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Filmmaker Ami Launches Crowdfunding Campaign for Wilder Madness, a Bold Afro-Surrealist Horror Film
Washington, DC — March 27, 2026 — Filmmaker Ami has officially launched a 30-day crowdfunding campaign for her latest project, Wilder Madness, a deeply personal and genre-expanding film that blends horror with Afro-surrealism. The campaign aims to raise $25,000 to support production and bring this powerful story to life.
Wilder Madness marks Ami’s sixth project and her third fiction narrative, as well as her first exploration into the horror genre. The film centers voices and experiences that are often underrepresented in mainstream cinema, specifically Black women over fifty and individuals from carceral-impacted communities—offering a fresh and necessary perspective through a visually and emotionally compelling lens.
“This project is incredibly meaningful to me,” said Ami. “It reflects stories and communities that deserve to be seen, heard, and valued. With Wilder Madness, I’m stepping into new creative territory while staying rooted in purpose-driven storytelling.”
Funds raised through the campaign will go directly toward essential production costs, including securing locations, equipment, and fairly supporting cast and crew. Early contributions are especially critical in helping the campaign gain visibility and momentum from the outset.
Supporters are encouraged to contribute at any level, with even modest donations playing a vital role in advancing the project. In addition to financial backing, sharing the campaign within personal and professional networks is a powerful way to amplify its reach.
Ami is calling on her community of supporters, collaborators, and audiences to help bring Wilder Madness to fruition and ensure these stories receive the platform they deserve.
Campaign Link:
About Ami
Ami is a filmmaker dedicated to telling bold, socially resonant stories that center underrepresented voices. Her work spans multiple projects across genres, with a focus on narrative depth, cultural reflection, and community impact.
Media Contact:
info@sheunshushed.space
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UnShushed! Film Festival 2025 Expands Reach, Champions Accessibility, and Celebrates Audience-Driven Awards
Washington, DC — March 27, 2026 — UnShushed! Film Festival announced the successful completion of its 2025 season, which ran from October through December and featured a dynamic series of four events, including a screening and, for the first time, two teaser rounds. Building on this momentum, the festival introduced its inaugural Watch & Vote Home Edition, presented in collaboration with (Sanct)uary Fest, which ran from December 23–30, 2025.
The Home Edition marked a significant step forward in accessibility and audience engagement, enabling participation from viewers and filmmakers beyond the Washington, DC region. The virtual format expanded access for international audiences, individuals unable to travel, and communities historically underrepresented in in-person festival spaces. This initiative reflects UnShushed!’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity and innovation in the film festival experience.
A defining feature of the 2025 festival was its audience-driven approach to awards. For the first time, all honors were determined entirely by audience vote. Films advancing beyond the teaser rounds competed for the UnShushed! Film Festival Audience Choice Award, the (Sanct)uary Fest x UFF Audience Choice Award, and the festival’s top honor, the UnShushed! Film Festival Best Film Award.
“We are incredibly proud of how we adapted in real time to better serve our audience,” said festival organizers. “The response to this year’s programming—and the enthusiasm for the Home Edition—demonstrates the importance of accessibility and community-driven storytelling.”
The 2025 lineup showcased a wide range of bold, imaginative work across genres including horror, fantasy, and animation. The festival received an outpouring of submissions from talented filmmakers, resulting in a diverse and compelling program defined by originality, emotional depth, and creative risk-taking.
Among the standout selections highlighted by producers:
Boy Opens Door (2024 | Serbia) directed byDragan Jovicevic, the festival’s only microshort, delivered a powerful and suspenseful narrative in under one minute. With no dialogue and physically demanding performances, the film captivated audiences and came close to securing an Audience Choice Award.
The Figure (2025 | USA), directed by Jasmine Ballew, emerged as a festival favorite with its sharp social commentary and gripping horror elements. Anchored by a compelling performance from Daria Lane, the film explores the complexities of online identity, cultural appropriation, and consequence, supported by immersive sound design and a bold narrative twist.
Apt. 44 (2025 | USA, Korea) directed by Laura Musgrave offered a minimalist yet chilling take on isolation and perception, following a young woman’s unsettling experiences in a new apartment. Its restrained storytelling and strong lead performance signaled a promising emerging filmmaker.
Howl If You Love Me(2023 | USA), the festival’s sole animated entry, drew significant anticipation and acclaim. Created byJohn Dilworth,the animator behind the iconic television series Courage the Cowardly Dog, the film used striking visuals and expressive animation to deliver a darkly comedic and visually compelling story without dialogue.
Vasomotor Rhinitis (2024 | Georgia), directed by Mikheil Gabaidze, provided a thoughtful and layered exploration of guilt and authority. Inspired by Anton Chekhov’s “The Death of a Civil Servant,” the film blended literary influence with contemporary storytelling, featuring nuanced performances and a carefully constructed aesthetic.
Blue Supper (2024 | USA), directed by Ami, the festival’s bonus, is a short, silent experimental film that invites viewers into a day in the life of a young girl navigating the world alongside a parent living with mental illness. With no spoken dialogue, the film uses powerful visual storytelling to convey emotional nuance, unspoken tension, and quiet moments of connection.
Festival organizers emphasized that each selected filmmaker brought a unique and necessary voice to the program. “These films not only entertained—they challenged, provoked, and expanded the conversation around storytelling and representation,” organizers noted.
As UnShushed! Film Festival looks ahead, it remains committed to further expanding accessibility across its programming while continuing to amplify bold, diverse voices in independent film.
Call for Submissions
UnShushed! Film Festival is now accepting submissions for its upcoming season. Filmmakers are encouraged to submit their work early, with the early deadline set for May 15, 2026. The festival continues to seek bold, original voices across genres, with a focus on storytelling that pushes boundaries and sparks conversation.
As UnShushed! Film Festival looks ahead, it remains committed to further expanding accessibility across its programming while continuing to amplify bold, diverse voices in independent film.
Media Contact:
Tanya Upshur | UnShushed! Media