The Stepmom: Stage to Screen
Donation protected
Hello from Keara, Brenda and Juliana,
We are a group of independent filmmakers who have been working hard to bring this meaningful story to your screen.
Through a combination of self-funding and sponsorships, we have already raised half the money we need to make our short film! Now, we're looking for the other half.
This Irish/Canadian story is adapted from Keara Barnes' award-winning play, which toured around Western Canada for two years and was inspired by her experience living in Ireland.
Collectively, our team has won over 30 filmmaking awards and produced 25+films. We are working in tandem with a filmmaker in Dublin and have an international film festival submission plan in place.
Your donation will help directly support the careers of more than 30 artists whose livelihoods have been affected by the pandemic.
Read on below for more detailed information about the project and the people behind it!
Sláinte,
Team Stepmom
The Stepmom short film follows the character of Saoirse, a young Canadian woman who, grieving the recent death of her mother, moves to Ireland to reconnect with her roots.
There, she falls in love and finds herself in the unexpected position of Stepmother. The film follows her burgeoning relationship with the young girl, compounded by her antagonistic mother.
When the opportunity of a lifetime presents itself in Canada, Saoirse must choose between family life abroad or pursuing her dreams back home.
A story about love, about losing and finding motherhood, and about living abroad, with some Irish craic thrown in for good measure. We can promise you: there will be both tears and laughter.
The Stepmom short film is adapted from an award-winning, one-woman show called 'Almost a Stepmom .'
Featuring one woman playing six characters, Almost a Stepmom debuted in the 2015 Victoria Fringe Festival to critical acclaim. It was then chosen from dozens of entries to headline the 2016 Shift One Act Play Festival and subsequently toured to the 2016 Calgary Fringe Festival, where it was named one of the top five shows in the festival, and won the Jester’s Cap Award.
In 2017 the play enjoyed a sold-out run at the Vancouver Celticfest followed by a sold-out run later that year at the Vancouver Fringe Festival. The show has been performed in schools, pubs and theatres throughout Western Canada.
“If this show isn’t already on your Fringe list, make room for it”
-The Marble Victoria
“Her story is compelling and the storytelling funny, dramatic and sympathetic”
-Vancouver Sun
“Almost a Stepmom is a powerful look at a life that could have been. It’s also a show that you don’t want to miss.”
-James Hutchison
The film explores one of the most complex, universal subjects there is: motherhood.
Through the lens of a young female faced with two futures, it delves into the topics of grief, addiction, and the heartache of living abroad.
During a time when many of us are separated from our families, when we are faced with difficult decisions, this coming-of-age story exemplifies the healing power of love, forgiveness and creativity.
KEARA BARNES | DIRECTOR/WRITER/PRODUCER
Keara Barnes is an award-winning actor/writer/producer from Vancouver, B.C. She holds a BFA in Theatre from The University of Victoria and studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York.
Keara is the writer/producer of several short films: Livefeed (WINNER: Scariest Film - Blood n Guts Film Competition), A Midwinter Nightmare (WINNER: Award of Excellence - Canada Shorts) and Labour Day (Semi-Finals: Blood n Guts Film Competition).
She is also the creator /performer behind two one-woman shows (Almost a Stepmom & TravelTheatrics) that have toured theatre and fringe festivals across Western Canada.
Keara is also a published writer, a professional voice over artist, and the Director of Sponsorship & Development at the Vancouver Horror Show Film Festival.
BRENDA WHITEHALL | DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
Brenda Whitehall is an award-winning, independent filmmaker based in Vancouver, Canada. Her production company Whitehall Entertainment Incorporated has spearheaded several projects including short films, animations, music videos and documentaries.
In 2017, Whitehall co-wrote and executive produced the short drama The Curtain, which screened in seven countries, in four languages, and won more than a dozen awards at international film festivals.
The following year, she wrote, directed and executive produced the award-winning short drama Little Oliver, which is currently on the international film festival circuit, and screened at the Mediterranean Film Festival in Cannes, France.
In 2019, Whitehall wrote and executive produced a groundbreaking, award-winning short drama And Now This? about Canada’s medical assistance in dying program. It was nominated for Best Short Drama and Best Director at the 2020 Vancouver Asian Film Festival.
She also wrote, produced and directed a music video “Meant for Something More” to raise awareness of trans teen suicide, airing on OutTV and available on YouTube. It was released on “Transgender Day of Remembrance” on November 20, 2019.
Whitehall has several projects in development, including Rebecca’s Ring, an Irish romantic comedy, optioned by British-Canadian, Oscar-nominated director Jonathan Tammuz; and a Vancouver 2010 Olympics and Paralympics documentary webseries, Beyond the Podium, featuring Canadian women champions.
JULIANA BERGSTROM | ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Juliana is an actor, dancer, and writer. Her performance credits include dancing aboard Norwegian cruise lines from Europe to Antarctica, Disneyland park in Anaheim, and acting in several local indie films and theatre shows. She’s a copywriter for a Vancouver-based yoga-wear company and is currently developing a pilot for a dance-themed web series.
