Hi there! We’re a group of final-year film students from SAE University College, and we’re currently working on our upcoming short film, The Chairs That Face West. This project is incredibly close to our hearts, and we’re reaching out to ask for your support to help us bring it to life.

The Chairs That Face West is a short drama that follows an elderly woman with Alzheimer’s who struggles to adapt to life in a retirement home, while her daughter battles her morals, obeying her mother’s wishes. At its core, this is a story about love, memory and the tough choices families are sometimes forced to make.

Our director was inspired to create this story as a way of raising awareness around Alzheimer’s disease, and to open up conversations about voluntary assisted dying. These are issues that many families, including her own, have faced and continue to face. We believe it’s time these stories were told with honesty and heart.

We’re currently in the pre-production stage and plan to film from the 8th to the 14th of September 2025. As passionate student filmmakers, we’re hoping to raise $3,000 to help cover some of the core production costs. These funds will go directly towards camera equipment hire, location fees, production design and submission fees for film festivals.

Through this film, we hope to spark empathy, raise awareness and encourage more open discussions around ageing, memory loss and end-of-life care. The Chairs That Face West is a story that we want to share with the world.

If you’re able to support us by donating — thank you so much. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a real difference. As a small thank you, all donors will receive a special acknowledgement in the credits of the final film.

Even if you’re not in a position to donate, we’d be incredibly grateful if you could share this page with your friends, family, or anyone you think might be interested in supporting emerging Australian filmmakers and important stories like this one.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read about our project. Your support means the world to us — and we can’t wait to share The Chairs That Face West with you soon.

Warm regards,

The Chairs That Face West Team