My name is Amir Edwards, and I am a student filmmaker at Columbia College Chicago. I am bringing my short film, Hell’s Door, to life for a class project. Set during a blizzard in the 2000s, Hell’s Door is a thriller about a Black mother and her son who are trapped inside their home while a demonic creature lurks within. Beneath the horror, this film explores deeper themes of race, family, and the toll of toxic pride. The mother’s struggle to protect her son and uphold her family’s legacy in a neighborhood where they’ve faced decades of adversity is at the heart of the story. Through this film, I hope to spark conversations about the pressures of resilience and the importance of letting go to find true happiness.

As both the writer and director, I’m working with a dedicated student crew to make this vision a reality. We’re raising funds to cover essential costs like special effects for the creature, costumes, set design, location fees for a home to film in, and catering for the cast and crew. Our shoot is scheduled for November 14th, so we need support as soon as possible to secure everything in time. One unique challenge we’re facing is finding the right actor to play the mother, as casting non-student or older student actors can be difficult on a student budget.

Every contribution will help us create a film that not only entertains but also sheds light on important social issues. Thank you for supporting student filmmakers and helping us bring Hell’s Door to the screen.