❤️‍🩹 Why are you reading this?

I’m raising £2,500 to produce The Stranger, a short film about HIV and masculinity.

This project aims to move the conversation around HIV away from stigma and create space for conversations about sexual health.

The funds will support a independent crew, cover essential production costs, and help us take the film into festivals and impact screenings with organisations working around HIV awareness and sexual health education.

❤️‍🩹 Who am I?

My name is Aiko, and for the past five years I’ve been directing, writing and advising films independently in Mexico.

I tell stories about sexuality, gender, and young audiences through a female perspective. My work has been screened at international festivals, schools, and organisations where these films become an excuse to start difficult conversations that people often avoid.

Alongside filmmaking, I’ve spent the last few years creating opportunities for young women in the audiovisual industry and supporting emerging filmmakers.

Today, I’m studying a Master’s degree in Film Directing in the UK thanks to the Chevening Scholarship, and The Stranger is my final project.

❤️‍🩹 Why am I telling this story? 

A lie killed Sofía in 2018. Her husband knew he was HIV-positive, but he never told her… and months later, she died of AIDS, the illness caused by the virus. 

One honest conversation could have saved her life. But the stigma surrounding HIV became more dangerous than the virus itself.

Someone close to me lives with HIV, and that made me realise that this virus can become either a tragedy or an opportunity for care, depending on how people face it, as a secret, alone, or in community. 

The real issue is not HIV. 

The problem are those rigid masculinities that struggle to communicate honestly or confront vulnerability.

My interest in these male characters led me to write The Stranger and ask:

What happens when a man who has never faced consequences is finally forced to confront reality?

The Stranger tells the story of a husband and father who has lived a double life throughout his marriage. When he discovers he is HIV-positive, he must finally face the emotional consequences of his actions. 

The film aims to normalise conversations around HIV and create space for dialogue about responsibility and healthy sexuality.

❤️‍🩹 Where will the money go?We want to produce this project with quality and care, which means bringing together the resources to support a crew and cast of around 20 people!

The budget will allow us to cover essential production needs and ensure a respectful environment for everyone involved. 

🍽 Catering for crew, cast, and extras – £1,000

🎭 Props & costumes – £150

🏠 Locations fees – £350

🎬 Production expenses– £250

📣 Festivals & materials for impact campaign – £300

🚐 Crew and cast transport – £300

⛽ Petrol £150

💷 FINAL BUDGET – £2,500

❤️‍🩹 Rewards

With the price of a pint you will receive a Sponsor credit!

But if you decide to contribute more, you’ll receive additional rewards depending on your donation:

💷 £7 - Receive a sponsor credit

💷 £30 - Receive stills from the film and a digital poster signed by the crew.

💷 £75 - If you’re passionate about directing your own stories, you will receive the signed materials above, plus two mentoring sessions for your film project.

💷 £200 - You’ll receive a personalised video from the crew, exclusive behind-the-scenes photos and videos, and early access to the final cut of the film.

💷 £300 - We are deeply grateful for your support! You will receive everything above, plus an invitation to a shoot day (travel and accommodation not included). (We can Zoom from any country in the world!)

💷 £600 - Thank you for believing in The Stranger! Your support is invaluable, and you are now part of the team as a Production Contributor, plus all previous rewards.

Every pound counts, no matter the size, and helps us move one step closer to bringing this story to life.

❤️‍🩹 my last short films

Primavera Juntas (2026) Group Projects University of YorkDays of Thunder (2023) Short film Mexico

A ballad for a broken heart (2021) Short film Mexico

❤️‍🩹 THE CREW

Aiko Alonso (Director and Writer) https://aikoalonsofilm.my.canva.site/ 

Mexican writer and director currently based in the UK after receiving the British government’s global scholarship program, the Chevening Scholarship. She has developed feature films and television projects, and written and directed multiple short films, with “A Ballad for a Broken Heart” and “Days of Thunder” having received national and international recognition, the latter becoming one of Mexico’s most awarded short films with a gender perspective, including the UNICEF Award and the Gender Equality Award in Germany. She is currently undertaking an MA in Film Directing at the University of York

Carolina Lobo (Director of Cinematography) https://www.carolinalobonunes.com/contact

Portuguese–British cinematographer with a deep passion for storytelling. Recently graduated with an MA in Cinematography from the National Film and Television School in the UK. Her work has led her to collaborate with Canon in a worldwide campaign. 

Jay Brown (Producer) Writer, director, and producer based in York and London, currently developing a full-time career in film and television. He studied Film and TV Production at York St John University and is currently undertaking a Master's in Media. His work spans directing, producing, assistant directing, and writing, with a focus on visually distinctive, character-led stories across a range of genres and styles.

❤️‍🩹 Find us here:

Follow us to find out how we're doing in @aiko_alonso_  (Instagram)

❤️‍🩹 Help us succeed!

Please share this project with anyone you think might want to support it! Every share makes a difference.