VoidTrawler: A Film Where Anime, Heart, AI collide

Welcome to the 'Void Trawler' Movie GoFundMe Page, where we're dedicated to bringing to life a film where anime, heart, and AI collide.

I'm Michael, a passionate filmmaker with the goal of realizing the extraordinary drama of Void Trawler.

Alongside my crew, who have previously worked on projects ranging from 'The Land Before Time' (Universal Pictures, 1988) to 'Disenchanted' (Disney, 2022), as well as various independent movie, TV, stage productions, and Netflix's (2023) 'Blue Eye Samurai' and (2024) 'Avatar: The Last Airbender,' we're poised to deliver yet another remarkable production.

Five years ago, I began crafting the script for Void Trawler, starting with that very first sentence. After countless revisions, I submitted the script to prominent film festivals worldwide. I'm proud to say that the story garnered attention, becoming a finalist for the Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards, an official selection of the Hollywood Gold Awards, and receiving several other notable nominations.

With these credits under our belt, we are ready for the next step: bringing our story to the big screen.

What's the premise?

Imagine having the opportunity to maintain an eternal connection with your departed loved ones through hyper-realistic AI. Envision a world where technology allows you to interact with digitally recreated versions of those you've lost. Would you embrace this chance? Now, consider the sudden loss of this privilege due to financial limitations. How would you react?

What is ‘Void Trawler’ About?

A young anime artist struggles with the profound aftermath of losing his beloved partner—an environmental activist dedicated to protecting sharks from the harmful practice of "finning." Desperate to hold onto her memory, he invests in an expensive AI service. As he delves deeper into this technological solution, navigating the intricate emotions of love, grief, and the blurred boundaries between what's real and artificial, an unexpected injury to his drawing hand sends him into a frantic race against time. He must meet the payment deadline for his AI service link to preserve his connection to his deceased sweetheart.

Who are we:

I'm pleased to share that I'm not embarking on this adventure alone. I have an incredible crew standing by, eager to jump in as soon as the funding is secured to bring this project to life. Currently, I have the pleasure of collaborating with the following professionals:

Garreth Caulfield - Director Of Photography

Garreth Caulfield is an accomplished cinematographer with a true passion for his craft. Having worked on numerous film and video productions, his experience is extensive and diverse. One notable highlight is his role as director of photography for "Dub Daze," a feature film that premiered at the renowned Dublin International Film Festival. His impressive portfolio also includes collaborations on projects such as "You're Ugly Too," an Irish feature film starring HBO's "Game of Thrones" star Aidan Gillen; the acclaimed documentary "In the Name of Peace: John Hume in America;" and the engaging TV series "Windmill Lane Sessions," broadcast on TV3.

Isaku Kageyama - Music

The acclaimed taiko artist and composer, renowned for seamlessly integrating traditional Japanese music with modern production techniques. Isaku's work has been featured in numerous recordings, live performances, and popular productions like Netflix's "Blue Eye Samurai" and "Avatar: The Last Airbender."

Jing Joaquin & Moira Murphy

With a range of experience in animation and production design, they bring visual brilliance to the project. Projects they previously worked on range from Universal Pictures' "The Land Before Time" to Disney's "Disenchanted," Dancing With the Stars, and many more.

Sierra Dann - 1st Assistant Director

The assistant director is acclaimed for her organisational prowess and leadership capabilities. Her expertise and meticulous attention to detail have been evident in various projects. As the first assistant director for the upcoming films "The Light Within" and "This Promise," Sierra's organisational prowess and leadership abilities have played a vital role in the smooth execution of these productions.

Colin McKenna - Sound

Colin McKenna is a highly skilled sound professional with a strong focus on creating immersive auditory experiences. He has made significant contributions to a variety of film and television projects, demonstrating his technical expertise and meticulous attention to detail. Throughout his extensive career, Colin has excelled as a sound mixer, sound editor, and sound recordist, lending his expertise to numerous noteworthy productions. His impressive portfolio includes a diverse range of feature films such as "Hillwalkers" (2022), compelling short films such as "Two Hours Past Midnight" (2020), engaging TV series like "Donal's Family Kitchen" (2021), and the acclaimed series "Other Voices" (2020-2023), to name just a few examples of his collaborative work.

Tee Elliott - Makeup

Tee Elliott is an exceptionally talented and versatile makeup artist who has made a significant impact in the entertainment industry. With an impressive portfolio, Tee has showcased her mastery of makeup artistry through various projects. Notably, Tee served as the makeup designer for the TV series “Blasts from the Past” (2020). Among many other projects, she also excelled as the makeup department head for the critically acclaimed film “The Limit Of” (2018), showcasing her expertise in bringing characters to life with her remarkable skills. Beyond her success in film and TV, Tee is currently involved in multiple stage productions, where her exceptional talent continues to shine.

Adam Kennett - Assistant Camera (AC)

Adam Kennett The dedicated and detail-oriented assistant camera operator is ready to capture captivating visuals. Throughout his career, Adam has worked on numerous short films and independent productions.

And then there is, of course, myself - Michel Wohlfeld. I am an award-nominated writer, director, and producer focusing on captivating storytelling with a strong dedication to moviemaking. Having made significant contributions as a producer working on short films such as "SCIM" (2019) and "Florence" (2018), I finally felt compelled to explore directing as well. My debut short film, "9 Months" (2020), received a warm reception at film festivals, further fueling my motivation to push the boundaries of my creativity. This led to the writing and producing of Void Trawler.

What about Japanese Anime?

Void Trawler is a unique blend of live-action cinema and Seinen-style Japanese anime, offering a visually stunning experience. Inspired by classic and modern anime, our aim is to create an immersive journey combining the best of both mediums. To achieve this, we're seeking partnerships with studios within our budget, but high-quality animation demands significant funding. Your contributions will enable us to honor the authentic anime style and realize our vision.

Where is the money going?

Making a movie comes with its expenses. We try to be as transparent as possible about where the funding will go. Here's an overview:

How can I see the film?

The film will be made accessible when it's ready and after being showcased at film festivals.

How long will the production take?

We're eager to begin, so even if funding comes in slowly, we'll start production whenever possible to create high-quality parts of the film. In other words, the progress of our production depends on the amount and timing of the funding we receive.

Your involvement is crucial in making this project a reality. We invite you to be part of this exciting journey and leave your mark on the world of cinema.

So please join us in supporting and spreading the word about Void Trawler. Together, let's make this adventure unforgettable!

Thank you for your trust and your support in our production.

Warm regards,

Michael & The Void Trawler Team