Dear Mothers! is a story about women, family, and forgiveness. While teen pregnancy is part of the narrative, this film is ultimately about emotional support, generational trauma, and the reassurance that, even when everything feels overwhelming, things can be okay. 

The story follows María, a 15-year-old girl living in London with her Latina mother and grandmother. On the day of her quinceañera, her mother, Margarita, had been planning her entire life. María is expected to embody perfection. She is seen as the family’s salvation: well-behaved, successful at school, and admired by everyone around her. What no one knows is that María is carrying a secret that threatens this carefully constructed image. María is pregnant. 

Characters

• Maria, the daughter: Maria is a quiet, empathetic, conflict-averse teen with an empathetic nature and a strong desire to please, who grew up without a father but deeply loved through a tender bond with her grandmother; she does well in school, is still finding herself, and is dating Ben, with whom she feels free and authentic. 

• Margarita, the mother: Margarita is a vain, authoritative Latina woman in her mid-30s, curvy, blonde-dyed, and devoted to animal prints and stilettos, sharp-tongued, persuasive, and controlling, hiding deep vulnerability rooted in an absent father while obsessively curating a “perfect” life to ensure Margarita has a better one than she did. 

• Mercedes, the grandmother: Mercedes is a petite, chubby woman in her 60s–70s with short hair, a love for chunky jewellery, and a secret habit of smoking Pielroja cigarettes; she raised her daughter alone, later worked long years in London, and now dotes on Maria, spoiling her with snacks and money behind Margarita’s back. 

Watch our character teasers below!

Our Vision

Although the film will be shot in black and white, the visual aesthetic will be treated with great care. While black and white is often perceived as simple or nostalgic, we believe it allows us to create visually compelling and emotionally charged images through double perspectives and a bold use of light and contrast. 

Our intention is not to evoke a vintage feeling, but rather a modern black and white language that offers visual satisfaction without becoming the focal point. As this is a dramedy, the film’s attention remains fully on the story and the performances. 

The art direction is carefully designed to reflect the essence of middle-class Latina women living in a city as foreign to their nature as London. We aim to preserve this Latin identity within an event as iconic and symbolic as a quinceañera, using props such as religious figures, traditional decorations, and culturally rooted costumes. 

Sound plays an equally essential role in storytelling. Through collaborations with musicians and the inclusion of mariachi performers within the film, we aim to capture the joyful, chaotic, and vibrant atmosphere of Latin family celebrations. This soundscape will be contrasted with more intimate and restrained music, accompanying the most vulnerable moments of the story. 

Moodboards

Scroll through to view our moodboards!

Film Inspirations

1. “The Florida Project” (2017), Sean Baker - USA
2. “Roma” (2018), Alfsono Cuaron - Mexico
3. “Shiva Baby” (2020), Emma Seligman - USA
4. “Totem” (2023), Lila Avilés - Mexico
5. "Volver" (2006), Pedro Almodovar - Spain

Production Timeline

1. Pre-Production: Dec 2025-mid Feb 2026 
2. Production: Late Feb-March 2026 
3. Post-Production: March-April 2026 
4. Distribution: June/July 2026 

Fundraising Costs

We need your help to raise the following costs so our production can run smoothly!

1. Catering: 25% 
2. Location Fees: 25% 
3. Marketing & Festival Submissions 15% 
4. Production Design - 20% 
5. Transport for Equipment and Crew: 15% 

Crew Descriptions

• Director: & Writer Flavia Valentina Togni
• Producer: Sunal Fernando
• Director of Photography: Marco Serra
• Production Designer & Writer: Oliver Turvill
• Editor: Ed Headland
• Sound Designer: Theus Morgan-Gynn

Risks of Filming 

• Budget: Making this film requires careful budgeting, especially with limited resources. While we’ve planned the project to be as efficient as possible without sacrificing quality, your support will help cover essential costs such as transportation, location fees, catering and production design. 

• Experience: Though student-led, our team is experienced and skilled, with hands-on training and support from university tutors and industry professionals. Having completed similar projects before, we’re well prepared to meet challenges and deliver a high-quality film. (The production of our second-year film could be a movie in the future, but it ended up going well haha). 

• Time Commitment: While managing academic responsibilities and other commitments, we are undertaking this project with a carefully planned schedule that allows us to meet every deadline and maintain a high standard for the finished film. 

• Weather & Location: Shooting on location comes with challenges, including unpredictable weather, especially shooting in the rainy spring season. To reduce potential disruptions, we have contingency plans in place, including alternative indoor locations.