Eric and Sam, from exciting beginnings to uncertain horizons, ask what it means to truly love.
Ends in
08
Days
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21
Hours
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14
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33
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$8331/3
$1.7K2/3
$2.5KGoal!
$3.5K
Snacks For the Crew
$5K
Crew Pay + Production Polish
$0 of $2,500
· Ends Jul 26, 2026
Most great films originate from human experience, and Their Love is no exception. The goal is to create a story for everyone, no matter their background, and to give viewers a way to explore heartbreak without feeling alone.
Their Love is a love letter not just to the viewer, but to the Hollywood movies that made us love going to the theater: La La Land, Her, Blade Runner 2049, Lost in Translation, and more. These are films that tugged on our hearts, but also understood how color, framing, and music can carry a universal message.
We want to achieve that level of storytelling: to make a film that, even for a minute, can transport us back to the feeling we used to get at the theater.
Proof of Concept
Proof of concept video
What the Money Supports
We do not just want New Mexico locals to share in this community; we want the rest of the world to see it too. The team plans to submit Their Love to film festivals around the world and work toward earning a place among the short films considered for major awards.
A goal that big requires hard work, dedication, a great crew, and an even greater community. As in love, nothing can be done alone.
Production timeline
May 26, 2026: Fundraiser starts
July 26, 2026: Fundraiser ends
Mid-August 2026: Filming begins
Late August to October 2026: Post-production
December 2026: First screening and festival submissions begin
January 2027: Final tier rewards sent
The most important thing to the creators, after making a story you can cherish, is making sure the hard-working crew is paid, from the AD to the PA. That is why we are aiming for a $5,000 stretch goal: to secure the locations and equipment that will make this story come to life, and to support everyone who is sacrificing time and energy to make something memorable.
Thank you for helping bring this story to life. Even reading the fundraiser and interacting with our posts helps immensely.
Cast & Crew
James Clare - Writer/Director James is an Albuquerque-raised actor, writer, and director. He has starred in films, commercials, and capstone projects around the city, and is now leaping headfirst into film production. This is his first film, but not his first story: he has also written a novel. To James, Their Love is not merely an experiment in directing, but a love letter to everyone who has experienced loss and is trying to process it.
Joe Manuel Gallegos Jr. - 1st AD Joe Manuel Gallegos Jr. is a multi-disciplined entertainer whose credits include work as an actor, dancer, choreographer, stuntman, voiceover performer, and host across print, commercial, film, television, stage, video games, and radio. Behind the camera, he enjoys collaborating with filmmakers to help visions get made.
Emilio Cherino - Director of Photography Emilio Cherino is a director of photography, photographer, assistant camera, and writer from Albuquerque, New Mexico. His work focuses on the human condition, self-actualization, and social and political dynamics, both real and fantastical. Emilio graduated with a BFA from UNM's IFDM program, now FDMA, and has worked in New Mexico's film industry as a digital utility and digital loader.
Niamh Khan - Sound Niamh is a local sound person and UNM film graduate as of 2026. She recently made her directorial debut with her indie short, Tether, and is excited to be part of this project.
Rhiannon Barela - Wardrobe & Makeup R. Barela is a makeup artist and creative working in indie film and media production. They are drawn to expressive, story-focused work and close collaboration with cast and crew to build memorable visual worlds.
Narine Andriasova - Art Director Narine Andriasova is a lover of all things creative and joins the project as art director. Creativity has always been a major part of her life, especially through painting, home decor, and fashion. She loves macabre aesthetics and visual details that tell a story without words.
Thomas Ropp - Composer Thomas Ropp is an award-winning composer, arranger, conductor, and performer of screen music based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, his works have premiered internationally and throughout the United States, including at Sundance, the Santa Fe International Film Festival, and the Albuquerque Film and Music Experience.
Michael Madrigal - PA/BTS Michael Madrigal is a New Mexico-based filmmaker who loves every part of the craft and community, and is excited to document the behind-the-scenes story of Their Love.
Willow Glenn - Sam Willow Glenn is an actress and screenwriter who moved to New Mexico for the growing film industry. She is thrilled to be part of Their Love and honored to work with a passionate team.
Julian Massey - Eric Julian Massey is an Albuquerque-based film and theatre actor. He is looking forward to working on the project, building more set experience, and collaborating with this group.
Diary
THANK YOU!!!!
In less than 48 hours, we’ve officially hit 2.5K of our 5K goal! We are incredibly grateful at Their Love to have such an amazing community rallying around us to ensure this project gets made; we’re still in shock. So, we can’t say it enough: thank you. More updates to come soon as we close in on the end of our campaign and get ready to shoot!
