Crimson Shadows is a feature-length lesbian Western romance set in the 1870s. It’s a fierce, emotional story about love, loyalty, and survival. Think Godless meets Portrait of a Lady on Fire.
THE CONCEPT
Crimson Shadows is a feature film that blends a classic Western with an LGBTQ+ romance, offering a fresh twist on the genre.
TONE: A gritty Western with modern day emotional complexity and an LGBTQ+ storyline in the style of Godless meets Portrait of a Lady on Fire.
VISUAL AESTHETIC: Dual visuals are key. The Western elements such as gun fights or horseback riding will be shot in a stark, gritty style with a similar color palette to Godless to indicate the lonely and isolating existence of being an outlaw. The intimate and romantic moments will be shot in the same style as Saltburn, using dramatic lighting and rich colors to create a dreamlike atmosphere, similar to how a new love feel. Both of these styles combined will show the contrast of main characters' reality versus their desire.
THE STORY
Sarah Montgomery is a sharpshooting outlaw and womanizer, raised on crime under the iron grip of her mentor, Henry Fairbanks. She dreams of leaving her criminal exploits behind for the quiet life she's never known.
When a train robbery goes awry and forces the gang into hiding, Sarah crosses paths with Rachel Sewall, a mysterious woman with a violent past. What begins as a reluctant responsibility turns into a passionate love that tests Sarah's loyalty and threatens Henry's control.
As Henry tightens his grip and the gang fractures, Sarah must decide between the heist that could buy her freedom or risking it all to save Rachel. Her choices ignite a brutal showdown that leaves her severely injured. To save Sarah, Rachel is forced to blur the lines between right and wrong. Will their love survive?
VISUAL REFERENCES
Visuals are from Godless, Ammonite, and Saltburn.
THE TEAM
S.M. Norton - Creator/Writer & Executive Producer
S.M. Norton is a member of the LGBTQ+ community and is driven by a passion for authentic voices and excels at building intricate stories around complex LGBTQ+ characters. She enjoys exploring their journeys of depth and resilience. Her writing is distinguished by snappy, compelling dialogue and a masterful approach to weaving suspenseful, character driven narratives.
Crimson Shadows is her first feature length screenplay, but she has also self-published a novel, which has garnered generally positive reviews. She is currently working on her second novel and additional screenplays.
Michaela Wiggins - Director & Executive Producer
Michaela Wiggins is also part of the LGBTQ+ community and is a filmmaker known for crafting raw, immersive stories that explore human nature and emotional complexity. With a keen eye for authentic performances and a distinctive storytelling voice, she directed and short film (Un)Known (2024) and began production on Echoes in 2025.
She has also secured funding for her own feature that she wrote and is directing called The Ballad of Connie Rose, further cementing her commitment to bold, character-driven filmmaking.
TARGET AUDIENCE
LGBTQ+ VIEWERSHIP: There is a rising demand for inclusive content. From Q2 to Q3 of 2024, Revry reported a 15% increase in total watch hours for the third time in a row. This film fills that gap, providing LGBTQ+ main characters in a genre that is underrepresented in the queer community.
WOMEN VIEWERSHIP: Women are a dominant force in streaming. The UCLA’s Hollywood Diversity Report for 2023 highlights women viewership exceeding their population share for 9 out of 10 top shows across both total minutes viewed and household ratings. This demonstrates a highly engaged and influential audience actively seeking quality content.
OUR VISION: This film directly addresses this market opportunity. Be unapologetically centering queer narratives with deeply complex female main characters, we offer an authentic connection with these vital demographics. This film provides the representation and immersive storytelling that not only meets, but exceeds expectations for powerful, relevant content.
WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP
This initial round of funds will be put toward hiring a line producer, development costs, and casting outreach to known talent.
SADDLE UP AND JOIN THE RIDE!
Crimson Shadows is a story for queer and female audiences and anyone craving bold, authentic representation in the Western genre. We've already gained support from an indie production company. Now we’re ready for the next big step! With your support, we can bring this fierce, one-of-a-kind love story to life and give queer characters the spotlight they’ve long deserved.
Perks
Just passing through, but still an important part of the story. Digital reward
- Shoutout on Social Media
- Project Updates
You’re keeping your eye on things and riding with us early. Digital reward
- All Previous Perks
- Thank you in the film credits
A ride-or-die supporter. You believe in this story and you’re making it happen. Digital reward
- All Previous Perks
- Exclusive Director's Lookbook (PDF Format)
You’re quick on the draw and deadly committed.
Digital reward
- All Previous Perks
- Early Screener Access
You’re helping build the world we want to see: queer and untamed.
Digital reward
- All Previous Perks
- Your name under "Special Thanks" in the credits
- Exclusive Zoom Q&A with the writer and director
Your name will go down in frontier history as a force behind this story.
Digital reward
- All Previous Perks
- Associate Producer credit on IMDB
- "Thank You" video from the cast and crew
You're not just backing a story, you’re helping rewrite the genre.
*Lodging/travel/meals (other than on set) not included. Date of visit to be TBD based on shooting schedule.
Digital reward
- All Previous Perks
- Upgrade to a Producer Credit on IMDB
- Exclusive invite to the set during filming
Be part of the story. Literally.
*Lodging/travel/meals (other than on set) not included. Dates for being an extra TBD based on shooting schedule. No guarantee it will not be cut from the final version of the film.
Digital reward
- All Previous Perks
- Join us on set as a featured extra in the film.
- Name in the cast credits and on IMDB
Just passing through, but still an important part of the story. Digital reward
- Shoutout on Social Media
- Project Updates
You’re keeping your eye on things and riding with us early. Digital reward
- All Previous Perks
- Thank you in the film credits
A ride-or-die supporter. You believe in this story and you’re making it happen. Digital reward
- All Previous Perks
- Exclusive Director's Lookbook (PDF Format)
You’re quick on the draw and deadly committed.
Digital reward
- All Previous Perks
- Early Screener Access
You’re helping build the world we want to see: queer and untamed.
Digital reward
- All Previous Perks
- Your name under "Special Thanks" in the credits
- Exclusive Zoom Q&A with the writer and director
Your name will go down in frontier history as a force behind this story.
Digital reward
- All Previous Perks
- Associate Producer credit on IMDB
- "Thank You" video from the cast and crew
You're not just backing a story, you’re helping rewrite the genre.
*Lodging/travel/meals (other than on set) not included. Date of visit to be TBD based on shooting schedule.
Digital reward
- All Previous Perks
- Upgrade to a Producer Credit on IMDB
- Exclusive invite to the set during filming
Be part of the story. Literally.
*Lodging/travel/meals (other than on set) not included. Dates for being an extra TBD based on shooting schedule. No guarantee it will not be cut from the final version of the film.
Digital reward
- All Previous Perks
- Join us on set as a featured extra in the film.
- Name in the cast credits and on IMDB
