Just when I was about to give up…

“With 1 day left”, as stated in my previous newsletter, I had embarrassed the reality of not reaching my $6K goal on iFundWomen. Although I would have liked a different turnout, in all honesty I was at peace with this realization and the idea of retiring my project without the completion of the final cut.

In that moment of feeling at harmony with my decision, a few hours later… just when I was about to give up… I received an email notification from the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County notifying me of a grant award.

I received the funding needed to complete I Am More Than My Hair.

The Universe is miraculous.
 
In the spirit of transparency, I wasn’t able to raise the funds to create an accessible exhibition as I hoped for my exhibits next year. However, I will seek support from foundations in order to make this happen.

What does this mean?

I will see I Am More Than My Hair film into completion, as far as I can possibly reach. First focusing on the expenses related to accessibly (for blind and deaf audiences) and the sound mixing and color correction. 

Once it’s complete in the film festival circuit (December 2020) I will make it available online. I’m not sure of the platform as yet but I promise I’ll figure it out. Once I do, you’ll be the first to know.

This has been a 6 year journey.

As I wind down on the completion of, I Am More Than My Hair, I’m off working on other projects –  another documentary film and my first horror film!

I am forever grateful for the people who supported me and believed in my projects along the years. Thank you to everyone who took the time to support my campaign (it remains open in order to qualify for current grants on the iFundWomen platform). 

Please know that I appreciate you.

With gratitude,

Alyscia Cunningham
Director | Producer | Cinematographer
www.Alyscia.com

Read more on Mailchimp

For #GivingTuesdayNow, Your Donation Can Support Two Causes

#GivingTuesdayNow is a new global day of giving and unity that will take place on May 5, 2020 – in addition to the regularly scheduled Dec 1, 2020 #GivingTuesday – as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19.

Due to COVID-19 the promising family foundation grants, totaling $15,000, have been relocated to organizations in need of emergency supplies. Although I understand the necessity for realistically reallocating the grant funds I also understand the importance of coming together as a community and supporting small businesses.

That said, today is the official public launch of my iFundWomen crowdfunding campaign. Your donation can support two causes:

1. The final cut of my film, exhibition, and screening presentations.
2. Making it accessible for people with visual and hearing disabilities. I’ve made it mandatory that the venues requesting my art for exhibition, include accessibility as a part of the program.

Here’s a how you can offer your support: 

1. Support my campaign on iFundWomen – Your monetary contribution allows me the opportunity to complete the final cut of my film, and make it accessible for audiences with visual and hearing disabilities, with closed captioning and audio description. Here’s the link – https://ifundwomen.com/projects/i-am-more-my-hair-short-film

2. Prefer a tax-deduction? Donate via my fiscal sponsor, Docs In Progress.

3. Not able to make a monetary contribution? Not a problem! Please share my campaign with YOUR community. Need words of inspiration? Feel free to use the wording below when you share.

Director, Alyscia Cunningham, is raising funds for the final cut of her documentary film “I Am More Than My Hair” and making it accessible for viewers with visual and hearing disabilities. Please consider supporting this independent filmmaker on IFundWomen, a startup funding platform for women business owners – https://ifundwomen.com/projects/i-am-more-my-hair-short-film  #GivingTuesdayNow #SupportWomen #SupportWomenInFilm #SupportWomenArtists #WomenFilmmakers #Accessibility #FemaleDirector #SupportIndieFilm #IndieFilmmaker #IndieFemaleFilmmaker #Support #donate #Crowdfunding #iFundWomen #IAmMoreThanMyHair #AlysciaCunningham

4. Interested in hosting a private screening… social distancing style? Let’s make it happen — ONLINE! I only ask that your guests commit to making a monetary contribution via iFundWomen or Docs In Progress. Contact me for more info on how to set up a online screening.

Thank you for your continued support!

“I Am More Than My Hair” Marnobia’s Story

Meet Marnobia. We met in 2016 during my outreach Nueva Vida, a cancer support and empowerment group for Latinas. They shared my call for participants and Marnobia was the first woman I received a response from in the group.

Given our language barrier I couldn’t understand her exact response to my interview questions, but I could feel her power and bravery in the tone of her voice.

After having her interview translated from Spanish to English, her response about the support she received from her family and positive attitude during her journey with breast cancer treatment, gave me tears of joy. I hope you enjoy her interview as much as I do.

Thanks to your support I’m headed to Sarasota!

I Am More Than My Hair was awarded an Official Selection and will screen at the 2020 Through Women’s Eyes International Film Festival, taking place place on March 6 – 8, in Sarasota, FL. If you’re in the area, consider attending the film festival.

I Am More Than My Hair screens on Sunday March 8th. Read more and purchase tickets

As my outreach continues… with rewards!

If my film continues to be selected (a wonderful problem to have), it’s an average of $1K per festival for me to participate (airfare, travel, lodging, food, etc.). Unfortunately, even if my film is selected most film festivals don’t cover expenses or travel cost.

With that in mind… your support is appreciated! Here’s a few ways you be of support: 

1. Make a donation – Donate $50 or more and I’ll mail you a copy of my book, calendar, tote bag or mouse pad (see photos below). You choose!

Donate $200 + and I’ll ship all 4!

• Not interested in the tax-deduction? Contact me and I’ll send you an invoice via PayPal. Simply click the button below to send an email letting me know your preference.
• If you prefer a tax-deduction, donate via my fiscal sponsor, Docs In Progress. Please note that it will take longer to ship as the funds aren’t immediately available. I’ll keep you posted on the ETA.

2. Purchase a copy on Amazon. If you prefer to purchase a copy of I Am More Than My Hair on Amazon, please purchase directly from me (AC Media). 10% of proceeds from book sales are donated to Children’s Alopecia Project (CAP). Please note, I am only able to donate to CAP if you make a purchase via AC Media. I won’t receive payment for books sold via the other companies.

3. Prefer not to make an online payment? Not a problem. Feel free to mail a check. Please include your reward preference (book, calendar, tote or mouse pad) on the check. Contact me for the mailing address

4. Interested in hosting a private screening? Contact me for more info.

Thank you for your continued support!

 

Week #2: Filming for Keep a Child Alive

It’s week #2 into my my campaign for Keep a Child Alive (KCA). I’m still very busy planning, scheduling, filming and editing away. Thanks to the participants who’ve volunteered their time to allow me to film them saying a message of encouragement! Each individual brings something unique to the table and I’m sure it will be appreciated by the youth of KCA.

In order to make my campaign a success I still need to raise a total of $2,970. Remember that 100% of the proceeds will fund the youth-led peer support groups of Keep a Child Alive. You can donate as little as $5 and your donation is tax deductible. Visit my campaign page at www.support.keepachildalive.org/goto/Alyscia.

Here are week #2 round of videos.


Please donate to my campaign here. Remember, $1,000 covers a year’s worth of programming for the youth-led peer support group. With my goal of $3,000 3 groups will have 1-year worth or programming.

Here’s how you can help make this campaign a success…

• Donate to the campaign. Instead of charging a fee to be filmed and edited, I ask that you please help fund the campaign and make it a success. No amount is too little.
• Share, share, share! The more you can share on your social media platforms, email and word-of-mouth the more it will gain more attention and go viral (that’s the goal).

Thank you for your support!