Inclusion Statement
We believe change starts with us. The crew for Don’t Let It In is as diverse and unique as the South Florida landscape. Our crew is made up of women and men from all different communities, including four different Native American Nations.
About The Project
https://www.dontletitinmovie.com/
“Don’t Let It In” a short film written and directed by Jessica Henric
Following a bitter divorce, a young woman returns to the reservation and realizes a legendary evil spirit known as the Skin-walker has been unleashed, with her family at risk, it’s up to her to reconnect with her past and heritage, to defeat the creature.
GENRE & STYLE
While at its core, Don’t Let It In is a horror movie, it’s much more than that. Don’t Let It In is influenced by the art-house horror movement, with veins of inspiration from recent horror classics like “Hereditary” and “The Witch.” Horror films can be about so much more than fear. A good horror film holds up a mirror to scary aspects of life like grief, loss, pain, addiction, loneliness, and reflects them in a way that we better understand and accept their existence.
GENESIS
“Under the crust of that portion of Earth called the United States of America—”from California . . . To the Gulf Stream waters”—are interred the bones, villages, fields, and sacred objects of American Indians. They cry out for their stories to be heard through their descendants who carry the memories of how the country was founded and how it came to be as it is today.”
Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States
Too often, when taught about American History, we skim over the importance of native culture on the life we know today. Often in the past, a native story would be heard and then taken back to Europe where all its indigenous influence is stripped away, and the origin of the story lost forever. Did you know the early tales of the skinwalker have now been thought to have inspired the stories of the Vampire and the Werewolf? Neither did I. That’s why I wanted to tell a story that played homage to the legend’s real Native Origins and tell the story in a way we haven’t seen yet.
BACKSTORY
Growing up in Hollywood, Florida, home to the Seminole reservation, I was fortunate to have learned and experienced Native Culture within my hometown. I was fascinated by the native stories I heard as a child. I was particularly touched by the important life lessons interwoven in them. Something I seek to do in my storytelling now. That’s why, as a writer and director, I sought to take that inspiration and partner with the Seminole community, specifically their cultural advisor Everett Osceola to bring the story of “Don’t Let It In” to life.
ACTION
The making of Don’t Let It In is a story about people from all different walks of life and cultures coming together to tell a story, reminding us that storytelling is the universal thread that brings us all together.
CAST
DILIANA ALEXANDER-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Diliana Alexander is the Executive Director of FilmGate Miami, an organization that empowers Florida’s visual storytellers and delivers a range of multidisciplinary programs in film, digital media, interactive and immersive content, virtual and augmented reality.
JESSICA HENRIC-DIRECTOR & WRITER
Jessica Henric, a Miami Native and horror genre writer, has been obsessed with storytelling and filmmaking from a young age. In 2019, Jessica was chosen for fellowship with the film organization Filmgate and with their support will be writing and directing her first horror short “Don’t Let It In.”
DOMINIC EASTER-CINEMATOGRAPHER
Dominic is a Director of Photography, Cinematographer, Director, Photographer & Editor working across narrative and commercial disciplines. Dominic’s award winning work is often praised for its clever & tasteful approach.
EVERETT OSCEOLA-PRODUCER
Appointed by the Seminole Tribe to be the cultural ambassador, Everett brings his insight and experience to the production. Everett is passionate about telling Seminole stories and educating others about the rich culture and history of the Seminole Tribe.
While we did raise enough money to film, we still need funds for the post-production process, most importantly sound design, color grading, special effects, and editing. We also need additional funds for film festival submissions and marketing. Your contributions and support will complete “Don’t Let It In” and ensure that as many audiences experience this unique film as possible.