Two Rastafarians in love. Born and bred in London. Living normal everyday lives. They joke, they laugh, they argue, they cry. Have you ever seen that film before...? Neither have we! And when Imani  discovers she has cancer, she begins to question her faith, her holistic 'ital' lifestyle, and her identity as a Rastafarian. Alpha & Omega is about the universal experience of doubting your strength to face a fear, set within the context of a Rastafarian culture, but ultimately Imani & Hakeem are just like you and me. 

Finally, through the film we're genuinely trying to address diversity both on and off camera by recruiting a predominantly ethnic cast and crew...AND WE'D LOVE YOUR SUPPORT!

Help us bring this story to the world. Film is one of the most powerful mediums to educate, inspire and impact people. It’s a way to bring us together and help people from different cultures, backgrounds and communities understand each other better, and show the common experiences we all go through. Genuinely, we believe we could make the world a slightly better place.

According to a 2015 Cancer Research UK study (see here).

1 out of 2 people in the UK are now likely to develop some form of cancer…1 OUT OF 2!

So almost everyone will either suffer from it or know someone who has, had, or will have it.

Alpha & Omega was inspired by the writer (Maia Watkins) losing her Rastafari Godfather to cancer last year and his experience of losing his dreadlocks . We hope this film will promote a better representation and understanding of the Rastafari culture as well as open up a dialogue about how people cope with cancer, but also how their loved ones can help them through it.

Written by a Rastafari woman of colour, the short film is produced by people of colour, stars people of colour and will be directed by a woman of colour. 

As the Oscars and BAFTAs remind us every year, Hollywood rarely take risks on stories like ours. But stories like these are the ones that need to get made to inspire young people of colour, and educate the rest of the world on cultures and experiences they might not have direct contact with. This crowdfund takes matters into our own hands, and asking you and those who care about making a difference, to help us make sure these movies get made; when we want and how we want, without waiting for permission.

YES WE DO - But more importantly we want to use this opportunity to involve as many of the ethnic community as possible. Over the last 2 months we have interacted with local vegan restaurants, black cultural centres, organic cosmetics, arts & crafts, and jewellery businesses to feature their work and décor to fill Imani and Hakeem’s home. We have some fantastic collaborators, but we're still assembling our dream team!

In the meantime, here are the bios of some of our core team members. Watch out for updates!

DIRECTOR - Chloe Tai

Chloe started out studying photography and as such has a natural flair for visual aesthetics. Steadily building her filmmaking portfolio with her co-owned production company Smashed Screen Films, within the last 2 years she's worked on 6 short films spanning comedy, horror and drama and still found time for a full time job as Marketing & Business Co-Ordinator at an International Film Sales Company; working on films such as Michaela Coel's Been So Long and the recent David Lynch Doc: The Art Life.

IMDB: Chloe Tai / Instagram: @smashedscreenfilms

Writer /Lead Actor - Maia Watkins

A West London based actor of Jamaican and Guyanese/Russian heritage, Maia Watkins is a 3 time winner of Triforce Monologue Slam UK held at Stratford’s Theatre Royal; has a degree in Drama, Film and Television and an MA in acting, from the Drama Centre London.

Recent acting credits include EastEnders (BBC), The Educatoror (Channel 4) and In the Robot Skies (London Film Festival BFI IMAX/Channel 4). 

IMDB: Maia Watkins / Twitter: @maiajw 

Co-Producer - Dominique Toussaint

Having studied a degree in media and film, Dom has been producing TV commercials for 5 years now working on big brands such as Hasbro, Lipton, Wilkinson Sword and Rolex to name a few. A former actor who studied at the prestigious Identity Film School, she's always been inspired by drama. This has led her to seek more creativity and therefore over the last year she's been working on short films part-time. This will be the third short film she has produced in the last year!

LinkedIn: Dominique Toussaint / Instagram: xdomdomx

Co-Producer - Nathan Adabadze

A former actor turned writer/director/producer and the other half of Smashed Screen Films, Nathan's previous short films have screened at the BFI South Bank and Camden Odeon as part of S.O.U.L Celebrate Connects & the British Urban Film Festival respectively. Given his background, and passion for projects with memorable and complex characters getting involved in Alpha & Omega was a no-brainer.

Twitter: @Nathan_Kwesi  /  Instagram: nathan_kwesi

DoP - Faisal Chaudhuri

Based in London but of Bangladeshi heritage and with much of his childhood spent in Singapore, Faisal uses his background to influence much of his work. He previously ran his own production company working with global brands such as L'Oreal, Unilever and Nokia. He now shoots across many genres including documentary, music videos, short films and commercials and has shot for brands such as Yves Saint Laurent, IKEA, Google and The World Wildlife Foundation. In his narrative work he brings an understanding of social issues as well as a strong aesthetic sense to any subject matter. Going forward he is always looking to explore the visual boundaries of storytelling.

Check out his stunning visuals! 

Website: see here / Instagram: @FaisalChaudhuri

MUSIC

‘Royal Sounds’ are a roots reggae band hailing from London who have agreed to provide some positive vibrations for the film soundtrack! They comprise of brothers Ajani and Gyasi who deliver vocals/play bass and the guitar respectively. In addition to Hannibal (their cousin) and Ras Sempah who both also deliver soothing vocals.

Through their music Royal Sounds aim to uplift the people with good reggae music, and spread positive vibrations of unity to the world. They have just set off on their first worldwide tour promoting their latest project ‘Burning Inspiration’.

Sound Cloud: Royal Sounds  / Facebook: The Official Royal Sounds

Exactly...it's paying for our crew holiday to Jamaica, we need a break! JOKING! 

We're already well into pre-production! Check our Facebook & Instagram pages if you don't believe us! We've set a shoot date in September, scouted locations, secured our main cast and crew: DOP, Set Designer, Costume Designer, Hair & Make-up Stylist, Editor, Post Production Sound & Grading... we just need the money!

We are asking for £3,000 and have already committed £1,000 of our own money to the £4,000 budget. The £3,000 will used for:

- Lighting & camera equipment we need

- Props & Costume

- Rehearsal space

- Shoot location

- Festival submissions

Much of the props, artwork, costumes and production design is specialised and specific to the Rastafari culture. We want it to be as authentic as possible, and we want to do this right. 

Nathan (Co-producer) will cry for a week...you don't want to see a grown man cry do you? HOWEVER we're committed to making this short film, no matter what, even if we have to shoot it on our mobile phones in someone's bedroom. BUT, we believe in manifesting our dreams, so we want to say instead, that with your support, WHEN WE RAISE OUR GOAL and hopefully more, we will make this short the way we really want to and we will make you proud to be part of it!

If we do NOT reach our goal, we'll use what we get to continue pre-production and then raise more money through competitions, private investment, personal finance & stealing from a bank to secure the funding for the entire shoot. As we said, we will make this movie.

Then we'll take that holiday to Jamaica… just kidding!

£4,000 is actually our shoe string budget, ideally we'd love to secure £6,000 - £14,000 or more and although we're also seeking private financing/entering competitions to raise the additional finance nothing is guaranteed. Exceeding our target and nearing the £6K - £14K mark will enable us to pay all the cast & crew involved wages as opposed to expenses for the 3 day shoot and rent higher end camera, lens & lighting equipment.

We totally understand that not everyone can afford to donate, but donating your time, your tweet or Facebook/Instagram post is also a great way to help spread the word. Share on all your social media platforms and "like" and "follow" us please!! You could share it to the person that helps us cross the line!

 Facebook: @alphaandomegafilm | Instagram:@smashedscreenfilms 

Website: www.smashedscreenfilms.com