Hello,  I am Jennifer Esposito and I’m asking for your help.

I’m the writer, director, producer, actor, and the largest investor of the film, Fresh Kills. Yes, I mortgaged my home to make this film and I’d do it again. Not because I have money to spare- quite the opposite. That’s how deeply I believe in the freedom of art!  As I stated in the video, indie films, true indie films, not backed by big producers and distribution companies,  get swallowed up.

Why, you ask?

Well, it's not because they're not as good, it's because the money for marketing isn’t behind them. This is the case with so many wonderful films you are not seeing. One of them being, Fresh Kills. It is not only my belief that smaller films from different voices deserve a chance but I hear from people every day craving the same things: stories that reflect ourselves, our neighbors, and our families. A film shouldn’t be judged on whether or not it has A-List talent and producers. It should be judged on the story, performances, and how they touch us. These smaller films are not even given a chance to get to you- the audience- so that YOU can decide what you want to see.  That to me, is just not okay.

So what can we do?

We can push Fresh Kills as far as we can to be recognized. Not for the glory, awards, and a trophy but as a representation of saying that smaller films MATTER!

To do this it’s going to take a marketing plan towards an awards campaign. Many of you don’t even realize that just submitting a film to awards contests such as The Independent Spirit Awards and The Gotham Awards costs a good amount of money. Then to get to a nomination- even more in marketing so the voters know your film even exists. The Oscars are beyond expensive. This is costing studios millions to get their films known.

Again, why even bother if it’s not about getting awards?

This will help the film's lifespan tremendously!!!! For a smaller film, it could change everything. It’s also a level of justice to recognize great work with a fraction of what these larger films had at their disposal. 

I owe it to the years I’ve struggled to get this film out of my head, to the few people who believed in me to make it at all, my crew, my incredibly talented cast, and all of YOU who’ve supported this film. I simply cannot turn back now.

The film festival beloved and now critically acclaimed, Fresh Kills, currently sits at 92% on Rotten Tomatoes from the critics and 94% from the people. It's one of the best-reviewed films of the year so far. Yet without your help, it will go unnoticed by the industry and fail to go broader so that ALL can see.

I’ve done a LOT with the little I had up until this point and I know whatever I can accumulate I will do my best with it to push this film as far as I can.

Will you help me in saying that smaller films MATTER? 

I deeply appreciate the support for my film, for me, and for the future of what we see on our screens! 

With love,

Jennifer