The Finding

What happens when you go back to the place you once called home – to discover you can never really go back? The Finding is a short film written and directed by me, Rebecca Tansley. On the surface it’s about a daughter finding her father, but underneath it’s about stuff we can all relate to: living with our past, seeking the truth – and discovering the power of forgiveness. But I need your help to get my crew and cast to our Central Otago location for our winter shoot.

Why I'm making this film

I’m best known for making the documentaries Crossing Rachmaninoff and The Heart Dances – both critically acclaimed films that proved my ability to tell thought-provoking, moving stories drawn from real life.

The Finding is my opportunity to demonstrate my ability to write and direct drama. It promises to be bold, beautiful and compelling – if we can raise sufficient funds to make it.

Fortunately I’ve pulled together a crew of generous-hearted, skilled film professionals who are working on this project for next-to-nothing because they believe in it. We’re also providing opportunities for up-and-coming filmmakers and artists keen to share in and learn from the experience.

What I'm asking for

To shoot this film we need to get our crew and cast to Central Otago, and accommodate and feed them in the depth of a Southern winter. To do that I’m hoping to match the funding we’ve been fortunate to receive so far courtesy of Short Film Otago and Naples International Film Festival (director’s prize money for The Heart Dances which I’m investing in this project).

I hope you’ll join these organisations and help me realise The Finding by supporting this campaign. No amount is too small – or too large!

And I've found a generous match donor who will match every dollar I raise on Boosted! So anything you give will effectively double your dollar.

Thank you for your support. 

About the team

Film is a collaborative process and I’m fortunate to be working with a great team of talented people to help bring The Finding to the screen. 

Sue Marshall and Craig Parkes have come on with me as producers. Craig has worked with me on my past two films and has produced dramatic shorts and a feature. Sue is a Dunedin-based filmmaker who has written and directed her own short and is currently producing her second feature documentary. 

The highly experienced and award-winning cinematographer Simon Raby is joining my film again as DoP while the masterful editor of my two documentaries, Thomas Gleeson, will edit it.

These and other people are contributing their time and skills for little reward other than the joy of the work and their commitment to a shared vision. You can be part of the team too!