WHAT IS PEAK STATE?

PEAK STATE is a comedy feature film set entirely inside a music & arts festival…. one that we’re building from the ground up in Austin, Texas, April 16–19.

The story follows a couple attempting to celebrate their anniversary while navigating the beautiful chaos of a remote festival environment; where art, music, altered plans, unexpected connections, and personal breakthroughs collide.

Imagine if Superbad were set at a festival.

WHY A FESTIVAL?

Hey y’all! Brent Pella here, writer and director of this project.

While PEAK STATE is driven by comedy, the engine of this story is something much deeper: the transformative power of the festival experience.

I grew up attending Grateful Dead shows with my mom, and those early experiences planted the seed for how music, community, and shared moments can radically shift the way we relate to one another. Years later, when I re-entered the festival world after college, I felt that same energy again and watched it transform my friendships, relationships, and creativity in ways I couldn’t have predicted.

This film is a love letter to that experience while also playfully poking fun at it.

Limited availability due to festival capacity. Once this reward tier is sold out, it will no longer be available.

A “WORLD-BRIDGING” FILM

PEAK STATE is a world-bridging project.

It honors the festival space from the inside, created by people who live and breathe this culture while also inviting new audiences to step into it for the first time.

We want to celebrate what makes festivals powerful:

And yes, we also want to laugh at the chaos along the way.

WHAT YOU’RE ACTUALLY FUNDING

Every dollar raised through this campaign goes directly toward building the festival itself, which serves as both: the setting of the film and a fully functioning, real-world event

This means your support helps fund:

This is not a simulated backdrop… it’s a living, breathing festival captured on film.

WHY CROWDFUNDING MATTERS

This project is truly independent.

No Hollywood studio could authentically tell this story without the direct involvement and support of the community that makes festivals what they are. By supporting this campaign, you’re helping pioneer a new paradigm of entertainment-driven storytelling projects that are mission-driven, community-rooted, and created in alignment with the worlds they portray.

When you back PEAK STATE, you’re not just funding a film.

You’re helping build the world it lives in.

THANK YOU

Thank you for any energy, resources, or support you’re able to give.

And if you’re interested in contributing in other ways like art, art cars, festival resources, or collaborations please don’t hesitate to reach out directly.

We can’t wait to build this together.

3. TIMELINE + DELIVERY PLAN

⏳ TIMELINE & DELIVERY PLAN

️ PRE-PRODUCTION

Now – March 29

We are currently in pre-production, which includes:

Funds raised during this campaign will directly support this phase and allow us to lock in critical elements needed to move forward smoothly.

PRODUCTION

March 30 – April 24

Build & Strike:

Festival build and strike will take place between now – April 14, with wrap-out occurring April 20 – April 24, depending on location and infrastructure needs.

Principal Photography:

Filming will take place during the live festival environment from March 30 through April 24, capturing performances, festival life, and narrative scenes as they naturally unfold.

This hybrid approach allows us to document an authentic festival experience while telling a scripted comedic story within it.

FESTIVAL DATES

April 16 – April 19

Load-in begins: April 15

Festival live dates: April 16–19

Load-out begins: April 20

The festival itself is a fully functioning event featuring music, art, workshops, food, and community programming and serves as the living backdrop of the film.

✂️ POST-PRODUCTION

Late April – Fall 2026 (estimated)

Following production, the film will enter post-production, including:

We will share regular updates during this phase, including behind-the-scenes content, work-in-progress clips, and milestones as the film takes shape.

ESTIMATED RELEASE Spring/Summer 2027

REWARD DELIVERY (GOOD-FAITH ESTIMATES)

Reward fulfillment will begin once production and post-production milestones are complete. Estimated timelines are outlined below and may adjust based on production needs.

We are committed to transparent communication and will provide updates if timelines shift.

A NOTE ON FLEXIBILITY

Independent filmmaking, especially within a live festival environment, involves many moving parts. While the timeline above reflects our current production plan, adjustments may occur due to weather, permitting, scheduling, or creative considerations.

Our commitment is to operate in good faith, communicate clearly, and deliver on all perks to the best of our ability.

4. LEGAL + SAFETY CHECK

Crowdfunding & Contributions

This crowdfunding campaign is intended to support the production of an independent feature film and related festival experiences. Contributions made through this campaign are not investments and do not represent any ownership, equity, profit participation, or financial return in the film or any associated entities.

All perks offered through this campaign are experiential, digital, or recognition-based and are provided in good faith in accordance with Kickstarter’s guidelines. We will make every reasonable effort to deliver all perks as described; however, unforeseen circumstances may require reasonable substitutions or adjustments.

️ Credits & Recognition

Any on-screen credits offered as part of this campaign, including “Thank You” or “Associate Producer” credits, are honorary courtesy recognitions only and do not represent a professional producing role.

These credits do not confer creative control, voting rights, ownership, or financial participation in the film. Names will appear as submitted, subject to standard credit formatting and industry practices.

️ Festival Access & Event Participation

Festival tickets, premiere access, after-party invitations, and other event-based perks are subject to scheduling, availability, capacity limits, and applicable laws and regulations.

Festival dates, locations, programming, and offerings may change due to weather, permitting, artist availability, or other circumstances beyond our control. Travel, lodging, and transportation are not included unless explicitly stated.

In the event of cancellation, postponement, or material changes to the festival or related events, we will make reasonable efforts to offer alternative experiences or comparable perks when possible.

On-Screen Participation & Appearances

Any opportunities to appear on screen as a festival attendee or background extra are not guaranteed and are subject to production needs, scheduling, and final editorial decisions.

Participants will be required to sign an appearance release and comply with wardrobe, conduct, and safety guidelines. No speaking roles are included as part of this campaign.

Digital & Physical Deliverables

Digital content (including film downloads, outtakes, and behind-the-scenes materials) will be delivered following the film’s release, according to the production timeline.

Physical items, including posters, merchandise, and curated festival gear, will be fulfilled after production and may be subject to manufacturing, shipping, and supply chain timelines. Delivery dates are estimates and may vary.

️ Health, Safety & Liability

Festival attendance and participation involve inherent risks associated with live events, including but not limited to physical activity, weather conditions, and crowd environments.

Backers who choose to attend events or participate in festival-related experiences do so voluntarily and at their own risk and are responsible for their personal health, safety, and compliance with event rules and local regulations.

Participation in festival or on-location experiences is voluntary, and backers assume all associated risks.

Updates & Communication

We are committed to transparent communication and will provide regular updates throughout production and post-production. In the event of delays or changes, we will communicate openly and in good faith.

Questions & Additional Support

If you have questions about perks, participation, accessibility, or alternative ways to support the project, please contact us directly. We appreciate your trust and support in bringing PEAK STATE to life.

Risks and challenges

Creating an independent feature film within a live festival environment involves unique logistical and creative challenges, including scheduling coordination, weather conditions, artist availability, and the complexities of capturing high-quality footage during a real, multi-day event. Post-production timelines may shift due to the nature of editing, sound design, and music licensing, and reward fulfillment may be affected by manufacturing or shipping delays. The campaign goal represents the minimum viable funding needed to execute the core festival build and principal photography, with additional funding sources and partnerships pursued in parallel to support the full scope of the project. Our team is building flexibility into the production plan, working with experienced live-event and film professionals, prioritizing digital reward delivery where possible, and committing to transparent communication with backers if timelines or deliverables adjust. While unforeseen challenges are a reality of independent filmmaking, we are deeply committed to completing the project and delivering all promised rewards in good faith.