Grant Penrod and Hanah Chang met by chance in the summer of 2021 through mutual friends in the Chicago film industry. They quickly discovered a shared passion for filmmaking and a personal connection through their own experiences with love lost. Hanah was inspired by Grant's vision for a short film based on his own heartbreak and offered to help bring it to life.

In November 2021, they began writing the screenplay, working to perfect the script and planning for development. In February 2022, they assembled a talented crew and cast and began principal photography in March 2022. Despite the challenges of working on a no-budget film, the team was dedicated to bringing Dependent to life, and principal photography wrapped in November 2022.

Now, the film is in the final stages of editing and the team is seeking support to complete the process and submit the film to as many festivals as possible. Grant and Hanah are deeply grateful for the generosity of everyone who has contributed their time and efforts to make this passion project a reality.

We are a team of experienced TV and film professionals working on a passion project. We have been fortunate to have a cast and crew of dedicated professionals who have donated their time. As we wrap up the final touches on the film, we are looking to start planning on film festival submissions. However, as we are singularly funded, we are reaching out for support to make sure this film, which the team has worked tirelessly on, gets the recognition it deserves. With your help, we can ensure that this film is presented to the highest standards possible at film festivals!

Back the Project - We plan on submitting the film to many film festivals, but that is an expensive venture .  So no amount is too small—whatever you can afford will help.  Also, no amount is too large!  Anything beyond our goal will be put towards taking care of the festival submission application fees.

Spread the Word - Whether you are able to donate or not, sharing this project on your social media accounts or via email truly helps us build a community.

Get in Touch - Have questions? Want to learn more? Let us know by emailing us at: thefilmdependent@gmail.com

The main reason for raising money for our team is, of course, for the crucial parts of filmmaking:

• Finalizing post-production editing
• Film festival entries
• A premiere within the Chicago community

Early in the production process, we set a goal to highlight local Chicago businesses within the film. Chicago is such a huge part of this production that it is almost a character in and of itself. It only seemed fitting to highlight the businesses within it, mainly because of our personal connections to them. We have partnered with:

Their contribution to Dependent has made a huge impact, and we want to thank them for being a part of our extended family. A big thank you from everyone at Birchman Productions and from the Dependent cast and crew. You have helped make this film possible!

Aaron is an artist who is based in Chicago. He is in pursuit to thrive in the world of music, acting, and filmmaking. He was recently seen in an encore show of a play called Tamar by Traina Paige, in which he played the antagonist role. He will be seen again in a sitcom called The Khaleel Show . Evans’ artistic roots began with a love of music with a focus in trumpet, and is currently performing with a band called "The Hippies". He believes that a world without art, is a world without understanding or connections, as art connects; when words cannot.

Abigail Hendricks is an actor, yoga teacher, and voiceover artist based in Chicago, Il, represented by DDO Artists Agency. She is starring in her first feature film as "Anna Key" in the upcoming Anna Key (2023), and plays "Vera" in the upcoming Dependent (2023). She was most recently seen onstage as “Annajoy” in Round Yon Virgin at the Factory Theater. Additional theater credits from the Theatre School at DePaul include the solo show “Elektra” ( Elektra ), “Amina” ( Dance Nation ), “Isabelle” ( Ring Round the Moon ). Hendricks’  on-camera and theater work is informed by her movement, voice, and acting BFA training at the Theatre School at DePaul, as well as the education programs at D.C.’s Signature Theatre and Synetic Physical Theatre. Abigail is deeply dedicated to intentional collaboration, earnest exploration of the human condition, and using the magic of storytelling to envision and embody the world we want to see.

Tyra Grove is a Chicago based actress and director that is currently signed with Stewart Talent Agency. Tyra moved from Charlotte, North Carolina to attend DePaul University for a BFA in Acting. After graduating, she began directing and writing an autobiographical documentary about the challenges of autoimmune disease and physical disabilities. Tyra plans to continue acting, writing, and directing in Chicago and is thrilled to be a part of Dependent .

As a Chicago-based filmmaker, Grant Penrod has dedicated many years to honing his cinematic skills. With a reputation as a lighting expert, he has expanded his expertise to take on the roles of both Director and Director of Photography. Possessing a deep understanding of the vital role that lighting and cinematography play in storytelling, Grant's extensive knowledge and passion for the art form inform his approach to creating films that are relatable, evocative, and visually striking. Known for his use of strong visual languages and stylized lighting, Grant's upcoming film Dependent promises to showcase his unique style and approach to storytelling.

Hanah Chang is a Korean-American actor and writer based in Chicago. As an actor, some of her recent credits include a supporting role in the feature, Exile, and the lead in the short, Don’t Worry About It, a selection at SlamDance 2023. She wrote and co-directed her first short film, On the Flip Side, in 2021 in Toronto. Her most recent shorts are Dependent, which she wrote and assistant-directed with Grant Penrod, and I Wish I Were Pretty, in which she wrote, directed, and starred. Hanah is passionate about the Chicago indie film industry and firmly believes that you do not need to go to the coasts to make a great film.

Antonio Konja is a highly-skilled and versatile creative professional from Down River, Michigan, currently based in Chicago. With a strong background in content creation, he has established himself in the YouTube community, hosting and producing two weekly shows, Missin' the Homies and Show n' Tell . In addition to his experience in the digital realm, Konja has also gained valuable knowledge and skills in the television industry, having worked as a production assistant on a variety of shows. Recently, he has expanded his creative horizons by delving into the world of theater, serving as a stage manager and board operator for Mudlark Theater's production of The Marvelous Land of Oz . Konja continues to push the boundaries of his abilities, having recently taken on the role of producer on the short film Dependent , which has been a valuable learning experience and another exciting chapter in his creative journey.