Brooklynite’s animated film to premiere this summer
Moving Feature Funded in Part by Kickstarter Campaign
Transplanted from Latvia, Brooklynite Signe Baumane has created the first-ever animated film, “Rocks In My Pockets,” to be chosen for the Official Selection – Competition program of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. The film, a dark comedy that focuses on the lives of five women in Baumane’s family (including herself) who struggle with depression, will have its world premiere as part of the 49th Karlovy Vary Festival in the Czech Republic on July 7.
Baumane, who resides and works in Sunset Park and Bay Ridge, tackles a sensitive and deeply personal subject in “Rocks In My Pockets,” but is able to portray her story with humor. While the other four women depicted in the film are ultimately consumed by their sadness, Baumane has lived on to tell their poignant story.
New York State Council on the Arts, The Jerome Foundation, and Women Make Movies all helped to finance the film through the animation and coloring stages. But when the funds fell short for sound and music, Baumane started a Kickstarter campaign to fundraise for these expenses. “Rocks In My Pockets” touched so many people that in just 25 days, the film reached its initial Kickstarter goal, raising $42,800 from 655 backers. The successful campaign eventually received the support of approximately 800 backers.
Baumane has been making animated films since 1991, but “Rocks In My Pockets” is her first feature film. Her 14 previous award-winning short films have appeared at Sundance and Berlinale, as well as numerous other festivals worldwide.