2Ufilm

Heartbreak has so many faces and perspectives that it becomes hard for people to see where their emotions end and change begins. 

My name is Keith Benford, I’m a Cleveland bread filmmaker. And I’m working on a Movie that explores the emotions that come with heartbreak, through the lens of the dance community.

The film follows an up and coming dancer, who just won one of the biggest competitions in the state. However, The recognition that he receives is bittersweet as he is dealing with a stressful situationship with another dancer, while also battling his love-hate relationship with the Cleveland Dance scene. 

This film has been in the works for over a year now and I've gathered many of the resources I need to pull this vision off. There’s only one more thing missing. Payment for the cast and crew. Everyone that is a part of this film are well seasoned artists that I love and cherish as family and I won’t be satisfied until I see each and every one of them paid for their work. 

I’ve already raised quite a bit of money for them but I need just a lil bit more for everyone to get paid well. I need your help...

We have already started the rehearsal process for the actors and pre-production steps for the crew. When we are ready to start shooting we'll reach out to everyone that donated to see if they'd like to be on set for some the shoots. When we finish, shooting the film (March 20th) we'll start to edit the film together while simultaneously releasing promotional content, and preparing premiere the film at future community events.

“2U4U” is a community based initiative. Films, can be very educational in its process and its content. I have been capitalizing on this fact by utilizing this film to be a jumpstart for the next generation of artists. The whole cast is new to acting and my production team are relatively new to their fields as well. This film provides them a platform to safely explore their own artistry in a professional setting. This same concept has been extended to the public through some artistic workshops we’ve done in association with the film. We’ve had multiple acting workshops, Dance sessions and experimental film shoots where we’ve offered up our creative talents to other artists throughout the city who are not in the film.

This project is an attempt to address different issues when it comes to mental health in black men as well as artists. This film is also an attempt to encourage the dying hip hop community in Cleveland while also promoting cross pollination between artforms (Film, Dance, and Acting). With an all black cast who are all real life dancers and creative events which coincide with the film; “2U4U” has the potential to not just be a great piece of artwork but also an enriching experience for everyone involved.