Leena's Private Screening/Crowdfunding/Vibes in Hackney Wick

If you’re here, you probably have met me already. I’m Leena.

If you haven’t yet, here’s a little sum up: I’ve been acting on and off for two decades, simultaneously healing severe neglect trauma, going through all possible trials, tribulations, and spiritual events to properly divorce my victimhood and start bravely creating a life I want to live.

I’ve decided this year that, from now on, I will make films. Producing, writing, directing, being in them - all sorts. There have been signs before (doing BA in film theory and history being one of them), but only recently I felt confident enough to, with God/Source’s help, actually make ‘em.

I had an idea for a short film back in April. No budget whatsoever, but I still asked some of my incredibly talented and generous friends if they wanted to do it. They kept saying yes, so in May, we shot “Committing the Kiss”, an improvised mockumentary about intimacy on set. Super low budget, one-day shoot, pure heart, will, creativity, luck, and heaps of laughter. (I did provide lunch and travel, though!)

The second short was completely accidental. Last term, I was doing The Director’s Cut Theatre. One of the initiatives is End Of Term Plays, where Heather, the founder, connects writers with actors so that little bespoke plays can be written. Keith Orton did such a good job with “One Soul at a Time (Terms&Conditions Apply)” that again, I asked others if they wanted to make something out of it, and they, yet again, kept saying yes.

I feel incredibly privileged to be surrounded by so many generous and talented people who have allowed me to rediscover film from a creator’s perspective. It made me stumble onto my heart’s calling and believe that all things are possible when the will is there.

This event, contrary to what you might have read in the previous version, is a celebration of these people’s efforts and the clarity of my vision for the future.

You’re invited to see both of these short films, get to know us a bit, and just vibe. The evening is free, with a caveat that it is simultaneously a crowdfunding. I want these films to have a chance at some festival life, so both alongside your free ticket and during the event, there will be options to donate money towards that goal. No pressure, though.

I hope to see you there. And please, book your free ticket when you know you can be there. Donate if you'd like to show your support in your absence. It will be much appreciated!

Leena

Creator of Makoff Productions

Plan for the evening:

19:00 Arrivals, first sips, catch ups/meet ups

19:50 Find your seat as the show is about to begin

20:00 - 21:30 Film 1 and short Q&A, Film 2 and short Q&A + chats

21:30-23:00 The vibe continues at the bar

Film 1:
Committing the Kiss
A mockumentary about intimacy on set. Big egos, big aspirations, big blunders. Fully improvised, fully delightful.

Involved: Philip Philmar, Eliza Williams, Rachel Lopez, Josh Merara, Leena Makoff, Sophie Pumphrey, Callum Fernandes-Clarke, Rameethha Venkatesh, Edwin Brown, Briony Anthony, Robyn Tyers, Mars Washington, Arron Wildman, Rameethha Venkatesh, Vanessa Garber

Film 2:
One Soul at a Time (Terms&Conditions Apply) written by Keith Orton

Brace for an emotional rebirth under a bluemoon blessing! When a corporate tantra certified coach and a yoni liberation practitioner clash, spiritual enlightenment is nothing but straightforward.

Involved: Laura Riekkola, Leena Makoff, Agnieszka Owczarek, Dot Wieclowska, Matteo Zenini, Jen Aviv, Rameethha Venkatesh, Briony Anthony, Arron Wildman, Rameethha Venkatesh, Sam Burns

Please note that during the event, we will be taking pictures and videos for promotional purposes. Let us know if that’s an issue, and we’ll do our best to accommodate.