About the Film

Camp Hero State Park sits at the end of Montauk, Long Island. For most visitors, it's a scenic stretch of ocean bluffs and hiking trails. But rising above the tree line is an AN/FPS-35 radar antenna — a massive Cold War relic that once scanned the Atlantic for Soviet bombers. The base was active from World War II through 1981, when the Air Force decommissioned it and transferred the land to New York State.

That's the documented history. The other story — the one that inspired Stranger Things, sold hundreds of thousands of books, and still draws conspiracy tourists to Montauk — claims that underneath the base, government scientists conducted experiments in mind control, time travel, and interdimensional contact. This body of claims is collectively known as "the Montauk Project."

This documentary cuts through the mythology to tell the real story: a military installation that shaped Cold War defense strategy, the community that lived alongside it, and how its abandonment gave birth to one of America's most persistent legends.

Why We're Making This Film

Montauk is changing rapidly. Rising seas, development pressure, and shifting demographics are reshaping a community that has remained largely unchanged for decades. We believe these stories deserve to be told — not just for the people of Montauk, but for anyone who has ever felt a deep connection to a place and feared losing it.

We've spent the past year building relationships with the families, fishermen, artists, and longtime residents who call Montauk home. They've trusted us with their stories, and we're committed to honoring that trust with a film that is honest, beautiful, and lasting.

How the Funds Will Be Used

Your support will help us complete production and bring this film to audiences everywhere. Specifically, funds will go toward:

- Final filming days and travel expenses

- Post-production editing, color grading, and sound mixing

- Original score and music licensing

- Film festival submissions and distribution

- Crew wages and equipment

Our goal of $5,000 will allow us to complete the film and begin the festival circuit. Every contribution — large or small — brings us one step closer to the finish line.

Meet the Director (Anthony G)

Anthony is a graduate student at Quinnipiac University, studying Producing in Film and Television. A lifelong Long Island native, he has been drawn to Montauk and the mysteries of Camp Hero since he was 14 years old. What began as a teenage fascination has become a driving creative ambition — and now, through this program, he finally has the opportunity to bring that vision to life.

Your support will directly fuel the production of this documentary and help launch a career in documentary filmmaking. Funds will go toward on-location production in Montauk, post-production, and film festival submissions. If you’re unable to contribute financially, sharing this project with five friends would make a tremendous difference in helping us reach our goal.

Distribution Strategy

Our distribution strategy includes submitting to major film festivals and pursuing licensing agreements with streaming and broadcast platforms to reach the widest possible audience.

Join Us

By backing this project, you're not just funding a film — you're helping preserve the stories of a community on the edge. You'll be a part of something real, something lasting, and something that future generations will be grateful for.

Thank you for believing in this story as much as we do.

No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe.