Selah

A film that matters...“There are some losses from which there is no recovery.”

I won’t be using this platform often to raise money for someone else, but this is personal, important, and necessary.

“…sometimes there’s not a happy ending…”

About a year ago, in the midst of my mother’s stage four pancreatic cancer, I flew from California to the Selah Carefarm just outside of Sedona to meet with five other grieving persons who were asked to open their hearts and their stories in order to make a film about the work being done at the Carefarm and to shine a light on our grief.

I wasn’t there because of me; I was there because of my daughter, Grace, who died almost 22 years ago this month. On what would have been her 21st birthday in 2024, I sat with other grieving families to share our stories, out loud and honestly.

I can honestly say without the carefarm, without my visits there twice a year, without the support and mentorship of Dr. Jo, I would be a much more lost human being than I am today.

I go there to find Grace, to remember my father, to learn more about my relationship with my mother, to lean into the animals. I go there because I am a grieving human who has experienced traumatic grief. I go there because I love.

And now, the trailer has been released, and the independent filmmaker, Jon Bregel, who has done this with his own funding, is trying to make it across the finish line.

Would you help us raise the funds so Jon can finish this film?

Here is Jon’s beautiful description of why he needs the funds, and I hope you’ll read it in its entirety.

Viewer Discretion: This trailer contains sensitive material related to traumatic loss, death, and grief. While handled with care, some imagery and stories may be emotionally difficult for viewers.

“Nobody wants to have to be here.”

Director’s Note: Over the past year, I’ve been immersed in one of the most meaningful projects of my life: directing Selah, an intimate documentary about grief, love, and the quiet strength it takes to keep living after devastating loss. At its core, Selah is not about “moving on” from grief; it is about learning to carry it.

Filmed at Selah Carefarm, the world’s first carefarm for traumatic grief, this 30-minute film follows people seeking solace and connection after unimaginable losses. At the center is Erik, a father and farmhand at Selah, rebuilding his life after the murder of his three young children. Now, with his newborn daughter Josie and partner Shiloe by his side, Erik walks a fragile path between honoring the dead and loving the living.

Selah’s vision is guided by Dr. Joanne Cacciatore, who founded the carefarm after her own daughter’s death. Selah offers no platitudes or fixes, just a place where grief is seen, honored, and carried with care. We also follow six people through a four-day grief workshop, capturing their raw stories and moments of healing. Together with Erik’s journey, the film explores what it means to live with deep sorrow and deep love.

“There are some losses from which there is no recovery.”

Why I’m Asking For Your Help
It’s essential for us to complete this film the right way, with the right people, so we can bring Selah into the world without compromising the integrity of its story, the care behind its making, or the trust of those who shared their grief with us. Our funding goal is $120,000. I know that’s a significant number, and I want to be transparent about why it’s necessary. This is not just the cost of filming and editing; it’s the budget for the entire lifespan of the film. Finishing a film is only part of the journey. Promoting it, distributing it thoughtfully, and building lasting partnerships to ensure it reaches schools, hospitals, and nonprofits is a full-time effort.

In many cases, post-production is just a fraction of what it truly takes to shepherd a documentary into the world with integrity. Every dollar helps protect the heart of this project and honors the deep trust of those who allowed us into their grief. We’ve already poured 18 months of work, resources, and heart into getting this far. Now, we need your partnership to bring it across the finish line, and beyond.

Your donation will help cover:

• Recouping production, travel, gear, and insurance costs

• Fair pay for our small, dedicated crew (many worked for little or no pay)

• Post Prodiction: Editing, sound design, color correction, subtitles, etc.

• Legal and administrative costs

• Marketing, Promotion, and distribution efforts

• Music and licensing fees

• Festival deliverables

• Outreach to bring the film into schools, hospitals, and nonprofits

• And much more…

If you are interested in becoming an executive producer or strategic partner, please reach out. I am happy to share a detailed financial breakdown or have a one-on-one conversation.

Why This Film Matters:

Every year, millions of people around the world experience traumatic loss. Yet in our culture, grief remains taboo, rushed, and misunderstood. At Selah Carefarm, people learn that grief isn’t something to “get over.” It’s something to carry, to honor, and to build a life alongside; with compassion and without shame. This film isn’t just a documentary.

It’s an invitation:
• To stay with your pain
• To bear witness to others’ pain
• To see that deep love and deep sorrow belong together
• To know you’re not alone

Why Ownership Matters:

Making an independent documentary is hard. Owning and protecting that film, while making sure it reaches those who need it most, is even harder. With Selah, I’m committed to retaining ownership and creative control so the film stays true to its heart: honoring the stories, the message, and the people who entrusted us with their grief. This film isn’t meant to be packaged as easy inspiration or feel-good grief. Selah is a love letter to the brokenhearted; a film that invites feeling, not fixing; witnessing, not rushing; honoring, not exploiting. My priority is to protect the integrity of this film while finding thoughtful, meaningful ways to help it reach as many people as possible.

From My Heart to Yours: This project has changed me. I have made many films, but none have mattered like Selah. It is not a product; it is a mission. I want this film to be a mirror and a quiet companion for anyone who has ever asked: “How do I live with this?” Thank you for helping us bring Selah to life.

With gratitude,

Jon Bregel, Director, Selah