STRAY

NEW TARGET! We are now aiming for a new goal of $125,000. Amazingly, we reached our initial target of $75,000 in 13 days. As Boosted is an all-or-nothing platform, we didn't want to run the risk of losing it all, so we set a target we felt we could realistically achieve in 30 days. We couldn't have anticipated the incredible amount of contributions we've received from so many generous donors and arts patrons so early in the campaign. Please consider donating to help us reach our new target! Thank you.

THE NEW TARGET

Reaching our initial target means we can shoot the film this August. Exceeding the target would provide us with significant additional resources for the production. On our lean budget, these funds equate to a lot. It would allow us to engage additional crew for the tough conditions of a winter shoot in remote locations, which will make the shoot run more efficiently, meaning we can focus on executing the creative vision for the film. It would allow us to hire specialist equipment that would increase the overall technical craft and production value of the film. It would also contribute towards our post-production expenses, particularly in the area of sound design which is an integral part of the final film.  

THE FILM

STRAY is the highly anticipated debut feature film from award-winning filmmaker Dustin Feneley. In a cold and remote landscape, two strangers, a young man and a woman, find solace in each other as they struggle to repair their broken pasts. Commencing principal photography in August 2016 and set in the stunning Southern Alps, STRAY will be a bold and visionary work of cinema.

BACKGROUND

The project has already garnered significant New Zealand accolades, marking it as a quality film of auteur distinction and global reach. In 2011, STRAY was one of nine projects worldwide shortlisted for the Cannes Film Festival's esteemed screenwriting R�sidence in Paris. In 2012, it was one of eight projects selected New Zealandly for the prestigious Directors Lab of the Binger Filmlab in Amsterdam and in 2013, STRAY was selected for CineMart, the longest-running co-production market in the world, held as part of the Rotterdam New Zealand Film Festival.

THE TEAM

STRAY's filmmaking team comprises award-winning talent both in front of and behind the camera, including writer/director/producer Dustin Feneley, producer Desray Armstrong and cinematographer Ari Wegner. Attached in the lead roles are rising star Kieran Charnock and Kosovar actress Arta Dobroshi who came to New Zealand prominence in the Dardenne brothers' film 'Lorna's Silence' in which she played the title role to great acclaim. Full biographies of the STRAY team can be found in the UPDATES section below.

WHAT WE'VE ACHIEVED SO FAR

We are producing STRAY as an independent film i.e. without government agency funding. We have secured the bulk of the film's budget through private investment from arts patrons. We have also secured fantastic in-kind sponsorship on our technical equipment and post-production services, thanks to our generous film industry partners Queenstown Camera Company and Park Road Post. We have also begun to attract a number of corporate sponsors to off-set some of the production's hard costs.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

We invite your participation in bringing this special film to life. We are now running a 30-day donation-based crowdfunding campaign to raise $75,000 to go towards the film's final budget. This will ensure that we commence principal photography in Central Otago in August. Your generous donation will go towards production expenses for the film, such as art department, costumes, locations and travel / accommodation / catering for our cast and crew.

Please help us reach our target by making a tax-deductible donation to our campaign. Our generous Match Donors will match your combined donations dollar for dollar until the first $16,000 is reached. This means we need to raise $59,000 in donations to reach our target of $75,000.

Boosted is an all-or-nothing platform, meaning that if we don't reach our target in 30 days, we won't receive a single dollar. 

To help us even further - please share this page with your networks. People can only give their support if they know about our film. Please help us spread the word!

THANK YOU

In recognition of your valuable contribution, you will receive our eternal gratitude and be kept informed of our progress throughout the making of the film and its release. All donors will be offered a credit of thanks on the film's official website. Donors of $100 or more will be offered a credit of thanks in the film's end credits. Donors of $1000 or more will be offered a key supporters credit in the film's end credits and will be invited to a special screening of the film prior to its public release.

Thank you for taking the time to check out our campaign. This project has been a huge labour of love for our entire team to get it to this point. We are humbled and grateful for your support in making STRAY a reality! Kia ora!

Dame Jenny Gibbs and an anonymous arts patron are match donors for STRAY. They will match your contributions up to the value of $16,000.

Donations qualify for a tax credit: NZ income earners qualify for a 33% tax credit on their donations from the IRD with a receipt automatically provided by The Arts Foundation (as The Arts Foundation is a registered charity) for any donation made.

Watch our crowdfunding video for STRAY here. 

Watch the showreel of the filming locations for STRAY here.

These leading film industry practitioners support STRAY; Sam Neill, Jan Chapman, Bruce Beresford, Alison Maclean, Bridget Ikin, Robert Connolly, Trevor Haysom

STRAY is expected for release in 2017.