A woman tenderly pressing her forehead against a horse at golden hour

WILD MERCY

An Indigenous Short Film

“We all must learn to walk the line between freedom and control.”

Kiya riding her horse at full gallop in the arena

After a career-threatening injury, a young equestrian from the Blackfeet Reservation drifts further from her father, her culture, and the horse tied to the memory of her mother, while battling grief, temptation, and the pull of a life that could cost her parts of herself she's already losing.

Kiya, a young Blackfeet and Diné equestrian, finds freedom on horseback while carrying the grief of losing her mother. After a serious accident threatens her future, prescribed pain pills become an escape — and she spirals further from everything she loves. Wild Mercy is about a father and daughter learning to grieve together, and a young woman beginning to find her way back to herself.

Currently in pre-production · 2027 Festival Goal

“I'm Diné and Hispanic, and I spent my summers growing up with my grandparents on the Navajo Nation near Monument Valley, Arizona. Their stories, the land, my culture, and my lifelong connection to horses shaped who I am and became the heart of Wild Mercy.”
— Avery Gilmore, Producer · Co-Writer · Co-Director · Lead Actor

A young Diné woman with traditional face paint beside her horse at sunset

A Story Rooted in Home.

Supporter Tiers

Every contribution makes a difference. Choose your level of support.

Bronze

$1 – $99

Early access to trailer and promotions via email
Behind the scenes updates

Silver

$100 – $199

Signed poster by main cast and crew
Special thanks in the credits
Invitation to the premiere
Painting from The GH Gallery
Indigenous made natural skincare product

Gold

$200 – $499

All previous benefits
Signature facial voucher
Authentic handmade Native beaded jewelry

Platinum

$500 – $999

All previous benefits
2 reserved premiere seats
Associate producer credit
Invitation to exclusive cast + crew screening/Q&A

Diamond

$1,000+

All previous benefits
Executive producer credit
VIP premiere experience
Exclusive Wild Mercy supporter package

Support Wild Mercy

Your support brings this story to life.

Donate $100 Now

Donation payment system coming soon — fiscal sponsor details being finalized.

What Your Support Funds

Bringing Wild Mercy to life takes a dedicated team and resources.

🎬Cast & Crew

📷Camera & Lighting

🐎Equestrian Production

🏜️Locations

🎞️Post-Production

🏆Festival Distribution

Total Production Budget

$30,000

Every dollar goes directly to production

About the Film

Indigenous short film · Pre-production · 2027 film festival circuit

A woman resting against a spotted horse coat, mountains in the distance — black and white

Kiya, a young Blackfeet and Diné equestrian raised on the Blackfeet Reservation, finds freedom and purpose on horseback while carrying the grief of losing her mother. After a serious riding accident threatens her future, prescribed pain pills become an escape. Desperate to return to the saddle, Kiya begins abusing them, pushing herself back too soon and spiraling further from her horse, her culture, and the people who love her.

Lost in his own grief, her father Raymond finally recognizes how deeply his daughter is struggling. He brings Kiya back to the horse she trained with her mother, reconnecting her to the family, culture, and sense of self she thought she had lost.

Wild Mercy is not about healing overnight, but about a father and daughter learning to grieve together, and a young woman beginning to find her way back to herself.

Creator's Statement

“Ya'at'ééh, my name is Avery Gilmore. I'm Diné and Hispanic, and I spent my summers growing up with my grandparents on the Navajo Nation near Monument Valley, Arizona. Their stories, the land, my culture, and my lifelong connection to horses shaped who I am and became the heart of Wild Mercy.

As an actor, I've spent years auditioning, training, and waiting for an opportunity. Eventually I asked myself, why wait? If I want to tell stories like this and play characters like Kiya, I can help create those opportunities, for myself and for others.

I reached out to Shane R. Nolan because I knew his strengths as a writer and storyteller could bring something special to the project. Together, we've built Wild Mercy into the story it is today.

Wild Mercy brings together passionate filmmakers from different backgrounds, while creating meaningful roles for Native actors and opportunities for Indigenous filmmakers to grow their careers.”

— Avery Gilmore