A feature film for audiences of all ages.
A young Native boy’s journey unfolds, guided by a wise elder, as he learns the age-old tale of the wild salmon, unlocking a legacy that shapes his destiny, and that of his community.
Our mission is to make a great independent film that moves people to care, not just about the plight of our salmon but also the role they play in our own wellbeing… read more
Adapted from a short story written by Phil Davis.
The Teaser & Our Fight Song
Billy Frank Jr. and salmon share a profound connection as symbols of strength and resilience. For him, protecting salmon wasn't just a cause—it was a sacred duty.
Chairman Frank was the leader of the Nisqually Indian Tribe in Washington State. He was a catalyst for tribal fishing rights and environmental conservation in the Pacific Northwest. Most notably, Billy was a key figure in the "Fish Wars," a series of protests and legal battles during the 1960s and 1970s. These efforts ultimately led to the Boldt Decision in 1974, a landmark court case that reaffirmed Native American fishing rights and recognized their entitlement to half of the harvestable fish in the state of Washington.
The Inspiration
Before his passing in 2014, Billy wrote a beautiful foreward for Phil Davis’ short story “The Last Salmon”. He encouraged all young people, parents, and teachers to read it for its messages of hope in a world of apathy. He saw it as a story that could help inspire us all to work together to save the salmon, because he believed deeply that in doing so, we would find the spirit and courage to save ourselves.
We are forever grateful for Billy Frank Jr. and are guided by his legacy.
The Last Salmon will have the authenticity and charm of your favorite indie film, but with the reach and scope of a studio feature. A movie like Little Miss Sunshine reveals the potential of a well made and well timed indie favorite with its $8mm budget yielding over $100mm at the box office. We believe the time is now for this story to be told, and that audiences will connect deeply to its poignancy, humor, and emotional resonance, ultimately delivering solid financial returns for its investors. Cord Jefferson, winner of Best Adapted Screenplay for American Fiction at the 2024 Academy Awards, gave arguably the best acceptance speech of the night. “Instead of making one two hundred million dollar movie, try making 20 ten million dollar movies.” We couldn’t agree more. If you haven’t seen Cord’s comments, it’s worth a watch.
The Opportunity
Based on our draft budget, we are seeking to raise a total of $10mm from a limited number of equity investors and/or charitable donors. The general terms are for investors to recoup 125% of their investment after all expenses have been paid, PLUS receive 50% of the film’s profits after their 125% recoupment. Term sheet and investment documents are available upon request. Charitable donations will be run through our non-profit partner.
Draft Budget
ABOVE THE LINE 2,200,000
LABOR AND CREW 3,500,000
ANIMATION 2,500,000
POST PRODUCTION 800,000
LOCATIONS/TRAVEL 400,000
ACCOUNTING/LEGAL 250,000
MARKETING/FESTIVALS 200,000
OFFICE/SUPPLIES 150,000
TOTAL TO RAISE 10,000,000
Our hope is to close our funding in early 2025 so that we can shoot the film late spring/early summer. We anticipate completing the film in early 2026 for submission to the major film festivals and distributors, followed by its broader distribution later that year.
“Stories do more than comfort. They take you away and bring you back better made.” Tommy Orange - Wandering Stars
The Story
Our story comes to life with a unique blend of live-action narrative and animated filmmaking. It’s set along the banks of an imaginary river, the Chuketna, where humans and salmon have lived together for millennia. Since colonization and the destructive forces that followed, the fish runs have nearly collapsed, and the people who had been nourished by this lost bounty, resilient as they are, now struggle in a broken world.
We open at a somber First Salmon Ceremony where the fish have yet to return to the Chuketna River. Elder John shares a magical tale of how one year the first salmon to return was almost the last salmon. It’s this story that comes to life in young Billy’s imagination, launching a journey of his own, with John as his guide, as he seeks to understand the salmon’s struggles while reconciling losses in his own life. We end at a bittersweet community gathering led by Billy who has found his purpose, and inspired an entire community along the way.
Marie Clements, the talented and accomplished Métis/Dene filmmaker, will direct The Last Salmon.
“I am honoured to be included in this outstanding team of producers and creative collaborators to make The Last Salmon a reality. It is a wholly unique story weaving the reality of a young boy’s grief with the world of his imagination that takes him on a journey through the use of animation seamlessly moving him forward up the river.
