"It's not a movie. It's a movement." — David King
ABOUT
tHE STORY
Shaina is a historian who lives 600 years in the future. Humans, at this point, have cleaned up the planet. War, poverty, pollution, greed, exploitation, depression, loneliness - these are things that she’s read about in history books. And while she studied this dark period of history, in which money was viewed as more precious than people, she has never, in the flesh, seen humans hurt other humans.
Until now.
While visiting a group of physicists who experiment with time travel, Shaina is accidentally left stranded in the year 2015. Here she involves herself with a group of friends who are as lovable as they are flawed. As she the harsh realities of their lives unfold, she learns what no history book could have taught her.
Old habits, however, are hard to break, and Shaina can’t help but assume that everyone around her is honest, generous, and caring, as she works to recruit the help that she needs to get back home.
While most futuristic films depict a dystopia that is even colder and more mechanical than our own, this film takes a bold departure from the sci-fi genre by exploring the possibility of a future in which caring and compassion govern our societies. What if the future of humanity and the planet turns out exactly as we would want it to be?
G A L L E R Y
t h e f i l m m a k e r
ELA THIER
Ela Thier is the writer, director, producer, lead actor, and editor of Tomorrow Ever After. She has been described by industry insiders as a powerful new voice in independent American cinema. Thier is known for creating laugh-out-loud comedies that surprise audiences by evolving into heartbreaking dramas with profound messages about the human condition. Her strength is in portraying human struggles with humor, while highlighting the best of humanity and instilling hope. She is also known for the diversity of her casting, which brings with it unexpected freshness.
Thier's award-winning feature, Foreign Letters, is a memoir about her own immigration experience. The film has shown in over 140 film festivals world-wide, and was released by Film Movement and Go2Films (2012). While the film is about tween girls, it brings even "cool" teen boys and grown men to tears. Thier wrote and directed over a dozen short films winning numerous Best Short awards. Her film, A Summer Rain, screened at hundreds of venues world-wide and became a YouTube sensation.
Thier was a writer-for-hire on Puncture, starring Chris Evans, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. She also wrote The Wedding Cow, a romantic comedy produced by a major German TV network (2000), winning eighteen international awards including several "Best Feature" and "Audience Choice" Awards. She teaches popular screenwriting, film directing and producing workshops in New York City under the alias of The Independent Film School. Her workshops are known for bringing artists together in the spirit of support and community rather than competition. VIEW REEL.
SPONSORS
ADDITIONAL IN-KIND SPONSORSHIPS
SPECIAL THANKS TO NEW YORK STATE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FOR MOTION PICTURE & TELEVISION DEVELOPMENT
OUR PATRONS
Anonymous
Craig J Resta
Daniel Rovner
David L Eaton
Dawn Young Pousette-Dart
Evan Gluck
Jamie Canobbio
Jayne Maginot
Manav Malhotra
Mickey Bolmer
Stuart Alderoty
OUR SPONSORS
Chris Schiller
Christopher T. Phillips
Christopher Dols
Daphna, Hadas, Oren & Tamar Thier
Deborah Kampmeier
Elizabeth Page
Hadas Thier
Janine Sadowski
Natalie Gluck
Pamela Timpson
Peter & Lisa Gluck
Ruben Flores
Sandy Garfunkel
Tzvia & Uri Thier
Vishwas
Wendy A. Sax
OUR BACKERS
A R Mavero.
