Help Jesse-Ann Bring Summer Orange to Life

Welcome to the GoFundMe Page for Summer Orange – A Short Film by Jesse-Ann!

About the Film:

Summer Orange is a heartfelt and personal short film that explores the complicated, beautiful, relationship between a Black mother and her daughter. Told from the daughter’s perspective in her film, this emotional journey offers an intimate look at the challenges and healing that come with facing unresolved pain within family bonds.

Logline:

Summer, an ambitious filmmaker, embarks on a healing journey as she creates a short film reflecting her complicated relationship with her mother.

Synopsis:

In Summer Orange, we follow Summer, a passionate young filmmaker, who is grappling with her relationship with her mother, especially as her mother’s health deteriorates. As her mother lies in the hospital, Summer channels her emotions into her film, creating the character of London – an embodiment of Summer’s deepest fears, frustrations, and feelings of rejection.

But as Summer pours herself into her film, she begins to isolate herself from her family, especially her mother and brother, Tristan. Ultimately, it’s through the process of filmmaking that Summer finds the courage to face her mother in hopes of healing and reconnection.

Summer Orange is a raw and intimate coming-of-age drama that navigates the emotional complexities of family, healing, and vulnerability. It's a story of transformation — not just between a mother and daughter, but within oneself as well.

Why This Story? Why Now?

Summer Orange is deeply personal to me. It’s a reflection of my own journey, a narrative born from my experiences and those of my closest friends and family. This story is my heart on the screen – a story of healing, reconciliation, and the painful, beautiful, process of repairing relationships.

As a filmmaker who was accepted into LMU’s SFTV production program, I’ve always known I wanted to tell stories that matter surrounding the Black experience. I wrote Summer Orange for my application into the screenwriting major, and now it’s the first film I’m bringing to life under the banner of my new creative studio, Oshun Eye Studios. This film reflects the experiences of Black women and mothers, but it’s also a universal story. Every person who’s ever experienced a rift in their most important relationships can relate to the struggle of navigating hurt and attempting to rebuild. This is more than just a Black mother-daughter story – it’s a human story that anyone who’s faced emotional turmoil and reconciliation will recognize.

Why Support This Project?

By supporting Summer Orange, you're not just funding a short film — you're helping bring to life a story that is deeply personal, culturally significant, and universally relatable. Here's how your contribution will make a difference:

Art Direction & Production Design: The film references a rich world of Black culture and mementos, and your support will help us authentically reflect those cultural elements through art direction and design.

Transportation for Crew, Cast, and Equipment: Filming requires a dedicated team and a lot of logistics. Your donations will cover the transportation costs for everyone involved, ensuring that our crew and cast can focus on making the best film possible.

Equipment Rentals, Insurance, and Permits: High-quality equipment, proper insurance, and legal permits are essential to making a professional and successful production.

Meals for Cast and Crew: A well-fed crew is a happy crew! Your support will ensure everyone has the energy they need to bring their best work to set.

Film Festival Submissions: We're committed to sharing this film with the world, and your donations will help us submit Summer Orange to film festivals and competitions.

Post-Production Music & Sound: Music is an essential part of the emotional journey we want to create. Your contributions will help us license music and hire talented sound professionals to enhance the film’s impact.

Why Oshun Eye Studios?

Summer Orange is just the beginning of the work we hope to share with the world through Oshun Eye Studios — a multidisciplinary creative production studio dedicated to showcasing and preserving the works and perspectives of Black and African creatives. Our mission is to celebrate underrepresented voices and cultural aesthetics in film, photography, art, and design.

We are committed to telling stories that uplift, empower, and explore the richness of Black life and experiences. This film will be the first of many to come from Oshun Eye, and with your support, we can continue creating art that reflects the beauty, complexity, and diversity of our communities.

Join Us in Making Summer Orange a Reality

Your contribution, no matter the size, will make a lasting impact on this film and the stories we aim to tell. Whether you're helping fund production costs, sharing this page with your network, or offering words of encouragement, your support means everything.

Thank you for believing in this story, for supporting independent filmmakers, and for helping bring Summer Orange to life. Together, we can create something truly special.

Donate Today!

Your support matters. Help us make this film a reality. Together, we can heal, we can connect, and we can tell stories that need to be told.