I'm stranded interstate with an unexpected repair bill, and I can't drive home until it's covered. What was supposed to be a trip to the Focus On Ability Short Film Festival has ended up being ten times more expensive and stressful, because I broke down halfway. Thanks to the RACV for organising me a hire car and accommodation until my vehicle is drivable again. The initial quote is $4,000+ for parts and $2,000+ for labour.
The icing on the cake is that I received an email saying my film, Popcorn Love, was a finalist and would be screened at the awards day in Sydney. It wasn't announced as a finalist, and it wasn't shown on the big screen, in part or in full. I'm still yet to find out what happened there, but it's a long, painful drive to learn that I could have saved myself the fuel money and stayed home.
I'm currently staying in a hotel room until I can drive back, with anxiety at very unhealthy levels. Donations will help cover the repair bill so I can get home. Thank you for reading my story and for any support you can offer.
The words of a friend a few weeks ago saying I should start a go fund me to go to the film festival in Italy that my film Melanie's Story was selected for now ring ever louder. Sydney had the possibility of prize money whereas as much as I'd love to visit Italy their film film festival didn't have prize money so Sydney seemed the more sensible option and with less than $1,000 in the bank I could at least cover the costs of getting there and back. Now all I can think of is $6,000-$7,000 would but me a much better laptop for making films, or over two years of food or so many other things.
If you are struggling to pay your bills, don't stress about helping me I'll eventually get the credit card paid off. If you can at least share this it would be appreciated. Chances are at least one person in your online circle has the means to give me a hand up. Hopefully this literally feeling sick to my stomach sensation goes away once this ordeal is all over.
