In Short:

"Head Trauma" is a comedic short film about a repressed Asian-American girl who gets a head injury and loses her ability to control her impulses.  It asks the question, "If you had a free pass to be whoever you wanted to be, would you be different?"

My name is Kristine Namkung, and I was selected by the American Film Institute to to participate in their prestigious Directing Workshop for Women.  The three week workshop will culminate in directing my short film, “Head Trauma.”

There are a lot of Asian women out there but very few films that tell our story in a funny, meaningful way.  Instead of having the media define us, I want to blow up the stereotypes we've been wedged into by poking fun at the absurd situations we deal with on a daily basis.

"Head Trauma" is a story nearly all of us can relate to - the joy we would take in a free pass that excuses us from the expectations and responsibilities of being a functioning adult and allows us to be the wild, uninhibited child we really are.

Please help me make this film happen!

The Details:

• To make this film, I need to raise at least $15,000.  Every single penny helps towards this goal and goes directly to making this film.

• We've got some fun perks for all of you who donate, but the best part is knowing you've helped make this film and sent it out into the world!

• If you'd like to receive an acknowledgement letter for tax purposes, go to this link and donate directly through AFI https://support.afi.com/dwwfilms.  Select "HEAD TRAUMA" - Kristine Namkung.  All funds will go to the account set up for "Head Trauma."  (And you'll still be eligible for the perks as well.)

The Impact You Can Make

In 2012, women accounted for 9% of feature film directors, an increase of 4 percentage points from 2011 but the same as the percentage of women directors in 1998.  The percentage of Asian women feature film directors?  Less than 1%. (And holding steady.)  Time to change that!

The DWW has two goals: to offer women career opportunities to direct films and offer them educational opportunities to learn to develop their filmmaking skills. Several early films received Academy Award nominations and many alumni have won awards at film festivals, including Cannes.

In the past I've received the Panavision Grant for New Filmmakers, and have had my short films selected by the LA Shortsfest and Sacramento International Film Festival.  I recently wrapped production on a feature film, and will be sending it out to festivals by the end of this year.  

The script for "Head Trauma" got me into this awesome program, and I plan to get this film out there for as many people to enjoy as possible.  It won't disappoint!  And that's a promise.   

Other Ways You Can Help

• Tell everyone you know about it.  You just never know who might be harboring a secret dream to be an associate producer on an AFI film!  Or maybe they just want to be a part of telling our story.

• Share this on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, um...you know, all those social media sites!

• Be yourself, even without a head injury.  Every time we go against expectations, it's a small victory.

With thanks and love,

Kristine

My Incredible Team

Producer:  Diverging from a biomedical engineering career, Cyril Abraham found his passion in film. Relocating to Los Angeles, he graduated from the American Film Institute with an MFA in Producing. Since 2012, He's produced several shorts, commercials and music videos. Living by the motto, "Enlightenment through Entertainment," he wishes to tie his science background with his film experience and infuse his audience with intelligent storytelling. If even for a second, a person stops to think, Cyril's job as a filmmaker is achieved. With "Head Trauma," he hopes to shed light on a societal stigma and the people that suffer from it.

Pietro Villani is one of the recipients for the 2012 Emerging Cinematographer Awards from the ICG 600 for the film “Carjack.” He has won the Best Cinematography Award at Chapman University and Best Cinematography at the Hunting Beach Film Festival. Pietro’s educational background includes a B.A. in Film and Television Production from Chapman University and an M.A. in Cinematography from the prestigious American Film Institute.  Pietro has shot commercials, music videos, short narratives, and feature films. His latest feature, 3 GEEZERS, starring JK Simons was released nationwide in theaters this past May. Pietro is originally from New York, but now resides in Los Angeles with his family.

Sunghwan Moon has worked as an editor in Korea and the U.S. He has edited trailers, promos, and music videos for movies and TV series such as IRIS starring Byung-hun Lee, KONG ZI starring Yun-Fat Chow, and Disney/Disney Junior Channel in Korea. He has also worked on a feature animation, GARFIELD'S PET FORCE. After working for several years, Sunghwan decided to focus on narrative film, and it lead him to AFI Conservatory in Los Angeles, CA. 

 A Film Written & Directed by Kristine Namkung