Help bring this
story to the screen
A FEATURE DOCUMENTARY · FINISHING FUNDS
Explore the film and an investment opportunity to help us finish it.
01 / THE FILM
What if Healing begins with reconnection?
HISTORY
The cultures and traditions shaped by geothermal waters.
Beneath the Surface explores the history, science and spirituality of thermal waters—and the enduring relationship between people and the springs that sustain them.
Through intimate conversations and cinematic journeys across the United States, Japan and Germany, the film brings scientists, historians, Indigenous voices and modern seekers into a shared inquiry: what can these waters teach us about healing, belonging and our connection to the natural world?
This is a film for the curious: people drawn to nature, wellness, cultural traditions and the possibility of seeing a familiar element in a new way.
SCIENCE & MEDICINE
The questions and research behind the healing potential of hot springs.
SPIRITUALITY
The ways water connects us to place, ritual, belonging and beyond.
Some stories ask us to look deeper.
02 / THE FINISHING PLAN
a story never before told
help bring the vision to life.
We have filmed across three countries including the US, Japan and Germany, bridging together voices from the hot springs community. Beneath the Surface amplifies the voices and perspectives of a range of humans including medical doctors, naturopaths, geologists, biologists, water advocates, hot springs owners and stewards of thermal waters. Their expertise, paired with intimate personal stories and striking footage, gives the film a rich foundation for exploring the history, science and spirituality of hot springs. With these essential elements captured, we are raising finishing funds to shape them into a compelling, professionally finished documentary.
These funds support the craft that turns powerful material into an immersive experience: color grading that brings visual cohesion to footage, dialogue editing that preserves the clarity of our experts’ voices, and an exceptional theatrical sound mix and original score that deepen the film’s emotional impact. These are strategic investments in both the audience experience and the film’s presentation to festival programmers and prospective distributors.
Our goal is a carefully targeted 2027 festival premiere, creating opportunities for press coverage, awards consideration and industry introductions. Alongside outreach to distribution partners and community screening hosts, this strategy is designed to build visibility and help the film reach audiences beyond the hot springs community.
03 / A PATH TO AUDIENCES
From the springs
to the screen
Our launch strategy connects a carefully selected festival campaign with the communities already gathering around hot springs, wellness and nature.
We will prioritize festivals that align with the film’s contemplative approach and subject matter, while seeking opportunities for industry visibility, press, awards consideration and distribution conversations.
Relationships with participating hot springs and wellness organizations can help introduce the film to an engaged audience through partner newsletters, social media and carefully timed screenings. Festival selections and distribution agreements remain goals, rather than confirmed outcomes.
03 / THE FILMMAKERS
a multidisciplinary
team
DIRECTOR & PRODUCER
Michael Peterson
Michael is a director with 30 years of film industry experience, including directing and filming feature-length films. His career spans special effects makeup, stunts, screenwriting, cinematography and animation—a breadth of hands-on experience that informs his work behind the camera and his approach to storytelling.
DIRECTOR & PRODUCER
Gabriela Colletta
Gabriela brings decades of strategic marketing, brand disruption and innovation experience working with a breadth of clients including Fortune 500 companies, artists and entrepreneurs. Her production expertise spans coordinating across 120 countries and creating immersive experiences from inception to completion. With over 20 years in photography and an MA in Integral Counseling Psychology, she combines visual storytelling, skilled communication and a capacity for human connection that helps interview subjects share candid, meaningful stories. She brings creative vision, logistical experience and an understanding of audiences to Beneath the Surface.
PRODUCER
Stefani Morones
Stefani brings entertainment marketing and creative production experience at HBO Max and Netflix, with insight into how films and series are positioned for streaming audiences. Her understanding of distribution platforms, audience acquisition and campaign strategy helps guide Beneath the Surface toward potential distribution partners and connect the film with viewers.
04 / EXPLORE THE OPPORTUNITY
A Closer look at the Film
& Finishing Funds Plan
Start with the overview, explore the creative vision, or review how finishing funds will be put to work.
01 / QUICK INTRODUCTION
FILM OVERVIEW
The story, team, production status, finishing funds opportunity in one page.
02 / CREATIVE & STRATEGIC VISION
Investor Pitch Deck
A deeper look at the film, its audience, the filmmakers, and the plan for completion & release.
03 / THE USE OF THE FUNDS
Finishing Funds Budget
Our essential and preferred funding tiers, with clear allocations and budget rationales.
Let’s bring this film to life
If this story speak to you, we would love to share more about the finishing plan and explore whether supporting the film is a fit.
hello@beneaththesurfacefilm.com