PLATINUM SPONSOR $1,500+
-Thanks on social media & name listed in film credits
-Company logo in film credits
-Name/company logo on all digital marketing materials
-Virtual private film screening (up to 25 people) plus Q&A with cast and filmmakers
-Two people can join us on our film set for four hours
-Choice of Executive Producer film credit OR product placement in film
GOLD SPONSOR $1000
-Thanks on social media & name listed in film credits
-Company logo in film credits
-15 admissions to virtual film screening plus Q&A with cast and filmmakers
-One person can join us on set for four hours
-Logo displayed on autographed poster or script signed by cast
SILVER SPONSOR $750
-Thanks on social media & name listed in film credits
-Company logo listed in film credits
-10 admissions to virtual film screening plus Q&A with cast and filmmakers
-One person can join us on our film set for four hours
BRONZE SPONSOR $500
-Thanks on social media & name listed in film credits
-Seven admissions to virtual film screening plus Q&A with cast and filmmakers
-Two private one-hour mentoring sessions with two different award-winning female filmmakers from our team
IRISH SPONSOR $250
-Thanks on social media & name listed in film credits
-Four admissions to the virtual film screening plus Q&A with cast and filmmakers
-A one-hour private mentoring session with an award-winning female filmmaker from our team
DUBLIN SPONSOR $100
-Thanks on social media & name listed in film credits
-Two admissions to the virtual film screening plus Q&A with cast and filmmakers
GRAFTON STREET SPONSOR $50
-Thanks on social media & name listed in film credits
-Digital link to film (after film festival circuit completed)
-Name in draw for two admissions to a virtual film screening plus Q&A with cast and filmmakers
-Name in draw for multiple gift certificates: $25 gift certificate to O'Hares , a free wine tasting for two at Vinoscenti Vineyards, or a bag of coffee from Forest Bean.
TEMPLE BAR SPONSOR $30
-Thanks on social media & name listed in film credits
-Digital link to film (after film festival circuit completed)
-Name in draw for two admissions to a virtual film screening plus Q&A with cast and filmmakers
ST STEPHEN'S GREEN SPONSOR $1-$29
-Thanks on social media & name listed in film credits
Sharing is Caring!
Follow our exciting pre-production process on social media! From behind the scenes photos and videos, team announcements, and Feature Fridays where we spotlight Irish women in Canada, we encourage you to follow and share content found on our social media pages:
Facebook | Instagram | IMDB
And finally....
Thank you so much for reading our story and for your support of our project. It means so much during these trying times.
Every little bit helps and we are grateful for YOU.
Wishing everyone a healthy 2021 xo
We are a group of independent filmmakers who have been working hard to bring this meaningful story to your screen.
Through a combination of self-funding and sponsorships, we have already raised half the money we need to make our short film! Now, we're looking for the other half.
This Irish/Canadian story is adapted from Keara Barnes' award-winning play, which toured around Western Canada for two years and was inspired by her experience living in Ireland.
Collectively, our team has won over 30 filmmaking awards and produced 25+films. We are working in tandem with a filmmaker in Dublin and have an international film festival submission plan in place.
Your donation will help directly support the careers of more than 30 artists whose livelihoods have been affected by the pandemic.
Read on below for more detailed information about the project and the people behind it!
Sláinte,
Team Stepmom
The Stepmom short film follows the character of Saoirse, a young Canadian woman who, grieving the recent death of her mother, moves to Ireland to reconnect with her roots.There, she falls in love and finds herself in the unexpected position of Stepmother. The film follows her burgeoning relationship with the young girl, compounded by her antagonistic mother.
When the opportunity of a lifetime presents itself in Canada, Saoirse must choose between family life abroad or pursuing her dreams back home.
A story about love, about losing and finding motherhood, and about living abroad, with some Irish craic thrown in for good measure. We can promise you: there will be both tears and laughter.
The Stepmom short film is adapted from an award-winning, one-woman show called 'Almost a Stepmom .'Featuring one woman playing six characters, Almost a Stepmom debuted in the 2015 Victoria Fringe Festival to critical acclaim. It was then chosen from dozens of entries to headline the 2016 Shift One Act Play Festival and subsequently toured to the 2016 Calgary Fringe Festival, where it was named one of the top five shows in the festival, and won the Jester’s Cap Award.
In 2017 the play enjoyed a sold-out run at the Vancouver Celticfest followed by a sold-out run later that year at the Vancouver Fringe Festival. The show has been performed in schools, pubs and theatres throughout Western Canada.
“If this show isn’t already on your Fringe list, make room for it”
-The Marble Victoria
“Her story is compelling and the storytelling funny, dramatic and sympathetic”
-Vancouver Sun
“Almost a Stepmom is a powerful look at a life that could have been. It’s also a show that you don’t want to miss.”
-James Hutchison
The film explores one of the most complex, universal subjects there is: motherhood. Through the lens of a young female faced with two futures, it delves into the topics of grief, addiction, and the heartache of living abroad.
During a time when many of us are separated from our families, when we are faced with difficult decisions, this coming-of-age story exemplifies the healing power of love, forgiveness and creativity.
