Update, 28 January 2025: The World Premiere of "rites" will take place in London in the lead up to Father's Day in June, 2025. It will mark the beginning of an international tour, to end on All Souls' Day in the Philippines. Donors to the crowdfunder who donate £250 or more will receive a seat at this exclusive, one-time event. £500 will receive a 2nd/3rd row seat. £1,000 will receive a front-row seat. See list of donation rewards for full details. All donations go towards supporting our work campaigning for kids who have lost their loved ones. Cast and crew will be present, and there will be a special Q&A session, followed by networking and refreshments. Donate now, and we'll see you at the World Premiere. Thank you for your contributions.
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My dad died when I was nine years old. 25 years after his funeral, I decided to leave England and travel to the Philippines to find out who he was, and organised a remembrance day on his death anniversary. That day, on 7th November 2022, I shared a eulogy, saying the words I never got to say as a child.
I documented this journey, and have made a short documentary film about it. Here’s what people have said after they watched it:
“So beautiful. So full of pain.” - Lord Dr. Michel Hastings of Scarisbrick CBE
“Deeply introspective.” - Mark Gavhure, BBC StoryWorks
"Powerful." - Afshan D’Souza-Lodhi, Writer, Recipient of 2022 National Theatre’s Peter Shaffer Award
“Moving. Evocative.” - Richard Beard, Author, Winner of 2018 Ackerley Prize
“One of the most beautiful, touching, and heart-breaking things I’ve ever watched.” - Anastasia Vinnikova, Samaritans
“Compelling. His father would be proud.” - Symeon Brown, Channel 4
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I am now fundraising £12,000 to distribute the film, use it as a tool to open conversations about bereavement, grief, hope, and moving on in life, and prepare an impact campaign for policy-change and improved support for at-risk youth.
With these funds, we will
- Organise a national screening tour across the United Kingdom
- Organise an international screening in the Philippines
- Submit to film festivals (we have already submitted to Sundance)
- Develop impact learning and healing activities for audiences, especially those who have experienced childhood trauma and grief and mental health issues
- Spread the news about the film by working with social media influencers, newspapers, and broadcasters
- Launch the film publicly on Father’s Day, 15th June 2025
If we raise more than the initial target, we will
- Organise screenings internationally, in the U.S., and other locations where there is interest
- Develop and deliver a wider and deeper programme to support children who experience bereavement
- Raise funds to continue organising screenings with new audiences
- Raise funds to deliver learning and healing activities
The Facts
- In the U.K., 111 children lose a parent every day. 27,000 parents die every year.
- An estimated 6 million children in the U.S. will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18.
- Being bereaved when you are a child is strongly related to teenage pregnancy, substance misuse, low participation in education, employment and training, relationship problems with friends, and mental health difficulties including anxiety and depression in adulthood.
Trailer
Target Audiences
Screenings to be scheduled
We are finalising dates with the following organisations for private screenings:
- House of Lords
- Winston’s Wish
- Child Bereavement UK
- British Council
- British Embassy in the Philippines
- BBC StoryWorks
- Global Shapers London
- Humanity in Action
- Eton College
With your backing, we will be able to schedule a total of 32 private screenings in 2025.
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Projected Timeline (provisional)
- October to December 2024: Fundraising
- February to April 2025: Private screenings with partner organisations
- May to June 2025: PR and interviews on news, media, social media with influencers
- Father’s Day, 15 June 2025: International Premiere
- July to December 2025: Film festival screenings
- January to September 2026: Public film screenings, with impact-driven conversations, workshops, and service
Film Crew
Distribution Team
Project Missions
1. Provide support to the kids who have lost their parents
2. Help campaigners win policy change to support families who experience bereavement
3. Develop understanding amongst power-holders of the impact of death on families
4. Spark conversations between children and fathers and mothers and men about grief
5. Show the value of film in achieving social impact
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Please note: To receive your credit in the film or on the website, you must join our WhatsApp group to receive directions about how to link your name to the contribution address. Your contribution does not provide you with creative control or ownership of the film. The film has the right to return funds if we believe the patron’s values are misaligned with the project.