500ml

During a single, chaotic night inside a pounding nightclub, two desperate young parents are thrust into a violent, drug-fueled nightmare - risking their lives, their child, and what little hope they have left. 

500ml is a short film drama aiming to highlight both the situational entrapment of people suffering from poverty and how late-stage capitalism is dehumanising at its core. This film confronts our culture’s apathy toward suffering and reveals how we depend on it to keep our systems running and our conveniences plentiful.

Capitalism sells the idea that the safety and security of one's family is something to be earned by stepping on the necks of those around you. This is a story about how the extremely poor will be consumed - by their neighbours.

We are raising money to bring this story to life. The power of crowdfunding ensures true creative independence and freedom for all collaborators at every step of the production process.

We believe in independent film, and we hope you do too!

Oberon Romond | Writer/Director

Oberon Romond is an award-winning New Zealand filmmaker and screenwriter based in Wellington, New Zealand. With a Bachelor of Arts in Film and experience working on major motion pictures, he combines strong narrative instincts with a practical understanding of production. His previous short film, Nokia Low, has garnered over  750,000 views on YouTube, earning attention for its grounded storytelling and distinctive visual style.

Oberon’s work centres on character-driven narratives and contemporary themes, with a focus on emotionally resonant, visually compelling storytelling. He’s committed to building a long-term career as a director, to create work that connects widely and stands the test of time.

Sebastian Boyes | Director of Cinematography | Mythos Media

Sebastian Boyes is a cinematographer based in Aotearoa, New Zealand, with a body of work spanning narrative film, documentaries, music videos and commercial content. His style is defined by a cinematic approach to mood and composition, with a focus on visual

storytelling that enhances emotional tone. Recent collaborations include multiple projects with director Oberon Romond, where his work behind the camera has contributed to a distinct and evolving creative voice. Through his production company, Mythos Media, Sebastian continues to develop and produce original content, working with a range of artists and brands to craft visually compelling, story-led work.

Samuel Ogle | Director of Technology/Associate Producer | Mythos Media

Samuel is a filmmaker and creative collaborator based in Wellington, New Zealand, with a growing body of work that spans short films, documentaries, music videos, and commercial projects. Over the years, he has developed a strong reputation for his versatility and attention to detail across all stages of production. As the co-founder and co-owner of Mythos Media, alongside cinematographer Sebastian Boyes, Samuel has helped shape a production company known for its distinctive visual style and commitment to storytelling. Together, they have produced dozens of visually striking and emotionally grounded works that showcase the depth of emerging New Zealand talent.

Akash Saravanan | Producer | Akiatta Productions

Akash Saravanan is an independent filmmaker originating from Watrap, India. Based in Wellington, he has worked within the NZ film industry since 2018, working on more than 15 films in various roles.

As a Producer, Akash has produced Clothstore Calamity, Tinder 2.0, Stars and Tides, Pantry of Memories (with Little Lizard Productions), and Dares (directed by Talia Hazelwood). He's also worked as a producer in the NZ-based short film anthology series, Snap Shot Shorts, in collaboration with Sailboat Films and Little Lizard Productions.

James Tweddle | Production Designer | AuroraVision

James Tweddle is a filmmaker and production designer based in Wellington, New Zealand. With a background in visual storytelling and design, James brings a sharp eye for atmosphere, texture, and world-building to every project he works on. 

His work spans short films, music videos, and independent productions, often exploring bold visual concepts and grounded, character-driven worlds. Whether behind the camera or shaping environments on set, James is driven by a commitment to authenticity and detail that enhances the emotional core of each story.

James is interested in bold, immersive visuals. He has worked on experimental genre projects that allow him to explore futuristic or speculative set design, such as Temporal — a sci-fi short film officially selected for the 2025 Show Me Shorts International Film Festival, which James wrote, produced, and co-directed.

Additional Crew:

The leadership of this film project believe in harnessing the very best talent of the Wellington film community, and the amazing crew working on 500ml reflects that.
 

Our Cast:

Dante | Flynn O'Sullivan (Nokia Low)

Alice | Sara Tapnikar

Velveteen | Tabatha Bertei-Killick (Nokia Low)

Virgil | Ezekiel Dixon
 

Behind this powerful story is a team of talented and ruthless New Zealand storytellers who believe in making films by any means necessary. We believe we have the strength to be serious contenders in the global entertainment industry. This film is a pivotal stepping stone towards our dreams of creating legitimate, artful and high-budget independent films.

500ml is being produced on a tight budget with the commitment and dedication of an incredibly passionate team. Much of our equipment is self-provided, and we are fortunate to have a talented crew who are working pro bono for the love of the project. 

