What do you think happens when you die? Who do you think you talk to?
I Can’t Save The World is an experimental drama short film about a girl who was awoken by the avatar of death to learn about the factors that led her to take her own life. I Can’t Save The World explores the themes of apathy and death present in society in the past few years. This film is important to me because the idea of death has been desensitized to my generation within the past few generations and I wanted to explore that alongside the rising apathy that’s present in society. I want to challenge people’s perceptions of community and death and ask them what they can do to help the people around them.
I Can’t Save The World is a film very personal to me. This film
explores the emotions I’ve observed in other people that struggle
with depression and potentially suicidal thoughts. For example,
I’ve struggled with justifying my own existence my entire life and
very nearly robbed myself of all of the joys I’ve experienced after
that.
Within the last two years I’ve observed the state of the world and struggled to truthfully tell myself that things will be okay. Not only does it feel like I’m being pit against my fellow person, it feels like the powers that be want all of us dead. I wanted to take that overwhelming apathy and fear and channel it into a film that makes people feel seen and understood.
I want people to know we’re in this together. I want people to ask each other, ‘What can I do for you?’. I want people to cry and understand that there are options that aren’t the final option. I want people to live life with a renewed sense of longing for community and even if things seem dire, we’re in this mess together.
Our goal is $3,500 and is the absolute bare minimum that we need to make this film.
All contributions will go towards: feeding and paying our crew and actors, purchasing and renting equipment, securing locations for the duration of filming, purchasing costumes, props, and other art materials we'll need to make the film look and feel the way it's supposed to. However it’s not as if you aren’t offered anything either. We have an entire slate of incentives that you'll receive upon contribution to the film.
Word of mouth is the name of the game!
If you think this film sounds cool, send it to a friend!
If someone you know is on the team for this film, share your excitement with the world by shouting them out on social media and calling for donations to help the film get made (make sure to include the link)!
When you make a donation, let everyone know! We appreciate each and every contribution, big or small and thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Perks
Everyone who pledges this tier amount or higher will receive an exclusive playlist of music that's inspired by the film and will also be featured in the credits of the film.
20 people who pledge this tier amount will receive a sticker pack of characters and icons from I Can't Save The World and previous rewards including an exclusive playlist of music that's inspired by the film and will also be featured in the credits of the film.
Everyone who pledges this tier amount and above will receive a Social Media Shoutout from the director Shawn Salomon and the actor playing Naen in full makeup along with previous rewards including an exclusive playlist of music that's inspired by the film and will also be featured in the credits of the film.
Everyone who pledges this tier amount an above will receive a Digital Artbook containing character designs, tattoo designs and storyboards from the film along with previous rewards such as a Social Media Shoutout from the Director and one of the lead Actors of the film, an exclusive playlist of music that's inspired by the film and you will also be featured in the credits of the film
10 People who pledge this tier amount will receive an invite to the Friends and Family screening of I Can't Save The World in Philadelphia including previous rewards such as a Digital Artbook, Social Media Shoutout from the Director and Lead Actor from the film, and an exclusive playlist of music that's inspired by the film and will also be featured in the credits of the film. Travel is not included in this invite.
3 People who pledge this tier will earn an Executive Producer credit for I Can't Save The World along with previous rewards including an invite to the Friends and Family Screening, Digital Artbook, Social Media Shoutout from the Director and Lead Actor from the film, and an exclusive playlist of music that's inspired by the film and will also be featured in the credits of the film. Travel to Philadelphia for the Friends and Family Screening is not included.
Highlights
See all activity13Meet The Team
SHAWN SALOMON
Writer/Director
IG: salomonshawn
Shawn Salomon is a Haitian American Filmmaker based in Philadelphia. Shawn’s previously written and directed Liberte (2023), I Forgive You (2022) and Box Canyon (2022). Shawn has also been on crew for a myriad of independent and student films in the Philadelphia area. These films have gone on to win awards worldwide in front of prestigious audiences such as the Gotham Awards. Shawn has tasked himself with exploring his own BIPOC identity but the deeper intricacies of LGBTQIA intersectionality through his own films.
MAYA CORWIN
Assistant Director
IG: maya_corwin
Maya Corwin is an award-winning Philadelphia-based filmmaker and producer who focuses on telling women's stories within a positive context.
Aidan McErlean
Director of Photography
IG: aidanmcerlean25
Aidan McErlean is a cinematographer inspired by all types of music, fashion, and films who’s there to enjoy the process of it all. Always willing to speak up for his crew and the cast members he’s someone who tries to not only pick others up, but encourage them to also reach their hand and grab onto their valued companions.
