally! Instead of adults deciding what children’s horror “should” be, teens are leading the way. My goal is to give them the tools, space, and autonomy to prove just how imaginative, capable, and yes, terrifying, their visions can be.

When?

Filming begins Halloween week in Birmingham, UK. Because when else would you start a horror film?

Who?

The crew is a mix of young adults and teens, but make no mistake, the teens are in the main creative roles: director, cinematographer, editor, and more. This is an international collaboration between University of Birmingham UK and independent US companies Bloody Rainbow Productions and Blind Salamander Films. We are seeking sponsors so please reach out if you'd like to be more involved!

Biographies

Xanthe Pajarillo (Producer, Documentary Director)

Xanthe is a Birmingham UK and Los Angeles US based PhD student, director, writer, and podcaster. She holds an MFA from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and a BFA from CalArts, with industry experience at Fangoria, HBO, Will and Jada Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment, and Michel Gondry’s Partizan. At University of Birmingham, she researches children’s opinions of horror and children who create horror films. She appeared in Shudder’s In Search of Darkness III and was a semi-finalist in Issa Rae and HBO’s Project Greenlight. Xanthe also co-hosts the Kindergeist Podcast, writes as a freelance film journalist, and is a member of BAFTSS and Veterans in Film and Television, as a U.S. Air Force veteran. www.xanthepajarillo.com

Nia Matthews (Short Film Director)

Nia is a 16-year-old first-time director determined to do justice to her debut short film. A dedicated dancer since the age of three, Nia’s lifelong passion for dance is a driving force behind her project, The Final Variation. Beyond the arts, she is an active anti-bullying advocate and has served on the National Diana Award Youth Board for two years. Her commitment to social issues is reflected in the script through Abby’s experience of class-based discrimination. An avid fan of the horror genre, Nia immerses herself in a wide range of films, drawing inspiration and insight to help guide her first venture behind the camera.

Poppy Anne Williams (Short Film Writer)

Poppy is a 16-year-old actress from Buckinghamshire who discovered her passion for the horror genre after being cast in Never Have I Ever. Following the project, Poppy became increasingly involved in the independent film scene, particularly through FrightFest, where her appreciation for horror continued to grow. Her creative journey has now led her to make her screenwriting debut, after her story idea was selected for The Final Variation. She is thrilled to contribute to this project and to further explore her passion for storytelling within genre films.

Nayva Bhat (Short Film Writer)

Navya Bhat is a Communication Design student from India that loves to create meaningful visual narratives. She provides variety and a fresh perspective to every project, thanks to her curiosity that spans numerous creative sectors, including art, writing, cosplay and design.

Emily Reas (Producer)

Originally from Texas, Emily is an Independent Producer that has produced several projects in her career thus far including the AFF Audience Award Winning feature BEAUTY OF A BLANK SPACE, and notable short films FLOW and BIRDS, BEES, AND THREES which have screened at Oscar-qualifying film festivals. Emily has been part of Women in Film LA’s Peer Mentoring Group, was a second-rounder in 2024's Sundance's Producing Lab and Fellowship, is a Film Independent Member, and co-founded the production group Blind Salamander Films. She currently works as the Productions and Operations Coordinator at the LA-based acting school John D’Aquino’s Actor’s Workshop.

Sophia Dall’Aglio (Producer)

Sophia is an actor, writer and producer based across Cambridge, London and the West Midlands, whose work includes all six seasons of CBBC’s So Awkward, So Awkward Academy and The Cleaner (BBC One). Over the course of her university degree at the Birmingham School of Art, she assisted in the art department on productions such as Waterloo Road and Worzel Gummidge (BBC One), produced networking events for students and upon graduation worked as an Assistant to Birmingham-based Artist Georgia Tucker, creating 4D installations for The Commonwealth Games, RHS Tatton Gardens, The Horniman Museum and Chateau St Martin. This year Sophia has written, produced and directed her debut short film titled Man from Mars, and has previously judged and reviewed shorts for Lift-Off Film Festival, as well as self-publishing a book ‘Moments of Change’ for the Birmingham School of Art.

Our other producers are UK-based Xavier Grehan and US-based Michael Hennesey.

Claudia Capria (Documentary Editor)

Claudia Capria is a Los Angeles-based editor. Their most recent credits are Rosebud, Pastor's Kid and Sorry, Dumpling!. Previous credits include Fancy Dance (starring Lily Gladstone), The Stroll and Surviving R. Kelly. They hold a Masters Degree in Public Policy from Northeastern University and does social justice work where they can, including research, copy editing, and graphic design. They were part of a team working on preliminary research, reports, and exploration of what reparations in Boston, Massachusetts could look like under the guidance of Dr. Ted Landsmark.

Where Does Your Money Go?

We are raising £3,666.00. Your contributions cover the essentials of principal photography:

Will This Actually Get Finished?

Yes! Unlike some crowdfunded films that risk disappearing into the void, this project must be completed as it’s part of my PhD thesis at the University of Birmingham. No film, no degree. And trust me, I’m not giving up my chance to become a Doctor of Horror! The short film and documentary will be submitted in 2027, followed by festival runs.

TL;DR

This isn’t just another horror film. It’s a horror film told through the eyes of a 16-year-old girl from the West Midlands, and the chance to witness the rise of a young auteur. By supporting us, you’re not just funding a film… you’re helping young filmmakers shape the future of horror.