Hello!

My name is Mark Tacderas- I’m Filipino-American actor, screenwriter, producer, and filmmaker from Chicago. I’ve written a short film script entitled “FILmatic”. I need your help in raising $14,850 by February 19th, 2026 to fund the FILmatic the short film. The $14,850 amount is required to provide equitable work for various filmmaking personnel involved in creating this project. FILmatic the short-film will ultimately serve as a proof of concept for a television pilot presentation. In a broader sense, I aim to increase visibility for Filipino- Americans, AAPI, Asian-Americans & BIPOC by showcasing the full gamut of experiences and emotions we come across as humans. I’m confident a television series about a multi-generational Filipino family in America overcoming all obstacles and breaking generational curses will undoubtedly provide visibility and representation for our people and communities in the television/ film medium.

A certain portion of the fundraising goal is specifically geared to provide equitable stipend salaries for actors, background artists, directors, producers, and hair & make-up crew. Various personnel will be collaborating for long durations of time throughout pre-production, production, and post-production periods. For each person’s respective role in creating FILmatic, I aim to have each person compensated for their time, energy, and talent.

In addition to providing an equitable filming experience, I strive to provide an environment that values and respects people's individuality and humanity. Furthermore, I am committed to cultivating artistic work spaces free of hate, discrimination, and prejudice. The FIlmatic crew's safety and overall well-being throughout the entire duration of the filmmaking process is of the utmost importance. In order to ensure safety for the FILmatic personnel in a permissible and regulated workspace, a portion of the fundraising proceeds are required to cover expenses for filming permits/ applications, and fire department costs.

Creating FILmatic has been 10 months in the making and I am so humbled and honored to share this story to the public. What once started out as an opportunity to work alongside other Filipino actors, has now to evolved into something far greater- a larger calling. It’s an opportunity to not only work with Filipino actors, but to tell the world of our stories, culture and history from our own voices.

I decided on a stage reading event to bring awareness to this passion project of mine. Furthermore, I wanted to have a stage reading event that encompassed and reflected on how like to show up for my loved ones. Ultimately, I landed on a stage reading event provided with Filipino food, drinks, positive vibes and amazing Hip-Hop music accompanied by Filipina DJ – DjWenLuv. On October 11th, 2025 I held that live stage reading pilot presentation event for FILmatic in Los Angeles amongst friends, family, and fellow artists. Being new to the city of LA, I was uncertain of who would show. But to no avail, amazing individuals I’ve crossed paths with all throughout Southern California [ Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Manhattan beach ] along with my closest friends from Chicago attended and supported my vision to bring FILmatic into fruition. Community continues to be the throughline in Chicago and continues in Los Angeles.

It was my absolute pleasure having the opportunity to host the stage reading event. Moreover, I’m completely indebted to the actors who were gracious to bring my words to life- they’re talents brought the FILmatic story to light and facilitated in the efforts to increase visibility and awareness for Filipino-American, Asian- American, AAPI, and BIPOC. It’s through the one-day-to-be FILmatic television series that I hope to continue sharing stories and spreading awareness that encapsulate what it means to be Filipino in America. Our history and culture are quintessential to American culture and deserves a place in Hollywood and American entertainment and media. I take pride in being a Filipino-American man sharing this story. It is imperative with current world events in which marginalized communities are dehumanized, unvoiced, misrepresented, and attempted to be erased from history, that humanizing stories from our own voices are expressed and more importantly heard.

Please kindly take consideration in making a financial donation to help this cause. Any amount of contribution will greatly help fund the FILmatic Short Film and ultimately the FILmatic television series. Sharing this Gofundme page word of mouth amongst friends, family and colleagues immensely helps in reaching the FILmatic fundraising goal.

Please follow @marktacderas & @filmatic_shortfilm on Instagram for updates, news and progress.

Thank you!

Warmest Regards,

Mark Tacderas