Sisters in Film and Television: SIFTMedia 215 Collective

Picture a world teetering on the edge of collapse, where environmental disasters intertwine with hidden government secrets. You Were Dead Yesterday is a present-day sci-fi horror film that follows a Black rural family struggling to survive in Philadelphia devastated by government experiments that turn victims into zombies. As they navigate the chaos caused by environmental catastrophe and official negligence, the film sheds light on the harsh realities of environmental racism, systemic injustice, and the displacement faced by marginalized communities.

Picture a world teetering on the edge of collapse, where environmental disasters intertwine with hidden government secrets. You Were Dead Yesterday is a present-day sci-fi horror film that follows a Black rural family struggling to survive in Philadelphia devastated by government experiments that turn victims into zombies. As they navigate the chaos caused by environmental catastrophe and official negligence, the film sheds light on the harsh realities of environmental racism, systemic injustice, and the displacement faced by marginalized communities.

Who am I? I’m Destiny Cox, an award-winning Black queer filmmaker with a background in crafting stories that blend political and social themes with genre filmmaking. Having grown up in areas impacted by environmental racism and gentrification, I’m passionate about telling stories that merge real-world issues with cinematic experiences like You Were Dead Yesterday.

Why This? As the climate crisis intensifies, it disproportionately affects Black and Brown communities. This film takes a raw look at those intersections, using sci-fi and horror to bring awareness to these critical issues.

Why Now? The urgency of climate change and environmental justice has never been more apparent, and You Were Dead Yesterday is a timely story that addresses these concerns. The film offers a unique perspective, rooted in the experiences of communities that are often overlooked in these discussions.

Why This Team? Our project brings together a diverse, BIPOC-centered team that is committed to authentic storytelling. With 75% of our crew being BIPOC and 60% women, we are creating a film that reflects the experiences of marginalized people, both in front and behind the camera.

We are currently finalizing casting, location scouting, and prepping our production team. This campaign will allow us to raise the $5,600 we need to complete the film, covering critical expenses such as location permits, equipment rentals, and paying our talented, predominantly local crew. With your support, we’ll be able to bring You Were Dead Yesterday to life and begin post-production

Once the film is complete, we plan to screen it at film festivals and host local community-centered events, inviting environmental specialists and activists to foster meaningful conversations. We are also exploring digital distribution to ensure the film reaches a wide audience.

If we surpass our goal, additional funds will be used for post-production enhancements, including expanded VFX and an educational curriculum that can be used for school and community screenings.

We need your help to make this happen! Please consider pledging, following, and sharing our campaign.