TOBY - Short Film (2024)

Allow us to introduce you to TOBY, a contemporary reimagining of a classic horror trope that we believe deserves to be brought to life.

By supporting our project, your donation will help us share this story with a broader audience.

Keep reading to learn about the incredible journey that has brought us to this point and the talented team you'll be supporting when you contribute to our project today.

EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT - We are thrilled to share that we have successfully onboarded some exceptionally talented cast members.

Allow us the pleasure of introducing them to you today.

Meet Mia - Angela Zhou

I am a trilingual Chinese Australian Actor and Producer based in Sydney. My credits include psychological feature “Mercy of Others” and WWII period piece “Sasha’s Game”. Recently I trained with Sundance Director Kim Farrant (Stranger Land, The weekend Away) where she praised me for my ability to access my sexual energy, vulnerability and rage. I’m incredibly excited to play Mia and be a part of the team to create “Toby”. I’ve always been a big fan of horror, from watching to creating. "Toby" ignites my fascination with haunted dolls and I can't wait to tell the story!

Stay tuned for more exciting updates as we continue to assemble an outstanding team for "TOBY."

THE STORY:

TOBY is a chilling and suspenseful tale that explores the consequences of meddling with dark forces beyond our understanding. The story follows Bryce, a young man grappling with the sinister influence of a cursed ventriloquist dummy named Toby. Alongside his loyal and enigmatic friend, Alfie, Bryce embarks on a quest to free himself from the malevolent grip of the doll. Unbeknownst to them, this journey will take them to eerie and mystical places as they seek to rid themselves of Toby's curse

BRYCE & ALFIE:

Bryce & Alfie, both vibrant souls in their mid-twenties, navigate the tumultuous rollercoaster of life together. Their connection, resilient, is fortified by their shared empathy and unwavering support for each other. It's this very bond that provides the strength to face the unsettling unknown and tackle the nightmarish challenges that TOBY throws their way.

WHAT WILL MY DONATION BE USED FOR?

Exciting things are on the horizon for our project! Our planned goal is set at $2,500, and it holds the key to our successful production. The majority of these funds will be allocated to marketing, enabling us to gain traction for our festival runs. This strategic push will allow us to introduce "TOBY" to a global audience far and wide.

Our talented team is passionate about bringing this story to life, and we believe it's a project that resonates with audiences on multiple levels. Allow us to introduce the dedicated individuals behind this endeavour:

With shoot dates in mid-January the goal is to have postproduction completed by end of February. This will ensure our entry into Sydney Film Festival (we hope to be our world premiere).

Following our Australian premiere, we intend to submit to various international film festivals. Including, but not limited to:

Ax Wound Film Festival (USA)

LA International Horror

Toronto Indie Horror

Birmingham Horror

Show Me Shorts (NZ)

Melbourne Women in Film

WIFT V-Fest Brisbane

Hollywood New Directors

Lit Scares International Horror (UK)

Gasp Horror (UK)

Women on the Dark Side (USA)

Directors Cut Int’l (Canada)

Naomi Bird - Writer & Director:

Naomi Bird is a born storyteller, with tales weaving their magic since her childhood days. In the challenging times of her youth, her narratives became a lifeline, forging connections and providing solace, especially through the profound loss of her parents.

From these roots, Naomi's passion for storytelling blossomed into a powerful belief in the importance of stories for the human experience. She understands that the narratives we construct about our lives are the compasses guiding us through the complexities of existence, helping us shape our identities.

As a creative visionary, Naomi's journey has brought her to the heart of TOBY, a project that began as a whimsical concept but has now evolved into something deeper and profoundly significant. TOBY transcends its surface humor, focusing on the very essence of humanity - the art of connection. Naomi's work highlights the intricate and unorthodox bond between Bryce and Alfie, emphasizing the profound impact of platonic friendships, which need no romantic undertones to be exceptionally transformative, especially in mixed-gender dynamics.

Naomi Bird is an accomplished and award-winning screenwriter, poised to make her mark from behind the director's chair. Her previous works, including the celebrated "GWEN" and the eagerly anticipated "Sparkle of Joy," have already etched a place for her in the industry, cementing her reputation as a storyteller who delves deep into the human experience.

Jarrod Coslovich - Producer:

Jarrod embarked on his journey in the Film & TV industry four years ago, starting from the ground up and working his way through various roles in productions such as "Mr. Inbetween," "Total Control," and "Strife." Concurrently, he pursued his own projects as a producer and director, earning accolades for his Award-Winning Works. Nevertheless, Jarrod remains steadfast in his pursuit of crafting compelling narratives.

Rose Newland - Director of Photography:

Rose is an award-winning cinematographer and graphic designer, contributing her remarkable talent to projects such as "GWEN," "Mr. Inbetween," "Back to the Rafters," "Unsound," "Petrol," "Poker Face," and "Mother and Son."

THE CAST:

Bryce - Robert Baulderstone

Rob joins our project with a rich background in acting, having recently wrapped up consecutive productions, "To Ruin" and "Homesteaders," which received accolades for Best Performances and Best Use of Character.

Based in Adelaide, Rob is not only an actor but also a skilled writer, with a focus on theatre. He is a graduate of the University of Adelaide, holding degrees in both English and Creative Writing.

In Rob's own words, "I was immediately drawn to the character of Bryce and his profound connection with his best friend, Alfie. Exploring the intricacies of Bryce's inner world as he grapples with the looming presence of TOBY has been a joy and a challenge that I eagerly embraced."

We are delighted to have Rob as a part of our project, and we believe his dedication and talent will bring depth and authenticity to Bryce's character.

Alfie - Emily Isabel Norton

Mia - Angela Zhou

Craig - Peter Chidiac

SO HOW CAN YOU HELP?

- SUPPORT: By supporting our project economically, you will not only bring a concrete help to the project, but you will boost our energy and willingness to turn this story into a visual narrative that we can't wait to share with the public!

- SHARE: If you are really not able to give your financial support, you would still be able to spread the world and share our crowdfunding campaign with friends, family, and whoever you might know would be interested in becoming a fancy executive producer of a film!

We genuinely appreciate your support and belief in our vision.

Thank you,

Naomi & Jarrod