Campaign Overview

A fundraising campaign to help support "The Last Catamount", a new animated short film based on the true story of a 15-year-old boy’s chance meeting with the last confirmed mountain lion in 1880s Vermont. Vermont independent animator Travis Van Alstyne is currently in pre-production on "The Last Catamount" and is seeking funds to help make it a reality. Scheduled to be completed in 2026.

About the Short Film

"The Last Catamount" is based on real events and is set in 1880s Vermont. It chronicles the journey of the last confirmed mountain lion as it treks from the Vermont-Canadian border down the spine of the Green Mountains. The catamount's route consists of stops along some of Vermont's highest peaks: Jay Peak, Mount Mansfield, Camel's Hump, Mount Ellen, and Killington Peak. The story ends in the small town of Barnard, Vermont with an unexpected encounter with James Cadwell, a 15-year-old farm boy. "The Last Catamount" will be approximately eight to ten minutes long and will be told from the vantage point of both the mountain lion itself and James.

The visuals will be digital 2D animation and consists of 18 characters (the mountain lion, seven wildlife animals, five farm animals, and five citizens of Barnard, VT). Artistic collaborators on the project will include:

• Character design by Sarah Brennan
• Background art by a Vermont painter
• Narration by a Vermont naturalist
• Sound design by a Vermont native
• Music by a Vermont performer
• And more...

About the Filmmaker

Travis Van Alstyne is a native Vermonter from Chester, now living in South Burlington, and he specializes in 2D animations. Travis is a 2003 alum of the Savannah College of Art and Design's animation program and he is currently in the final stages of finishing a short animation on the last year of Romaine Tenney's life. 

Funding

"The Last Catamount" is projected to cost around $20,000 to complete. Director, writer, and animator Travis Van Alstyne will be self funding a portion of "The Last Catamount", but he needs help to fund the remainder.

For this campaign the goal is $6,000. This funding helps provide financial support to the following:

• Character design
• Background art creation
• Narration

As a "thank you" for supporting "The Last Catamount", there will be an assortment of perks. These perks are available at particular levels of financial support.

• $5 - Thank You Email from Travis
• $15 - Signed Postcard
• $20 - "Animated" Business Card
• $30 - Mountain Lion Stickers
• $50 - Mountain Lion Enamel Pin
• $100 - Combo Pack
• $125 - Signed Movie Poster
• $150 - 1881 Baseball Hat
• $200 - 1881 Tote Bag
• $250 - Your Name in the Credits
• $500 - Everything

In the case that the goal of $6,000 is not met, all perks will be fulfilled/delivered and any remaining funds will be used for finishing "The Last Catamount".

Other Ways to Help

If you're not able to help financially, get the word out about this funding campaign! You're help sharing this campaign on social media can make a big difference. Thank you!