Support our short film "Drowning"

Hi, my name is Charlotte, and I am fundraising on behalf of myself (the script writer), our director Darragh and our producer Gill.

We need your help to get over the finishing line to make our short film Drowning.

Drowning is a short film that is being produced, cast, crewed and filmed entirely in Limerick, Ireland as part of the ENGINE short film scheme 2025.

The film is set in the niche world of a lifeguard, but it tackles a universal theme that many can relate to, one of fear, struggle, and redemption. But, above all, it is a story of hope, the hope that we can overcome our deepest struggles.

Why we need your help:

While the wonderful funding we have received from ENGINE short film scheme covers most of the normal costs of making a short film; cast, crew, catering, camera, sound, score, editing etc., the ambitious nature of this film has generated greater costs, and that is what you will be helping us to fund. The essential things unique to this script such as Marine safety advisors and rescue cover, swimming pool rental, River/bridge permits and water safety officers.

How we got to this point:

Drowning is my debut short film script. I was lovingly pushed into applying for the ENGINE short film scheme, something I had wanted to apply for the 2 years previous, but didn't because I didn't believe in myself.

Because a loved one believed in me, I submitted my application at the last moment, in the final hours of the open call. To my surprise and delight, I was shortlisted to the final 12, out of nearly 100 applications.

I then had the terrifying task of putting out an open call for producers and directors. I'm not known in the industry, so I ended up also essentially cold calling producers and directors, asking them to believe in the script, and become part of the team heading into the final round of the ENGINE scheme; the industry pitch. This involved pitching the script, the vision for directing it, and the plan for producing it to 3 accomplished industry professionals. Again amazingly, a wonderful director and producer, Darragh and Gill, believed in the script and came on board.

The industry panel then believed in the script, and they chose us to be one of two films in Limerick to be funded and supported by ENGINE short film scheme, Film in Limerick, and the Limerick City and County Council.

You can probably see the reoccurring theme here. We have gotten this far, because a multitude of people, family and professionals alike, have believed in this script.

Now we are asking for you to believe in us. We are trying to create a beautiful and challenging piece of film that tackles a universal theme through the niche world of a lifeguard.

To make this film happen, we need your support please.

The Plot:

Our main character, Shannon, is a seasoned lifeguard. When a routine rescue goes wrong, she herself becomes a victim in need of rescuing. The water that she once felt at home in has become a reminder of fear and helplessness, and her own perceived failure.

Shannon struggles to overcome her PTSD and panic attacks. She finds it hard to see a way forward. She is drowning in her depression.

Just when she is at her lowest, she is thrust into an urgent situation where she must make a choice; remain shackled by the trauma of what happened to her, or once again seize control.

About me:

I'm Charlotte, and as I mentioned above, I am the writer of this short film. Drowning is the first short film script I've ever written. Honestly, it is the first thing I have written in a very long time. The bones of it have been knocking around in my head for nearly 10 years. It is inspired by something that happened to me when training to be a lifeguard.

I studied English Literature and New Media in the University of Limerick, before having to drop out due to severe anxiety and depression. I’ve worked at everything from a roller disco, a cinema, dog grooming and at a prestigious Art Gallery. One late ADHD diagnosis later, and that all starts to make a lot of sense.

I have always been drawn to the creative worlds of writing, painting and acting, but have only bobbed in and out of them thanks to the aforementioned difficulties. To have a film script that I wrote be not only shortlisted, but selected and in pre-production is absolutely mind boggling. The love and support shown so far by family, friends, acquaintances and strangers alike means more than I could ever succinctly put into words.

I won’t lie, I don’t like having to ask for help, but this film has become something far bigger than just a little story I wrote. So many people are now pouring their energy into making this very emotional, very Limerick-centric film become a reality, and I am beyond thankful and proud of their work so far. To see this film fully funded, and to see it on the big screen will be the greatest joys imaginable. (after having my little girl of course.)

Your support of this film would mean the world to us.

ENGINE short film scheme

The ENGINE Short Film Scheme is run by Innovate Limerick through Film in Limerick, Engine Shorts is delivered in partnership with the Local Authorities in Tipperary, Limerick and Clare, and the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board.

The training & production scheme aims to inspire and support up-and-coming filmmakers to create world-class shorts that resonate with a wide international audience.

It also offers the opportunity for emerging local crew to gain real-world experience on funded productions and to receive industry guidance. Shortlisted teams avail of training to develop their project ideas and up to successful teams will be awarded production funding to produce a short film.