Help Elizabeth fund her comedy short film, 'Nonprofit'

Background Information

I’m Elizabeth (some of you call me Liz, which works too), an American comedy writer and performer. After years working in the Washington, DC public policy space then taking time off to rest in the woods, I decided to shift my career towards what I love most, film and television. Seeing that Raindance Film School had a master’s program, I jumped at the opportunity to study here in London where I’m now working towards my final project - writing and directing a comedy short film called Nonprofit. Based on my work in DC, this film is about an overworked and underpaid activist’s attempts to galvanize her jaded colleagues around futile efforts at their Jewish nonprofit as they drown in the exasperating world of policy advocacy.

At first, I feared this new career path meant I was abandoning the social justice work that I grew to love, but I quickly realized on-screen storytelling is as much a tool for education and influence as it is for entertainment, and even more importantly that those things aren't mutually exclusive.

Since 2017, I’ve worked at and with countless nonprofit organizations (and for-profits, those lucky bastards) in Washington, DC. As I process years of fighting against relentless and callous policymakers, I need to put into words the haunting fear that nothing any of us does actually makes a difference. (Spoiler: It does! It does make a difference!) In Judaism, there’s a teaching that says we aren’t obligated to fix all the world’s problems (thank goodness), but we can’t ignore them either. This reminds us to do what we can, and the universal experience of overwhelm compelled even the ancient rabbis to write their anxieties down too. (I’d totally watch that show.) That’s why I’m writing this story - to memorialize and celebrate the work of the faith-based advocacy organizations who never stop pursuing justice within and beyond their communities. Nonprofit’s characters represent the wide scope of American Jewish life and highlight the complexities and contradictions of a progressive American Jewish identity. These characters are people I know and love, loathe, and strive to be. Policy advocacy and Judaism, and the intersection of the two, hold enormous space in my heart. To put this story on paper is truly an honor. It’s also way less expensive than therapy.

It’s not lost on me that it was a bold decision to move to London to shoot a very American story that takes place in an American city. But hey, life doesn’t always make sense. Nor would I waste my time trying to make sense of it. I’m doing this thing and it’s going to be great. That is, if we have a little financial support for you.

Why this funding?

This money will go towards paying cast and crew members, ensuring everyone is safe, happy, and healthy on set, and creating the best quality low-to-no budget film that we can! In addition, you’ll be supporting women in film and Jewish storytelling, two things that I would love for you to care about as much as I do.

What happens next?

Once this film is shot and edited, I intend to enter it into film festivals in North America and Europe to showcase my writing and directing skills as well as, of course, my whole schtick. In addition to being brought to festivals as its own project, Nonprofit will serve as a proof of concept for a workplace comedy television series of the same name (think Brooklyn Nine-Nine meets Veep). I believe there’s huge potential for a workplace comedy set at a nonprofit organization to appeal to a global audience as it touches on universal themes and highlights the workplace experiences of a wide variety of people. My hope is that bringing the short film to festivals will attract investors to the idea who will help expand this project into something bigger.

How can I watch the film?

I will be in touch following production with more information about how to watch the film, including a watch party (in person and online) and a Q&A with the cast and crew! Additionally, we plan to create some Nonprofit merch to brag about with your boring coworkers, so keep an eye out!

Where can you find me?

Thank you so much for reading this far! If you’d like more information or have any questions about this production, please feel free to reach out through GoFundMe. Chat soon, friends.

Please note: In line with GoFundMe's Terms of Service, perks or rewards are not to be offered to donors. No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or promotions are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe.