Always on
This project successfully funded on 19th June 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
STOP THE BOATS (film) Socials, Media, Divison Race
Manchester, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
Aim
We are currently in Post-production for a short film based on how social media, racism, division, shapes perceptions & misinformation.
STOP THE BOATS 🚢 — Crowdfunding Campaign
Perks & Rewards £1000+ Executive producer credit on the film.
Mad Max Film productions
https://madmaxfilms.com/
Semi Finalist ScreenCraft Film fund Best Short screenplay 2025
Quarter Finalist Hollyshorts Best Short screenplay 2025
Sample of aneel ahmad previous short longlisted for A BAFTA
https://youtu.be/xdw5dnnS0bA?si=Cph2gcy-DxY_ZLI2
Hello everyone—thank you so much for your support.
We’re excited to share an update about our latest short film, STOP THE BOATS.
We are currently organising a special screening, and we’re hoping to host it at a local cinema in the North West (the exact location is still being confirmed). We’ll share details with you as soon as we have them.
We’ll also be inviting everyone who donated to our previous crowdfunding page. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you—your support helped make this possible, and we’re truly grateful for every donation and every bit of encouragement.
We’ve kept the same crowdfunding page so that anyone who still wants to support us can do so. Donations will help us cover marketing and film festival entry fees, which means we can keep pushing the film forward and get it seen by more people.
We’re really looking forward to welcoming you to the special screening, and we just want to say thank you again for standing with us. ❤️🎬
OUR STORY
We’re a film team driven by social commentary and human stories. Our short film STOP THE BOATS investigates how social media shapes perceptions, misinformation, and the lives of minority communities from all walks of life. Two of our previous shorts were long-listed for BAFTA SHORTS, and we’re now seeking support to bring STOP THE BOATS to life with integrity, empathy, and visual impact.
Overwhelmed by grief and anger, a distraught parent arrives at a mosque with a makeshift firebomb, intent on seeking revenge against those believed to be responsible. Standing at the threshold, the parent confronts the imam outside the mosque. What follows is not a spectacle of violence, but a crisis of perception a raw, human conversation that exposes the lies fed by online hatred and the real people behind them. Through this charged encounter, the film unravels the social media-driven narratives that fuel prejudice, and asks: where does blame end and humanity begin?
Why This Film Matters
Timely Exploration of Online Influence: The piece examines how social media amplifies fear, stereotypes, and anger, and how these distortions impact real lives.
Voices from Minority Experiences: The story centres around communities often targeted by misinformation, ensuring a deeply human, nuanced perspective.
Conversation-Driven Drama: The drama isn’t sensationalised; it’s built on dialogue, empathy, and the gradual unraveling of falsehoods.
Proven Track Record: Our team has a track record of acclaimed work, including BAFTA-longlisted shorts, reflecting our commitment to quality storytelling.
Project Scope
Format & Length:Short film (approx. 10 minutes) suitable for festival circuits and online platforms.
Production Plan: Lean, efficient shooting with a tight schedule to maximize impact while keeping costs low.
Funding Goals
Post-Production: 80% Editing, colour grading, sound design, score, final mix
Production Costs: 20%
Location permissions, cast and crew stipends, transport, wardrobe, insurance
Total Target: £5,000
Why Your Support Makes a Difference
Your contribution enables a film that tackles difficult conversations with honesty and care.
Every donation directly funds people, not just production needs this is a community-centered project.
OUR STORY
About the Team
Director/Writer aneel ahmad: A filmmaker with a track record in socially engaged storytelling 2 of his previous shorts narrative films were BAFTA-longlists and he was also a winner of the UNICEF UK Award and was shortlisted for a Grierson Award for best short documentary.
Producer Danny Lomax: Experienced in managing tight budgets and festival-ready productions
A diverse cast and crew committed to authenticity and respectful portrayal of communities.
How You Can Help
Share this campaign with friends, colleagues, and networks who care about social issues and cinema.
Consider a sponsorship of production costs, or help us reach our post-production goals.
If you’re part of a community featured in the film, your support can amplify voices and perspectives that deserve to be heard.
Thank you for believing in cinema as a catalyst for empathy and dialogue. With your help, STOP THE BOATS can spark necessary conversations about how social media shapes our perceptions, and how we can choose humanity over hate.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made