The Shore of Promises: A Short Film
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THE SHORE OF PROMISES
This adventure and fantasy short film offers a child's perspective on grief, letting go, and family, set in a magical realm. We follow Alva, a curious and independent young child who lives in a cottage with her family in the countryside. After her grandmother’s passing, her mom has been engulfed in grief and has become bedridden. However, one day, a witch named Barbro appears in the kitchen with a spirit and carries a special request: Alva’s late grandmother wishes to meet her. With only faint memories of her grandmother, Alva is motivated by a strong belief that her grandmother has the power to help her mother. Determined, she decides to embark on a journey to the world beyond, known as The Shore of Promises.
Mood board of the short film.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We are seeking support to enhance our budget for 'The Shore of Promises,' aiming to elevate the production quality and extend the reach of our film. After first reading the script, our producers Justas Kavaliauskas, Tiyana Nayee, and Lucy Maughan saw potential in it and came on board early, taking the lead in pushing the production forward with confidence. Our diverse crew includes film students, recent graduates, freelancers, and hobbyists, all united by a shared passion for storytelling. We are dedicated to ensuring that our voices and visions are both seen and heard in the film industry. That's why we're reaching out for your support—to connect with as many people as possible who can help us turn our cinematic dreams into reality. With your help, we can cover essential costs including equipment rental, location fees, post-production expenses, and talent acquisition. Our goal is to create a cinematic experience that captivates audiences of all ages, addressing important themes like grief, letting go, and family bonds. Your contributions will directly enhance the film’s production value and increase its potential for selection at prestigious festivals in the UK and internationally. We believe this film will grant a warm and heartfelt viewing experience, unique to each viewer. The prospect of bringing this film to the silver screen for a broad audience grows more exciting by the day!
We will reward each one of our donors for contributing towards the films production as our way of saying thank you! The rewards list is broken up into tiers depending on the amount donated, with higher tiers granting more goodies. The rewards list can be seen below:
£5 - A Special Thanks in the credits section
£20 - Pins, Stickers & a Special Thanks in the credits
£50 - A Poster, Pins, Stickers & a Special Thanks in the credits
£100 - Signed Poster, Pins, Stickers, Early Preview of the final film & an Executive Producer credit.
INSPIRED BY A SHARED AND PERSONAL JOURNEY
The inspiration for this story stems from a theme of loss—a deeply personal experience that each of us has faced in different ways. This story draws from my personal experience of losing my grandmother. I am Joy Shi, the director and writer of this short film. When my grandmother passed away, it was not just a goodbye to a beloved family member for me; for my mother, it meant losing her own mother. I've always looked up to my mom as a guiding figure, someone who consistently supported me through life's challenges. Seeing her navigate her grief was a profound moment for me. As a child, it was a new experience to find myself wanting to support the person who had always been my steadfast support. I chose this deeply personal journey as the theme for my debut film because it profoundly shaped who I am today. Writing and directing this film allowed me to explore and honor the emotions of that time, and it's a story I feel passionately about sharing. The experience and feedback from our assistant director, Anish Samtani, and producer, Justas Kavaliauskas, have been invaluable, significantly enhancing the script and adding depth and authenticity to the film.
CREATIVE INFLUENCE
Drawing inspiration from nostalgic childhood films, with Studio Ghibli and its fantastical storytelling elements being major influences, we have nurtured characters, overarching themes, and visual aesthetics that resonate with both younger and more mature audiences. Additionally, the film incorporates stop-motion animation, which we believe will add quirkiness and uniqueness. Our team includes Angie Lamb, Eva Karlsson Bushnell, and Joy Shi, an experienced stop-motion crew eager to explore how a stop-motion puppet interacts with the real world. In this film, the puppet plays a side character—a Spirit from the beyond. The design process involved creating initial sketches and carefully crafting the puppet to fit our animation needs. This careful attention to detail helps bring the Spirit to life in a way that feels both magical and integral to the story.
Film influences.
Stop-motion test.
PRODUCTION DESIGN
Our talented Production Designer duo from film school, Isabelle Godrick and Olli Dialup, are in charge of the overall visual narrative of the movie. They work with Costume Designer, Shamini Kanthan, and Make-up Artists, Beth Skyrme and Vivian Liu, to ensure every element contributes to a cohesive tone. They are pivotal in crafting each aspect of the film’s environment—from sets and decorations to locations and props—focusing on a harmonious artistic vision. Drawing inspiration from the enchanting charm of Ghibli Studios and the vibrant landscapes of impressionist artists, we are creating a fairytale world viewed through a child’s eyes that also captures the emotional depth of loss.
Alva’s house will be a quaint British countryside cottage, acting as a focal point to immerse the audience in this magical realm. Similar to something from a storybook, the cottage will feature stones, bricks, and wooden furniture, nestled in a lush natural setting, enhancing the enchantment of Alva's world. The interiors will convey a warm, rustic vibe with plenty of organic touches to create a cozy and homey atmosphere. The precision of the design is crucial in capturing Alva’s emotional journey and depicting the clash between her innocence and her mother’s struggle with depression.
Early visualization of the Alva’s family house
We've secured a location in Lewes, which is a great fit for our film. The local setting is just what we needed to bring our story to life, providing the perfect backdrop for our fairytale world. We're currently in the process of turning a quaint cottage into Alva’s home, ensuring it reflects a genuine family environment. We’re excited about the progress and are focusing on creating a space that feels warm and welcoming. Every piece of decor is being carefully chosen to make the cottage feel like a true home, one that will resonate with our audience.
Initial concept sketches for the bedroom and the kitchen.
The kitchen of the location for “The Shore of Promises”.
IMMERSIVE REALISM
The visuals are inspired by a style that blends immersive realism with techniques borrowed from anime, capturing the genre's essence in a unique way. Our hardworking camera crew Andre Goncalves, Lovre Baric and Arran plans to utilize framing in a unique way to showcase the busyness of family life, the beauty in nature, and the detailed emotions of happiness, joy, and grief. This approach in combining animation and live-action filming will introduce a playful element to the project, reflecting the demeanour of our young protagonist, Alva.
Mood boards of the cinematography
SOUND IS HALF OF THE EXPIERENCE -George Lucas
Our sound team, consisting of Aurelia Forte, Luke Giles, and Mark Allen, is essential to the production. They work closely with the camera crew to ensure that the auditory experience complements the visuals and enhances the overall atmosphere of the film. Facing the challenge of harsh winds along the coastline, our sound team is prepared to experiment with new techniques and adapt their methods to ensure clear audio capture without interference. We're also excited to have two talented composers on board. Tottomori, whose work on "Music for Enchanted Tea Parlors" has significantly influenced the mood of our movie, will be joined by Olli who is creating the ambient that will bring our fantasy world to life.
Check out the link to explore Tottomori's album, "Music for Enchanted Tea Parlors."
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT US:
In addition to monetary contributions, we invite you to explore our range of rewards, including special thanks in the credits, exclusive merchandise, early previews of the final film, and executive producer credits. Your support in any form is deeply appreciated and invaluable in helping us bring this inspiring story to life. Please also support our journey on social media by following us on Instagram @theshoreofpromises and on TikTok to stay updated with the latest developments and exclusive content. Thank you for joining us on this journey, and please share this with people who would love this story!
———————————REWARDS———————————
£10 - Special Thanks in credits
£20 - Pins and stickers & Special Thanks in credits
£50 -Poster & Pins and stickers & Special Thanks in credits
£100 - Signed Poster & Early preview of the final film & and an executive producer credit.
Organizer
Tiyana Nayee
Organizer
England