The Moldyroom: A Film About the Room That Holds Trauma

Help Bring The Moldyroom to Life.

I’m excited to share a deeply personal and ambitious project I’ve been working on—The Moldyroom, a psychological thriller that explores trauma, isolation, and the inescapable grip of the past. This isn’t just a film—it’s a deeply personal story about what it means to grow up in an environment that breaks you and how hard it is to truly leave it behind.

This film matters to me because, in many ways, it’s my own story. For a good seven years of my life, I lived in a decaying room, surrounded by trauma, grief, and loss. That room wasn’t just a space—it was a reflection of my mind, my struggles, and the feeling of being trapped in a place that no longer felt like home.

With a $30,000 budget, I’m making this happen with a small but dedicated team, prioritizing practical effects, raw performances, and a deeply immersive style that will leave audiences shaken. This is more than a film—it’s an experience, a reflection of how our past shapes us, and a story that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt stuck in a cycle they couldn’t escape.

Synopsis

Marcus has spent his whole life trying to move forward, but some places never let you go. Some wounds don’t heal. They grow roots.

He’s built his life inside the same walls that broke him. The apartment he grew up in—the one filled with ghosts of old fights, of sleepless nights, of memories he tried to forget—has become a prison disguised as a home. When the past re-enters his life, Marcus is forced to face what he’s been running from: his father, the weight of old love that’s turning toxic, and the realization that even when you escape something, it still lives inside you.

But what happens when the last thing tethering you to yourself is suddenly gone? What do you do when the only home you’ve ever known is the one destroying you?

The Moldyroom is a film about trauma, love, and the cycles we get trapped in. It’s about how hard it is to leave, how easy it is to stay, and how sometimes, survival means tearing yourself away from everything you’ve ever known—even if it means losing yourself in the process.

Why This Matters

This film is more than just a project—it’s a personal exorcism of the pain I’ve carried for years. For anyone who has experienced abuse, felt trapped in their own home, or struggled with mental health, this story is for you.

I know what it’s like to grow up feeling powerless, to see the walls around you close in, to carry trauma that no one else can see. The Moldyroom is about that feeling—about what it means to survive, to fight for yourself, and to confront the things that haunt you.

Mental health, trauma, and cycles of abuse are difficult topics, but they need to be talked about. My hope is that this film resonates with others who have felt like they could never escape, showing them that they’re not alone. Even in the darkest places, there is a way forward.

Why We Need Your Help

Making a film of this scale takes an immense amount of dedication, and while I’m personally investing everything I can, we need your support to cover the critical costs of bringing The Moldyroom to life.

Budget Breakdown ($30,000 Goal)

Making The Moldyroom the way it deserves to be made means ensuring every dollar goes toward creating a film that is as raw, immersive, and emotionally powerful as possible. Here’s how the funds will be used:

Paying Our Cast & Crew ($10,000)

This project is only as strong as the people bringing it to life. We want to fairly compensate the actors and crew who will pour everything into making this film.

Building the World ($6,000)

The apartment in The Moldyroom isn’t just a setting—it’s a character in itself. A decaying, suffocating space that reflects Marcus’s mind. This budget covers production design, practical effects, and set dressing to create a world that feels disturbingly real.

Cinematography & Equipment ($7,000)

Capturing this story in a way that does justice to its intensity requires high-quality camera, lighting, and sound gear. The look and feel of this film will be heavily influenced by visceral, immersive cinematography, and we want to make sure we get it right.

Taking Care of the Team ($3,500)

Long shoot days require making sure our cast and crew are fed, transported, and taken care of. A well-supported team is able to give their best performances, and this ensures we can keep things running smoothly on set.

Post-Production & Sound Design ($2,500)

Editing, color correction, and sound design will play a huge role in shaping the film’s unsettling, immersive atmosphere. This budget allows us to ensure that every moment lands exactly as it should.

Getting It Seen ($1,000)

Once the film is complete, we want to make sure it reaches the right audiences. This covers festival submissions, marketing, and outreach to get The Moldyroom in front of people who will connect with its story.

Every contribution goes directly toward making this film as powerful and impactful as possible. If you can’t donate, sharing this campaign with others is just as valuable. Thank you for helping bring The Moldyroom to life.

This project is a culmination of everything I’ve learned as a filmmaker and storyteller, but more than that, it’s my way of processing and reclaiming my own story. For anyone who has felt trapped, lost, or unseen, this film is for you.

Thank you for your support—I appreciate it more than words can express.

Let’s make The Moldyroom happen.

With gratitude,

Julius Gutierrez

Donation Tiers & Rewards for The Moldyroom

We appreciate every bit of support, and to show our gratitude, we’ve put together some exclusive rewards for those who help bring The Moldyroom to life.

$10 – SUPPORTER

A personal thank-you email from the director

Your name listed on our official website as a supporter

$25 – BACKER

Everything from the Supporter Tier

A digital copy of the script after the film’s release

️ $50 – INSIDER

Everything from the Backer Tier

Exclusive behind-the-scenes photos from the making of the film

A digital film poster

$100 – SPECIAL THANKS

Everything from the Insider Tier

Your name in the "Special Thanks" section of the film’s credits

A personalized video shout-out from the director

️ $250 – PRODUCER’S CIRCLE

Everything from the Special Thanks Tier

Early private access to watch the film before its official release

A behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of The Moldyroom

$500 – ASSOCIATE PRODUCER

Everything from the Producer’s Circle

"Associate Producer" credit in the film

A signed, limited-edition printed film poster

An exclusive Q&A session with the director and key crew members

$1,000 – EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

Everything from the Associate Producer Tier

"Executive Producer" credit in the film

An invite to a private online screening with the cast & crew

A personalized thank-you letter from the director

️ $2,500 – VIP EXPERIENCE

Everything from the Executive Producer Tier

A custom-framed storyboard sketch from the film

A one-on-one video call with the director to talk about the film, filmmaking, or any creative project you’re working on

A special "Presented by" credit in the film’s opening credits

$5,000 – PRODUCER’S EXPERIENCE

Everything from the VIP Experience Tier

An on-set visit (if logistics allow) to see the film being made

A prop from the film (a unique keepsake from set)

"Co-Producer" credit in the film

$10,000 – EXECUTIVE PRODUCER EXPERIENCE

Everything from the Producer’s Experience Tier

Official "Executive Producer" credit

A personalized, hand-written script page signed by the director

A private dinner with the director and select cast & crew (if logistics allow)

First-look access to any future projects