Independent filmmaker Hannah Zieziula has launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund her short film “We Were Celebrating Life.” The film tells the story of a German woman and an Israeli woman who meet while traveling through Spain and fall in love, until Oct. 7 changes everything, and one of them must return home.
The story is fictional but deeply inspired by Zieziula’s real experiences.
While living in Australia, Zieziula became close with a group of mostly Israeli travelers who became like family to her. On Oct. 7, 2023, she watched her friends receive the news of the terror attacks in Israel one by one. Her friends immediately began returning home to be with their families or resume their military service.
“I watched people I had come to know as endlessly compassionate and open-hearted suddenly having to carry so much grief,” Zieziula says. “That experience never let go of me, and eventually it became the foundation for this film.”
She emphasizes that the film is not intended as a political statement. “I don’t have the answers. It’s a film about the people I came to love, the ordinary joy we shared before everything changed, and the moment the news stopped being something on a screen and became someone packing a bag in front of me.”
Zieziula, who is not Jewish herself, describes a deep personal connection to the Jewish people that grew out of this experience.
About the Project
The film is being managed by an international team of Israelis, Germans and Belgians. Berlin-based actress and singer Zieziula will direct. Her work ranges from short films and independent productions to theater and television.
The lead roles are played by Meital Bilson and Michelle Wiesemes, with cinematography by director of photography Amnon Bikovsky.
After two unsuccessful applications for public funding, the team decided to crowdfund instead. The campaign runs for 33 days with a goal of about $14,000 to cover equipment, crew, filming locations in Spain and post-production costs.
Supporters can back the project starting at small amounts and receive rewards depending on their pledge level, including exclusive behind-the-scenes content, early digital access to the film or producer credits.
Click here to learn more or support the project.
