Support the making of Conri Connell's first movie!

Hello! My name is Conri Connell, I am a graduate from Columbia College Chicago where I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Film. I am launching this campaign to assist in financing my debut film Day Ones (working title). Day Ones follows Conri and his group of childhood best friends as they make a spontaneous plan to drive from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles, CA (and film it) at the end of their adolescence and at the dawn of a new American presidency.

I come from quite the non-traditional background of art-making. I fell in love with film at age 17 in 2020, when COVID-19 stopped me from doing anything else but watching movies. I began as a critic, writing hundreds of movie reviews on a typewriter my best friend Shreya got me. Soon after, I set my heart on studying film. After graduating Poolesville High School in 2021, I began attending Montgomery College to get an Associates of Arts in Video Production.

After studying at Montgomery College, I applied to the Olney Theatre Center apprenticeship program where I trained in applied Stage Management for a year as one of the theatre’s youngest ever apprentices at age 19. There I began my creative career, getting to work alongside amazing artists and helping create art at a scale I had never previously witnessed.

It was at Olney that my co-apprentice Arabella informed me about Columbia College Chicago’s film program. After getting accepted, I wrapped my apprenticeship up in August 2023, started at Columbia College that September, and just graduated with my BA this December.

In my brief time at Columbia College, I hugely broadened my skillset. In my jam-packed three semesters, I got to take courses in cinematography, lighting, assistant directing, line producing, casting, experimental filmmaking, and more. I began my film career working on student productions and on other amazing independent work.

The last few years I’ve spent listening and learning and building some of the most important relationships of my life. I’ve had a hand in bringing to life monumental art, award-winning and world premiere productions, and independent creations brimming with passion. All of these things remain constantly inspirational. I’ve gone through some insane ups and downs, and through it all I’ve learned a lot about what kind of person I am and what kind of artist I want to be - so I know why I want to make this movie.

We’re living through some troubling times. I know we’ve all been experiencing it for a long time - and maybe it’s just me that’s grown more aware of it - but it seems there’s aggravation and fear and isolation at every corner. I don’t know what the future holds. What I do know is that nothing feels that bad when you’re with the people you love - when you’re together and talking and laughing and travelling to California. Life, from what I gather, is about doing what you can to move through the pain. Love will persist through whatever challenge and negativity you put in its way. I want to capture that.

Right now, we’re steady in pre-production for this film. The trip begins on January 3rd. Donated funds are being directly allocated to production costs such as equipment (tripods, cameras, lighting, microphones, sound mixers, etc., ad nauseam), crew accommodations, permitting, post-production, and festival distribution. Any donations during this time are hugely helpful. Any donation at any rate will matter in meeting the budget goal. Thank you all so much for helping this come true. Happy holidays, XOXO.