Raise Dementia Awareness with a Touching Movie

My name is Joyce Kostakis, and I am producing our short film called "The Nurse" about a loving couple living with dementia. We are excited to film the short in June of this year in North Ridgeville, OH. Our team of dedicated filmmakers is working tirelessly to bring this impactful story to life, and we need your help.

This story will raise awareness about the effects of dementia on relationships and how one can still find hope and resilience in such a difficult situation. Our story is a powerful fusion of “Still Alice” and “The Vow.” It shares an intimate and poignant narrative about a woman who is trying to care for her husband with dementia. In a raw emotional moment, she is asked to leave their home of twenty years when her husband, unable to recognize her, mistakes her for a stranger. She must now find a way to return and continue caring for the man she deeply loves. In an aha moment, she alters her appearance and comes back as her husband’s live-in nurse, caring for him, cooking his favorite meals and watching his favorite movies. Over time, her husband begins to feel safe with her and eventually realizes he is falling in love with her. Yes, she won his heart a second time.

I have a heartfelt connection to this project, as several friends and family have been diagnosed with dementia over the years. My team’s goal is to produce the short film and let a ray of light peak through the cloud of dementia. This project provides a platform for those living with dementia to be heard and understood and to create a better understanding of dementia in society. The team also wants to bring attention to the importance of providing support and care to those living with dementia.

The Impact:

One person can make a difference. It's not just a heartwarming love story. We believe the film is valuable to both the contributors and the world. The Nurse will provide a platform for conversation and empathy for those dealing with the condition and will highlight the importance of having support. Contributors to this cause will help us create a lasting impact.

Where Your Contributions Will Go:

We are requesting help in raising $10,000. Your donations, no matter how small or large, are greatly appreciated. This amount will go toward the costs associated with producing and promoting the film. Specifically, we will use the funds for:

I built a team of experienced professionals, including a gaffer, cinematographer, editor, and production coordinator, and assembled the crew to ensure the highest level of quality for the production. I am the team’s writer and director. I believe in the power of storytelling and its ability to move people and evoke emotion. My goal is to create a high-quality film that creates a memorable and meaningful experience for audiences. I successfully adapted my first novel, Streaming Sarah, to screenplay, with shooting scheduled for the last quarter in 2023.

Our director of photography, Jonathan Young, started his own production company after working on multiple feature films, short films, and corporate sets as everything from a grip to a Director of Photography. Johnny graduated with a degree in cinematography in 2020.

The team’s gaffer, Logan Gerber, has a well-rounded knowledge base. He first worked as a director of photography and camera operator but has recently found his niche as a gaffer due to his love for light and lighting hardware. He uses his early shooting experiences as a photographer to provide perfect lighting for every set.

The film’s co-star Kathy A. Bates is also the team’s producer and production coordinator. Kathy has worked on shows on CBS, Oxygen, Hallmark and VH-1. She’s been in National, local and internet commercials and both short and feature films. She enjoys working both behind and in front of the camera and enjoys script editing as well.

We are confident that this budget will enable us to produce a quality film and make it available to audiences around the world. If we do not reach our entire goal, we will complete the project and scale according to the final amounts raised. Any monies raised for this film will absolutely go toward the film!

Other Ways You Can Help

Some people just can't contribute. We get it, but that doesn't mean you can't help. This thought-provoking film is sure to be a hit, and we can use your help to get the word out. Sharing and reposting our promotional posts on social media and urging your online community to join us is critical to our success and is greatly appreciated. We’re looking for Instagram, Facebook, and trailer followers to help us promote the film.

The Nurse

If you or someone you know is living with dementia, I encourage you to reach out for support.