9.09.2026

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On May 15th this year, I reached out to my village of family, friends, and colleagues, to ask for funds to start developing my first feature film about my parents. I was terrified! I've never asked anyone for money, outside of fundraising with my AAU basketball teammates as a kid. The idea struck me as inconsiderate, like how dare I ask for help, ask for money.. people have their own lives that require their money and their care. Now, I know this sounds silly, but I was genuinely uncomfortable with the idea, and felt that people would think less of me for it. Luckily my Auntie Ann poured love into me, stating repeatedly that those who love me want to see me win and want to be a part of those wins in anyway they can, so she helped me draft an email with the specifics about what I was creating, what I needed to start, and how one could support. Within the first week I'd raised $4,000 - mind blown! With those funds I was able to pay the deposit for a Line Producer to draft the budget and schedule, and this really got the ball rolling.  By week three, I'd raised $6,900 and was able to hire a Director of Photography to start visual prep with shotlisting.

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My process has been a bit unorthodox I guess, but shotlisting in development instead of pre-production really tightened my script and shifted my schedule based on camera and actor needs. I'm very much learning on this process, and still working towards getting investor financing to roll into full pre-production, but without the funds from my village, I wouldn't have a professional schedule or budget, I wouldn't have a shotlist or storyboard, I wouldn't be prepared to walk into the offices of legal counsel or pitch to potential production companies. My village got me here, with donations reaching $11,855 words cannot express my appreciation. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Every single dollar is a confirmation, telling me yes, telling me to keep going. 

 

I am officially closing the donation portal as I prepare to start accepting investor funds to move into the next phase of production. 

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Stay tuned.

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All Love,

Assia

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