My name is Dana, and I’m a Yemenite Jewish filmmaker. For the past eight years, I’ve dedicated my life to visual storytelling, working full-time as a producer on commercial film sets. Filmmaking isn’t just my career—it’s how I make sense of the world and how I give voice to stories that are often overlooked.
Since October 7th, my industry has slowed dramatically. Projects were postponed or canceled, and my income dropped almost overnight. Suddenly, I found myself in a financial position I had never experienced before, unsure how I would cover basic expenses while continuing the creative work that defines me.
At the same time, I was in the middle of launching a fundraising campaign for my film Nice Jewish Girl, a deeply personal project that centers the Yemenite Jewish experience in New York City and explores how identity shapes our pursuit of happiness. I had raised $15,000, but I still needed an additional $7,000 to complete the film. When I was accepted into the prestigious Chelsea Film Festival Incubator Program—an incredible opportunity that could elevate the film’s reach—I learned the film had to be finished by July 1st to participate.
With limited time, reduced income, and a crucial creative deadline ahead, I needed support to bridge the gap and keep moving forward.
After my income suddenly dropped, an interest-free HFLS General Needs Loan helped me bridge the $7,000 gap needed to finish Nice Jewish Girl. That support gave me breathing room during an incredibly stressful moment and allowed me to stay focused on completing the film rather than worrying about how to survive financially.
Because of HFLS, I was able to continue production, meet the Chelsea Film Festival Incubator deadline, and bring this story to life. The loan didn’t just help me finish a film—it helped me preserve momentum, dignity, and hope during a time of uncertainty.
Nice Jewish Girl is fiscally sponsored by Be’chol Lashon, a 501(c)(3) organization, and my mission with this project is to broaden the Jewish narrative by highlighting the rich diversity within our community. Thanks to HFLS and supporters like you, I can share the Yemenite Jewish experience and contribute a more inclusive story to the cultural landscape.
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