(SHOWCASE) Facing East!

Facing East is a feature length narrative film that sheds light on an important subject. Just as we think our society is becoming more tolerant and inclusive, our hopes are dashed as we hear about another young gay person, drowning in shame and despair, taking their own life. Nowhere is this shame and despair more acute than among LGBT youth raised in religious homes. Repeatedly told directly and subliminally that God hates them, that they can change the very person that they are, that they are sinners, many see no escape other than death.

Facing East tells the story of a family dealing with this exact tragedy, and through their journey of discovery we see hope for ourselves, our families, our community, our world.

"Some theater is good drama. Some drama is important theater. Facing East is both." -- nytheater.com

"This compact, emotional epic doesn't bear even the slightest trace of exploitation: only truth, simply and beautifully told." -- talkingbroadway.com

Facing East is directed by Tony nominated Broadway actor (Hair, Priscilla: Queen of the Desert), and independent film director (Sons of Provo) Will Swenson. Will's personal biography as a Utah raised former Mormon and effective gay rights activist make him the perfect voice for this delicate subject. Will and his wife, Audra McDonald, were recently honored by PFLAG for their efforts to promote marriage equality with the 2012 Straight for Equality in Entertainment Award.

Guinevere Turner (Go Fish, American Psycho, The Notorious Bettie Page), one of the most prominent voices in LGBT cinema, has adapted Carol Lynn's stage play into a wonderful screenplay.

With this extraordinary team in place, we are now prepared to shoot Facing East in late 2013. While most of our funding is in place through equity investment, it will not be available until our preproduction period in Fall 2013. We need a bit extra to bring us to that point, so we are turning to you. The amount we are raising now is to fund some script rewrites, continue casting, pay for some legal and accounting necessities, and prep for production.

Are you excited by character driven, independent cinema? Do you long for a day when no one will feel that suicide is their only escape? Please support this amazing, important project.