So… I’m doing something that makes me really uncomfortable. Today, I’m launching an $18k Kickstarter for my first short film. And I need your help.

If you know me, you know I love storytelling. I’ve spent years acting, bringing other people’s visions to life. But neeooow I’m stepping not only in front of, but behind the camera for the first time to direct a narrative, fictional story that I know needs to be told. And it’s slightly terrifying.

What’s also terrifying? Asking for money from the public. It’s not something I grew up doing—it’s not in my Igbo culture to ask the masses like that. For example, any red cent I raised for Dating Unsettled came from a single sponsorship at the end of my rope.*

But I believe in this film so much that I’m pushing past that fear. Because the truth is, independent films don’t get made without thousands of people rallying behind them.

The Kickstarter launches Today, Monday Mar 3, and runs for a month. If you’ve ever wanted to be part of making a film happen, or a project of mine this is your chance. Every pledge, every share, every bit of support means the world.

TLDR
I’ve been co-writing this beautiful short film with Donnita Shaw, and I’m about to launch a Kickstarter campaign on Monday March 3rd to raise funds for the production. I would very much appreciate if you could click here to get notified.

 I’ll be investing into this filmmaking process physically, spiritually, reputationally, and financially – and hope you can joyn me.

Here’s the Kickstarter video!

And the Kickstarter itself!

Starring celebrated voice actor and comedy creator Joy Ofodu and more.

A twelve-minute live action short film about a daddy’s daughter’s love of love.

Together, Taylor and Raina focus on how they can make Taylor’s most pretty-please-it’s-urgent dream come true before she returns to boarding school. Hijinks ensue. 

This film shines a positive light on Black girlhood and fatherhood, while also serving comedic comfort food to any kid or kid-inside-an-adult who didn’t grow up in the perfect picture of a loving, two-parent household. If you’ve ever struggled with how your own parents express love, or having tough talks with your dad, this film will reach inside your heartstrings, tweak ’em a little, and leave you with a warm hug.

Here are our characters! Other lead actors will be announced:

Like Father, Like Daughter

Director’s Note: “I was and am so loved by my dad, as is my co-writer Donnita by her dad. We wrote this story from a place that only daughters could. This film is very personal to me, and borrowed from so many vulnerable aspects of my life, including what watching my dad lead our family taught me about love, empathy, and the pursuit of silly enjoyment. Laughter is the way my immigrant dad and I have always expressed our love for each other, so even when I don’t understand the methods to his madness, I understand his cheeky jokes or hearty bellow. Since I was a little girl, I’ve always sought to share my humor with others just like he shares his: like a rare, treasured gift.”

In this media moment that would rather have you believe Black fathers aren’t present, influential and incredible figures in their daughters’ lives: we beckon your support to tell the truth. Help us capture the world and reality we already know and love. The more we fundraise, the more equitably we can pay underrepresented creatives, filmmakers, and freelancers in the process. And make an impact on young Black girls and their families. We hope you’ll join us by investing in Enjoyment Endeavor’s and Joy Ofodu’s first original film, as she evolves from Creator and Actor to bona fide Director.We’re asking for your support – together, if we can raise $18,000 or more by March 31st, Enjoyment Endeavor can equitable compensate underrepresented filmmakers and talent, hiring for a variety of production and post-production roles to make a little movie that stays with you when you leave the theatre.

Enjoyment Endeavor is a visionary, Bay Area-based entertainment company rooted in comedy and dedicated to healing through humor. We craft imaginative, creative experiences—both digital and live—that bring comfort, stimulation, and joy.

Believing laughter breaks barriers and lifts spirits, we harness its transformative power to spark a connection. Join us for an absurd party that celebrates pure imagination, where creativity invites you to escape the ordinary and find magic in the unexpected.

JOY OFODU Joy has drawn over 60M views to her original digital comedy content including her renowned dating podcast, Dating Unsettled. Dating Unsettled has been lauded for its “vulnerability” and “energizing” “impressions, voiceovers and stories” curated to empower daters globally. Under her visionary entertainment company, she has grown a highly-engaged community of nearly 300,000 online daters and affirmation-seeking comedy-lovers. Joy is proud to have partnered with tens of trusted arts-focused organizations including American Black Film Festival, Afro Comic-Con International Film Festival, Disney, USC African American Cinema Society and Museum of the African Diaspora.

DONNITA SHAW As Chief of Staff, Donnita Shaw is Joy’s head chef in serving up the comedic comfort food that Enjoyment Endeavor cooks. Donnita is actively involved in entertainment development, where she mentors writers and provides them with industry insights that extend far beyond the fundamentals. In her spare time, she channels her creative energy into writing features and pilots, while also enjoying time for the occasional brunch. Her talents have graced Coverfly, Screencraft, VICE Media, NBC Universal and more.

