Just Five Minutes

We are looking to complete our short documentary entitled Just Five Minutes, based on a play with music written and performed by Francine Lobis Wheeler, who offers her uniquely personal journey through grief, trauma and survival as the mother of Ben Wheeler following his murder in his first-grade classroom on December 14, 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

The producers are looking for approximately $150,000 in contributions to finish filming and for editing/post production, and to bring this important story to the world. We are pleased to partner with Entertainment To Affect Change (E2AC) as our fiscal sponsors as we complete the project. All contributions are tax deductible.

In the years following the tragedy and loss of her son, Francine wrote the play and music that is referenced throughout this documentary. The short doc film presents the story of a mother and artist, and shares Francine's voice with all its heart, humor and gratitude. It lets the world into her singular relationship with her son Ben and reminds us how universal loss is, and how through the telling of our individual stories and shared sense of compassion, we may all grieve and move forward.

Ben Stiller's Red Hour, Sue Leibman and Francine Wheeler, Meredith Bennett (Hamilton, Bono Stories of Surrender), Jonathan Gray are the producers. Tony-nominated Sheryl Kaller (Next Fall, The White Chip) and Alex Horwitz (Hamilton's America) are the directors.

Our music production team is headed by three-time Grammy Award winning musician/producer Joe Henry. Our director of photography is Andreas Burgess. Our editor is Conor Flynn.