Lucha Esencial (Essential Struggle) - Short Film

UPDATE 2: Not only have we reached our first goal of 5K, We also got an EXECUTIVE PRODUCER who privately donated 5K. We are so thrilled and SO CLOSE to our final goal of 15K!

UPDATE: We are so close to our first goal of 5K. Please keep spreading the word and donating to help us reach our ultimate goal of 15K!

Lucha Esencial, is a short film created by Nattalyee Randall (Director) & Ruth Solorzano (Writer | Actor) . It centers around Amaryllis who has been schemed into the essential oils industry and the thing that brought her down is the only thing that can lift her back up. The dramedy tackles racial disparity in the healthcare system using a comedic lens on an issue many of us deal with every day.

Nattalyee and Ruth started building the framework around Lucha Esencial this past December in a writer/actor residency geared towards uncovering racial disparity in healthcare. Out of that residency Ruth wrote this piece to reflect how the healthcare system treats brown and black folx. We are a mostly women and non-binary led production and are working hard to create a space for voices far too often ignored and minimized.

We are seeking 15K to fund this film, the days for paying people in pizza are long behind us. A little goes a long way, no donation is too small! Please check out who we have on board (so far) below and help us make Lucha Esencial a reality.

Meet the Team -

Nattalyee Randall (she/her) - currently resides in NYC but is originally from Springfield, IL. She attended Western Illinois University for Music and English Education. She is an activist, ultra marathoner, teacher, director, producer, writer, and actor. You can catch her in the movie “The Ghost Who Walks” on Peacock TV. She directed and executive produced the award winning documentary “The Race Against Race” which world premiered at DOC NYC. Her next doc “Don’t Look Too Far Ahead” will be found on the film festival circuit this year. Insta/Twitter: @Nattalyee

Ruth Solorzano (she/her) is a Latin-American, Actor & Writer, based in New York City. Recent acting credits include Blue Bloods (CBS), Girls5Eva (PEACOCK) & The Blacklist (NBC). Ruth’s writing style finds the lightness in taboo topics, helping people see when they would normally turn away. Her podcast and online community, Post-Ugly, broadcasts voices of survivors who have experienced abuse and trauma. With input from mental health professionals, Ruth, a survivor herself, hopes to help others move forward and provide a coping toolkit. Follow @postugly_ @ruth_solorzano_

Mikaila Schmitt (she/they) is a Brooklyn-based filmmaker passionate about documentary storytelling. They are currently working as a producer, editor and assistant director at a NY-based production company, Show The Good. Her work spans a wide range of social issues including LGBTQIA+ rights, housing stability, racial disparities in healthcare, wildlife conservation and increasing voting access, and she’s had the opportunity to work on projects for National Geographic, Big Cat Voices, The NYC Civic Engagement Commission, and the VA to name a few. In addition to Lucha Esencial and their work at Show The Good, Mikaila is currently in post production for a feature length documentary titled Trans-mission.love, which documents a transgender tween’s journey through adolescence in Los Angeles.

Hailing from The Dominican Republic, Carla Riedel (she/her), is a passionate producer, project manager, and storyteller with over ten years of experience. She's knowledgeable in advertising and television, as well as radio, having previously worked for multinational advertising agencies like Publicis Groupe, McCann Erickson, and Young & Rubicam. Many projects include digital content for live events with onset editing, photoshoots, producing events, and marketing stunts. She is currently working as a freelance producer while pursuing her dream to become a first assistant director.

Donation Rewards -

Donate $150 invite to private viewing

Donate $500 viewing and free dinner and drinks at the viewing

Donate $1000 viewing, free dinner and drinks at the viewing, Special Mention in Credits

Donate $2500 viewing, free dinner and drinks at the viewing, Producer Credit

Donate $5000 viewing, free dinner and drinks at the viewing, Executive Producer Credit

We appreciate you all! Thank you and please share with your friends!