What Once Was

What Once Was is an LGBTQ+ coming of age short film being made by a group of young queer film students here in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Aotearoa. We want to contribute to the growing pool of queer media by creating a story that is personal, authentic and wholeheartedly kiwi.

~After returning to her childhood farmhouse, Abigail must find the courage to come out to her close-minded parents, before the relationship with her girlfriend crumbles and she loses her family forever~

We're raising funds to provide our awesome crew with food and transport, as well as going toward locations costs, production design, props, costumes, paying our talented actors, and for entering into film festivals further down the track!

Meet the Team!

Paige Alexandra ~ Writer/ Director

Sarah Penny ~ Producer

Phoebe Smalley ~ 1st AD

Jane Lockhart ~ 2nd AD

Alex Shirtcliffe ~ DOP

Joel Vaai ~ 1st AC

Tasmin Du Mez ~ Sound Recordist

Ash Kelliher ~ Gaffer / Casting Director

Cassius Snow ~ Gaffer

Eva Juriss ~ HOD Art Department

Maggie Shore ~ Makeup Artist / Art Department

Ariana Copeland ~ BTS / Art Department

Shanay Rossiter ~ Editor

Paige Cooper ~ Editing Assistant / DIT

Jack Nielsen ~ Sound Assistant / Foley Artist

Ursula Scott ~ Sound Designer

Monty Hornell ~ Composer

We are so incredibly grateful for any donation you are able to offer, we couldn't make this project without these funds, without your support! If you would like, we would love to include donor's names in our film's credits, as a small gesture of our immense gratitude.