Last Dance: A Story That Needs You
Donation protected
Welcome to the GoFundMe for Last Dance, a short film created by students as part of The School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Film Synopsis:
A coming-of-age, sports, drama film about Aria Hayashi, a high-strung teenage dancer who has her solo ripped away by her vindictive dance teacher and must fight to get her solo back.
A statement from our writer and director, Emmy Okinaka:
“Last Dance was first written during a time when I was rediscovering who I was beyond dance. For 15 years, dance was my passion, my first love, and my identity. I poured my blood, sweat, and tears into it. But in my final year of high school, the dream I had held onto since childhood—the one I worked tirelessly for—was never given to me. I was left questioning my worth: What did I do wrong? Why wasn’t I enough?
The heartbreak of that moment left me burnt out, emotionally exhausted, and unsure of who I was without dance. As I reflected on my journey, I realized how completely dance had defined me and how much I had sacrificed for it. In college, I discovered filmmaking—a passion I had always been curious about but never had the chance to explore because of my commitment to dance. Filmmaking became my second love, giving me a new way to express myself and share stories.
Today, I make this film for those who have ever felt ‘not enough,’ for the dancers who never found closure, and for the child in me who never had her dream realized. This is a tribute to resilience, self-discovery, and the strength to redefine yourself when life doesn’t give you what you hoped for.”
Our team is ready to step into the spotlight and breathe life into this story with the grace and intensity of a last dance! Every donation is deeply appreciated as it helps us continuously refine our craft as filmmakers—and storytellers. Your generous contributions to this project will help us transform this story into a reality. The funds will go toward:
- Location Rentals
- Production Design (Costuming, Props, Set Decoration, Make-Up & Hair)
- Post-Production costs (Film Festivals Fees, Music)
- Meals for Cast, Crew, and Location Employees
How can you help?
- Every donor will be included in a Special Thanks portion of the film's end credits. Those who wish to remain anonymous can choose to omit their names from the credits if they so choose.
The following are first come first serve photoshoot opportunities, spots are limited, only 10 spots are available per category:
Category 1:
- Donate $100 or more and receive a free professional headshot photoshoot with either the film's director, Emmy Okinaka, or the film's cinematographer, Nicholas "Keoni" Souza.
Category 2:
- Donate $250 or more and receive a free photoshoot. Choose from one of the following: graduation portraits, singular portraits, couples, or families.
Other Ways to Support:
Check out our instagram: @lastdance_theshortfilm
and make sure to follow for updates and announcements!
Our Last Dance Crew:
- Writer & Director: Emmy Okinaka
- Producer: Tiffany Liu
- Assistant Director: Jasmine Thai
- Director of Photography & Co-Producer: Nicholas (Keoni) Souza
- 1st Assistant Camera & Co-editor: Ryan Shinjo
- Gaffer: Henry Jackson
- Editor & Script Supervisor: Andrew Silva
- Sound & Sound Mixer: Reyn Jakahi
- Production Coordinator: Shay Maney
- Production Designer: Ani Wilcox
We deeply appreciate everyone who believes in and supports our vision for this film. Your contribution not only fuels our creativity but also enriches our education. Through this project, we’re not just telling stories—we’re applying what we’ve learned from the classroom. With your support, we can continue to grow as students and artists, building skills that will pave the path for our future endeavors.
Mahalo nui loa,
The Last Dance Production Crew
Organizer
Tiffany Liu
Organizer
Honolulu, HI