Dawat
A Bengali-American short film
Project Description
Overview
Jhal NYC, established in 2015, is a social entrepreneurship venture built to empower the Bengali diaspora. We employ stay at home mothers and new immigrants while also helping to prepare them for the career paths they seek to transition to. More than anything we are creating a community for these marginalized groups. It’s more than just about food, it’s us. And now we’re producing a narrative short film that reflects the distinct Bengali-New York culture that we grew up in from the taste of the Bengali food we were raised on to the aesthetic and sound of the streets of New York.
Dawat is a Bengali-American tale of the intergenerational relationship between a mother and her daughter, Ishita who has just been accepted into a prestigious Producers Program in California. Dawat explores a night in their Jamaica, Queens home, during a dinner party, as Ishita approaches telling her traditional Bengali mother about her decision to move to California and pursue her dreams.
As Bengali-American filmmakers, we strive to tell stories that hit close to home and help to start a conversation about our own unique experiences.
This campaign will run for 8 weeks. Once funded, our schedule is:
- Pre-Production: May 2019 - Mid-June 2019
- Production: Late-June 2019
- Post-Production: July 2019 - August 2019
- Release: Late Summer 2019!
We will begin submitting to various film festivals towards the end of Summer 2019 and hosting private screenings.
With an all Bengali cast and both a people of color and women dominant crew, the film reflects our individual and collective experiences living as proud members of our communities.
Jhal NYC is a Vendy Awards Nominated food stand with notable event spots including at the Queens International Night Market and at The Infatuation's Eatscon. Our mission is to empower the Bengali community through food and culture. Dawat is another step towards that.
There are several ways you can help bring this short film to life.
1. Donate to our campaign and get some sweet perks.
Help us bring Dawat to the screen and to you!
2. Share the campaign with your family and friends.
Help us spread the word so we can all enjoy it together!
3. Follow the show on Instagram.
Connect with us (@dawatshortfilm), we wanna hear from you!
Thank you so much for your support,
Let's make a short film!
--The Dawat Team
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
Why specifically make a film?
Why is it based in Jamaica, Queens?
How can I help if I can't give money?
Will there be more films from Jhal?
When will the short film be completed? Can I watch it on my phone?
I want to be part of the production crew, how can I help?
YOUR NAME will be in the 'special thanks' section of the credits in the film!
Included Items
- Social Media Shout-Out
- Premiere Jhal Videos
- Name in the Credits
Just Because I Care
You will get a personalized shout out on our Instagram!
Included Items
- Social Media Shout-Out
You'll get a first look at documentary footage that our team has captured of Jhal over the course of a year.
Included Items
- Social Media Shout-Out
- Premiere Jhal Videos
Get an exclusive Jhal poster featuring the "rebels" of Bangladesh, signed by the rebellious cast and crew themselves.
Included Items
- Social Media Shout-Out
- Premiere Jhal Videos
- Signed Jhal Rebel Poster
Want to visit the set when we shoot the full short? Come be our VIP guest and watch the magic unfold behind-the-scenes. You'll get fed, treated like family, and learn about how a show is produced first-hand! (Must be local to New York City)
Included Items
- Social Media Shout-Out
- Premiere Jhal Videos
- Name in the Credits
- Signed Jhal Rebel Poster
- Set Visit
Get interviewed by our producer and have your story be featured on the Dawat Instagram page.
Included Items
- Social Media Shout-Out
- Premiere Jhal Videos
- Name in the Credits
- Signed Jhal Rebel Poster
- Featured Instagram Post
Hear the cast and crew discuss the short film, it's meaning and all the trials and tribulations of producing in a limited episode podcast exclusive to backers only.
Included Items
- Social Media Shout-Out
- Premiere Jhal Videos
- Name in the Credits
- Signed Jhal Rebel Poster
- Behind the Scenes Podcast
You can be in the short film! Make a special cameo in Dawat. (Must be local to New York City. Creative discretion is reserved to the director.)
Included Items
- Social Media Shout-Out
- Premiere Jhal Videos
- Name in the Credits
- Signed Jhal Rebel Poster
- Cameo Appearance
You will be credited as an "Associate Producer" of the short film.
Included Items
- Social Media Shout-Out
- Premiere Jhal Videos
- Signed Jhal Rebel Poster
- Behind the Scenes Podcast
- Associate Producer Credit
You will be credited as an "Executive Producer" of the short film.
Included Items
- Social Media Shout-Out
- Premiere Jhal Videos
- Signed Jhal Rebel Poster
- Behind the Scenes Podcast
- Executive Producer Credit
Rewards
YOUR NAME will be in the 'special thanks' section of the credits in the film!
Included Items
- Social Media Shout-Out
- Premiere Jhal Videos
- Name in the Credits
Just Because I Care
You will get a personalized shout out on our Instagram!
Included Items
- Social Media Shout-Out
You'll get a first look at documentary footage that our team has captured of Jhal over the course of a year.
Included Items
- Social Media Shout-Out
- Premiere Jhal Videos
Get an exclusive Jhal poster featuring the "rebels" of Bangladesh, signed by the rebellious cast and crew themselves.
Included Items
- Social Media Shout-Out
- Premiere Jhal Videos
- Signed Jhal Rebel Poster
Want to visit the set when we shoot the full short? Come be our VIP guest and watch the magic unfold behind-the-scenes. You'll get fed, treated like family, and learn about how a show is produced first-hand! (Must be local to New York City)
Included Items
- Social Media Shout-Out
- Premiere Jhal Videos
- Name in the Credits
- Signed Jhal Rebel Poster
- Set Visit
Get interviewed by our producer and have your story be featured on the Dawat Instagram page.
Included Items
- Social Media Shout-Out
- Premiere Jhal Videos
- Name in the Credits
- Signed Jhal Rebel Poster
- Featured Instagram Post
Hear the cast and crew discuss the short film, it's meaning and all the trials and tribulations of producing in a limited episode podcast exclusive to backers only.
Included Items
- Social Media Shout-Out
- Premiere Jhal Videos
- Name in the Credits
- Signed Jhal Rebel Poster
- Behind the Scenes Podcast
You can be in the short film! Make a special cameo in Dawat. (Must be local to New York City. Creative discretion is reserved to the director.)
Included Items
- Social Media Shout-Out
- Premiere Jhal Videos
- Name in the Credits
- Signed Jhal Rebel Poster
- Cameo Appearance
You will be credited as an "Associate Producer" of the short film.
Included Items
- Social Media Shout-Out
- Premiere Jhal Videos
- Signed Jhal Rebel Poster
- Behind the Scenes Podcast
- Associate Producer Credit
You will be credited as an "Executive Producer" of the short film.
Included Items
- Social Media Shout-Out
- Premiere Jhal Videos
- Signed Jhal Rebel Poster
- Behind the Scenes Podcast
- Executive Producer Credit