KEARA BARNES | DIRECTOR/WRITER/PRODUCER
Keara Barnes is an award-winning actor/writer/producer from Vancouver, B.C. She holds a BFA in Theatre from The University of Victoria and studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York.
Keara is the writer/producer of several short films: Livefeed (WINNER: Scariest Film - Blood n Guts Film Competition), A Midwinter Nightmare (WINNER: Award of Excellence - Canada Shorts) and Labour Day (Semi-Finals: Blood n Guts Film Competition).
She is also the creator /performer behind two one-woman shows (Almost a Stepmom & TravelTheatrics) that have toured theatre and fringe festivals across Western Canada.
Keara is also a published writer, a professional voice over artist, and the Director of Sponsorship & Development at the Vancouver Horror Show Film Festival.
BRENDA WHITEHALL | DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
Brenda Whitehall is an award-winning, independent filmmaker based in Vancouver, Canada. Her production company Whitehall Entertainment Incorporated has spearheaded several projects including short films, animations, music videos and documentaries.
In 2017, Whitehall co-wrote and executive produced the short drama The Curtain, which screened in seven countries, in four languages, and won more than a dozen awards at international film festivals.
The following year, she wrote, directed and executive produced the award-winning short drama Little Oliver, which is currently on the international film festival circuit, and screened at the Mediterranean Film Festival in Cannes, France.
In 2019, Whitehall wrote and executive produced a groundbreaking, award-winning short drama And Now This? about Canada’s medical assistance in dying program. It was nominated for Best Short Drama and Best Director at the 2020 Vancouver Asian Film Festival.
She also wrote, produced and directed a music video “Meant for Something More” to raise awareness of trans teen suicide, airing on OutTV and available on YouTube. It was released on “Transgender Day of Remembrance” on November 20, 2019.
Whitehall has several projects in development, including Rebecca’s Ring, an Irish romantic comedy, optioned by British-Canadian, Oscar-nominated director Jonathan Tammuz; and a Vancouver 2010 Olympics and Paralympics documentary webseries, Beyond the Podium, featuring Canadian women champions.
JULIANA BERGSTROM | ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Juliana is an actor, dancer, and writer. Her performance credits include dancing aboard Norwegian cruise lines from Europe to Antarctica, Disneyland park in Anaheim, and acting in several local indie films and theatre shows. She’s a copywriter for a Vancouver-based yoga-wear company and is currently developing a pilot for a dance-themed web series.
PLATINUM SPONSOR $1,500+-Thanks on social media & name listed in film credits
-Company logo in film credits
-Name/company logo on all digital marketing materials
-Virtual private film screening (up to 25 people) plus Q&A with cast and filmmakers
-Two people can join us on our film set for four hours
-Choice of Executive Producer film credit OR product placement in film
GOLD SPONSOR $1000
-Thanks on social media & name listed in film credits
-Company logo in film credits
-15 admissions to virtual film screening plus Q&A with cast and filmmakers
-One person can join us on set for four hours
-Logo displayed on autographed poster or script signed by cast
SILVER SPONSOR $750
-Thanks on social media & name listed in film credits
-Company logo listed in film credits
-10 admissions to virtual film screening plus Q&A with cast and filmmakers
-One person can join us on our film set for four hours
BRONZE SPONSOR $500
-Thanks on social media & name listed in film credits
-Seven admissions to virtual film screening plus Q&A with cast and filmmakers
-Two private one-hour mentoring sessions with two different award-winning female filmmakers from our team
IRISH SPONSOR $250
-Thanks on social media & name listed in film credits
-Four admissions to the virtual film screening plus Q&A with cast and filmmakers
-A one-hour private mentoring session with an award-winning female filmmaker from our team
DUBLIN SPONSOR $100
-Thanks on social media & name listed in film credits
-Two admissions to the virtual film screening plus Q&A with cast and filmmakers
GRAFTON STREET SPONSOR $50
-Thanks on social media & name listed in film credits
-Digital link to film (after film festival circuit completed)
-Name in draw for two admissions to a virtual film screening plus Q&A with cast and filmmakers
-Name in draw for multiple gift certificates: $25 gift certificate to O'Hares , a free wine tasting for two at Vinoscenti Vineyards, or a bag of coffee from Forest Bean.
TEMPLE BAR SPONSOR $30
-Thanks on social media & name listed in film credits
-Digital link to film (after film festival circuit completed)
-Name in draw for two admissions to a virtual film screening plus Q&A with cast and filmmakers
ST STEPHEN'S GREEN SPONSOR $1-$29
-Thanks on social media & name listed in film credits
Sharing is Caring!Follow our exciting pre-production process on social media! From behind the scenes photos and videos, team announcements, and Feature Fridays where we spotlight Irish women in Canada, we encourage you to follow and share content found on our social media pages:
Facebook | Instagram | IMDB
And finally....
Thank you so much for reading our story and for your support of our project. It means so much during these trying times. Every little bit helps and we are grateful for YOU.
Wishing everyone a healthy 2021 xo
Fundraising team (3)
Keara Barnes
Organizer
Vancouver, BC
Juliana Bergstrom
Team member
Brenda Whitehall
Team member