In The Mourning - A Short Film
Following a 10-year plague the church mysteriously opens its doors and invites its members to become a stage for grief and trauma.
Project Description
Why you should support: I bring a clear vision to this project, rooted in my personal experiences. I believe that this story is not only timely but also deserving of being shared with the world. By supporting this film, you're not just backing a project; you're championing a narrative that resonates deeply with audiences.
Film Mission: Following a 10-year plague the church mysteriously opens its doors and invites its members to become a stage for grief and trauma. This project offers an honest portrayal of human emotion. Having grappled with the loss of my father to COVID-19, I understand the complexity of grief and faith. This film's mission is to provide a platform for authentic storytelling, highlighting lived experiences in the Black community.
About: This is a film about when grief meets faith.
It’s an exploration of the effects of COVID-19, without actually being about COVID-19 itself—because no one needs another pandemic film. Instead, this film is about the grief and trauma felt by a community and how it shapes their view of God.
It takes place in a small town. For the last 10 years, a disease has swept through this town killing off its members one by one and leaving the hopeless behind. Amid this suffering and grief, the church—which sits at the center of this town—closed its doors. 10 years later, mysteriously the church doors open and invites its members in.
Emotional, cinematic, and deeply rooted in character, In The Mourning follows the work of Berry Jenkins, Melina Matsoukas, and Jordan Peele by serving as a mirror to the human experience and a critique of societal and religious themes.
Team Breakdown:
NAOMI MERLAIN - WRITER, DIRECTOR
Naomi Merlain is a Haitian-American filmmaker known for her compelling narratives that explore the raw truths and cultural nuances of Black life. Naomi's directorial debut, "The Genesis Project," premiered in 2019 and showed an avant-garde exploration of womanhood through the lens of scripture, showcasing her bold and innovative approach to storytelling. Her work has continued to delve into human themes with a specific focus on emotion, texture, and authenticity within the Black community. Naomi has work featured in Vogue, BeatsbyDre, YouTube, and Complex.
Naomi obtained her BA at Howard University. Currently, Naomi works as a Cultural Strategist, working with brands such as Nike, Apple TV+, Honest Co and Therabody.
CAROLE COPELAND -EXEC PRODUCER
Carole Copeland, Producer, credits include various projects both in front of and behind the camera as Producer, Locations Manager, Assistant Director and Casting.
The most recent feature film projects produced by Carole, #BlackSkin, You Married Dat, Survival, and Another Love Story have won awards at several film festivals.
She is the Founder of Recovery Media, a nonprofit organization that teaches filmmaking to survivors of trauma.
NAOMI LILLY - EXEC PRODUCER
Naomi Lilly is the founder and CEO of NAL Media, a company dedicated to improving representation and opportunities for marginalized groups within the media industry. Located in New York, Naomi has had experience at Viacom, Live Nation Entertainment, Radio One, LinkedIn, Forbes Tate Partners, and Depop.
Naomi obtained her dual degree MBA/MA in Communications at Johns Hopkins University and was a participant in the Class of '22 Techstars Music program. Lilly completed her undergraduate career at Duke University where she majored in African American Studies and received a double minor in Gender Studies and Visual Media Studies. Lilly currently serves as the Director of Marketing and Storytelling at Girls for Gender Equity.
JULIAN VARGASPRODUCER
Julian Vargas is a Writer-Producer-Director born & raised in Los Angeles, CA. In 2022 he founded 3Ponds Films, a production company based out of LA that has since produced 5 short films, including 3 so far in 2024. Julian wrote his first feature script by hand when he was 14 and has been rewriting it ever since.
EMEM ESSIEN - PRODUCER
Emem is a producer who loves telling stories that capture the authenticity of our human experience and really makes people feel more seen. Her favorite genre is hands down a good "dramedy" because she believes that it's a good reminder that despite life's challenges, laughter brings us together.
Emem is very passionate about building engaging spaces and highlighting resources to black/ brown individuals to advance in their professional development. She graduated with her BS in Business Management and obtained her MBA concentrated in Marketing Analytics. She currently works at a large Tech Consulting Firm as a Senior Media Analyst.
