Now or Never - Feature Film

Logline: The night before Charlotte must accept a job that will take her away from her mother, whom she’s cared for the past five years, she unexpectedly crosses paths with Damien, a former lover from a past trip. With what may be their last night in Auckland, they confront whether their connection still exists—and if it matters more than their careers as things begin to spiral into chaos.

Now or Never is a deeply human story about love, identity, and the defining moments that shape our lives. It captures the reality of being young and in love while also navigating the need to be your own person—sometimes at the cost of leaving others behind. 

At its core, the film is driven by Charlotte and Damien’s curiosity about each other, about the person who makes them feel like a child-unconditionally loved. As they reconnect, they’re forced to confront what their relationship means to them.

We’re almost at the finish line of production—but we need your help to get there. We're raising funds to complete Now or Never, a micro-budget indie feature crafted by a small, tight-knit crew with a performance-first approach and a distinct black-and-white visual style. 

Every dollar will go directly toward finishing production and carrying us through post-production, including editing, sound, and festival submissions. Your support will help us share this honest, beautiful, and unforgettable story with the world.

Maximus Van der Westhuizen - Writer/Director/Producer: Half American/South African, born and raised in Aotearoa, is an independent filmmaker with a deep passion for character-driven, honest storytelling. 

At just 17, Max completed his first feature-length film in his final year of high school. The start of the following year, after working on Sweet Tooth (Netflix), he moved to Paris-France, immersing himself in French cinema and culture while becoming fluent in the language in under a year. 

Max followed that by working over 100 hours a week across four jobs during a summer in The Hamptons (NY, United States) to independently fund Now or Never.

All of this is a testament to his relentless drive and belief in the project. With strong experience in writing and directing in both narrative and documentary work, Max brings a rare combination of youthful ambition and resilience to his directorial vision.
 

Jennifer Onyeiwu - Producer: A Brazilian-born, Nigerian actress, and emerging producer raised in Aotearoa. Having trained in NYC and currently completing a Master's of Marketing at her alma mater, AUT, Jennifer brings a strong foundation in performance to her producing practice, with a unique eye for emotionally resonant storytelling. Her debut as a producer on Detangling the Stigma marked her as a rising creative force, with multiple projects currently in development for 2025. Jennifer’s international perspective, combined with her deep commitment to authentic, character-driven work, makes her an invaluable producer.

Jackson Doudney - Cinematographer: A visual storyteller focused on evocative imagery and poetic realism. Jackson is a cinematographer and director whose work spans short films, music videos, and narrative content. With over three years of hands-on experience in New Zealand’s independent film scene, he brings a strong visual sensibility and a deep understanding of story through image. Jackson’s artistic eye and collaborative on-set approach make him a standout among the next wave of local DPs. His work prioritises mood, tone, and intimacy—perfectly aligning with the visual goals of Now or Never.

 

This is an all-or-nothing Boosted campaign. If we don’t reach our minimum target, we don’t receive any funds, so every dollar counts.

We've nearly wrapped principal photography, but we need your help to bring Now or Never to life. Our Writer/Director has self-funded the film so far, pouring everything he has into it because he believes in this story. 

Now we’re asking for your support to cover the final production and post-production costs, so we can finish the film and share it with the world.

Your contributions will go toward:

• Paying our awesome crew
• Camera equipment and lighting rental
• Location costs
• Post-production (composition, sound mixing, sound design)
• Festival submissions and promotional materials
   

The main creative team is working voluntarily and will not be paid for this project. All donations are going towards essential costs. 

By supporting Now or Never, you're helping launch the next wave of bold, heartfelt independent cinema in New Zealand—and backing a passionate team that's already taken the leap of faith to make it happen.

This film is shot in black and white. Embracing a raw, textural look that mirrors the emotional depth and imperfection of real life. The tone is intimate and immediate—cinema vérité meets memory—captured utilizing handheld movements, wide focal lengths, and a fluid, collaborative and adaptive style.

My approach as a director is performance-driven, with rehearsals forming the backbone of emotional truth. I believe in creating a safe, collaborative space where actors can fully embody their characters. The goal is not perfection, but honesty—to capture the fleeting, complicated beauty of being human.

Now or Never isn’t just about Charlotte and Damien—it’s about all of us. About the bittersweet pull of the past, the uncertainty of the future, and the fierce hope of being seen and understood.

Now or Never gives space to two characters navigating love, loss, art, and identity in ways that reflect our own messy, complicated lives. It’s a quiet rebellion against perfection, celebrating vulnerability and the courage it takes to start over.

How can you support Now or Never?

• Donate - Every dollar goes to supporting a small independent film being conceived by passionate filmmakers.
• NZ residents can claim back 33% of your donation in your annual tax return.  
• Spread the word - success of our campaign will rely fully on support from this amazing community. Share this Boosted campaign with friends, family, and deep pocketed cinephiles make a huge difference in the success of the project.
• Follow along - Updates about the campaign will be posted on instagram.com/noworneverfilmproduction/ follow along as we create this amazing film together! 

By donating, you’re helping push what Cinema can be and helping a new generation of filmmakers break new ground with stories that matter—and giving us the opportunity to share this story with the world.