The creators of the award-winning, female-led, bug-infested horror short “Biters & Bleeders” are hoping to fund a feature-length version of the film with a new Indiegogo campaign, which launched on Halloween.
The short film, which made its festival run over the summer, is the debut horror short film from New 32, a newly launched, queer-owned, independent film company based in North Carolina. Written by Charlie Monroe, who co-directed the film with Raven Angeling Whisnant, “Biters & Bleeders” tells the story of Tad (Christopher Malcolm) and Penelope (Whisnant), whose failing marriage is plagued by regret, frustration, and contempt. When Tad’s mother unexpectedly dies, and Tad comes into possession of his stately family home, he believes it will be the key to solving everything. But what awaits them in that house is not salvation.
The film explores themes of generational trauma and abuse, and Monroe penned the film with abuse survivors in mind. “Biters & Bleeders” is a story about reclaiming your agency when you feel you have none, about taking back your power, about clawing your way out of the horrors that surround you.
The feature film promises to be more disgusting, bloody, and bug-filled while ensuring fair pay and working conditions are at the heart of the production. Something quite topical in the current Hollywood climate.
The Indiegogo campaign has a minimum goal of $90,000, which the creators highlight won’t actually fund the entire film. However, the filmmakers feel this goal is realistic enough to achieve and would be enough for them to secure the remaining funds to complete the project. “One way or another, this movie is getting made,” they share on the film’s Indiegogo page. “We’ve made sure to design perks that can be fulfilled even if we don’t hit our 90k goal, so no matter what, you’ll get what you paid for. And eventually, you’ll get ‘Biters & Bleeders’ the feature, as well; it just might take a little longer and require a few more production partners than we expected.”
Pledge options range from $25, which earns you a digital download of the poster, a thank you letter, your name in the credits as a contributor, and a ticket to the virtual premiere, to $15,000, which bats you name your prize. Other pledge highlights include the $45 tier, which includes a blooper reel, and the $75 tier, which also includes a festival cut of the short film.
To learn more about the film, the campaign, its creators, and New 32, check out the “Biters & Bleeders” Indiegogo page.
