Support “Ladybugs” Stella Little’s BFA Thesis Film

A note from our director, Stella Little: I am so honored and ecstatic to be directing my debut film! "Ladybugs" is a personal project inspired by a childhood immersed in nature and experiences rescuing ladybugs from the beaches of Northern California. As climate change affects all life on Earth, I hope "Ladybugs" will be a universal story that can resonate with anyone of any age.

Logline: After learning about climate change, a young girl becomes obsessed with rescuing ladybugs. 

Synopsis: In essence, "Ladybugs" is an environmental narrative short film that aims to portray a child's wonder for the natural world and be a reminder that these wonders are not permanent. The film is centered around a young girl's first realizations of climate change and dealing with the climate anxiety and grief that follows. Overcome with these emotions, she dedicates her days to rescuing ladybugs in her garden. The film not only explores themes of environmental advocacy, but cycles of life and death, loss of innocence, and the balance of ecosystems. It hopes to give voice to a generation who have been plunged into a very uncertain future in terms of the well-being of our home planet.

Visual References:

Check out our Mood Board and Social Media!

https://www.pinterest.com/stellablittle/ladybugs-mood-board/

https://www.instagram.com/ladybugsbfa/

Where your donation goes: Please consider giving a helping hand to support the film's goal and the entire team! Funding goes towards pre-production, production, and post-production costs, such as locations, craft services, production design materials, lodging, festival submissions, etc.

Our current estimated breakdown:

Any additional funds will support unexpected filming costs, as is the nature of production!

Your support goes a long way toward bringing the vision of "Ladybugs" to life, and we can't do it without you!

Support Tiers

Tier 1, $15+ - Ladbybugs Sticker

Tier 2, $25+ - Shout out & sticker

Tier 3, $75+ - Credit in the film

Meet the Team

Director

Stella Little is a filmmaker and artist based in San Francisco and Boston. She is currently pursuing a BFA in Media Arts Production and a minor in Post-Colonial Studies at Emerson College. Stella finds herself most inspired when surrounded by the beauty of the great outdoors. Through her work, she strives to capture narratives that support the urgent preservation and wonder for the natural world and its beings. Her past work includes partnering with local environmental non-profit Speak for the Trees to create a narrative short film about tree equity and justice, as well as a personal documentary about the wildfires near her home in California. Stella is passionate about the intersection of filmmaking and social advocacy and hopes to create media that inspires thoughtfulness and impact.

Producers



Joey Rebeschi is currently a senior Visual Media Arts student at Emerson College and an executive producer on Ladybugs. He loves to produce films that advocate for social change and have grounded and personal stakes. Previous highlighted experience is producing for Emerson Channel's late night show, Closing Time as well as directing and producing Emerson Independent Video's short film "Daffodils."

Izzy Astuto is an Executive Producer for Ladybugs. Before this, they produced "Herbert's Sunshine Hour," "Two Best Friends," and "Robin," which was selected for both Wicked Queer and the Emerson Film Festival. He has always been passionate about climate justice, and is excited to work on a project advocating these values!

Illustration by Leo Little, Stella's brother, for "Ladybugs"