Indie Horror Film "WATER RITES" Now Raising Funds On Kickstarter!

One of the best innovations of the Internet age for filmmakers is crowdsourced funding. A democratized way to avoid the bureaucracy in film production and have future fans help pave the financial path for a filmmaker’s project. Dean Jacobs is no stranger to this as his last film, The Trip (which we covered in 2022) not only met its funding goal but was also acquired earlier this year by our good friends over at Terror Films. Dean is not resting yet, though, as he’s currently starting up a new project called Water Rites and we have a short teaser to share with you fine folk!

The teaser is preliminary, as pre-production is underway and filming is slated to start next year, but from what we can gather it gives off some pretty heavy The Shining vibes mixed with H.P. Lovecraft’s favorite locale, a town near an ominous body of water. Check out the teaser and press release below, and if you’d like to join the Kickstarter you can do so here!

From the Press Release:

Collective Imagination offers a first look at the teaser trailer, cast, official poster & Kickstarter for the upcoming horror film, WATER RITES. The film is in the vein of classic folk horror films with a modern twist. Think The Wicker Man meets Midsommar with a dash of Get out.

“A young couple takes a break from their work-a-day lives by spending the summer at a secluded lakefront community. After unwittingly uncovering the locals’ secrets, the couple’s idyllic retreat quickly turns into something which neither of them can return from.”

This is the second feature film from writer/director Dean Jacobs. His first feature, The TRIP was acquired by Terror Films and is currently available to stream on most major platforms. In addition to writing & directing ‘Water Rites’, Jacobs will play the role of “James Anders” in the film. The film also stars Katy Bentz in the lead role. Bentz is a talented actor, popular Twitch streamer and social media influencer. She’s best known for voicing the role of “Steph Gingrich” in the ‘Life is Strange’ video game series.

Horror icon Lynn Lowry is also a part of the ensemble cast. Lowry, one of the original ‘Scream Queens’, is best known for her roles in David Cronenberg’s SHIVERS and George Romero’s The Crazies. She’s been a staple of horror for the past 50 years.

Evan Sloan will also be returning for ‘Water Rites’, serving as Producer on the film and also acting in a principal role.

The filmmakers are in the thick of pre-production right now, with the intention to begin principal photography in Lake Arrowhead, CA early next year. The story is set and the film will be shot in the small resort community just an hour & 1/2 outside of Los Angeles. Though names have been changed and creative liberties taken, the town, the lake, and the history behind it were the inspiration for this film.

The Kickstarter is currently live. The creative team hopes to raise $25K in additional funding through their crowdfunding campaign.

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