'The Button Baby' Final Year Film

'The Button Baby' is a story of family, complicated grief, and the complexity of resolving buried trauma. When outgoing Leanne's world is turned upside down by the death of her abusive father and the reappearance of her younger brother, she is faced with a decision; can she break down the guard she built up so high, and can she come to trust the boy her father loved more? With a collection of buttons and a colourful facade, Leanne has to learn that it's not as easy as she thought to bury old trauma, and that when it comes back up, it hurts.

An IADT/NFS Graduate Film,The Button Baby is a stylistically emotive story, written and directed by me, Amy O'Reilly, produced by John Francis Scally, with cinematography by Aoife Flynn Fallon. Here's the kicker about final year films; they're expensive as hell.

So what would this budget go towards?

The majority of this fund would be used for paying actors, creating an immersive environment with colourful costume, makeup and production design, locations and transport. With a 15-minute script and essential COVID guidelines to follow, fees and financial obligations rack up quickly. In the current film industry climate, it's so important to me to keep my crew happy, well rested, and most importantly safe. Your donations will go towards keeping the crew fed and warm, as well as allowing us access to antigen tests and PPE. Some of the funds will also go towards festival and distribution fees.

The Button Baby will be shot over the course of a week in February 2022.

Any donations big or small are appreciated! I know this is a big budget - but it's a big idea and a big responsibility to make the film I want to make. This is the biggest project I've ever taken on board, with the biggest budget, and the best equipment.

A couple incentives to appreciate those of you that do decide donate;

Anyone who donates will receive a small thank you in the credits of the film.

Donors over €50 will receive a larger thank you and an invite to a digital screening of the film.

Donors over €100 will receive a special thank you, and a copy of the film.

Most importantly, THANK YOU! None of this would be possible without everyone who supports my filmmaking and has supported me/my crew up until now. Thank you for reading, thank you for supporting, and thank you for your time.

- Amy