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Film to Raise Your Paws for Being Yourself 🐾
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
When I Was a Human is a story about an adopted pup, magically turns into a human to reclaim his owner’s affection and rediscovers himself along the way. This feature film is based on a critically acclaimed short film of the same title, written and directed by Akemi Kozu Tosto – distributed worldwide by Shorts International, the official short film distributor of the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences.
A Proven Team
Our team has worked in over 200 film and video productions and 20+ years of industry experience.
High-Profile Talent
We secured high-profile Hollywood talent and key personnel from our first Wefunder raise.
Proof-of-Concept
This feature is based on a critically acclaimed short film still in global distribution.
Successful Screenplay
Our screenplay debuted in the top 3 highest-rated scripts on Slated.com.
High Profitability
Dog-themed, uplifting films rank top 3 for profitability in the family film genre (cf. AFM).
Powerhouse Advisory
Our Advisory Board includes legal minds from Lucasfilm, A24, and other industry leaders.
Massive Fanbase
69 MILLION U.S. households own dogs. That is a HUGE market and existing fanbase.
Global Relations
This project is a Hollywood/Japan joint production with existing distribution relationships.
We’ve got the stars to match
DANNY TREJO
"Spike"
Called one of the Greatest Character Actors of all time, Danny Trejo (“Machete,” “Heat,” “Spy Kids”) plays Spike, Indy’s best friend who is more than he seems and holds the key to the whimsical story of When I Was a Human. Mr. Trejo’s love for rescue dogs is well known in the community and was the primary reason he was one of the first cast members to sign on to the project. He brings his globally-recognized unique persona and extensive industry experience to the part of Spike.
Rebecca De Mornay
"Mrs. Peacock"
Award winning and internationally renowned actress and producer Rebecca De Mornay joins the cast as Ms. Peacock. Rebecca is known for her memorable work in such iconic moves as “Risky Business,” “The Hand that Rocks the Cradle”, “Backdraft” and “Wedding Crashers”. Her recent work has included guest appearances on “The Practice”, “Law and Order” as well as “Hawaii Five-0” and “Lucifer”.
Molly Quinn
"Kimmy"
There’s more; Molly Quinn from the movie “We’re the Millers” and the popular TV series “Castle” has been attached to play our lovely heroine, Kimmy. Her audition was so fantastic and emotional that it brought the Director to tears!
Adam Hagenbuch
"Jared"
Adam is known as the heartthrob “Jimmy” from the popular Netflix comedy “Fuller House.” Adam is attached to play Jared, Indy’s nemesis and Kimmy’s manipulative boyfriend!
investment or sponsorship
We provide two options for you to support WHEN I WAS A HUMAN: through investment or fiscal sponsorship. Investment in the film is conducted through Wefunder – an accredited crowdfunding campaign platform that manages and insures your investment and its potential returns. Fiscal sponsorship – a tax-deductible method of supporting the arts – is conducted through Film Independent. These two different methods offer you the chance to support WHEN I WAS A HUMAN in a way that is most tailored to your unique goals. Thank you for your support!
About the movie
An adopted canine magically turns into a human and discovers himself and his love for his owner along the way.
Meet Indy: a scruffy mutt stuck at a shelter. Then along comes Kimmy, a kind-hearted girl who rescues him, giving him a shot at a loving forever home. Life couldn’t be better… until Kimmy starts dating Jared, a rocker with a questionable agenda.
Terrified of losing Kimmy, and in a twist of fate, Indy chomps on a Miracle Dog Biscuit and turns into a human overnight! Armed with opposable thumbs and a newfound ability to speak, Indy is on a mission to prove that Jared isn’t the man he pretends to be.
But being human is harder than it looks. Learning human life’s quirks, Indy comes to realize an invaluable lesson: that being loved doesn’t require changing who you are.
After exposing Jared and biscuit origins, Indy returns to Kimmy as her furry, loyal sidekick, showing that true love stays unchanged.
AKEMI K. TOSTO
director’s statement
It was my 7th-grade year in Tokyo, Japan, I faced a debilitating illness that left me feeling physically and emotionally drained. However, it was during this dark period that I discovered the magical world of film. The experience of watching movies filled me with a newfound sense of hope and joy that I had never felt before. It also instilled in me a fierce determination to pursue my passion for filmmaking and overcome my illness.
As the late Roger Ebert once said, the medium of film is a powerful empathy machine. This is why I decided to become a filmmaker – I wanted to touch people’s lives through cinema, just as it has always had a powerful effect on me. In these trying times, we all crave a sense of comfort and hope. I believe that our movie will provide just that – a soothing and uplifting experience that leaves our audience feeling happier and stronger.
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