Reckless Spirits

About the offering

Reckless Spirits is a feature film project—a multilingual, metaphysical POC best friend comedy about a gender-fluid Latine performance artist and a neurotic Asian American therapist drawn into a world of ancestor spirits, psychics, and a cult leader. Written and directed by Vivian Hua (journalist, filmmaker, film educator, former Executive Director of Northwest Film Forum, OTV Fellow), with producer Paige Wood (2024 Film Independent Episodic Fellow, 2022 Gotham TV Lab Fellow, 2019 Sundance | Knight Fellow). The project has raised $130K+ through Kickstarter ($102K), private donations, events, and grants, and has received recognition from Hillman Grad, Open Television, Northwest Film Forum, Full Spectrum Features, Washington Filmworks, 4Culture, Artist Trust, and others. It was a 2023 NewFest New Voices Grant Semi-Finalist and was invited to the second round of the 2025 Sundance Feature Film Labs. The Wefunder campaign has raised $50,315 from 52 investors, exceeding its first goal. Filming is confirmed to begin Q1 2026. The total budget is approximately $300K, with the team projecting that only $150K needs to be recouped for profitability since the majority of prior funds (grants, Kickstarter) don't require repayment. Potential distribution through Tubi has been identified via the Kickstarter campaign. The Problem & Solution This is a creative entertainment project, not a business addressing a market problem. The creative thesis is that diverse audiences—specifically BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities—are underserved by joyous, uplifting genre stories and are instead disproportionately represented in trauma narratives. The film draws on the commercial success of absurdist comedies like Everything Everywhere All at Once, Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, and Problemista, combining physical comedy, animation, fantasy, and cultural elements (Chinese ghost movies, K-Pop) into a genre-blending experience. Traction The project has meaningful independent film community validation. The Sundance Feature Film Labs second-round invitation is a notable signal—Sundance Labs are among the most selective development programs in independent film. The producer's credentials (Sundance | Knight Fellow, Gotham TV Lab Fellow, Film Independent Fellow) represent the top tier of independent filmmaker development programs. The $102K Kickstarter demonstrates genuine audience interest and community support. Recognition from Hillman Grad (Lena Waithe's production company), Open Television, and Full Spectrum Features adds industry credibility. The 12-minute short film proof-of-concept has been completed with a 30-person crew. The Tubi distribution connection provides a potential revenue path, though no deal is confirmed.

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