SADE NDYA - DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY/CINEMATOGRAPHER
Sade Ndya is an LA-based Cinematographer, who also specializes in Fine Art and Community Organizing. Sade’s creative style is grounded in surreal-like imagery and dynamic lighting dedicated to portraying the beauty in being black. American Cinematographer has named Sade Ndya as a '2023 ASC Rising Star' for her recent advancements in cinematography.
Through her organizing work, Sade works with Made In Her Image, a non-profit that provides women and non-binary youth of color with education, resources, and industry opportunities in film, media, and technology. Their programs have expanded with partnerships from companies like Panavision, A24, and Sundance.
Wishlist:
Cast - $7,740
Production Staff - $6,650
Camera - $6,325
Production Sound - $4,200
Post-Production Film and Lab - $6,000
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
Why Me and Why Now? I, Naomi (writer & director), grew up in the pentecostal church. My father was a preacher and my mother, a minister. My earliest memory within the church is of my mother catching the Holy Ghost. I was five. I remember the distinct, consuming, energizing and intimate feel of worship: people danced, screamed, ran, cried, and it was overwhelming. Yet, even at five, I believed.
Years later, when my father passed away from Covid in 2020, my belief system and faith shattered. Grief is a fascinating experience. While we all, collectively have experienced the effects of Covid as a country, we have different testimonies. Some experienced great joy in the midst of collective heartbreak. Some of you are grateful for your time. Some are still mending the brokenness of those years. Some are angry. Some have developed mental health issues. There is not a singular way to experience collective tragedy. This film aims to show that very thing.
This film was ultimately inspired by a singular moment: Easter 2021. It was the first time many people went back to church since the original lockdown. While I, having lost a father and grandfather during this time, returned to the house of God angry and anxious, others danced, and praised God with extreme joy. Grief doesn’t have a singular face.
“In The Mourning” is an ode to grief and its relationship with faith. It is meant to be a mirror of its experience and a dedication to those now living on the other side, more specifically, my father: Francois Valere Merlain. Rest in perfect peace.
Just Because I Care
- Receive a free subscription to the “In the Mourning” production Newsletter
- Receive an Instagram story shoutout on our official IG
- We'll add your name to the roster of thank yous on the website
- A link to the private “In the Mourning” Inspiration playlist/soundtrack curated by the Director
- All the things from above
- Receive access to exclusive production BTS footage/stills
- ‘Special Thanks’ credits in the movie!
- All the things from above
- An invite to a Virtual Viewing Party of the film with Director Naomi Merlain
- Receive a signed physical film poster with a personal note from the director
- All the things from above
- Receive a signed copy of the shooting script
- All the things above
- Receive an Associate Producer credit in the film
- Receive a Limited edition Vinyl pressing of the official score/soundtrack (only 10 available!)
- All the things Above
- Receive an Executive Producer credit in the film
- Receive a Limited Edition Digital Copy of the film (only 5 available!)
- All the things above
- Receive 3 invitations to the film premiere
- Join us in an Official Partnership: passes/credentials to all film festivals the film is selected for
- A stern handshake and sincere thank you from the bottom of our hearts
Rewards
Just Because I Care
- Receive a free subscription to the “In the Mourning” production Newsletter
- Receive an Instagram story shoutout on our official IG
- We'll add your name to the roster of thank yous on the website
- A link to the private “In the Mourning” Inspiration playlist/soundtrack curated by the Director
- All the things from above
- Receive access to exclusive production BTS footage/stills
- ‘Special Thanks’ credits in the movie!
- All the things from above
- An invite to a Virtual Viewing Party of the film with Director Naomi Merlain
- Receive a signed physical film poster with a personal note from the director
- All the things from above
- Receive a signed copy of the shooting script
- All the things above
- Receive an Associate Producer credit in the film
- Receive a Limited edition Vinyl pressing of the official score/soundtrack (only 10 available!)
- All the things Above
- Receive an Executive Producer credit in the film
- Receive a Limited Edition Digital Copy of the film (only 5 available!)
- All the things above
- Receive 3 invitations to the film premiere
- Join us in an Official Partnership: passes/credentials to all film festivals the film is selected for
- A stern handshake and sincere thank you from the bottom of our hearts