New Stretch Goal: $22,000!

Thank you all for your support in helping Fire Song reach our initial campaign goal of $15,000! To be honest, our first goal was less than we actually need, so we are asking people to continue sharing and supporting the campaign. Take a look at the updates section to see what the additional funds raised will help us to cover.   

What is Fire Song?

Fire Song is a feature-length independent film about a gay Aboriginal teenager trying to support his family in the aftermath of his sister's suicide. 

*Winner of the Jim Burt Screenwriting Prize* 

The Story

When a teenaged girl commits suicide in a remote Aboriginal community in Northern Ontario, it's up to her brother Shane to take care of their family. Shane was supposed to move to the city for University in the fall, and he was trying to convince his secret boyfriend to come with him, but now everything is uncertain.  Shane is torn between his family who needs him, and the promise of freedom in the city.  He pushes through barrier after barrier, determined to take care of his mom and follow his dreams.  But when circumstances take a turn for the worse, and Shane has to choose between his family or his future, what will he do?

It's never as simple as staying or going, but for Shane, who is also struggling to find a safe place to express his sexuality, the question of what to do next will have life altering consequences.

The Cast

We are excited to announce that after seeing over two hundred actors over the last year and a half, we have locked in a cast! Check out the video too see them find out they got the parts:)

Andrew Martin as “Shane”    (Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario)

Mary Galloway as “Tara”    (Cowichan Tribe, Vancouver, British Columbia)

Harley Legarde as “David”  (Fort William First Nation, Ontario)

Alexis Legarde as “Ashley” (Fort William First Nation, Ontario)

Brendt Diabo as “Kyle” (Mohawks of Kahnawake, Quebec)

Jennifer Podemski as “Jackie” (Saulteaux Tribe, Saskatchewan)

Ma-Nee Chacaby as “Evie” (Eabametoong First Nation, Ontario

Misty Dore as “Roberta” (Long Lake #58 First Nation, Ontario)

Krysten Flett as “Debbie” (Keeseekoowenin First Nation, Manitoba)

Natty Morriseau as “Destiny” (Eabametoong First Nation, Ontario)

Derek Miller as “Glen”  (Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario)

Tom Polson as “Uncle Pete”   (Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation, Quebec)

Why Make Fire Song? 

Fire Song has been brewing in me for a long time. I began by writing about an important summer when I was a teenager struggling with depression and thoughts of suicide, trying to wrap my mind around the idea of coming out, and who I wanted to be in the world.

Over time, the story grew and evolved, incorporating elements of stories that I heard from Aboriginal youth all over the country – stories about how impossible it was to leave home, and how impossible it was to stay.  The more I thought about it, the more I realized how important that conflict between home and away is – how central it is to the disconnect between Canada and Indian Country.

Thomas King said "The truth about stories is, that's all we are." It's been inspiring to hear from so many people who feel that this story speaks to them and their experiences directly.  That feedback has led me to realize how badly we need this story right now.  We need to see and feel Shane struggling to put the pieces of his family back together; we need to see him fight to do the best that he can under impossible circumstances, and we need to see him succeed, even if it's not success in the way he originally intended.

Another important aspect of this film's production is training and mentorship for Aboriginal youth. But more on that later…

Why Indiegogo? 

I'm not going to lie to you – Fire Song is a tough sell.  It's hard to convince people that audiences are interested in seeing a story about gay Aboriginal teenagers who don't turn into wolves and aren't feuding with vampires.  But I have always believed that stories about the real world can be more beautiful, more engrossing, and more meaningful than any fantasy, if told with passion and dedication.

And that's why we have come to you – the audience that cares that mature, important, heartfelt stories are being told.  And even if you can't help us out with a donation, please share this link online, email your friends, and spread the word as much as you can! Let's get that moccasin telegraph working!

Why Does it cost so Much? 

Have you ever seen the credits on a film scroll by and been amazed at the number of people involved? I definitely have.  Well, every single one of those people work tirelessly to make these films, and even at our budget level (which may seem like a lot of money but actually isn't) all of those people need to be paid.  They're an awesome bunch of people and they're not asking for loads of money, but they do need to keep the lights on and a roof over their heads.

The other reason is location.  This is a Northern Ontario story, and it needs to be shot in Northern Ontario.  I could have tried to shoot somewhere close to Toronto and fake it, but on a film like this, when all you have is a passionate group of people  and a story that feels true, you just have to do it for real.  Or as close to real as a movie can get.

What We Need & What You Get

There are two potential spending scenarios for your generous contributions:

• The film currently has a $30,000 gap in the total production budget of $250,000. We have many applications out to other potential funders to provide the remaining $30,000. We are launching this campaign in the event that none of those sources come through.  If this is the case and we raise the full $15,000 through this campaign it will provide half of our shortfall and the producers will invest equity for the remaining $15,000. Your funds will be spent on direct costs in the overall production budget. This means we will use the money for crew, cast, accommodations, transportation, gear rentals, craft and catering, wardrobe supplies, post picture and sound editing.  It's important to note that the producers are not taking a fee on this project.
• The second scenario is in the event that one of our other sources do come through with closing our $30,000 funding gap. Your contributions will be allocated to publicity and marketing costs associated with getting the film out to market. Publicity is crucial to the success of any feature film. We will put the $15,000 towards costs associated with publicity, social media and web administrator, print materials and design, electronic press kits, viral media clips from the film, film festival submissions, promotional items, travel to international market events for foreign sales. 
• Due to the category we selected, we must raise all of our funds or we will not receive any of them.  In either case, your contributions will help us close our financing gap or help us build a vibrant and successful publicity campaign to promote the film.

The Team

Big Soul Productions: Co-Producer

Big Soul has developed and produced award-winning television series, such as "Moccasin Flats" for Showcase and APTN, a movie-of-the-week, "Moccasin Flats: Redemption", animated  comedy series "By The Rapids", variety series, "Guilt Free Zone" and numerous award-winning short films, music videos, and documentaries. Through its custom designed media empowerment program, Big Soul has trained more than 500 Aboriginal youth and adults across Canada in technical and creative capacities for film and television. Now in its 15th year, Big Soul is and remains proudly Indigenous owned and operated.

Thunderstone Pictures: Co-Producer

Deeply rooted in their community, Thunderstone crafts award-winning drama and documentary films that make meaningful contributions to both the place they call home and the world at large.  As a result, Thunderstone Pictures is recognized as a trailblazer for leading-edge filmmaking that pulls no punches on the social issues like Aboriginal youth suicide, and the prescription drug epidemic in remote Northern Ontario.

Adam Garnet Jones: Writer & Director

Since his 2006 film, Cloudbreaker premiered at TIFF, Adam Garnet Jones has been regarded as a filmmaker to watch. In the years that followed, Adam wrote and directed a collection of award-winning shorts (A Small Thing, Wave A Red Flag, LIAR) that found audiences from SXSW in Austin to TIFF, VIFF, and even Grauman's Chinese Theatre in LA.  Adam has also distinguished himself as a television writer by working on comedic series like Cashing In and Mohawk Girls.  Now, Adam is excited to be breaking ground with his work on the upcoming dramatic series, The North End for Big Soul Productions, and his own one hour drama Dead Lawyers. The script for Adam's feature film debut, Fire Song, recently won the Jim Burt Screenwriting Prize.

Adam's last film, LIAR, can be seen below. PASSWORD: lying 

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