Al Irizarry
Alexander Mulzac
Alisa Robinson
Amit Sharma
Amy Muldoon
Andrea Coleman
Angela Cohen
Anthony Ramirez
Ariel R. Pacheco
Ashonda Davenport
Barbara Ann O'Leary
Barry R. Sisson
Basem Moussa
Benno Schoberth
Beth Reese
Betsy Capes
Bettina Goolsby
Beverly Brooks
Brittany M. Cillo
Bruce Lucas
Bryan Fitzgerald
C.O. Moed
Caitlin Mehner
Cameron Kelly
Carlotta Ramos
Carly Jara
Carol Binkowski
Cator Media
Celine Justice
Chanita Baumhaft
Christine Ness
Cindy Thoennessen
Claire Ensslin
Colin P McGreal
Cory Glanton
Craig & Rosalyn Williams
Cynthia Thoennessen
Dan Adler
Danny W. Pettry II
Dave Chan
Dave Ratzlow
David A. King
David Ullman
Deena F. Greenberg
Easmanie Michel
Matthew P Swagler
Maya Jakubowicz
Meghna Damani
Michael S. Andries
Minna Z Packer
Mrinalini Kamath
Ndlela Nkobi
Neal Hemphill
Nicole Elliott
Nicole Franklin
Nicole Potter
Nina Gielen
Oren Thier
Orlando Rivera
Patty R. Murray
Payal Sethi
Peggy E Kankonde
Prabal Chakraborty
Rebecca Ratner
Renata Keller
Rhonda Washington
Richa Rudola
Richard Chapple
Richard Tan
Roberto G. Ragone
Rosalie Tenseth
Sally Hassan
Samina Sami
Sandy Chase
Shane Andries
Sharee Washington
Stacy & Tom Prince
Susan Lasley
Tamar Thier
Tawnya Foskett
Tim K. Smith
Tracey Scott Wilson
Tracy Lilley
Trish Wirtenson
Victoria Negri
Vladimir Mukhin
Whitney Kaufman
Woodson Duncan
Yi C Wang
Yi Wen Tan
Yossef Brauman
PRESS
Her writing and direction are resourceful and assured, and her performance is as delightful as it is imbued with political commentary …In its sweet but pointed way, saying a good deal with relatively little, and in unpredictable ways, the film is also a critique of art as corporate product, especially in the realm of sci-fi franchise extravaganzas.
— Sheri Linden, THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
Played with touching insight and natural beauty ...provided me with a newfound hopefulness and a new sense of wonder for my fellow humans.
— E. Nina Rothe, THE HUFFINGTON POST
Ela Thier brings a fresh perspective …Thier plays the kooky interloper with the same open and unguarded childlike naiveté as Robin Williams’ beloved alien Mork …Ultimately, "Tomorrow Ever After," contains a hopeful message that somehow, the world just might end up a better place.
— Kate Walsh, LA TIMES
Built around Thier's dignity and gentle humor... she emanates charismatic warmth and seems genuinely engaged with the film's theme of compassion in an era of despair.
— Chris Packham, THE VILLAGE VOICE & LA WEEKLY
Thier's sensibility offers such a welcome break... inviting audiences to see our modern-day world through fresh eyes.
— Peter Debruge, VARIETY
It is a rare film that insinuates itself so gently into your consciousness, and then opens up like a stealth bomb inside your mind and heart. I felt very different after watching Tomorrow Ever After.
— Dorothy Woodend
The human condition in all of its glory and mess comes into sharp focus.
— Pam Grady
written and performed with a tenderness rarely seen in mainstream films. As sweet and hopeful as it is, there is power in it and a call to change our cold, lonely ways.
— Anne Brodie
Original and charming, Tomorrow Ever After achieves what few films manage to: Giving viewers a truly fresh perspective on their current circumstances.
— Betsy Bosdech
Thier’s DIY film delivers its sanguine and timely message like a well aimed punch to the funny bone.
— Jennifer Merin
“witty and outrageously funny screenplay by Ela Thier …[she] gives a spirited performance that’s a joy to watch in every scene. She has terrific comedic timing and panache …one of the most entertaining, provocative and original sci-fi films of the year.”
“unquestionably one of the most personal and singular films I’ve seen this year. Her voice is an original and welcome addition to independent American cinema.”
“This smart, entertaining indie …mixes comedy and science fiction to tell a story that resonates deeply in these unsettled times …Tomorrow Ever After offers a charmingly unique take. Its sharp yet whimsical tone is clearly the work of a singular mindset”
“simultaneously funny and tear-jerking”
“nothing short of extraordinary”
“laugh-out-loud funny and gut wrenching”
“a fantastic movie with an everlasting message”
“An ode to perseverance of the human spirit”