LOLA ACKERMAN
Producer
IG: lolaackerman
Lola Ackerman is a producer, programmer, and visual artist based in Philadelphia. Lola’s previously produced films - The Cost of Spotlight (2024), scapeG.O.A.T. (2024), have been featured at Inside Nollywood International Film Festival, Georgia State Comedy Film Festival, Garden State Film Festival, and more, where they have won awards such as Best Student Film and Best Proof of Concept. When Lola isn’t producing, she’s freelancing as a Festival Volunteer Coordinator for the Philadelphia Film Festival, a Teaching Artist in Residence for the Philadelphia Film Society, and a programmer for South Philly Autonomous Cinema. Lola's primary interest is in sharing and uplifting creative storytelling, especially from artists who are LGBT+, BIPOC, and/or women.
GABBY SHUN HSU
EDITOR
IG: edited.by.shun
is a Taiwanese American film editor with a soft spot for dynamic magical realism and heartwarming stories. I've worked in post production on Amazon Studio's Roadhouse (2024), Netflix's Rez Ball (2024), and the short film, Marina (2025), which is a Gotham/Focus Features Student Film Award Winner. Currently, I am working as an assistant editor and VFX artist for A City in the Forest, a documentary feature that is premiering in Sheffield Doc Fest 2026. In my free time, I love playing Chinese Chess with her mom, putting together jigsaw puzzles, and crying to Youtube shorts about intergenerational trauma
THEO KOTONIS
MAKEUP / SFX ARTIST
IG: theodoesmakeupsometimes
is a New York City-based producer and makeup/SFX artist, and a graduate of Temple University. She began her professional filmmaking career as a makeup artist, and quickly found her passion for helping fellow artists bring their stories to life. Having taken on virtually every role on a film & TV crew, she has developed a deep appreciation for every aspect of the filmmaking process, and aims to utilize that appreciation to bring out the best in every crew she works with and every story she has the privilege of contributing to
SOHAM KARIR
COMPOSER
IG: hamm_slamm
Soham Karir is an Indian American musician and composer based in California. He composes music for video games and film, with a focus on enhancing storytelling, emotion, and atmosphere. His compositions have received industry recognition, including honors from the Bay Area Creative Foundation. His musical interests lie in blending the traditions of Hindustani music with the diverse cultural influences of American genres and the evolving sounds of international film and game scores. Through this fusion, he aims to create a voice that feels both personal and distinctive.
Rewards
People who donate enough money to satisfy a reward tier to this campaign will receive:
-An invite to an exclusive friends and family screening
-A Digital Artbook including the storyboards used for the film
-Stickers depicting characters and concepts based around the film
-A Music Playlist with songs relating to the themes of the film
-A Social Media Shoutout from both the Director and the lead actors from the film
-A named Credit at the end of the film
-A very special few will be included as an executive producer of the film
Social Media Shoutouts will be sent out before Principal Photography begins on the film and the rest of the rewards will be fulfilled after the film is wrapped.
Activity
Everyone who pledges this tier amount or higher will receive an exclusive playlist of music that's inspired by the film and will also be featured in the credits of the film.
20 people who pledge this tier amount will receive a sticker pack of characters and icons from I Can't Save The World and previous rewards including an exclusive playlist of music that's inspired by the film and will also be featured in the credits of the film.
Everyone who pledges this tier amount and above will receive a Social Media Shoutout from the director Shawn Salomon and the actor playing Naen in full makeup along with previous rewards including an exclusive playlist of music that's inspired by the film and will also be featured in the credits of the film.
Everyone who pledges this tier amount an above will receive a Digital Artbook containing character designs, tattoo designs and storyboards from the film along with previous rewards such as a Social Media Shoutout from the Director and one of the lead Actors of the film, an exclusive playlist of music that's inspired by the film and you will also be featured in the credits of the film
10 People who pledge this tier amount will receive an invite to the Friends and Family screening of I Can't Save The World in Philadelphia including previous rewards such as a Digital Artbook, Social Media Shoutout from the Director and Lead Actor from the film, and an exclusive playlist of music that's inspired by the film and will also be featured in the credits of the film. Travel is not included in this invite.
3 People who pledge this tier will earn an Executive Producer credit for I Can't Save The World along with previous rewards including an invite to the Friends and Family Screening, Digital Artbook, Social Media Shoutout from the Director and Lead Actor from the film, and an exclusive playlist of music that's inspired by the film and will also be featured in the credits of the film. Travel to Philadelphia for the Friends and Family Screening is not included.
