On s’habitue
by Ana Bucardo
*every backers will receive a copy of the film once it’s completed.
In a poignant dance film, a character battles the suffocating grip of depression, embodied by a relentless shadow, ultimately discovering the strength to embrace their struggle and find harmony within the chaos.
LOGLINE
DANCERS
kobe atwood courtney
Kobe Atwood Courtney is a professional dancer, choreographer, and educator based in New York City. They began their journey in 2010 through Richmond Ballet’s *Minds in Motion* program, training in Ballet, Jazz, and Theater dance. After stints with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and San Francisco Ballet School, Kobe performed with Orlando Ballet and Festival Ballet Providence, where they gained recognition in the *Boston Globe* for their stage presence and acting. Currently a member of Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Kobe tours internationally while advocating for gender equality and LGBTQ+ representation in dance. As a choreographer, they work to create more opportunities for non-binary artists, collaborating with Ballet22 and MOBBallet to promote diversity in the field.
tallia a. petrone
Tallia A. Petrone is a professional ballerina, choreographer, and director based in New York City. After graduating from Arts Immersion in 2017 and training with the Joffrey Ballet School, she made her professional debut with the Gwinnett Dance Project in 2020. In 2022, Tallia founded Pandora Ballet Company to promote equality, diversity, and greater audience connection in ballet. She choreographed and performed in their debut production *Visions of Virtue*. In 2023, she collaborated with Ballet Leila Da Rocha et Patrick Dupond in France and continues to choreograph for short films, theater, and SHIFT Dance’s national tour
DIRECTOR / EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
ana bucardo
Ana Valeria Bucardo is a director and producer based in New York City, originally from Mexico City. With a background in philosophy and writing, she explores and portrays the complexities of mental health through her own life experiences. As the director of her debut film, Ana inspires others to find their voices and embrace the transformative power of will, reminding us that the darkness we face can ultimately lead to light.
The concept revolves around depicting the persistent presence of depression through a contemporary dance performance. The narrative follows a character feeling trapped by their depression, symbolized by another dancer who clings to their every move. As the character prepares to go out, depression tries to hold them back, intensifying the struggle. This explores how depression can push individuals to the limits of their emotional endurance, sometimes even leading to ideas of suicide.
Once they leave, the dance becomes a powerful expression of their attempts to break free, with movements representing their fight to shed this shadow that keeps gripping them. Eventually, the character learns to "dance with" their depression, embracing it as a part of their life, and finding ways to live harmoniously with it. This represents a journey towards acceptance and learning to coexist with depression in a more balanced way.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
PRODUCER
louise nessralla
Louise Nessralla is a director and producer based in Brooklyn, NY. Her work has been featured at Flickers’ RIFF, Provincetown Int’l Film Festival, and Cinespace. Louise believes that curiosity coupled with a strong vision leads to delightful and thought-provoking outcomes.
paul-lou lemieux
PRODUCER
Born in France, Paul-Lou Lemieux is an award winner & creative producer that specialises in the production of short & feature film, music videos and commercials — in New York & Paris.
After 3 years of studies in a film school in France, he worked for the Cannes Film Festival for the 72nd edition before getting into production. He continued his career in New-York and is now running his own production company for more than a year. Supporting and bringing each idea to production from A to Z by working at the deepest and closest with his crew, Paul-Lou uses his knowledge, network and expertise to lead each project to its peak.
PRODUCER
ilona cazorla
Ilona Cazorla is a producer and actress based both in New York and Los Angeles. Passionate about storytelling and indie filmmaking, her goal is to create an art that not only entertains but also empowers. She has produced short films, has collaborated on feature films and documentaries, and currently has a slate of projects in various stages of production.
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
olivier metzler aerts
Olivier Metzler Aerts is a Belgian-Luxembourgish cinematographer based in New York City. His work has been recognized at festivals such as San Diego Comic-Con, OutFest Fusion, and HollyShorts. With a background in Super 16mm and a Master's from Florida State University, Olivier blends a keen eye for lighting with emotionally resonant compositions, bringing directors’ visions to life.
Mitotili, rooted in the Mexican Nahuatl Huichol term for "sacred ritual and ceremony," is Cristina Bucardo's transformative project. It blends ancient Mexican wisdom with modern sound healing practices. Cristina's journey weaves spiritual exploration and creativity, as seen in her holistic studies like curanderismo and multi-instrument sound healing, along with pursuits in 3D animation, motion graphics, and sound design. This fusion reflects her diverse talents, where spirituality and creativity seamlessly merge.
MUSIC COMPOSER
christina bucardo
OUR GOAL: $6,000
our budget
our progress
Our goal is to fundraise $6,000 to make this project happen.
Why is this important?
To offer a unique and creative way to address mental health
To reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and open conversations
To inspire action and promote healing
To spread a message of mental awareness through dance, a form of communication that transcends all barriers and can have a global impact
To build a community of artists and advocates around a common cause, and create a shared space for support
support the film
*every bakers will receive a copy of the film once it’s completed.