Donate to Little Pieces: A Brooklyn Filmmaker's Debut

Friends and cinema lovers, we're making a movie! This fundraiser will contribute to production costs for our upcoming New York City based short film, Little Pieces.

Little Pieces is the debut film of Brooklyn-based filmmaker Traci Mark, produced by Layne Bell and starring Kota Johan.

The Story

When Alice returns to her late aunt’s New York brownstone to sort through belongings, she uncovers a photo album and postcard that reveal the existence of an uncle she never knew, Gem. As she pieces together his story through photographs and phone calls with her mother, Alice confronts buried emotions and unspoken family truths.

Cast & Crew

Kota Johan (Lead Actor, Alice)

​​Kota Johan is an artist, musician, and breakout acting talent, known for her emotionally grounded and naturalistic performance in Tendaberry, a Sundance Film Festival selection hailed by Variety as a ravishingly lyrical portrait. With a screen presence that is both effortless and deeply human, Kota brings a quiet intensity to the screen that impresses audiences and critics alike.

Traci Mark (Writer & Director)

Traci Mark is a Brooklyn-based filmmaker and media archivist whose work lives at the intersection of storytelling and preservation. She holds degrees in Cinema & Media Studies and Film Preservation, and has worked with institutions like The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and Anthology Film Archives. Traci brings a rare dual perspective to filmmaking - one that bridges the past and present, offering emotionally rich, visually striking narratives grounded in truth.

Matthew Hayes (Cinematographer)

Matthew W. Hayes III believes people deserve to be seen as they truly are. Working across digital and analog cinematography, His work focuses on intimate portraiture, using light and texture to create an emotional connection with the audience. Matthew lives in Brooklyn, NY.

Layne Bell (Producer)

Layne Bell is a visual artist turned film producer with a passion for visual storytelling and a focus on emerging voices. As a producer, Layne thrives in environments that value artistic experimentation, intuition, and emotional honesty. She is hands-on throughout the filmmaking process, frequently stepping into roles beyond the traditional scope of producing to help filmmakers fully realize their visions.

Location

Filmed in the historic West Harlem neighborhood of Hamilton Heights, Little Pieces will be shot in an artists home, featuring artwork that spans generations. The house serves as a character itself and its real-life history will add an authentic layer of texture and meaning to the film.

How to Contribute

★ $50 will buy our New York City based cast and crew morning coffee

★ $100 will rent us a video monitor for our on-set video village

★ $250 will buy wardrobe for our lead actor

★ $500 will contribute to our crew labor, paying a Gaffer for one day

Rewards

All donations will receive a personalized Little Pieces postcard thanking you for your contribution

Any donor contributing $250 or above will be listed in the credits under “Special Thanks”

Thank you all SO MUCH for all of your support!

Any contribution moves us closer to our goal and ensures that we can make the best movie possible while ensuring that our crew is paid fairly and gets the equipment they need. Feel free to spread the word through your networks of friends, family, and movie lovers. It takes a village to make an indie movie, thanks for being that village for us ♥ ♥ ♥