Help Fund "Mutuals": Empower Underrepresented Filmmakers

Support emerging voices in film by backing a project crafted by historically underrepresented filmmakers!

Mutuals is a Wesleyan University senior short film written and directed by Victoria Cornejo

I am a multimedia artist from Queens, New York who uses photography, film, video art, and garment making in order to bring childhood ideations and eccentric narratives to life. Every project presents itself as an opportunity to experiment with a new visual concept, stitch pattern, and group of collaborators.

This film is born from my mind and my heart. It is a project I am excited to make and share with the world about making connections with people in our most vulnerable moments.

For anyone who’s ever had an awkward encounter (let’s face it, who hasn’t), this film is made for you. Find out more about the project and how you can get involved below. This one is for the freaks, the weirdos, the strange, and the embarrassing. If you feel seen, please consider helping to make this dream a reality!

STORY:

Imagine the most embarrassing thing that could ever happen on a first date…you got it? Good. Well something way worse happens on this date that goes horribly wrong, then horribly right…

Ruby craves genuine connection, but tends to live in her head more often than not. A girl determined to see this date through before she overthinks it to death, there’s a bit of Ruby in all of us. Alex, her charming and down-to-earth mutual friend, just wants the evening to go well. Alex is a thoughtful guy who enjoys cooking pasta dinners for girls he really likes…the only girl being Ruby. He wants this date to go well, and this is a weird one.

One night. One awkward situation. One genuine connection.

TEAM:

Mutuals is being brought to life by a dedicated, visionary team of irresistible weirdos. Composed primarily of female filmmakers—an especially underrepresented voice in the industry– our team brings a wealth of diverse perspectives that are too often overlooked in mainstream cinema. Your support is essential, not only to bring this project to completion but also to help these talented filmmakers make their mark in a predominantly male-driven field. Our fantastic crew includes:

Writer and Director - Victoria Cornejo

Assistant Director - Chloe Sears and Jenny Ongele

Director of Photography – Clara Medina

1st Assistant Camera - Norman Slate

Producer - Senica Slaton

Producer – Lilly Thieberg

Producer - Jessica Jara-Williams

Gaffer – Simon Whitus

Best Boy/Key Grip – John McGowan

Sound Mixer – Mo Hagenbuch

Boom Operator – Giovanna Milisic

Production Designers – Siggy Soriano, Arushi Khare, Natalie Horberg

Costumer/ Art Direction – Gaile Ng

CAST:

Ruby: Jessica Jara-Williams

Alex: Nikhil Sekaran

FUNDING & OTHER NEEDS:

As student filmmakers, everyone involved is generously volunteering their time and energy to bring this project to life, dedicating themselves wholeheartedly to sharing the story with care and thoughtfulness. Contributions to Mutuals will help cover essential costs, including equipment and prop rentals, meals for our cast and crew, safe filming locations, and other production needs.

If you’d like to support us in non-monetary ways—such as donating food—please feel free to reach out on GoFundMe or Instagram! Every bit of support gets us closer to letting our freak flags fly fearlessly!

REWARDS

Special Thanks: $0-100

Associate Producer: $250

Executive Producer: $500

FOLLOW OUR PROGRESS:

For updates on the production of “Mutuals,” follow @jaranjotv on Instagram!