Girls with ADHD Film title: Yma o Hyd (Still Here)

Brief Synopsis

Eight years old, uncomfortably awkward, and isolated, Manon is typical of many girls who aren't diagnosed due to being quiet and mostly compliant. Instead, she is seen as weird, lazy, or 'away with the fairies'. Dismissed by teachers, bullied by peers, emotionally abused by her step-father, Manon has developed her own inner life to escape. Her only positive relationship, in reality, is with her mother, Gwen, with whom she converses freely, but only in her first language, Welsh.

Manon believes she has a connection with the 'other world' of the Tylwyth Teg (dark fairies), and during stressful moments, she escapes reality to seek support from her companion, the Mari Lwyd.

The Mari Lwyd is a pagan pre-cursor to                                                                 Christmas, a mysterious mid-winter apparition that has uncertain connections to old myths of death and re-birth. It can be a friend or a terror if not properly placated.

Why should you support this film? 

We know there are a lot of great ideas for short films looking for support on Crowdfunder and we would not take seeking your help support lightly. We do believe this is a unique and important film though, women with ADHD, especially as children are often invisible, overlooked, or targeted but they are still Yma o Hyd, still here.

Several members of our team have ADHD, and our lived experience informs this project, we believe we are telling a story that has never been shown on screen before. A story that will empower women and girls with ADHD and perhaps give others something to consider.

It is a drama and tells a gripping tale of a victim overcoming adversity through her own inner strength, represented here by the Mari Lwyd. A representation of Welsh myth, language, and culture all threatened by Manon’s hostile stepfather. The Welsh language, culture, and the Mari Lwyd though are also Yma o Hyd, still here.

We have been putting this project together for three years, since before the pandemic, we are still here and we are ready to shoot.

This short film will provide experience and employment to around thirty cast and crew and will enable us to pursue funding for a full feature. We would all be hugely thankful if you could help us on that journey to make a film that is reflective of the world many children live in. 

What We Need (Budget)

Donating to this project will help us give employment and experience to around thirty people, our core team are experienced professionals, but we are also providing the first steps to some new to the industry, students and children.  

Producing at £34,000 seems a lot but it would provide a full complement of cast and crew fairly paid at minimum industry rates, would enable us to work with up to the minute state of the art kit and would provide a small pot for marketing and entry to prestigious film festivals.

Our budget is primarily designed to provide experience, professional development, and employment in a region with limited opportunities. 

What if you don't have money? 

We appreciate times are hard, we’re in the same boat or we wouldn’t be asking for your support. Perhaps you see something worthwhile in our project and want to help but can't do so financially.

That’s still good. We'd love your help in any way you can give it. Sharing this fundraising campaign with your friends, on your social media, or anywhere it might spread the word and help us get closer to our target. 

Whatever, and however, you can do to help spread the word, we are thankful and pleased to have your support along this ride with us.

Potential 

Yma o Hyd is a standalone proof of concept short film we will use to source funding for a full feature. We will be marketing through showings at targeted film festivals across Europe and the US as well as seeking a UK TV broadcast.

Whilst Yma o Hyd is a Welsh based story, pitched as a fantasy–live action/drama film it also has international potential. Following the 2022 World Cup and Netflix’s launch of a Welsh language drama, international interest in Wales is at a peak.

Combined with the established market for fantasy/myth, and Christmas, Yma o Hyd is strategically positioned to maximise interest; our infusion of Welsh myth interwoven with contemporary issues will appeal to a broad international audience outside Wales.

Sector data reveals that independent fantasy/drama, and Christmas films, are highly successful and can make a substantial profit. Many of the most profitable films of recent years were all fantasy/drama (production budgets vs worldwide box office returns)

More details available at:  www.ymaohydfilm.com