Case Study: From ‘Long Story Short’ to the SXSW Film Festival

Bringing a film to life through crowdfunding is no small task. The film & TV industry presents unique challenges for many, ultimately making funding especially difficult.

For filmmaker Winnie Cheung, traditional investors and grant programs didn’t align with her vision, leaving her with limited options. Rather than letting these roadblocks stall her creative path, she turned to Kickstarter— where bold ideas and passionate communities come together.

There, her film "Last Call" found the support it needed to move from dream to reality.

Now, five years in the making, "Last Call" is set to make its world premiere at SXSW 2025 as part of the Midnight Short Competition presented by Vimeo—a major milestone made possible through crowdfunding and an unwavering belief in the project.

“Even when we hit roadblocks, I felt like I had this magical energy pushing me forward. That’s something you can’t put a price on.”

A Story Rooted in Transformation

At its core, Last Call is a film about desire, destruction, and self-discovery. The story follows Claudia Chow, a thrill-seeker addicted to the rush of reckless nights and high-speed chaos. But her world takes a dark turn when she starts having visions of a seductive Serpent Woman who whispers, “Your body is my body.” After a devastating crash blurs the line between reality and illusion, Claudia is forced to confront the power of the voice inside her head—leading her on a journey of metamorphosis unlike any other.

For Cheung, the inspiration behind Last Call wasn’t just about storytelling—it was about bringing a visually striking, emotionally gripping narrative to life, even in the face of financial constraints.

Why Kickstarter? 

Funding has long been the biggest challenge for Cheung’s filmmaking career. Traditional investors and grant programs often overlooked her work, making it difficult to secure the resources needed to bring Last Call to fruition. 

That’s when she turned to our Open Call, Long Story Short, a dedicated initiative that supports innovative short films.

Long Story Short 2025: Launch Your Short Film

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Kickstarter Blog: Crowdfunding Tips, Stories & InsightsLiz Mowe

Winning Strategies for a Successful Kickstarter Campaign

Launching a crowdfunding campaign is one thing—sustaining momentum and hitting your goal is another. Cheung discovered that the key to success lay in personal connection and strategic planning.

Here are the core strategies she used:

• Building a Strong Support System: She found encouragement in the Kickstarter creator community by backing other campaigns and engaging with fellow filmmakers.
• Navigating the Mid-Campaign Lull: Knowing that crowdfunding campaigns often experience a drop in momentum midway through, she proactively asked friends to pledge during that period to maintain visibility and excitement.

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Kickstarter Blog: Crowdfunding Tips, Stories & InsightsKickstarter Staff

• Handwritten Thank-You Notes: Writing personal thank-you notes gave her a break from the pressure of the campaign while reinforcing genuine gratitude to backers.
• Personalized Outreach: Instead of relying on broad social media blasts, she sent individualized emails to potential backers, following up throughout the campaign. This personal touch proved to be the most time-consuming yet highly effective strategy.

Be Part of the Next Great Film

Inspired by Last Call’s journey? Whether you’re a filmmaker looking for funding or a backer wanting to support creative projects, Kickstarter remains the place where bold ideas come to life.

Explore Kickstarter’s Open Call for Short Films and be part of the next great cinematic success story.