Back in March, California based film collective Sunflower Pictures launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign for their short film ‘Leaves of Glass’. Sunflower Pictures is a production company founded in 2021. Over the course of 2022, the Sunflower team was responsible for over 20 productions in collaboration with Capitol Records, Sony Music, UMG, and many more. Sunflower’s first short film “Panorama” became an Oscar-qualified film and placed amongst the top 200 films in competition for the best live-action short category at the 95th academy awards.

“Leaves of Glass” is a modern-day witch tale that takes place within Watts, California surrounding a fractured Hispanic family. This genre-bending short film explores generational curses, our responsibility to our family, and asks what we would be willing to sacrifice in order to protect them against a supernatural threat.

The campaign started with a goal of $25,000, but due to immense support that has exceeded that benchmark. They are now looking to raise $35,000 by April 20th. The plan is to create a high-level short film to submit to festivals and generate resources for a feature film adaptation of the story. 

The team behind this groundbreaking camp includes:

• Scotty Felix (Writer/Director) – Scotty is a Mexican writer, director, and published poet. Alongside Sunflower Pictures, his production collective, Felix’s debut short film ‘Panorama’ was placed on the Academy’s Long List in the Best Live Action Short Film category for the 95th Academy Awards. Felix has also directed over a dozen viral music videos with labels such as Capitol Records, Sony Music, and more. After obtaining his Bachelor of Arts at USC, Felix began his directing career at The Slauson Rec. Theater Company.
• Spencer Paysinger (Executive Producer) – Spencer is a seven-year NFL veteran and Super Bowl champion turned television and film producer. He’s a writer and producer on the hit CW show “All American” which is loosely based on his life.
• Leonard Williams (Executive Producer) – Leonard is a producer as well as an all pro defensive end for the New York Giants. While being one of the NFL’s premier players for nearly a decade, Leonard has also built a strong reputation off the field. establishing his presence in fashion and entertainment. Leonard has produced videos for AEG, Columbia records, Sony music, and UMG.
• Cory Gehr (Director of Photography) – Since earning his BA in Cinematography at the University of Hawaii, Cory has developed his career as a DP and filmmaker in both narrative and commercial fields. As a co-founder of The Sunflower Pictures, he’s involved in all things film from creative development to production to post.
• Dane Morck (Executive Producer) – As producer on the CW series “All American” and executive producer on the Animal Planet series “Into Alaska,” Dane and producing partner Spencer Paysinger established Moore St. Productions in 2019, developing projects with Thunder Road, Uninterrupted, Wilson Sporting Goods, and Warner Brothers.
• Cyrus Hobbi (Creative Producer) – Cyrus attended the University of Southern California to study Theatre on a full-ride football scholarship. After graduation, he continued his acting into film for commercials, then onto television and feature films.
• Sy Huq (Producer) – Sy Huq is a four-time Oscar-qualified Norwegian-Bangladeshi-American film director, screenwriter, and producer. he utilizes his background to bring impactful films, tv, and anime stories to life, including the journey for Sony pictures/Crunchyroll, history’s first Saudi-Japanese multi-studio animation feature.
• JP Hughes (Producer) – JP is a producer and manager at Range Media Partners where he specializes in both the entertainment division as well as the Sports division. He began his career at ICM where he eventually went on to produce the Oscar-Qualified short film “Panorama.”
• Hans Boysen (Line Producer) – Hans is a line producer who was born and raised in Southern California. He credits his unique advantage in producing to the seven years he worked as a Paralegal in a law firm. His goal for every project is to mitigate risk and liability to procure a safe and smooth set experience.
• Jamie Sitter (Executive Producer) – Best known for her creativity as a producer and skills behind the decks, Jamie brings a technical prowess to dance music’s underground scene, lending her unique skills to every venture of her life spanning music, fashion, art and film.

We were fortunate enough to speak with one of the producers on the project, Sy Huq, and he gave us additional insight on “Leaves of Glass” and the process of filmmaking as a whole.

• How did the team come together?

• • Many of us all came together during the filming of the short film “Panorama.” Members of the team, Scotty and Cory, collaborated regularly in the past. Before I knew them, a fellow producer collaborator of mine sent me their work. I was highly impressed with what I saw and wanted to work with them in some capacity. They had something to say. As we met we utilized our collective networks and built the team. Everyone has their individual personalities and ideas, but we’ve all come together to create something great and continue to learn in the process.

• For people who don’t know the process of getting a film made, what led to you guys turning to crowdfunding?

• Everyone involved has a deep personal connection to this project, and is extremely passionate about getting it made. The theme of the story asks the question, is it better to die with dignity or live in shame? Because that is such a powerful question it made us want to involve the community first. In that regard, crowdfunding became a viable option. There’s something very empowering when you can involve a community. That’s really what pushed us to create a Kickstarter campaign.
• Being on your Hollywood journey, what’s been the most eye-opening realization for you?
• There are certain things you are passionate about. Some people may want to do comedy, horror, action, or drama. Others may want to do a Wes Anderson style of production. We’re often told that it quickly becomes what you’re known for and what people attribute to you. But, as you continue to move forward you learn that it’s less about a genre and more about a theme. What is the thing in your own life that is a part of who you are that you are exploring as your own therapy that people will see and experience? That is what people will gravitate towards and connect with you as a create on. 

If you would like to support this project and everyone over at The Sunflower Pictures click here and it will take you over to the official kickstart campaign for “Leaves of Glass.” They have a multitude of incentives that will allow you to be apart of the process