"Mouse!" - A Short Film by Jason Arkell-Boles

My debut short film "Mouse!" has been successfully shot and is now seeking additional funding to complete post-production, including sound design, music composition, and color grading, as well as to support its festival run and distribution efforts.

About the Film

Set in a dingy East Vancouver apartment, "Mouse!" is a 10-minute experimental drama that follows Brynn, a 23-year-old grappling with unemployment and mental health struggles. Her fixation on catching an elusive mouse—a metaphor for her anxiety—leads to a surreal and chaotic unraveling of her relationships and mental state. The film explores themes of self-isolation, social alienation, and the pervasive nature of anxiety in modern youth culture.

It draws from real-life experiences to create a relatable yet surreal narrative that resonates with young adults navigating similar struggles.

Why We Need Your Support

While we have successfully completed principal photography, additional funding is required to bring "Mouse!" to its full potential. Your contributions will directly support:

Post-Production: Editing, sound design, music composition, and color grading.

Festival Submissions: Entry fees for prestigious film festivals.

Marketing & Distribution: Creating promotional materials and securing distribution opportunities.

Festival Goals

We aim to showcase "Mouse!" at renowned film festivals across Canada and internationally. These include:

Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF)

Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)

Chilliwack Independent Film Festival

Whistler Film Festival

Fantasia International Film Festival

Additionally, we plan to submit the film to other prominent festivals such as Sundance, LA Shorts Fest, New York Indie Shorts Awards, and more. Selection at these festivals would provide invaluable exposure for the film and its creative team.

Distribution Plans

Following the festival run in early 2025, we plan to pitch "Mouse!" for online distribution on platforms that celebrate high-quality short films. These include:

Director’s Library

Nowness

BOOOOOOOM.tv

Kodak

Short of the Week

These platforms are known for curating exceptional short films and providing exposure to filmmakers among industry professionals and global audiences.

Budget Breakdown

Through crowdfunding and self-fundraising efforts, we have raised $6,500 of our $13,000 budget. While this covered production costs such as camera equipment rentals, lighting gear, insurance, and catering during our September 2024 shoot dates, additional funding is needed for:

Post-production services: $1000+

Festival submission fees: $500+

Marketing materials: $200+

Every dollar donated helps us get closer to completing this project and sharing it with audiences worldwide.

Timeline

Post-Production Completion: March 2025

Festival Submissions Begin: April 2025

Festival Run: Throughout 2025, Early 2026

Online Distribution Launch: Throughout 2026

Why This Story Matters

"Mouse!" delves into the universal experience of anxiety through a unique lens of surrealism and dark humor. By turning personal struggles into art, it creates a space for dialogue about mental health issues that resonate with today’s youth culture. This film also serves as a calling card for its director’s creative vision—one rooted in exploring anxiety, alienation, and the absurdities of modern life.

Your support not only helps complete this project but also contributes to amplifying voices in independent cinema that tackle pressing issues with authenticity and creativity.

Thank you for being part of this journey! Every contribution—big or small—is greatly appreciated.