Fall Of The Phoenix

Lauren Lindberg embarks on a journey to understand the invisible impact of brain injuries after witnessing the profound effects of her sister Hailey’s multiple concussions. Hailey, once a rising star in volleyball, suffered twelve compounded head injuries that left her struggling with long-term cognitive and emotional consequences. What begins as an exploration of Hailey’s journey quickly morphs into something much larger, as Lauren is drawn deeper into the world of brain injury survivors across the country. With each step forward, Lauren starts to unearth the connections to her own forgotten past, where untreated injuries and emotional trauma shaped the course of her adolescence.

Along the way, Lauren meets a diverse group of survivors, each representing a different facet of the brain injury landscape. Dr. Grove, a specialist in Alaska, reveals the staggering rates of traumatic brain injuries in remote communities and the lack of accessible care. Ivette, a former Red Cross worker in Connecticut, rebuilds her life after losing everything due to a brain injury sustained during a natural disaster. Alex and Mary, a Native Alaskan mother-daughter duo, struggle against the systemic failures of mental health care, compounded by Mary’s untreated brain injury and the trauma of sexual assault. Lastly, Markell Taylor, a former inmate, now advocates for criminal justice reform after realizing how undiagnosed childhood brain trauma contributed to his incarceration. Through their stories, Lauren gains new perspectives on the ripple effects of brain injury, from incarceration to healthcare, racism, and economic disenfranchisement.

The film’s visual storytelling is enhanced through portals dreamlike sequences that merge reality and imagination transporting the audience into the unseen world of the subconscious. Each character's story opens a portal to deeper, universal truths about trauma, identity, and recovery. As Lauren moves through these worlds, she revisits her own past, confronting her own forgotten history of undiagnosed brain injuries, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. The film crescendos with Lauren revisiting the scene of her trauma, a powerful final confrontation that allows her to rise like the Phoenix—transformed, whole, and ready to use her newfound understanding to help others heal. Through this journey, Fall of the Phoenix becomes both a personal and universal exploration of the resilience required to confront darkness and transform it into light.

Key Crew: Biographies, IMDB links

• Lauren Lindberg (Director/Producer): Lauren’s work as an award-winning documentary filmmaker has been featured in over 60 domestic and international festivals. Her background in blending nonfiction storytelling with elements of imagination allows Fall of the Phoenix to stand out in both its storytelling approach and emotional depth. Lauren’s unique perspective as both a brain injury survivor and a filmmaker brings authenticity and personal stakes to the narrative. Website / IMDB
• MJ (Director of Photography): MJ brings a deeply personal approach informed by experiences within two marginalized communities. MJ’s experience includes over 15 years of acclaimed work on HBO, Netflix, and Hulu, bringing an impressive cinematic eye to this project. Their involvement ensures high production quality and artistry. IMDB
• Jessica Butler (Producer): Jessica has led campaigns for major brands such as HBO, Google, and Netflix, making her an experienced leader in managing creative projects with significant scale and impact. Website
• Lauren Selman (Producer): Emmy-nominated and known for her work with the Oscars and FIFA World Cup, Lauren brings award-winning production experience and sustainability practices to the project. She is also a survivor of Traumatic Brain Injury IMDB

Selling Points: 

Celebrity Involvement: We are actively pursuing Miley Cyrus as an executive producer for Fall of the Phoenix. Her personal experience with traumatic brain injury, which she discussed on The Joe Rogan Experience, adds significant relevance and star power to the film. Miley spoke about how she knocked herself into “a different reality” after suffering a head injury during a childhood incident. Her involvement would not only bring attention to the issue of TBIs but also resonate deeply with younger audiences who admire her candid discussions on mental health.

By Women, For Women: Fall of the Phoenix is a story deeply rooted in the feminine perspective, following mythical and archetypal narrative structures that reflect the Heroine’s Journey—a narrative arc often missing in today’s media landscape. With its focus on trauma, healing, and reclaiming power, this film speaks to universal female experiences and is crafted to resonate with women around the world.

Timely Subject Matter: The rise of interest in neuroscience, mental health, and trauma recovery makes Fall of the Phoenix more relevant than ever. As people increasingly turn to social media for knowledge and inspiration on how to heal themselves, the film is positioned as an educational and transformative tool that blends personal storytelling with scientific insights into brain injury, trauma, and neuroplasticity. It’s part of a larger cultural shift where individuals seek to understand their own mental health and healing through platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where brain health and manifestation trends are thriving.

Beyond the individual, the film addresses how brain health needs to be considered in larger societal conversations, such as incarceration, healthcare, homelessness, and systemic failures. Through the personal stories of survivors, Fall of the Phoenix connects brain injury to broader social and environmental issues, exploring how the destruction of our minds parallels the destruction of our planet. The film also incorporates Carl Jung’s philosophy of individuation and the unconscious, providing a profound exploration of how trauma can fracture the self—and how reconnecting with these hidden parts can lead to healing and transformation.

Visual and Narrative Innovation: The film blends personal documentary with mythical storytelling and imaginative vignettes, using visual effects to represent the subconscious mind and the healing process. By merging reality and dream-like sequences, the film captures the emotional and psychological complexity of brain injury in a way that is accessible, compelling, and beautiful. This bold storytelling approach offers a cinematic experience that feels fresh and innovative.

Built-In Audience & Social Media Engagement: Fall of the Phoenix taps into a rapidly growing audience on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where interest in brain health, neuroplasticity, and manifestation is booming. We’ve built partnerships with influential brain injury advocates, including Emily on the Mind and organizations like the Brain Injury Association of America and the Concussion Legacy Foundation, engaging an active community of over 750,000 individuals across various platforms. Additionally, through Lauren’s own social media outreach and partnerships, we’ve already begun cultivating a strong following among brain injury survivors, advocates, and audiences interested in mental health and recovery narratives.

Visual and Narrative Innovation:
Fall of the Phoenix has secured a strong foundation of funding, with $75,000 raised to date through a combination of private donors and small grants. Most recently, the project received an additional $80,000 from a new private donor, bringing the total to $155,000. We are continuing to build momentum with targeted fundraising efforts to reach our total production and post-production goal of $350,000 - $500,000