Hi! My name is Mariana Silva, and I’m a student filmmaker dedicated to telling emotionally driven, genre-blending stories that explore identity, vulnerability, and the inner worlds we often hide.

This April, I will be filming my Thesis Short Film, a project that represents not only the culmination of my journey at film school, but also the beginning of my professional career. For the first time, I’m daring myself to dream bigger than I ever have visually, emotionally, artistically, and I’m asking for your help to make it real.

This film means more to me than any project I’ve created so far. It reflects the voice I’ve spent years developing: a blend of emotional storytelling, psychological tension, and magical realism. This film will serve as my creative calling card as I prepare to graduate and step into the film industry.

My story called LINGER is a dark fantasy thriller about Amelia, a deaf teenage girl who becomes dangerously captivated by a mesmerizing Siren’s song. Naive curiosity transforms into obsession, and Amelia must confront the creature’s haunting pull before it threatens both her life and the lives of her older brothers.

In order to bring this story to life at the level it deserves, I’m fundraising to support production design, costuming, creature effects, experienced cast and crew, equipment, and post-production needs. Every contribution, big or small, impacts the world my crew and I can build, as well as the care we bring to it.

It honestly scares me to ask for help, but I’m doing it because this film matters to me more than anything I’ve made so far. If you’re able to support, it truly means more than I can express.

Thank you so much for reading, sharing, and believing in this project... or rather, believing in me.

With so much love and gratitude,

Mari :)