Support Roots Run Deep  

We are raising 20k in this crowdfunding campaign to jumpstart the pre-production of the debut fiction feature film by Yu Lin Humm

Roots Run Deep seeks to awaken ancestral memory through a cinematic journey across continents, cultures, and generations.

We explore the common human wound of displacement, inherited trauma, and identity fragmentation - while offering a message of agency, sovereignty, and healing.

This film is to remind people that understanding where we come from - our roots - can empower us to shape where we’re going.

Why tell this story? 

We live in a world where we feel increasingly disconnected from each other, from our nature, from the land, and our origins. There’s a rising crisis of identity, belonging, and inherited, unaddressed pain.
This film addresses that disconnection, tracing a family lineage shaped by war, colonization, migration, and love, resilience. It reflects a global experience of not remembering where we come from, and the transformative power of reactivating forgotten genetic codes.

Will this project resonate? 

There is a growing global appetite for emotionally resonant, culturally rich, and socially conscious cinema. Audiences are eager for stories that explore heritage, migration, and human complexity, multicultural perspectives.

Roots Run Deep speaks to a global generation questioning identity and legacy, finally healing intergenerational trauma. It has the potential to resonate with multicultural audiences worldwide, and with the right support, it could reach millions through festivals, streaming platforms, and educational circuits.

What is this film about exactly?

This debut feature film follows the life of a Colombian man, sent to Korea in the 1950s during the proxy war. From there, he finds himself entangled in Vietnam’s war-torn landscape when the country was under occupation and was fighting off both French and Japanese troops. There, he meets Yue Chan—a Chinese refugee from Japanese-occupied China.

Their love, although genuine, is shaped more by external circumstances than intention. Their actions unknowingly sow seeds that will affect their descendants, for generations. The story weaves through themes of migration, intergenerational trauma, and the silent legacy we all carry.

Through its characters, the film reflects our shared human history and invites audiences to look inward: What do I carry that isn’t mine? What do I choose to pass on? What do I choose to leave behind? 

Why are we seeking funding? 

We are now in the pre-production stage of the film, a crucial moment to build the foundations. Your donations will go directly toward:

• Finalizing the script and storyboarding

• Casting and location scouting

• Administrative and legal groundwork

• Production planning and budgeting

• Visual research and creative development

All proceeds go directly to these development expenses. Every contribution, small or large, helps us move closer to production.

To every person who chooses to support Roots Run Deep, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

You are not just donating to a film you are co-creating a movement, helping to amplify important messages of millenary indigenous wisdom. 

With every penny you contribute, we’ll keep you closely updated on our journey:

behind-the-scenes content, creative updates, and exclusive previews as we progress.
Whether you donate 10 euros or 1,000 - your presence matters a lot. 

Let’s walk this path together.

We are all bringing each other home.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is Roots Run Deep about?

Roots Run Deep is a cinematic exploration of ancestry, displacement, and identity.
The story follows a Colombian man sent to Korea in the 1950s who later becomes entangled in Vietnam, where he meets Yue Chan - a refugee from Japanese-occupied China.
Their love, shaped by war and migration, creates a generational legacy that echoes across continents.
The film invites audiences to ask: What do I carry that isn’t mine? And what do I choose to pass on?

2. What stage of production are you currently in?

We are in pre-production (development): finalizing the script, conducting research, scouting international locations, and preparing for casting.
This is a critical phase that establishes the artistic, logistical, and financial foundation for production.

3. How will the funds be used?

All funds raised will go directly toward:

• Finalizing the screenplay and visual storyboards

• Casting and international location scouting

• Administrative and legal setup

• Budgeting, scheduling, and production planning

• Visual and concept development

Every penny is allocated to building the creative and operational infrastructure that will enable the film to move into full production.

4. Why is this story important now?

In a time when many feel disconnected from heritage, identity, and belonging, Roots Run Deep reflects the universal journey of remembering where we come from.
The film speaks to the global rise in cultural hybridity, migration, and intergenerational trauma,  but it also offers a message of reconciliation and empowerment.

5. How is this film different from other identity-driven projects?

Unlike many films that focus solely on one culture or conflict, Roots Run Deep spans multiple continents and generations.
It explores how histories of colonization, migration, and war interweave across families,  revealing our shared humanity beyond national boundaries.
The approach combines poetic realism, historical texture, and emotional depth, appealing to both art-house and global audiences.

6. Will backers receive updates on progress?

Yes. All backers,  regardless of tier , will receive:

• Regular email updates on development milestones

• Exclusive behind-the-scenes content 

• Invitations to private online previews or Q&A sessions as the film evolves

Transparency and engagement are central to this campaign.

7. When will the film be completed?

We anticipate the development phase will conclude within 3 months, followed by principal photography in 2026, depending on funding and location permissions.
Post-production and festival circulation are expected to begin in 2027.
As with all international independent productions, timelines may adjust as we secure partnerships and finalize logistics.

8. How will Roots Run Deep reach audiences?

Our release strategy includes:

• Submissions to major international film festivals (Venice, Cannes, Toronto, Rotterdam, Sundance)

• Global streaming and distribution opportunities

• Screenings at cultural institutions and universities

• Educational partnerships and dialogues around identity, ancestry, and healing

We aim to reach both the art-house circuit and global audiences hungry for meaningful cinema.

9. What do backers receive in return?

Backers receive exclusive access, creative materials, and recognition, from digital lookbooks and behind-the-scenes updates to on-screen credits and producer titles, depending on their level of contribution.

10. Can organizations, foundations or companies become sponsors or co-producers?

Absolutely.
We welcome partnerships with production companies, cultural institutions, and foundations aligned with our project.
Sponsorship and co-production inquiries can be directed to:
📩  roots_run_deep_film@proton.me

11. How can I share or support beyond donating?

Even if you can’t contribute financially, you can make a huge impact by:

• Sharing the campaign on social media and with your friends, families

• Introducing us to potential collaborators or funders

• Hosting small community or educational screenings once the film is complete

• Volunteer to provide skill during the initial steps of the film, until it walks on its own feet

Every act of support, financial or otherwise, helps this project take root.

Who is in the team? 

We are proud to work with an international, passionate, and highly skilled team:

• Yu Lin Humm – Writer & Director

• Federica Marchese – Director of Photography (Italy)

• Patrick Bodenham – Production Bridge Manager (UK)

• Peng – Line Producer (China)

• Khuyen Tuong – Line Producer (Vietnam)

This project lives through collaboration and shared vision. We are united in the belief that cinema can be both art and medicine, triggering thought and emotion towards building a wider, evolved critical thinking.

Concept Trailer