‘Til I Die

The Story of ‘Til I Die’

After the sudden death of his ex-wife Emily, Paul is pulled toward a reunion with his estranged daughter, June. As he prepares to attend Emily’s funeral, memories of their relationship begin resurfacing around him: moments of tenderness, intimacy, fear, and emotional withdrawal.

As Paul recalls memories and fragments of his past, we begin to understand the belief that has shaped his life — the fear that the darkness he carries within will inevitably harm those he loves. Through dreamlike imagery and non-linear structure, the film explores Paul’s lifelong struggle with depression, loneliness, and inherited emotional trauma.

At its heart, ‘Til I Die’ is an intimate meditation on grief, isolation, mental health, and the persistence of love. 

The Team Behind ‘Til I Die’

The team behind ‘Til I Die’ is a group of Wellington filmmakers who have each shown passion and desire to help tell this story. Our goal is to create a film that feels honest, immersive, and emotionally resonant — something that allows for different interpretations and opinions.

Writer / Director - Tom Sweeney

Producer / 1st AD - Leslie Reid

DOP - Hayden Smith

2nd AC - Ella Kenna

Grip - TBC

Gaffer - Max Helbick

Grip/Gaff Assist - Carlos Van Hoof

Continuity - Georgia Cotteril

Sound Recordist - Kade Martin

Production Assistant  - Jayme Corbett 

Hair & Makeup - Lorian Skye Baker

Locations / Art Department - Jack Thompson

UNIT - Richard Waggott

Unit Assistant - Janette Waggott

Prod. Runners - Maia Waenga Bradley, Alexander Walker

VFX Sup. - Alexander Walker

Our Amazing Cast:

PAUL:

Dryw McArthur 

EMILY:

Grace Prodanov

How Your Support Will Help Us

As an independent short film, every dollar contributed goes directly toward bringing this story to life. Your support will help fund:

Locations, Transport, & Food

We will be filming across multiple locations throughout the Wellington region, including a church, bar, cafe, and natural environments central to the film’s dreamlike visual identity. Funding will help us transport cast, crew, and equipment safely between locations.

Independent filmmaking relies heavily on the generosity and dedication of cast and crew. We want to ensure everyone involved is properly looked after during production with meals. Your support will go a long way to help us provide good, hearty meals.

Equipment

To achieve the film's intimate, immersive visual style, we will work with high-quality camera, lighting, and sound equipment. Funding will help us access the gear needed to bring the film’s visual language to life.

The Idea Behind ‘Til I Die’

‘Til I Die’ is an incredibly personal film for me. As someone who has struggled with anxiety and depression, I’ve always found it hard to verbalise what I feel. I wanted to create a visual piece that expresses my emotions and thoughts, something that I could show to others to help them understand. Rather than telling a traditional linear story, I want the film to feel like you’re stepping inside someone’s mind — fragmented memories, drifting emotions, and moments of beauty and sadness.

The film draws inspiration from the poetic and spiritual filmmaking of Terrence Malick, particularly films like ‘The Tree of Life’ and ‘Knight of Cups’, blending intimate human drama with dreamlike visual storytelling. Through natural imagery, voice-over, and subjective camerawork, ‘Til I Die’ aims to immerse the audience in Paul’s emotional world rather than simply observing it from a distance. We want the viewer to feel as if they are experiencing the memories, too. 

Though experimental in structure, the story's emotional core is deeply human. It’s about the fear of hurting the people you love. It’s about inherited emotional wounds. It’s about parents and children, absence and connection, and the hope that healing may begin simply by staying present.

‘Til I Die’ is not a story about overcoming depression, but just expressing what it is. It is a story about learning that you do not have to face it alone.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read about our project!

‘Til I Die’ is a film born from personal experience, vulnerability, and a desire to explore emotions that are often difficult to articulate. I hope to create something that resonates with those who struggle to express as I have, and give something that helps visualise what many feel. 

If you’re able to support the film in any way — whether through donating or simply sharing our project with others — it truly means the world to the team and me. 

Thank you again, and I hope to share ‘Til I Die’ with you soon.