Dream End

‘Dream End’ is a quiet, surreal short film about grief, memory, and love. It follows Frank, a man suspended in a dreamscape after the loss of his partner Emma. As fragments of memory surface, the film showcases the disorienting process of grief, where longing and denial blur into something both painful and beautiful.

Written by Phil Walker, a counsellor with nearly twenty years of experience supporting people through grief and trauma, this is his first venture into filmmaking, and he wants to start off with a bang. Phil has teamed up with a group of experienced young and emerging filmmakers to bring this story to life, blending his therapeutic insight with their cinematic craft.

To make ‘Dream End; possible, we’re aiming to raise $6,000. This will go toward paying cast and crew, as well as covering essential costs such as equipment, location permits, set dressing, costume, and post-production.

Supporting this project means helping launch a first-time filmmaker’s vision, while ensuring everyone involved is valued for their artistry and dedication.

Dream End is a deeply personal and authentic story written and directed by Phil Walker, a New Zealand counsellor with a passion for film with nearly two decades of experience supporting people through grief, loss, trauma, and personal transformation.

Drawing upon his extensive background in mental health and human resilience, Phil brings a unique perspective to storytelling, exploring themes of identity, meaning, connection, and hope. Dream End reflects his commitment to creating honest, emotionally resonant work that speaks to the complexity of the human experience.

The project is currently assembling a talented team of filmmakers, producers, cast, and creative collaborators who share a passion for meaningful, character-driven storytelling. As development continues, additional team members and production partners will be announced.

Together, the team is committed to bringing Dream End to life as a powerful and emotionally engaging film that connects deeply with audiences.

Making a film like ‘Dream End’ takes both creative passion and practical resources. We’re aiming to raise $6,000 to cover the essentials that will allow us to make this story the way it deserves to be told: with care, professionalism, and respect for everyone involved.

Your support will go directly toward costs such as:

• Equipment rental and purchases: cameras, lighting, hard drives, and more
• Location permits and fees: securing the forest cabin, beach, and hospital settings
• Transportation: fuel for gear runs, crew travel, and location access
  Craft services and meals: keeping everyone fed and cared for on set
• Set dressing, costume, and makeup: creating the visual world of the film
• Paying cast and crew for their time: valuing the artistry and hard work behind the film
• Post-production: editing, sound design, and colour grading
• Festival submissions and promotion: giving the film a life beyond production

Every contribution, big or small, helps us not only bring ‘Dream End’ to life!

At the centre of ‘Dream End’ is Frank, a man in grief and trauma following an accident and the loss of his partner. The film unfolds in a dreamscape where memories and realities overlap. Here, Frank drifts between tender moments and unsettling visions: Emma appearing at his side, flashes of their life together, and a haunting dance that feels suspended between love and loss.

The film’s landscapes mirror Frank’s inner world. The warmth of the cabin becomes a container for his grief, both safe and suffocating. A hospital intrudes with the sharp edge of reality.  Beaches offer fleeting glimpses of release – spaces where memory, love, and farewell converge. Each location is chosen not just for its beauty, but for the emotional weight it carries in Frank’s journey.

For writer Phil Walker, a counsellor with nearly two decades of experience in grief and trauma work, these details are deeply intentional. He has spent years listening to stories of love, loss, and resilience, and ‘Dream End’ is his first step into telling such a story on screen.

Your support helps bring ‘Dream End’ to life – a quiet, intimate exploration of grief, memory, and the space between life and loss.

Backing this project also supports a first-time filmmaker, Phil, working alongside a team of talented and experienced creatives. Your contribution helps make this unique vision a reality and ensures that stories told with care and emotional honesty continue to find their place in Aotearoa’s film landscape.

Thank you for helping us bring ‘Dream End’ to the screen!