Hi, thank you for visiting the Gofundme page for our third year university group project Smiley Faces.

Plot Synopsis:

Smiley Faces follows Gemma, a young woman in her 20s facing the customary isolation and aimlessness found within her seaside hometown, Margate. Beyond a newfound passion for cooking, and trying to mould it into a small business, much of Gemma’s ambition has been hindered by the ever-growing intrusion of her unemployed, alcoholic mum, Kirsty. Formerly a care assistant, Kirsty has become imprisoned with overwhelming guilt for seemingly abandoning those in need. As a result, she relies on Gemma to see to her previous care-related duties, despite her equally stressful commitment to delivering meals around Margate on foot.

Halfway through the night, Gemma’s delivery progression is disrupted with a reluctant visit to Janine, someone her mum frequently cared for. During a conversation with Janine, however, Gemma is forced to confront a brewing resentment for her mum, as well as the little room for exploration her mum’s suffering has left for a young woman in her 20s.

Leaving Janine’s with a sense of rediscovered empathy, Gemma must now rush through the streets and alleys of Margate once more to deliver a final meal. Only time will tell if such empathy for her mum will remain, or if her pursuit of individual success and purpose will ultimately lead to failure, resulting in an eruption of her suppressed resentment.

Influences:

Fish Tank 2009 (dir. Andrea Arnold)

Secrets and Lies 1996 (dir. Mike Leigh)

Crew:

Harvey Ryan - Writer and co-director

Chloe Crocker - Co-director and cinematographer

Bradley Walters - Co-editor and Lighting technician (Gaffer)

Quinn James - Co-editor and sound technician

What your funding will cover:

We’re grateful for any donations you can provide! With your help we will be able to put our ideas into fruition and create a short film worthy of you support!