A FILMMAKER has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help him finish the development of his ambitious debut feature film.

Through private equity, sponsorship and in-kind investment, Dominic Morgan has secured £30,000 in backing for his production Faith, which is based on his own experience of his father’s battle with dementia.

Already attached to the project are lead actors Frank Jakeman, of Game of Thrones fame, and Leona Clarke, star of An Inspector Calls, as well as music video directing legend Gregg Musuak.

Gazette: Stars Frank Jakeman and Leona Clarke Stars Frank Jakeman and Leona Clarke

Mr Morgan, of Colchester, now hopes to raise another £15,000 to finish production and take the film to festivals across the globe.

He said: “The positive snowball effect for my little debut feature has been nothing more than staggering.

“We aim to produce the most claustrophobic movie ever made.

“But more than that, and possibly the main reason we’ve managed to attract such amazing people to the project, is the fact that Faith has real soul.

“It tells a heart-breaking story which so many people can relate to.

“Faith, at its heart, tells the story of a family torn apart by vascular dementia and their inability to deal with the raw, and complex, emotions which stem from it.”

The inspiration for the film came from Mr Morgan’s own personal experience of witnessing his elderly father’s deteriorating health due to disease.

The director describes the plot as a social commentary on the breakdown of a family and the disillusionment people often feel with the modern world.

He cites modern horror/thriller classics including Jordan Peele’s Get Out and Jeremy Saulnier’s Green Room as inspirations.

Mr Morgan said: “Good films begin with great stories.

“A great premise, realistic, well-developed characters and a rollercoaster ride of emotion where you feel wrung dry at the end.

“These are the subtleties which work on conscious and subconscious levels to create thrilling movie experiences.”

Mr Jakeman, who has also appeared in TV shows like The Bill and Bergerac, added: “Being involved with a project like Faith is every actor’s dream, with so much raw anxiety and emotional honesty the get my teeth into.

“The director truly understands human nature and he certainly lays it bare with Faith.

“Audiences will be crawling out of the screenings, gasping for air.”

Mr Morgan, who won an MTV short film competition in 2010, was forced to put his dream directing career on hold when his daughter, Jodi, was diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia.

She tragically died later the same year, aged just 12.

After her death Mr Morgan took to fundraising in her name for the Sick Children’s Trust.

He raised several thousands of pounds as well as enough to donate a set of tablet computers to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, where Jodi had received treatment.

But two years ago he relaunched his fledgeling movie career and Faith Movie UK was born.

He has several other projects in the pipeline.

A percentage of the proceeds from all of his future films will continue to support the Sick Children’s Trust and he will also be supporting Dementia UK.

Cash from the red carpet premiere of Faith, set to take place at Firstsite in the winter, will be shared between the charities.

Mr Morgan has created a range of money can’t buy perks for the Indiegogo campaign, including signed props from the film, a VIP UK premiere screening and a champagne and canapé reception with cast and crew.

Backers can even bag a minor role in the movie in exchange for their support.

To donate or find out more, visit igg.me/at/FaithMovieUK.