The $7,000 goal will be used to cover essential costs that can’t be sourced through in-kind contributions or volunteer work.

- Location Fees (nightclub, apartment interiors, exterior shots): $2,500

- Production Design (costumes, props, set building/dressing): $1,200

- Catering & Transport (fuel, meals for cast and crew): $1,200

- Contingency & Miscellaneous: $1,300

- Marketing & Distribution: $400

- Festival Submission Fees: $400
 (Note: Promotional material and social media advertising will be handled in-house by the team.)
 

Synopsis

Trapped in the vicious cycle of crime and poverty, two young parents (Dante and Alice) struggle to provide for their newborn. Dante sells pills and produces GHB with little success. Alice is a sex worker under the cruel manipulator Velveteen. 

At home with his baby, Dante takes a tense phone call with the high-profile drug dealer, Virgil. Virgil threatens Dante for botching their last deal. Dante ignores his threats, distracted by his new batch of potent, liquid GHB. 

Virgil coerces Dante to meet him at a nightclub, saying he’ll buy this new batch for a large sum - but it has to be tonight. Dante is enchanted by the prospect and chooses to leave his baby at home. Alone.

Dante meets Alice outside the nightclub. She berates him for leaving their child, but her own circumstances trap her there, too. Alice has been promised a large sum of her own in exchange for sex with a new client. Velveteen tells her his name is Virgil. 

Each with the hopes to make enough money in one night to save their child from poverty, Dante and Alice descend the stairs into the nightclub. 

At the mercy of those with the power to save or destroy them, they are thrown into an inescapable, drug-fueled, violent nightmare. Surrounded at all times by hordes of frantic dancers. 

Purpose & Themes

Dante and Alice believe they control their own fate. They are blinded by ambition, love, greed and envy. They want to be like Virgil and Velveteen. Virgil cuts deals and commands respect. Velveteen works the streets and supports her children. These people have the agency our protagonists so desperately seek. 

Our characters never learn that the power Virgil and Velveteen command is through the manipulation and destruction of others. Tragically, it is these characters that betray Dante and Alice in the end.

This film highlights the suffering and violence as a result of the production and distribution of common street drugs. 

The indifference of the dancing club-goers reflects wider society and its acceptance of suffering as a necessary evil to further the innovation, expansion and convenience of capitalism.

500ml explores the brutality of late-stage capitalism — a system that feeds on the labour and suffering of the poor while masking it behind pleasure, consumption, and escapism. Through Dante and Alice, we see how survival is bartered on the dancefloor, and how the dream of escape is sold at the highest cost.

This film will be shocking and controversial, and memorable. 

Marketing & Distribution Strategy

Our marketing and distribution strategy is designed to ensure 500ml reaches a wide audience efficiently, with a strong focus on both festival exposure and a fast digital release.

Once the festival circuit concludes, 500ml will be released on YouTube and Vimeo to ensure immediate access to a broad audience.

We plan to leverage the success of Oberon Romond’s previous film, Nokia Low, which has over 750,000 views on YouTube, to drive traffic to 500ml on its release. This established audience will be crucial in building initial visibility for the film.

Social Media & Audience Engagement

A robust social media presence will play a key role in maintaining excitement and engagement around the film. We will focus on Instagram and Facebook, sharing:

- Behind-the-scenes footage

- Teasers and trailers

- Regular production updates

The combination of a targeted festival run and our established online presence ensures a smooth transition from festival exclusivity to public access. By tapping into the festival audiences and leveraging the fanbase from Nokia Low, we aim to achieve a powerful digital release that continues the momentum from the festival screenings.

500ml explores the realities of poverty, addiction, and survival through a lens that is rarely given space in New Zealand cinema. It confronts how people can become trapped by circumstance - and how systems built on profit and exploitation often deepen that cycle. The story is not intended to shock for its own sake, but to draw attention to a truth many experience and few speak about.

Through its characters, the film reveals how hope and desperation coexist, and how love can endure even within despair. By immersing viewers in this world, 500ml invites empathy and reflection, asking difficult questions about what we value and who is left behind.

This film represents a collective effort from emerging filmmakers in Wellington - artists who are passionate about telling stories that feel authentic to our generation and our environment. We are creating 500ml independently, using limited resources but an immense amount of commitment, collaboration, and care.

Your support will help us bring this story to life at the standard it deserves - ensuring that every element, from the production design to the sound and performance, fully realises the vision. Backing this project means investing in the next wave of New Zealand storytellers who are unafraid to engage with difficult subject matter and challenge how we see our society.

500ml is a film about people who have run out of options - and about what remains when everything else has been taken away. It deserves to be seen because it speaks to a shared truth about struggle, resilience, and the cost of survival.

Join us in making 500ml a reality!