Finding the lighthouse

‘Finding the Lighthouse’ is a short drama following two sisters who have been estranged for five years. They meet at a rural car park with an objective to take their recently deceased mothers ashes to the lighthouse, they once went to as kids.

On this journey, they each battle with the awkwardness of the situation while re-discovering their relationship. Emilia reveals something to Charlie that changes the dynamic of their relationship completely. The walk started as duty but ended as reconnection and finally, Aroha as a result of the shared experience.

THE IDEA. 

Our film has ambitious aims to capture a touching story about two sisters reconnecting and coming to terms with grief, sexuality and years of estrangement. Our project is honest and true, with our authentic voices fuelling the representation, struggles and choices of the characters. We want to create a strong film that will impact a large audience, providing sentimental value, empathy and empowerment for LGBT communities and women around the world. 

‘Finding the Lighthouse’ is on one level, a coming-out story. One that is nestled and wrapped in a dramatic and emotional journey of two estranged sisters, while they rediscover their desire for connection. Our film seeks to move an audience to understand that a person’s sexuality does not define them. A lot of films that create stories about the LGBT community over sexualise the characters, especially lesbian characters. We want audiences to push past the cliche by creating something powerful, original and most importantly authentic. 

‘Finding the Lighthouse’ shines a light on humility and human connection. Our project has gone through a rigorous development and writing process. With all this hard work and discussion, our film has become a strong story with a message for representation of the LGBT community. ‘Finding the Lighthouse’  tells a story that hammers home the importance of what it means to be yourself. Our story comes from lived experiences of the creators behind it. 

THE TEAM.

Our diverse team comprises passionate filmmakers ready to showcase our abilities and ourselves as emerging creatives in the New Zealand film industry. We are a tight-knit team that has fuelled so much passion, authenticity and strength into our project and we can’t wait to share this heartwarming story with you all. 

HEAD OF DEPARTMENTS. 

Producer: Annie Wykes

Writer/Director: Michael Cox

Director of Photography: Zezil Meehirun 

Editor & Assistant Director: Gabby D’Souza

Sound Recordist/Post Sound: Tommy Secker 

CREW.

Assistant Camera: Sally Cottrell 

BTS Content Creator: Thais Ehinger

Editor’s Assistant/Runner: Sophie Anderson 

Gaffer: Tiger Francis

Lighting Assistant: Paris Oliver 

THE TARGET. 

In order to achieve our project to its fullest potential for strong distribution to New Zealand and international film festivals, we need your help. Finding the lighthouse needs to raise just over $7000 to launch our initial production. Your generous contribution will allow us to pay our talented cast, accommodation, transportation costs, catering, costuming, music licensing fees and distribution costs for our film to have a life in the 2022 international film festival circuit. 

We are very appreciative of your support and are thankful for any financial contribution you can offer us to help us create such a unique and rewarding short film. 

Follow our Facebook and Instagram to keep up with our production’s progress throughout the year!