Hello ~ I'm Philip Józef Brubaker, but you probably already know me. I live in sunny Gainesville, Florida with my cat, whose name is Kitty. This past summer, I suffered a mental health episode, which resulted in resigning from my job and having to spend most of my savings while I searched for my next career move. I am still job hunting (open to remote work!) but an opportunity has presented itself that inspired me to create this GoFundMe.

A film festival in Northern Italy known as Adelio Ferrero Festival, has invited me to stay for three nights while they screen my video essay MURDERGAME. I have screened at this festival many times before, and even won a prize in 2019 for my video essay, STRANGER/THINGS . Adelio Ferrero is one of the top international destinations for videographic film criticism.

This experience would be an incredible addition to a year of European travel for my video work! In February, I traveled to Germany for a videographic symposium, in June I premiered a brand-new video essay in Spain and now this offer for three nights paid in a hotel in Italy!

It would also be very special to show MURDERGAME in Italy, because the video is partly about the Italian thriller genre known as giallo, which was greatly inspired by Alfred Hitchcock. The festival organizers will discuss my video after this World Premiere screening. On top of that, my Polish cousins who live in Rome, are planning to meet me in Alessandria for the event!

So, this GoFundMe is simply a way to raise money for airfare, food and other travel expenses not covered by Adelio Ferrero Film Festival. My mental health is back on track, thanks to a medication increase, but as I said before - I don't have funds to cover basic expenses, let alone this amazing opportunity for travel. Help me have this incredible experience!