Define Machinery - A Short Film Project

Aim: I am an unmade film, and my creators must raise money for my birth.

"At a drug-fuelled party, a girl attempts to navigate social expectations and pressures while tripping on acid, and is forced to confront bizarre truths about reality, and herself."

My script is strange and psychedelic, I suppose genre-wise I could be classified as a sci-fi comedy. I don't want to say too much about myself, because I can't wait to hear how you guys interpret me once I'm made! 

Your support will go towards helping to bring me to life, something that wouldn't be possible without the kindness of people like yourself. Your money will go towards feeding our crew, organising transport, bringing the production design to life, and feeding the crew! None of the film crew or cast will receive payment, so that every bit of your support goes straight to the production of this film.

I have the most wonderful team of creatives bringing me to life. They will tell you a bit about themselves below. 

Writer/Director:

Hi, I'm Mali, and what inspired me to write Define Machinery were my own experiences. I think it's good for the soul to re-focalise weird experiences through a creative medium. I've always had a passion for storytelling and filmmaking, but this is the first opportunity I've had to direct something, and I'm super excited about this film, especially because my crew are such lovely, talented, incredible people. Some media-based references and inspirations I've drawn from for the script and direction of Define Machinery include: Serial Experiments Lain, Ghost in the Shell 2, Climax, and MTV Downtown. 

Producer:

Hello! I’m Finlay (he/him), a recent graduate from the BA Film course at Edinburgh Napier, and the producer of Define Machinery. 

For my four years of study, I’ve specialised in my work as a Producer and as a Screenwriter. Over the course of this study, I’ve found a passion for stories which explore philosophical questions through the dynamic between characters. As such, when I read the script for Define Machinery, I was immediately interested. 

The film presents an opportunity to explore how our personal views on existence intersect with the people around us, and how these beliefs affect our relationships to one another.

I’m incredibly excited to get to work with this amazing team to bring such a fantastic script to life.

Production Designers:

I’m India, and I’m a production designer that loves to work with the strange and unusual. I’ve worked on projects with experimental concepts before, such as body horrors and folklore tales, but with Define Machinary I hope to break into a new ethereal territory full of buttons and wires. The aesthetic of the film really caught my eye, and the chance to turn up my skills to the max with such an ambitious construction was something I couldn’t refuse. I am super excited to be making this film alongside such a talented crew, and I hope you stick around to see what mechanical wonders we can create!

Hi! My name is Cara Fidelo and I am an Edinburgh-based art director joining Define Machinery as co-production designer alongside India Marshall. My previous works vary across magical realist fictions, gore dramas, and experimental shorts. I specialise in prop making, set dressing, and world-building, as well as working in a close collaboration across all departments to add depth within the visual story. With Define Machinery, I hope to bring together techniques in digital and non-digital animation, mirroring the films mechanical and organic form; the natural and the unnatural.

Directors of Photography:

My name is Oliwia Szóstka and I’m one of the co-DOP’s on Define Machinery. Having just finished my Film BA at Edinburgh Napier University where I directed my graduation film, I thought that Define Machinery was the perfect project for me to take on. Mali’s vision for this film is one full of experimentation and co-operation across all departments. It’s been inspiring to work with such creative freedom and I’m beyond grateful to be crafting the film’s visual elements along with Joseph, the co-DOP. Define Machinery is a film to watch out for.

Hey, I'm Joseph Olanlokun, and I’ll be working alongside Oliwia to bring the ethereal and unsettling imagery of Define Machinery to life. 

Having recently finished at Edinburgh Napier where I shot my graduation film,  I'm looking forward to working on a project with a lot of visual flexibility. Everyone is at the top of their game so this film is gonna be a trip, buckle up and stay tuned!

Editor:

Hi my name is Robbie, and I’m a recent graduate of the BA (Hons) Film course at Edinburgh Napier University. During my time at university I specialised in editing, and had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects of different genres and styles.

I enjoy pushing myself creatively and working on projects that test my technical ability. While working on my most recent projects Adeline and Cernunnos I focused on developing a strong dynamic between characters through the edit. 

What drew me to Define Machinery was the creative potential in the story and the opportunity for highly stylised sequences and visual storytelling. I’m looking forward to collaborating further with the rest of the team and continuing to develop this project!

Head of Sound:

Hi, I'm Alex, and I'm a sound designer, dialogue editor and foley artist from Edinburgh. I started to specialise in sound in my second year of university, and I've since worked on multiple student and independent projects. I enjoy being challenged on a project, fixing issues using a mixture of technical knowledge and problem solving. Last year, I achieved the Pro Tools Specialist certification, and I'm currently working towards the Professional level.

Production Manager:

I am Saskia, the production manager for Define Machinery! I have worked as a short film producer and 1st Assistant Director for 4 years. I often work on fiction films of a range of genres and I am fascinated by stories that use unique and interesting ways of storytelling, which is what attracted me to Define Machinery. I am so excited to join the team!

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 13th July 2025 at 4:54pm