NYC | Short Film | Psychological Drama
Click to DonateOlive invites us into the world of a young man and his grandmother, who suffers from memory loss. Their reality begins to crumble when the young man discovers an ID stating he was born in 1958.
Olive is fiscally sponsored by From the Heart Productions, a 501c(3) nonprofit organization
THE FILM
This 15-minute psychological drama follows Sam (Tom Koch) and Marie (Lesley Ann Warren), an elderly married couple living in New York City, who try to cope with the effects of Alzheimer's disease. In his dementia-induced delusions, Sam believes he is back in the 1980s and mistakes his wife for his grandmother. Every week, Sam takes the woman he believes is his sick grandmother on a walk through Central Park. He helps "his grandmother" with her chores, reminds her to take her medication, and cooks her favorite meals. Marie was told by his doctors to play into his delusions to avoid confusing him and provoking conflict. For both Sam and Marie, the line between reality and imagination is blurred.
Olive is a thought-provoking story of true love. It offers a new perspective on “for better or for worse” and serves as a raw, truthful depiction of the emotionally-conflicted experience of caring for a chronically sick loved one alone.
WHY THIS FILM
Dementia affects more than 55 million people worldwide, and Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common forms. The stats are horrifying: the risk for Alzheimer’s by age 45 is 1 in 5 for women, 1 in 10 for men. 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. It kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. By 2050, the number of people projected to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is 13 million in the US alone. This disease affects us all.
Olive intends to give audiences a visceral, unexpected experience; a real insight into what it could be like to live with dementia. Through the art of storytelling, the film will shed light on challenges faced by individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease, their families, and the importance of early diagnosis and support.
HELP BRING THIS STORY TO LIFE
Making Olive will be an unforgettable experience and has the potential to launch and grow the careers of the artists attached to the production. Olive is fiscally sponsored by From the Heart Productions, a well-established 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. You can help us complete production and post-production for the film by making a 100% tax-deductible charitable donation. You can choose one of the preset donation amounts or write in your own amount.
PERKS FOR DONATING
- Donate $10 to receive quarterly progress updates with exclusive previews, behind-the-scenes photos and interviews with cast and crew
- Donate $25 to receive the above + an invitation to the New York premiere of Olive
- Donate $70 to receive the above + your name in the Special Thanks credits
- Donate $250 to receive the above + an opportunity to visit the set with one of your friends and grab lunch with cast and crew
- Donors who contribute $1,000 will receive Associate Producer on screen and IMDB credit
- Individual donors who contribute $5,000 or more will receive Executive Producer on screen and IMDB credit
- Businesses who contribute $5,000 or more will be listed as a Sponsor, with your logo featured in on screen credits and press materials
STARRING
LESLEY ANN WARREN as GRANDMA / MARIE
THE CREATIVE TEAM
WRITER-DIRECTOR-ACTOR
Tom Koch grew up between the South of France and London, where he practiced martial arts and theater. He later moved to New York to study acting. His credits include Science, Port Chicago 50, and Richard III with SoHo Shakespeare. Tom also studied directing at Yale. Last year, he wrote and directed his first film, Orange, which was shown at the Palm Springs Shortfest and earned him an honorable mention at Hollywood New Directors 2024. He is the founder of Mes Films en Couleur.
CREATIVE PRODUCER & COMPOSER
Astrid Lark is a producer and music composer based in Richmond, Virginia. She has produced independent work that spans short films, series, nonfiction, and multi-format artwork. She is also a product manager and the Founder of Fire on the Moon, a multimedia production studio that empowers musicians to create memorable performances and experiences.
CONSULTING PRODUCER
Mustafa Kaymak is the Co-Founder of Cinegryphon Entertainment, an American independent entertainment company specializing in film and television development, production, and financing. He is an award-winning writer and producer, having received accolades at Sundance (Green, 2019) and Tribeca (Leylak, 2021). Born in Ankara, Turkey, he earned his BA degree in journalism from Ankara University in 2008. He holds two MFA degrees, one in playwriting and another in creative film producing, both from Columbia University. Also, he was honored with the Caucus Foundation and Annenberg Foundation Award.
PRODUCER & ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Anthony James Faure is a Venezuelan & French filmmaker based in New York. He has a master's degree in Film and TV Production from University Paris La Sorbonne and a professional certification as an Assistant Director from Le Conservatoire Libre du Cinéma Français (CLCF). After working in the French film industry for 5 years, Anthony moved to New York where he has now 9 years of experience working as a filmmaker in the US. Anthony has written, directed and produced six award-winning short films and a feature film, Kids with Guns.
CASTING DIRECTOR
Joanna Davis, currently based in New York, is a Casting Director for independent film as well as television shows and major studio films. She has been in the industry for over 20 years and brings experience from projects at all the major studios, including NBC Universal, Netflix, Amazon Studios, Fox, Hulu, CBS, ABC and HBO. Joanna has worked with Casting Directors Greg Orson, Lesli Gelles-Raymond, Margery Simkin, Sara Isaacson, and more. Some of Joanna's television credits include The Vampire Diaries, The Following, Younger, Chicago Fire and Chicago Med; while some of her film credits include The Forgotten and Pacific Rim.
CINEMATOGRAPHER
Guillermo Cameo is a Spanish cinematographer specializing on narrative projects. Born and raised in Barcelona, he now operates bi-coastally between Los Angeles and New York. Guillermo Cameo has contributed his unique visual style to a range of acclaimed feature films, including Dead Guy, Apophenia, Queen of Soca, and Dirty Rhetoric. His skillful use of bold colors and dramatic lighting enhances complex narratives and consistently pushes the boundaries of visual storytelling. Cameo has had the privilege of collaborating with distinguished actors such as Michael Shannon, Eva Longoria, Judy Greer, Luis Guzman, Darren Barnet, Tovah Feldshuh, and Julie Halston. His versatility in adapting his style to various genres allows him to continue exploring new creative horizons, shooting projects all over the world.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Kate Pelini is a multifaceted creative based in New York City, with a background spanning acting, producing, and other various endeavors. She moved to New York in 2019 to study acting at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts then continued her education at The New School, earning a BS in Media Studies with a concentration in cinema in 2024. Whether she is acting, writing, or just a helping hand on set, Kate’s goal remains the same: to tell stories that reflect her values of empathy, humanism and connection.
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Aaron Jordan Liebowitz is an American filmmaker based out of New York. Currently he serves as the lead producer for the Film Production Initiative at Viola Media, along with leading the marketing strategy of Mes Films en Couleur. He continues to work independently, producing, directing and casting multiple award-winning short films that have screened at film festival worldwide. Aaron is also a booking agent currently holding the position of Media & Operations Manager at Marian Liebowitz Artist Management (MLAM). At MLAM, he ensures their curated roster of artists tours across the globe, and he works to continue their commitment to musical outreach. Aaron received a BFA in Filmmaking along with a BA in Classics from Hofstra University.
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