“Hear me out now…

I was home last night, googling some random things, and I found this study. This guy basically says that to establish a real bond, two human beings must spend at least 200 hours together. Doesn’t matter how powerful it is; every human connection takes 200 hours to grow and strengthen. Below that, it’s all still biodegradable. Now, I got this idea, and you wanna hear it ‘cause if it works, mate, we could start a revolution, make an app, make money, blow the entire system! Consider this 200 hours as a safe zone. Two strangers could meet up and decide to spend up to 200 hours together sharing their deepest thoughts, opening up like they’d never do with anyone they know, being themselves, completely, maybe trying to figure their shit out ‘cause they won’t see each other again after that. No harm. No strings attached. No pain.

I say we should test it out. Tonight. Right now. Me and you.”

TWO STRANGERS. ONE NIGHT IN LONDON.

This is the story of Lukas, a stone-broke gay actor and a loner in his 30s who has achieved nothing in life.

The night he plans to end things, he crosses paths with Oliver, a privileged bonehead with a failing business, who persuades him to join forces and spend the night wandering the nocturnal streets of London in a quest to find meaning in their miserable lives.

But when their unlikely connection deepens, haunting pasts resurface, threatening to unravel their mission for redemption and purpose.

WHERE IT ALL STARTED

It all began on a blank page, an idea born on a rainy day during the COVID pandemic: What if two lost souls find each other wandering the empty streets of London, both desperately seeking meaning in their hollow lives?

Three years later, that seed of inspiration sprouted into Monteverde Pictures, a new film production company dedicated to championing emerging talents within the LGBTQ+ community and amplifying diverse voices while challenging stereotypes in LGBTQ+ representation.

We aim to debunk the notion that stories with gay characters can only resonate within a specific community and can’t address universal themes or resonate with audiences from all walks of life. It’s this ability to convey powerful messages across boundaries that makes our story truly revolutionary.

And now, that once mere idea is on the verge of becoming a reality!

‘On a Winter Night’ has been in pre-production since last May and is scheduled to be filmed in London in February 2024. The film has now: 

• Full Cast
• Full Crew
• Equipment secured
• A shooting schedule
• Locations secured

BUT WE NEED A LITTLE HELP!!!

As much as we wish they weren’t so, films simply aren’t made on passion alone. 

As first-time producers working with emerging talents in the LGBTQ+ community, securing the necessary financing needed to transform our vision into a high-quality reality has never been easy.

The distribution of the film will be handled by Pagodafilm, which will also help us extend our market reach internationally and promote the film at prestigious festivals, already visible in the awards list of the cinematic reality in question, such as the Cannes Film Festival, Turin Film Festival, Venice Film Festival, and many others. Simultaneously, the work will be presented for streaming on major platforms currently in use, such as Netflix and Prime.

Many other distribution companies have expressed their interest in our project– but they want to see the film first!

So, while we’ve already laid the foundation for success, surging ahead of many films at this stage, crucial elements that require attention remain, such as better equipment, a bigger crew, marketing, and post-production needs.

These elements are pivotal in elevating the film’s quality to new heights.

That’s why, in our quest to craft an extraordinary cinematic experience, every single donation counts. Your contribution is the driving force behind the pursuit of excellence in making this film the best it can possibly be!

OUR GOAL

According to a study, for over 40 years, a mere 16% of films featuring gay characters have dared to avoid tragic narratives based on sexuality only!

But now, there is a huge demand for more films challenging these stereotypes.

It’s time to tell stories that resonate universally, stories that don’t hinge solely on identity as the tragic conflict for their characters. And guess what? The timing couldn’t be better. LGBTQ+ movies are on the rise, boasting a staggering 29% increase in box office revenue last year.

“On a Winter Night” is more than a story; it’s a journey of redemption, resilience, and the enduring power of human connection that transcends the boundaries of a world demanding ambition and self-fulfillment.

We’ve chosen to tell a tale through the lens of two men who aren’t your typical heroes; they’re ordinary people with unconventional lifestyles that we can all relate to.

