Fund A Heartfelt Father-Daughter Film

"Even if two people have been estranged for years, a father and daughter reconnecting can be like looking in the mirror." - "Half Full, Half Empty" by Lily Clayton Hansen, Award-winning Screenwriter, Producer & Actor

I am a four-time author, actor, and filmmaker who has translated 17 years of writing experience into making heartfelt, societally conscious films.

Today, I am raising money for my new short film "Half Full, Half Empty," right on the tail of my award-winning short Snowflake, which recently picked up two Telly Awards for "Best Narrative" and "Best Director." I am confident that, similar to "Snowflake," this film will fill an underserved niche in the filmmaking canon (father-daughter stories) and touch people who can relate to its core message of family values.

"Half Full, Half Empty" explores the story of a father and daughter, Jeff and Sarah, who reconnect on a road trip after spending many years apart. Convinced that being trapped in a car together is the only way they can sort out their past, Sarah scoops up her father, who rarely leaves his neighborhood, to drive with her to California. In this brief yet poignant trip, the two delve down memory lane, tackling Sarah’s feelings of abandonment and the true reason Jeff couldn’t step up to the parental plate. Touching, gritty, and grounded with moments of levity, they quickly realize they are much more similar than they appear. 

This short film underscores the importance of parental relationships and how a lack thereof can create a host of issues later on in life. By showing a father and daughter fearlessly trying to figure out where they stand as adults, “Half Full Half Empty” encourages the idea that forgiveness is possible if both parties are willing to accept one another’s shortcomings.

At a time when society is openly speaking about the correlation between a child’s ability to flourish and their foundation, I hope to place an emphasis on the hearth and parents prioritizing being a consistent, nurturing force in their family. Above all, I aim to inspire anyone with a broken family bond to realize reconciliation is possible if both people are courageous enough to have open, honest conversations. Wherever the deck falls, facing someone who has hurt you deeply will set you free.

This film will appeal to children who have grown up aware of generational trauma and new parents who want to prevent unhealthy patterns from recurring. “Half Full Half Empty” will speak to anyone self-aware enough to understand the ripple effect that childhood has on the rest of our lives.

All funds will go towards the production of this film, which will be shot in Tennessee and feature all local talent and crew.

Read more about Lily Clayton Hansen here