Dirty Towel Feature Greenlight Fundraiser

DIRTY TOWEL - an empowering female-driven coming-of-age dramedy.

LOGLINE:
In the weeks leading up to high school graduation, three generations of women find themselves at a crossroads, where inherited shame and the fear of letting go collide—reshaping what it means to be a daughter, a mother, and a woman choosing herself.

ABOUT US:
Hi! We’re Callie Carpinteri and Emma Parks, a cousin filmmaking duo bound not only by family but by a shared passion for storytelling.

Originally from a small town in South Florida, Callie is a writer and director passionate about telling complex, female-driven stories that empower people and inspire conversation. She studied filmmaking at the University of Florida, where she interned at several production companies and was selected for the prestigious Television Academy Internship Program in Scripted Development. Her two thesis films screened and won numerous awards in the festival circuit including a Student Production Award from the NATAS Suncoast Regional Emmys. Since graduating, Callie has directed multiple short films, including Dirty Towel, Stuffed, and most recently, English Breakfast, starring Francesca Reale (Stranger Things) and Jill Kargman (Odd Mom Out), the latter two both set to hit the festival circuit this year.

Born in LA and raised just outside Chicago, Emma has always been immersed in communities that celebrated the arts. Due to this, from a young age, Emma unfortunately caught the “actor/filmmaker bug” instead of the “doctor bug”. She is a graduate of NYU Tisch where she got her BFA in Drama. This past year, she co-starred in the feature film, The Short Game which had a theatrical wide-release and will be streaming on Amazon and Apple TV this next month. Emma has been nominated for and won multiple awards including best actor for her role in the Dirty Towel short and Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Short Game. She has also acted in two Off-Broadway shows. On top of Dirty Towel, Emma has several features in development as a writer, actor, and producer including a Romantic Comedy set to film next year.

THE STORY BEHIND DIRTY TOWEL:
A few years ago, we made a proof-of-concept short film titled Dirty Towel about a young woman grappling with feelings of shame and guilt after having sex for the first time. Made on a modest budget over just a few days of production, the film was a true labor of passion driven by purpose, collaboration, and a belief in our stories' message. The film had its World Premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Festival and went on to screen at more than 25 festivals worldwide, earning multiple awards along the way. Following its release on Youtube, Dirty Towel surpassed 1.3 million views in just three months and was named a “Top 10 Short Film of 2025” by Film Shortage.

Encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive response from audiences and festivals alike, we spent the last several years developing the feature-length version: a female-driven coming-of-age dramedy following three generations of women as they confront inherited shame and the courage it takes to finally choose themselves. Now with a completed script, we are ready to bring this story to life!

THE FEATURE:
While the short centers on the pivotal moment of Charlie choosing to have sex for the first time, the feature expands into a dual-protagonist story that explores the complicated relationship between Charlie and her mother, Elizabeth, during the final two weeks before Charlie graduates high school.
As both women find themselves at this moment of transition, Charlie struggles to find confidence in her choices outside of her mother’s expectations. Meanwhile, Elizabeth, who devoted the last 18 years to raising her daughter, struggles to let go of the past and rediscover her own identity as a woman in her 30s about to be on her own again. The situation is further complicated by the return of Elizabeth’s critical mother, Evelyn, whose presence reopens old wounds and forces all three women to confront the unresolved struggles and generational patterns that bind them together. It is a deeply human story that we believe will resonate with audiences across multiple generations, highlighting that coming-of-age can happen at any age.

WHAT WE NEED:
Bringing a film to life is no easy feat. There are a lot of costs that go into producing a film which is why we need your help! We know it’ll take a village but it is our belief that through the support of many people, we can hit our goal and make this film a reality.

We’re thrilled to share that we’ve already raised over 50% of our budget and are only $90,000 away from being able to greenlight this film and move towards production! Your generous donations will contribute directly towards costs for things such as crew wages, camera equipment, lighting equipment, production design, locations, cast wages, and other expenses.

As we work to raise the last bit of funding, Entertainment 2 Affect Change, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, has come on board as our fiscal sponsor, offering donors the opportunity to make tax-deductible contributions. We are also still looking for investors should that route be of interest to you in addition to or instead of donation.

We are so close to the finish line and every contribution, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to making this film a reality!

SUPPORTER TIERS & INCENTIVES:
As a token of our gratitude, we have come up with some fun credits and incentives for our supporters!

< $25,000 = Special Thanks in Film
*Donations of $5,000 and above also come with the “Special Thanks Package” which include:
- Special Thanks in Film
- Signed merch
- Behind-The-Scenes insider looks including early trailer access

> $25,000 = Associate Producer Package
Includes all previously listed perks, plus:
- Associate Producer Credit in Film
- Name hidden in film
- Half-Day Set Visit
- A curated “Dirty Towel” goodie box
- Invitation to a screening

> $50,000 = Co-Producer
Includes all previously listed perks, plus:
- Co-Producer Credit in Film
- Background cameo
- Full-day set visit + lunch with the team
- A screen-used prop with certificate
- A cast-signed poster
- Priority access to premieres + reserved seating

> $100,000 = Executive Producer
Includes all previously listed perks, plus:
- Executive Producer Credit in Film
- Multiple set visits + lunch with the team
- Featured Cameo
- Invitation to wrap party
- A prop signed by the cast
- Festival Screening + Event Tickets

For people who want to donate through a wire transfer or an ACH instead of a credit card, please contact us at calliecarp1@gmail.com and/or emmalayneparks@gmail.com for instructions.

YOUR IMPACT:
We truly believe that now is the time to make this film. In a moment when conversations about women’s autonomy, bodies, and choices are once again at the forefront of conversations, uplifting female voices and telling stories that center on women’s lived experiences feels more important than ever. The response to the short film has already shown us how deeply this story resonates with people and made them feel less alone. Art has the innate ability to create connection and inspire a positive change in the world and that’s exactly what we want to do with Dirty Towel, to send a message of hope at a time when it is most needed. By supporting this film, you are not only helping us tell this meaningful story, but also supporting emerging filmmakers as we take this next step in our career.

Any contribution you are willing to give will help us immensely. Thank you for believing in us and being part of bringing this project into the world!

If you have any further questions please reach out to calliecarp1@gmail.com and/or emmalayneparks@gmail.com. You can also learn more about the project on our website: dirtytowelmovie.com.