Film Independent’s Fiscal Sponsorship program opens the door to nonprofit funding for independent filmmakers and media artists.

Logline

Swearing is a dramedy short film about GOD, SEX, and GROWING UP.

Synopsis

Ninabelle Navarro is a spirited young Filipino woman whose sheltered worldview is obliterated by a chaotic first week of college. Accidentally recruited for the campus comedy troupe, Nina will discover a world where provoking God is a prerequisite – and she’ll let loose the surprisingly loud and angry voice inside her.

Meet the Filmmakers

Mary Bronaugh — Writer/Director

Mary Bronaugh is a writer-director and producer. She is currently the Assistant Writer on the Emmy-winning Disney Channel show Big City Greens, as part of the Disney TV Animation Writer Program, which trains young, diverse writers for staffing. In 2019, her feature screenplay Jade and The Legend of The Lost Emperor made The Red List as one of the top 10 Best Animated Feature Screenplays of The Year; and in 2020, it went on to win Best Family Screenplay in the Shore Scripts Feature Contest. Now, she is thrilled to be selected as a 2021 Fellow in Diverso’s The Minority Report, an industry-vetted fellowship program of the top scripts written by diverse students in partnership with The Black List.

She is a BFA Writing for Screen and Television graduate from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, produces her post-grad work under her production company Song Paper Pictures, and is represented at The Gotham Group.

Natalie Galdamez — Producer

Natalie Galdamez is a recent USC School of Cinematic Arts graduate with an extensive producing resume of high-end commercials and indie short films with budgets of up to $90k. She currently produces high-end video marketing content for Culprit Creative, serving as lead producer on commercials for companies such as Mercedes Benz, General Mills, Facebook, Starbucks, Dell, Tesla, Virgin Atlantic, and more.

Cole Bacani — Cinematographer

Cole Bacani is a Filipino-American cinematographer and USC School of Cinematic Arts BFA Film and Television Production senior based in Los Angeles. He has won several prestigious accolades for his work including the Audience Award for his film Sometimes, Maybe at the National Film Festival for Talented Youth, 2nd Place and Achievement in Writing for In Her Eyes, as well as Best in Show for Sometimes, Maybe at the Screen Test Student Film Festival. His films have also been Official Selections at the DC Independent Film Festival and the LA Cinefest.

Joseph DeRose — Editor

Joseph DeRose is a freelance editor and BFA Film and Television Production senior at the USC School of Cinematic Arts who specializes in coming-of-age and documentary films and web series. In addition to his portfolio from USC, Joseph has edited projects for Jubilee Media, DoGoodery, and Song Paper Pictures.

Sari Arambulo – Leading Role/Executive Producer

Sari Arambulo is a professional actor who is best known for portraying “Grace” on the NBC hit comedy AP Bio, which is now going into its third season. In addition, she has also guest-starred on shows like ABC’s Modern Family and The Middle, Disney Channel’s Girl Meets World, and Netflix’s Alexa and Katie. She has had leading roles on Nickelodeon’s Chase Champion and Disney Channel’s Abby Normal. In addition to her on-screen work, Sari has a strong interest in working behind-the-scenes. She has interned in marketing at Hulu and Showtime, as well as worked in production and development at Luminoustudios and Footprint Features. Sari is excited to play the leading role of Ninabelle in Swearing, as well as serve as an Executive Producer on the project – blending her passions for acting and production.

Contact

For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.