Short film · In pre-production

Other Than

Name: Other Than
Director: Augusto de Freitas Alves
Genre: Drama

“In a world drained of colour, some truths bleed through.”

Support on GoFundMe ↗ Read about the film

Logline

In a world drained of colour and life, one encounter with a fearless dancer unravels the vibrant truths hidden beneath grey surfaces, revealing that the boldest hues sometimes emerge only when faced with the deepest shadows.

Other Than film poster: a pole dancer upside down against a red background

Where we're at

Casting is closed

Thank you to everyone who applied. Other Than is in pre-production, and your donation helps bring it to the screen.

Donate on GoFundMe ↗ Other ways to help

Press kit

OTHER THAN

Written by
Augusto de Freitas Alves

Based on re-imagined real events

The story

How Other Than stands out

Other Than is different from other LGBTQI+ stories because it subverts the idea that self-acceptance leads to a happy, settled ending. Instead, it exposes a harsh truth: even when we're comfortable in our identities, we remain vulnerable to the forces that resist our visibility. The twisted ending captures this, as Thomas's journey toward colour and individuality collides with a grim reality, a stark reminder that society's shadows can stay relentless.

I wrote Other Than as a deeply personal expression, drawing on my own life to portray the battles we fight within ourselves. It goes beyond the typical story of LGBTQI+ resilience. Even when we feel we've found our place, the fight doesn't end, and Jones embodies that: an ongoing clash between self-acceptance and a world that often demands conformity.

Seen this way, Other Than explores inner and outer battles, and speaks to anyone who has faced the cycle of embracing and defending their truth. It's a story of bold defiance against an unforgiving backdrop, one that insists the struggle for liberation never truly ends, even when we're ready to step into our fullest selves.

The plan

How we'll make it happen

Backed by a team of talented film graduates committed to meaningful storytelling, we've built a detailed plan. Your support covers:

01What your support covers

Casting & talent

Skilled actors, including two pole dancers, to bring authenticity and depth to the characters.

02What your support covers

Crew

A cinematographer, editor, costume designer, make-up artist and a consent consultant for a safe, respectful set.

03What your support covers

Locations

An apartment, an office and a nightclub in Sydney, chosen to carry the story's shift from grey to colour.

04What your support covers

Production essentials

High-quality equipment, costumes, set design and props for an immersive look and feel.

05What your support covers

Post-production

Editing, colour grading and sound design to polish every detail of the final cut.

Risks and challenges

Ready for the hard parts

Making an independent film comes with challenges. Here's how we've prepared for each one.

Budget constraints

Managing a limited budget is one of our biggest challenges as an indie project. We've prioritised the essentials (skilled professionals, equipment and key locations) so every dollar counts. Extra support will lift the film's creative quality.

Scheduling and locations

Coordinating cast, crew and locations in Sydney can be tricky. We've built flexibility into the schedule, lined up backup locations and keep communication open to stay on track.

A pole dancer stretched out on the pole against a deep red backdrop

Post-production demands

Post-production is crucial to a film this visual. We're working with a dedicated editor and sound team early on to keep timelines realistic and deliver a polished final cut.

Technical issues

Equipment or lighting problems can happen. We'll have backups on hand and rely on our experienced cinematographer and crew to troubleshoot quickly.

Safety and consent on set

With emotionally charged scenes and intimate performances, safety and respect come first. A consent consultant is on board, and clear communication and consent practices are built into every step of production.

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Our commitment

We're a passionate, adaptable team with a track record of creative problem-solving. If challenges arise, we'll stay transparent with our backers and focused on delivering a film that reflects our vision and values.

A pole dancer upside down under purple and blue studio lights

Support Other Than

Help bring a bold story of resilience and defiance to life.

Other Than reveals the ongoing battles of the LGBTQI+ experience and challenges the idea of a simple happy ending.

Donate on GoFundMe ↗ Contact us