We’re happy to offer a variety of rewards as a show of gratitude for your support of Heart of Sunshine. They range from $1 to $10,000 – here’s what’s what!
*contains physical gift

Sunshine Follower $1

Every dollar counts and is appreciated! Get a digital image that you can use to show your support of our visionary short film project.

Sunshine Fan $15

Includes access to all of the previous tiers, PLUS get Digital Access to the Film Post-Festival Screening (est. 2026), a Social Media shoutout from @joyofodu @enjoymentendeavor and priority notice to RSVP for screenings in major U.S. cities (TBA)

Sunshine Supporter $50 *

Level up your support by getting a Digital Copy of the film’s Screenplay and a Father’s Day Gift with a Secret Phrase from our film, giftable to an amazing father-figure in your life. See shipping costs in Rewards // US:$15, International: $25

LIMITED to 3: Wear Your Heritage Hoodie $80 *

Contribute to the film and get The Wear Your Roots Sweatshirt from We The Diaspora: a custom, wearable tribute to your ancestry—send us a childhood or family photo that represents your story, and we’ll print it onto a cozy sweatshirt, turning your memories into a statement of pride and connection to the diaspora.

Sunshine Camper $150 *

Get all of the previous rewards, plus $150 Access to a Cast & Crew Behind the Scenes Vlog, an invite to a Group Zoom – Dating Profile Audit or Social Media Profile Audit by Joy and Digital Download of the Film’s Treatment

LIMITED to 3: Sunshine Portrait Session $350

Receive a Father-Daughter Portrait Photoshoot by Joy Ofodu (or a session with any loved one) – available to backers in Los Angeles or the San Francisco Bay Area Only. You may also donate this reward to a deserving daddy-daughter duo!

Sunshine Stepper $500 (30) *

Get several of the previous rewards, PLUS Special Thanks in the Film’s Credits, a Custom Video Thank You from Joy, a Doll Signed by our Film’s Star, a private 1:1 Dating Profile Audit by Joy or Social Media Profile Audit by Joy, a Signed Cast/Crew Photo, and a Digital Download of the Film’s Treatment

Sunshine Superhero $1,000 *

Get several of the previous rewards, PLUS be named a Community Producer in the Film’s Credits, receive a Digital Download of the completed Film, and get a Digital Download of the Film’s Soultrack (a special curation of songs from artists who are Black fathers).

We can ship rewards within the United States for $15, and internationally for $25.

The Heart of Sunshine $10,000 *

Be welcomed and listed as an Executive Producer in the Film’s Credits, and receive most of the previous rewards as our humble thanks for your legendary investment in this vision. Open to community members of good standing and exemplary character; please connect with our team before making this contribution.

Help us make the film accessible to more deserving audiences and film lovers like you.

$18,000 – GOAL MET! Successful disbursement of funds.

$18,005.94 – With $5.94 above goal, you get to see a fully funded film and some Icy Hot rollers for Joy’s back when she’s done directing, as she isn’t taking any salary from her treasured first film.

$20,000 – With $2,00 more, you empower us to make more festival submissions, including to international festivals like Cannes Lions, and sponsor festival attendance for above the line crew or cast members (i.e. American Black Film Festival June 2026) to get this film to more audiences who will be touched and validated by it. These appearances greatly impact the filmmakers’ careers, providing opportunity for networking and expanding economic opportunity.

$25,000 – With $5,000 more than that, we can host original events and open up in person screenings of the film free of charge to those who need it most. We will also sponsor transportation to a local service opportunity for our cast, crew & community.

$30,000 – With $5,000 more than that, you’ll be a sponsor of trailer development editing fees, social media advertising and fees for expert support to develop pitch materials to sell the film – help our film and its underrepresented cast & crew members compete with a fighting chance among tens of thousands of global submissions.

From Annenberg Inclusion Initiative (2023): From 2007 to 2023, only 6% of the top-grossing films were directed by women. “Over more than a decade and a half, the percentage of women in top directing jobs has not even grown by 10 percentage points,” Dr. Smith said in a statement. “These figures are not merely data points on a chart. They represent real, talented women working to have sustainable careers in an industry that will not hire them into jobs they are qualified to hold solely because of their identity.” – (The Wrap)

Follow us on all social media channels @enjoymentendeavor https://enjoymentendeavor.com/ and at @joyofodu for Director Joy Ofodu https://joyofodu.com/