“The feature will act as testament to the strength and resilience of not just the human condition, but how we are intrinsically linked to the environment that we live in, and that made us. The Last Salmon will be a cinematic feast that radiates a deeper knowing that the survival of the salmon is also our survival, and that we have always shared a history and a dream for the future since time immemorial”, says Clements.
The Director
Known for her impactful storytelling that often explores Indigenous themes and experiences, Marie has made significant contributions to the film industry.
Her most recent work, the multi-award winning film and limited series, Bones of Crows, is an epic story that portrays the dark history of the Residential School System and its impact on survivors, families, and Indigenous culture.
We are beyond thrilled that Marie has committed to our film. She brings the leadership and creativity that will inspire cast and crew to bring their best work to the project, unlocking its full potential.
The Producers
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Stefany Mathias
“The Last Salmon is an exciting part of the Indigenous rise in the film and television industry. I’m thrilled to be part of bringing it to audiences all over the world; it’s a story everyone can relate to.” MORE
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Jane Charles
“Stories stay with us and speak to our hearts. Knowing that this is a critical time for the earth and all of her children, including the salmon, I am honored to be a part of helping shepherd the creation of this important film, based on the beautiful story, ‘The Last Salmon’, by Phil Davis.” MORE
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Mark Titus
“The Last Salmon is an elegiac yet joyful portal into the world of salmon through the eyes of a wise-beyond-his years indigenous boy - Billy – named after the late salmon hero, Billy Frank Jr. I am humbled and proud to be a part of this important vision.” MORE
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Randy Lewis
“If we are to be judged in the next life, then let it be for trying to save the last salmon.” MORE
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Janice Antoine
The story of Billy’s family and the revival of the salmon speaks to my spirit and my connection to the earth which is my power of knowing who I am, my spiritual depth. The Last Salmon is an important story to share.
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Phil Davis
“Very fun to be making a movie where we already know that audiences of all ages LOVE the story!” MORE
The Writers
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Noelani Auguston
“You wanna save your homelands? We gotta start with salmon. And this film is a start for you!” MORE
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Marie Clements
"One of the biggest things for me in this story is resilience; the resilience to return home and to start a cycle again. This film can ignite in people the joy of what's beautiful and simple and profound in our lives." MORE
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Hunter Cope
“Writing The Last Salmon was an exciting, illuminating experience that I was humbled to be a part of. It’s a fun, funny, and heartfelt story I’m thrilled to share with the world.” MORE
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Phil Davis
“To quote the late Billy Frank Jr, ‘To the degree that we succeed in protecting salmon, we generate the spirit to survive ourselves.’ I firmly believe this film can move us further down this path.”
The Animation
Our plan is to partner with Twisted Mountain Animation (TMA) to create the animated segments of The Last Salmon, approximately 1/3 of the 90 minute run time. They bring a wealth of talent and experience that will bring to life the underwater adventures of the salmon. Think 2025’s award winning indie animation film Flow but with uniquely indigenous design. Maritza Louis, a member of the Syilx/Secwépemc Nations from the Okanagan/Shuswap regions of BC, Canada, will play a lead role within TMA in the production of our animation. Maritza is a strong advocate for more indigenous representation in animation, a priority for this project.
Our story takes place on an imaginary river called The Chuketna. Named after the first humans who settled along its banks thousands of years ago, the embattled river now struggles to sustain its once mighty run of returning salmon, with the Chuketna people’s very existence hanging in the balance. While the names and places depicted in this film are fictionalized, they represent very real challenges and choices we face today if we are to save our salmon.
The Locations
Given the variety of place-based attributes in the story, there really wasn’t one real-world location that served them all. Therefore, through the magic of movie making, we will blend and merge a variety of locations to create seamless and connected live-action settings.
Our top location choices are Darrington, WA and the Sauk-Suiattle Reservation, both set along the Sauk River that drains out of the west slopes of the Cascade Range. The estuary of the Nooksack River and the port of Bellingham could be excellent sites for the port scenes, as could Port Angeles or Westport, WA given their more coastal settings.
Billy Frank Jr. taught us: As the salmon go, so will we go.
The Last Salmon is a story of wonder and a call to action, told through a child’s hopeful gaze, in the time we need it most.
Join us in this joyful filmmaking journey.