Film Independent’s Fiscal Sponsorship program opens the door to nonprofit funding for independent filmmakers and media artists. Donate today and help bring Flesh and Blood to life.

Logline

When Franny starts a romantic relationship with a girl in her rural town, her newfound freedom and independence threatens to expose her family’s dark secret.

Synopsis

Franny and her family are hiding a dark and dangerous secret, one that keeps them constantly on the run. When the family moves to the middle-of-nowhere, Franny starts an unexpected romantic relationship with a girl in her new neighborhood, the ever-charismatic June. As Franny’s relationship with June becomes more serious, the situation surrounding the family’s secret worsens. In a dire position, Franny is forced to make a decision between her loyalty to her family, and her hopes for a better future.

Make a donation to Flesh and Blood.

Meet the Filmmakers

Sarah Nixon – Director

An Upstate New Yorker, Sarah is in her fourth year in UCLA’s Film Directing MFA program. She has directed seven narrative short films, as well as two documentary shorts. Sarah has always been drawn to films by and about women, and her own set of work emulates this interest – every short she has directed features a female lead. In 2021, Sarah received the Delia Salvi Award for her excellence in working with actors, as well as the James Pendleton Award, which was chosen by the dean of UCLA’s School of Film and Television. She recently was assistant to director Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum on the upcoming Netflix film, Purple Hearts.

Gracie Bellissimo – Producer

Growing up in LA, Gracie Bellissimo has been close to the film industry her whole life. Gracie has directed, produced, and edited multiple award-winning short films. A part of LA’s music scene, she has also begun ventures into creating music videos for up-and-coming artists. Most recently, Gracie was assistant to director Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum on the film Purple Hearts for Netflix. Connecting to an old-school style, Gracie is not just passionate about digital modes of storytelling, but has a love for the magic of Super 8, which she has used to direct several commercials used on social media.

Indeana Underhill – Cinematographer

Indeana is a Canadian cinematographer based in Los Angeles. She is an Associate Member of the CSC, a member of the ASC MITC Lens Committee, and a graduate of American Film Institute’s Cinematography Conservatory Class of 2020. With over 35 credits, she has worked professionally in South Korea, Greece, Spain, Scotland, Argentina, Qatar, Egypt, Canada, and the US. Her recent deep dive into the music video sphere has enabled her to incorporate elements of her narrative background into more expressive modes of filmmaking.

Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum – Executive Producer

Elizabeth (Liz) Allen Rosenbaum has directed five features: Aquamarine, Ramona and Beezus, Careful What You Wish For, the upcoming Disney+ musical Sneakerella, and the upcoming Netflix film Purple Hearts. She has directed 50 hours of narrative content and television including Dead to Me, The Exorcist, Empire, All American, The Resident, Vampire Diaries, and Gossip Girl. Liz was nominated for a DGA Award for Outstanding Direction for the Amazon pilot “The Kicks”. She has directed six pilots, all of which have been picked up to series.

Make a donation to Flesh and Blood.

Contact

For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.