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The more funds we manage to raise, the better the quality of the film. Producing an ...
A Film to Raise Awareness of Childhood Dementia
Glasgow, Glasgow City, United Kingdom
Aim
We are making a short film to raise awareness of childhood dementia, and the 700,000 children and young people living with it.
With support from Alzheimer Scotland, we are making a short film to raise awareness of childhood dementia.
We are working with Alzheimer’s Scotland, The Childhood Dementia Initiative and Niemann-Pick UK, to depict a real-life portrayal of childhood dementia. We want to create a positive change.
There are 700,000 children and young people living with childhood dementia. It’s caused by more than 100 neurodegenerative disorders, many of which are not yet understood.
We’ve spoken with real families affected by this, who have very generously shared their individual experiences. Can you help us raise awareness?
Caitlin Mulvey and Lois Chimimba have both lost family members to adult dementia. But, it was only when Caitlin’s daughter was diagnosed with a developmental disorder, Caitlin started doing her own research and heard about Sanfilippo Syndrome. This was when they found out about dementia in children. They had no idea that this even existed. Maybe you didn’t either. But it does, and a diagnosis is fatal.
Our short film follows a fictional plot about teenage twins, Ivy and Violet. After a seizure at their dance recital, their family find out that one sister has an incurable genetic disorder. We follow the family as they navigate life with a progressive illness. This is a film to show the impact of what this disease can take from families, but also the essential hope, joy and resilience that they find.
In the final minutes of the film the audience will meet some of the real families who have shared their stories with us. Parents who are fighting to make their children’s lives full of love and happiness, along with their beautiful children who are teaching them how to be present and to grab life by the horns. Finally, we will share information on where to find out more and how to help.
For childhood dementia, genetic research is complex but so important and necessary. Without awareness, it is hard for charities to raise money, and in turn hard to support the scope of research needed.
- Each of the incredible charities involved with this project, will be able to use the film as they wish, to make more people conscious of childhood dementia and the disorders that cause it.
- We intend to show the film at international conferences to clinicians and health professionals who can accelerate the understanding of these disorders.
- We will also submit the film into international short film festivals including rare disease film festivals, all with the aim of promoting awareness.
We have some funding already in place, to ensure that we have an expert crew and cast. The additional funds we are looking for will go towards the extensive film equipment needed. It will also contribute towards the locations, catering, transport and the cost of registering for film festivals worldwide. The process post-production includes work with an experienced editor, sound mixer and colour grader, to have the piece finished to the highest quality.
By donating what you can, you will be helping to shed light on the fact that so many little-known diseases can cause dementia in children. Not only do we want to make information accessible, to help charities raise money to advance research and money to provide the right care and support for the families. But, we hope to reach clinicians who may not even know about childhood dementia. There is still a fight to get some medical professionals to even believe these diagnoses. But, proper knowledge gives families a chance at getting an earlier diagnosis; at finding better treatment options; and most importantly, could lead to a cure.
Every donation helps. As does sharing this crowdfunder.
These small, but dedicated, charities are often the only voice these families have, in the fight against childhood dementia. The voice of funny, curious, beautiful children, whose lives are being cut too short. Let’s help them be heard.
Who we are:
Caitlin Mulvey-
At a young age, Caitlin Mulvey signed theatrically to an American agency, Abrams Artist Agency (now known as A3 Agency). Caitlin worked as an actress in Los Angeles in her teen years, appearing in various TV shows. While Caitlin lived in Los Angeles, she was closely mentored by and worked alongside Joan Sheckel (a film producer), workshopping many films, before filming projects such as Whale Rider and Little Miss Sunshine. Caitlin then got a full scholarship to The Stella Adler School of Acting and went on to do various stage performances. Caitlin took a break in her career to have a little girl who has special needs, so she decided to take out more time to focus on being a mum. Caitlin began to re-focus on her career over a year ago and since then she has been writing and producing short films. She is currently creating her own fun and educational kids show. Filming is already underway, and she is the lead writer, producer and director.
Lois Chimimba-
Since training at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, Lois Chimimba has had considerable experience as an actor- working with the BBC, Netflix, Amazon and Apple. And in 2020, she was nominated for a Best Actress Scottish BAFTA. Lois has extensive experience on stage as well, having performed at many respected theatres around the UK- including The Traverse, The Globe, The Almeida, and The National Theatre. Lois is a voice actor too- she's recorded many audio books and radio plays. She contributes to creative awards juries, and has workshopped many new scripts. Lois loves working in Scotland, having previously filmed BBC's 'Vigil' and 'Trust Me' in her hometown. Lois can currently be seen on Apple TV, in new romantic comedy, 'Still Up', and you can hear her voice in 'The Velveteen Rabbit'. She recently finished filming a 6-part thriller, 'Nightsleeper', for BBC One.
Donate today, and please help us make a difference.
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- The images above show Sadie and Sophia, daughters of two of the six families, who have shared their stories with us.
This project successfully funded on 28th December 2023