As director Jay Middaugh of Happy Kid Productions nears the wrap of his latest movie, he's calling on the public to contribute some much-needed money to help see the film through post-production to its planned premiere at the Kingston Canadian Film Festival in February 2025. Shot on location in and around Kingston and featuring a lengthy cast of local actors and artists, Still Alive in Kingston is a feature length comedy starring broadcaster and former MuchMusic VJ Bill Welychka as himself.

Previously, Middaugh also wrote and directed the film Live in Kingston (web link), which premiered at the Kingston Canadian Film Festival in 2017, and featured Kingston-based acts PS I Love You, Sarah Harmer, Lost Cousins, Wild Rivers, B. Rich and Miss Emily, among others.

"(Still Alive in Kingston) is really a celebration of the whole Kingston arts scene," explained Middaugh. "We want to take this movie across Ontario and across the country. Having Bill in the movie and his character's point of view of Kingston lets us tell the story of the Kingston music scene in a way that will relate to everyone."

Part of Middaugh's motivation behind both Live in Kingston and the new follow-up film is to help expose Kingston acts to an audience who may not get the chance to see them perform live. "We're really spoiled in Kingston with how many great bands there are," remarked Middaugh. "A project like this takes all those great live (Kingston) bands and puts them in a movie theatre where people can watch them." Still Alive in Kingston will feature performances and appearances by Oakridge Ave., Emilie Steele & The Deal, Keaton, Monach, The Wilderness and more.

Middaugh is hoping to raise $5,000 to fund the completion of the film in time for it to premiere at the 2025 Kingston Canadian Film Festival in a little over four months. "We're almost at the end of production and we're just asking for a little help to pay for post-production expenses to help make this movie all that it can be," said Middaugh. Donors will even have the chance for a personal appearance in the film.

The fundraising campaign for Still Alive in Kingston is being run through Indiegogo. Interested donors can learn more and contribute funds online here: web link

The trailer for Still Alive in Kingston can be viewed online here: web link Posted: Oct 24, 2024