Hi, my name is Katie Hopkins and I’m fundraising for my short thesis film created in partial fulfillment of my MFA at Loyola Marymount University (LMU).

I am a Type 1 Diabetic writer/director dedicated to bringing underrepresented stories about disabilities, invisible illnesses, and the LGBTQ+ community to the screen.

My short film, Jenna Has to Live, is about diabetic young woman whose health plummets after illegally selling her insulin to make rent. She dedicates herself to rationing her remaining insulin to survive, but her pestering coworker’s unshakeable presence forces her to question if surviving is the same as living.

This story needs to be heard, but we need your help. My executive producer Sasja Smith, also a MFA candidate at LMU, and I are currently in pre-production on Jenna Has to Live and need funds to move forward. We are asking you, our friends, family, colleagues, and those interested in film and the representation of Type 1 Diabetes to donate. Read on for more information about the project and incentivized giving tiers.

All donors will be thanked in the credits of the film and an update will be given on our social media when the film is available to watch in 2022.

JENNA HAS TO LIVE GIVING TIERS
Bronze Tier: $35+
-Thanked as a Bronze donor in the credits and emailed a downloadable copy of the lookbook for Jenna Has to Live (if email is provided with donation)

Silver Tier: $55+
-Thanked as a Silver donor in the credits, emailed a downloadable copy of the lookbook for Jenna Has to Live and a PDF of the promotional poster (if email is provided with donation)

Gold Tier: $150+
-Thanked as a Gold donor in the credits, all of the incentives of the Silver Tier, as well as a private link to view Jenna Has to Live in advance upon completion (if email is provided with donation)

Platinum Tier: $500+
-Thanked as a Platinum donor in the credits, all of the incentives of the Gold Tier, as well as a downloadable file of the film plus a PDF copy of the official poster upon completion (if email is provided with donation)

Diamond Tier: $750+
-Thanked as a Diamond donor in the credits, all of the incentives of the Platinum Tier, as well a monthly update of the progress of production and private Zoom call with the Director and Executive Producer to talk more in depth about the film  (if email is provided with donation)

I am compelled to tell this story because it is born out of my worst anxieties come to life, and the reality that many diabetics, and anyone with health problems, face everyday: choosing between their life-saving medication, and any other living necessity.

Having Type 1 Diabetes myself I am uniquely situated to tell this story that will authentically represent this community. It is a story that needs to be told. Representation of disability in film and TV is dismal in both quantity and quality. Many times it is because the producers and creative team behind the media doesn’t have a stake in the game, or doesn’t consult anyone that does.

I’m taking up the mantle of creating the representation I want to see in the film industry by putting a faithful representation of Type 1 Diabetes on the screen that moves beyond a diagnosis story, and filling my cast and crew with talented individuals of traditionally underrepresented groups.

Your donations will go on to fund:

Location Fees

Set Dressing

Costume Design

Wardrobe/Hair/Makeup

Catering for the Cast and Crew

COVID Safety Officers

Special equipment rentals

Music Composition

Sound Design

Film Festival Fees, and more

Join us in making Jenna Has to Live a reality.

Here’s to you with our deepest thanks.

*******

To keep up to date with the progress of Jenna Has to Live please follow us on:

Instagram: @JennaHasToLive

TikTok: @last_2_brain_cells

To view selected examples of my past directing work visit www.hopsfilms.com

 

 

(pictured top: Katie Hopkins, below: Sasja Smith)