Help a Filmmaker Rebuild in 2025

Hi, I’m Natalie, a 26-year-old filmmaker trying to navigate a tough chapter in my life.

It’s never easy to ask for help, but after months of silently struggling, I’m reaching out to my community for support.

I’ve been unemployed / under-employed for the majority of 2024. Since getting laid off from my day job in November 2023, I’ve faced ongoing financial challenges. The job hunt for freelance film work or a stable day job has been incredibly difficult. While I’ve gained some exciting success in my film career — like landing an exciting directing gig, a few film grants, fellowships, and festival premieres — they haven’t been enough to cover my living expenses.

In March 2024, I moved out of my NYC apartment and returned to Maryland, where I’ve been piecing things together with retail jobs. Despite my best efforts, I’ve fallen behind on things like student loans, medical bills, credit card payments, etc., and have been struggling to make ends meet.

Work in the freelance film industry still remains very scarce, and while I’ve landed a few day job interviews, I don’t know when things will stabilize. I made this GoFundMe to help cover things like therapy, my expenses/debts, and moving costs while I continue my job search and prepare to move back into my own place in the new year.

Anything you can give would mean the world to me and help me regain my footing during this challenging time. Thank you for your kindness and support. ❤️

If you're interested in hiring me, check out my portfolio here: https://www.nataliejharris.com