You probably know an Ingrid, or are an Ingrid yourself.

Told by a female director, writer, and female collaborators, You're Not Dying recounts a common story of wilful blindness that is often kept silent. This project wants to shine a light on human vulnerability, toxicity in romantic relationships, and the lived reality of abortion.

This will be a 10-15 minute drama short film.

We are raising £800 for the production, completion, and distribution of this film. Join us on our journey and help bring this story to life!

Ingrid is a straight-talking, independent, and party-loving university student. When she finds out that she is pregnant from her older lover Seth on a night out, she immediately decides to terminate the pregnancy...

Throughout the abortion process, Seth's behaviour unravels his true toxic character. Blinded by love, Ingrid endeavours to earn his affection by downplaying her pain to avoid being a nuisance, while Seth undermines her needs and suffering.

At her most vulnerable time, Ingrid is forced to recognise the disturbing dynamic of their relationship she was wilfully blind to, and challenge it.

This film will tell the serious subject with a light-hearted tone, approaching the story with sensitivity and humour. We want tell the story with a realistic mix of complex emotions that reflects the reality of abortion.

Here is a visual mood board and colour scheme for you to have an idea:

Portray experiences of abortion without reducing to 'yes/no' decisions

We find that fictional representation of abortion often revolves around the 'yes or no' question. For Ingrid and many of us, the answer is straightforward - keeping the child is simply not a possibility, and the decision does not cause us an emotional turmoil. We feel that it is important to move beyond this focus on decision-making to tell the lived reality of abortion, its aftermath, and its power to reveal characters and change relationships. 

Unify and empower young people with similar experience

While developing this film, we were surprised to learn how many of us shared similar experiences but kept silent. It is immensely motivating and rewarding to see people connect and uplift each other by sharing similar stories of pain. We want to, with this project, connect with a wider crowd and continue to empower and encourage them to tell their stories.

Ignite wider conversations 

Behind the particulars of abortion lies an exploration of the power of crises to reveal complex, painful truths about our intimate bonds and the people we choose to trust. We want to push active conversations about the wilful blindness to toxicity, and encourage people to reevaluate their perspectives on relationship dynamics.

INGRID

Ingrid is a 20-year-old bisexual, headstrong, and party-loving soul with a fashionable exterior but soft interior. She’s straight-talking and incredibly self-reliant, she is confused and uncertain about her future but has an ambition to greatness.

She met her lover Seth at a bar, and they have now been living together for 2 months. She tries to please him in any way to earn his affection, making a habit of putting his demands before her own. In love with Seth but keeping silent, she fails to recognise the apparent power dynamic of their relationship.

SETH

Seth is a 33-year-old high-end photographer with a wealthy background. He’s an extreme sports enthusiast, an ethical vegetarian. His neurtotically pedantic and self-focused character prevents him from deep empathetic connections with others.

He appreciates that Ingrid takes care of him and sometimes brings out his sentimental side. Despite that, he still prioritises his immediate needs and often fails to consider Ingrid’s feelings before his own.

EVE

Eve is a close friend of Ingrid’s. They’ve been through a lot of highs and lows together and they always got each other’s back. Eve often helps Ingrid to snap out of her detrimental illusions and keeps her on her ground. 

As such, Ingrid confides Eve of everything about Seth. Eve is suspicious of Seth’s character and keeps an eye on their relationship.

SONYA BLEIPH // DIRECTOR, WRITER

Website / Instagram

Sonya Bleiph is a freelance filmmaker, production designer and creative director with a history of working in the media industry. Having moved from Russia to the UK, she obtained a BSc Human Sciences degree at UCL and soon about to complete her MA in Film Making at CFS. The intention behind her art and films is to showcase the alternative and bizarre, focus on the unspoken thoughts and indescribable experiences and approach the viewer with almost uncomfortable sincerity.

BENJAMIN LEGGETT // DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Website / Instagram

Benjamin is a highly social and affable independent DoP living and working in London. Working with directors, designers and technicians to develop innovative ways to tell stories is their passion. Equally at home in the studio or on location, they are particularly interested in lighting up issues of gender, sexuality and mental health. Benjamin is also dedicated to supporting queer, female and ethnic minority talent behind the camera.

Showreel:

CHERUTO WANG // PRODUCER

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Cheruto is a Hong Kong-born producer based in London. She is passionate about telling stories from perspectives and cultures that are often alienated, neglected, or misrepresented by the mainstream media. By bringing these stories and experiences into the forefront of representation on screen, she strives to celebrate underrepresented identities, bend boundaries, and reconstruct contexts of our experience in her works.

JOANNA VENTURA // "Ingrid"

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Joanna Ventura is a 23yr old actress and director from Reading. She studied Acting for Stage and Media at UWL. During this time she performed in shows such as The Odyssey and Unlikely the Musical. She has also starred in a variety of short films, like Not Alone and Call this Number for the Devil. She’s extremely passionate about her craft and really looks forward to delving into Ingrid and the obstacles she faces.