ALEXANDRIA, Va. - eTradeWire -- Award-winning filmmaker and author Alyscia Cunningham is preparing to bring her first feature-length film, DOUEN, to life, and she's turning to the community that has supported her from the very beginning. Cunningham will officially launch her Seed&Spark crowdfunding campaign with a celebratory event at Port City Brewing Company's Lighthouse Lounge on Thursday, October 9, 2025, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. The event is free and open to the public.

DOUEN tells the story of Sania, a young Trinidadian-American woman forced to confront her family's dark past and generational trauma when supernatural Caribbean entities begin to haunt her. "While the folklore of the douen provides the supernatural trigger, the film is ultimately a story about family, the weight of generational trauma, and the journey toward healing when apologies never come," Cunningham said.

The Seed&Spark campaign soft launches on October 5 and goes public on October 8, with a goal of raising $30,000 for core production costs. A stretch goal of $150,000 will allow the team to fully fund production, post-production, accessibility, distribution, and marketing. Because the project is fiscally sponsored by Women in Film & Video (WIFV), all contributions are tax-deductible.

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For Cunningham, DOUEN is both art and cultural preservation. "This project is more than just a film; it's about shining a light on Caribbean folklore, specifically from Trinidad and Tobago, and keeping these stories alive for future generations while introducing them to wider audiences," she said. "At the same time, it's also deeply personal—it's about representing voices and cultures that aren't often seen on screen."

Event Details

What: DOUEN Crowdfunding Campaign Kick-Off Celebration
When: Thursday, October 9, 2025 | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Where: Port City Brewing Company – Lighthouse Lounge, 3950 Wheeler Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304
RSVP: Eventbrite link (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/from-short-to-feature-douen-fundraiser-screening-kick-off-tickets-1685557220019?aff=oddtdtcreator)