Follow six widows and widowers as they navigate grief and rebuild their lives.  Through hiking, they form a strong, supportive community and  find strength and hope. Experience the transformative power of community and resilience in their inspiring journey.  

The Project

Henry Ortlip masterfully employs his skills and lens to showcase a touching and uplifting narrative crafted by storyteller Stephen Burks. The team brings Engelina Koberna's vision to life, delving into the transformative journeys of six widows and widowers seeking to rediscover joy.

HTG strongly emphasizes mental health and the power of overcoming adversity through community support and movement. The HTG team is developing a companion guidebook that, along with the film, can be utilized in group sessions for grief support groups, organizations, and churches.

Backstory

A year ago, while working out on a treadmill. I unexpectedly met Beth, a friend I hadn't seen in years. To my dismay, I learned that her husband, Brian, had passed away after losing his battle with brain cancer. Despite the heartbreaking loss, Beth shared her inspiring journey of finding joy with the support of a group of hikers who had experienced similar tragedies.

Touched by her story, I shared it with my longtime friend and filmmaker, Stephen. Who has been caring for his wife battling ovarian cancer, felt a deep connection and committed to embarking on a new project. Together, we set out to create "Hiking Through Grief," a documentary delving into the personal stories of individuals navigating grief. Our film aims to dispel societal misconceptions about this emotional journey. The goal is to craft a film that intimately presents the experiences of resilient individuals who have discovered solace and renewal through a close-knit community of fellow grievers via hiking and social activities. -Engelina Koberna, Producer of "Hiking through Grief"

Support Us

Your support for our film is crucial in shedding light on the experiences of widows and widowers in America. Did you know that there are over 15 million widowers and widows in the country? Everyday 2,500 people join the ranks. That's more than 6 percent of the entire population, and these numbers are expected to increase as the Baby Boomers age. Our goal is to use this film to educate, inspire, and bring about positive change for those who are experiencing grief through the transformative power of community. Join us in making this film a reality by pledging your support today!

Your Pledge

A film budget is a detailed financial plan that outlines all the projected costs associated with producing and marketing a film. Making a film costs money, and creating high-quality films typically requires spending more on hiring talented and skilled technical professionals, such as directors, cameramen, lighting and sound engineers, as well as creatives, including editors, marketing, and communication coordinators. Our film Hiking Through Grief will be shot in the highest quality of film with the latest technology in lenses ( 8K Super 35- 3840 x 1744). We are looking for $30,000 in pledges to cover our production costs. 

Film Production

We began filming on August 10, 2024 and will continue through mid-November. We wanted to let you know everyone working on the film right now is working on spec...meaning they're not being paid upfront but only after we raise enough support and interest to compensate them. They're willing to go all in on it, and we hope you will, too. Production time includes ten full days of shooting (we split the day on some shoots) for the director, producer, assistant, camera, lighting, and sound. For more budget information details contact, Engelina Koberna at Engelina@inthebubbleproductions.com.

Our Mission

Through this film, we strive to educate, support, and offer hope to individuals who are grieving the loss of their loved ones. Our society frequently overlooks the complex needs of those in mourning, often failing to provide the understanding and assistance they require. We firmly believe that everyone deserves the right to grieve in a supportive, empathetic, and non-judgmental environment.

We also believe in the transformative power of community, where individuals in similar circumstances can uplift and encourage each other. As Michelle Obama insightfully stated, “Grief and resilience live together.” This film aspires to nurture that resilience and foster a sense of solidarity among those who are navigating the painful journey of grief.

At In the Bubble Productions our goal is to create meaningful films that highlight the resilience of the human spirit. We believe in the transformative power of community, where people uplift and support each other. Through these stories, we strive to change and overcome societal perceptions of everyday challenges.

Hiking Through Grief Leaf Logo design credit "Image by juicy_fish on Freepik".