In these challenging times, we believe we need narratives and characters grounded in the real world, ready to inspire a new generation of adults struggling to find purpose and a future for themselves.

OUR CAST

WHO WE ARE?

DIEGO SCERRATI (PRODUCER/WRITER):

Diego’s film interest began in Italy, where he was born and worked as a film journalist before moving to London, where he graduated in Screenwriting at the University of London. His experience inspired him to write character-driven stories and amplify diverse voices. His script On a Winter Night won multiple festivals around the globe. In 2023, he launched his film company, Monteverde Pictures.

VICTORIA HAYCROFT  (PRODUCER):

Victoria is joining On a Winter Night as a producer in conjunction with heading up her own company “Entertainment Connect”. With experience in production and commissioning over the past 15 years, she has worked across many projects and is excited to work on such an outstanding script.

LIAM CALVERT (DIRECTOR):

Liam studied Film and Television in Southampton, where after starting out as an editor he found his passion for writing and directing. He wrote the award-winning World War Two short film Gisette and also directed a zombie short drama, a sci-fi family drama and a documentary. Regardless of the genre, his focus as a filmmaker is characters, the struggles between different people and personalities, and how they come together for better or worse.

OLIVER BURY (DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY):

Oliver is a multi-skilled director, cinematographer, and editor with 6 years of experience. During this time he has produced, shot, and edited hundreds of corporate, commercial, and promotional work as well as award-winning short films, feature-length fiction and documentary, music videos, and dance. Some of these include Hugo Boss, Porsche, Barclays, BBC, Sky Arts, Sky 1. His main goal is to focus on creating beautifully cinematic, engaging, and entertaining content with a strong emphasis on story and evoking an emotional response.

JONNY MARTIN (MUSIC):

Jonny is a musician, songwriter, composer, and musical director from Belfast. He worked on ITV1’s The Voice while touring as support for Cyndi Lauper. He had a song featured in the BAFTA Award Winning Short Film Home and has provided the scoring for Sundance Festival feature We’re All Going To The World’s Fair, which also screened at Cannes Film Festival. His commercial credits include featuring all original compositions for ESPN, Century 21, Ford, and P&G, among others.

MUNA MOHAMED YUSUF (MARKETING STRATEGIST):

Muna is the co-founder and Development Officer of “Double M Productions”, a creative hub for the lovers of storytelling. Muna brings to the table her expertise in the digital marketing world, where she is responsible for the design and execution of comprehensive marketing and creative strategies for a varied portfolio of clients, across the UK and US.

LOCATIONS: THE HIDDEN LONDON BENEATH THE DAZZLING LIGHTS

London holds a special place in the global imagination, having played a starring role in numerous iconic films and shows. However, be now prepared to set aside the famed landmarks and the dominating skylines that have become synonymous with the city.

We will embark on a narrative journey that takes an unexpected turn into the lesser-known facets of this metropolis. We will explore London’s rebellious vibes, delving into an underground subculture thriving in the shadows that contrasts with the imposing hostility emanating from massive futuristic structures.

Within this urban dichotomy, London becomes both an adversary and an ally to our protagonists. As they venture into the night, the palpable force of rough streets and the pulsating vibe of the city’s more concealed gems beckon, inviting our protagonist to unravel their secrets and confront the challenges the city offers.

If you’re reading this, you’ve already taken time out of your day to check out our project, and for that, we’re exceptionally grateful. If you’ve donated, thank you so, so much – truly, this is such a massive dream for us and it means the world that you want to see where it goes – we have BIG plans. 

If you want to help us out even more, spread the word! We’re happy for any kind of support, including word of mouth, so if you have a moment to share or shout about us on social media and other online platforms, we’d really appreciate it. It’s taken a ton of work to get here, and we’re thankful to everyone who’s helped carry us this far.

Get in touch with us!

Follow us on: https://onawinternightfilm.com/

For media, business, or sponsorship requests, please contact info@onawinternightfilm.com