Tippi & Barb

Tippi & Barb is an award-winning short documentary from Arkansas filmmaker Brad Burleson that tells the love story of Tippi McCullough and Barbara Mariani, two Arkansas pioneers who have spent their lives breaking barriers and advocating for equality. Their journey—from navigating a world that often forced them to live in the shadows to becoming respected community leaders—serves as an inspiring testament to resilience, love, and the power of standing together. Every dollar raised for Tippi & Barb will go directly toward completing and expanding the reach of the film. Your contribution will support film festival submissions, marketing costs, and travel, allowing Tippi & Barb to reach a broader audience through prestigious film festivals. It will also help us organize community and educational screenings throughout Arkansas and beyond, sparking meaningful conversations about love, equality, and advocacy. Additionally, donations will help finalize post-production needs, ensuring the film is polished for wider distribution. With the Arkansas Cinema Society as our fiscal sponsor, all donations are tax-deductible, and your support directly fuels this vital storytelling effort. Fundraising goal for 2025 festival run: $50,000 Stretch goal for feature film: $100,000 + matching grants Donation Levels: $100 - Ally: Helps cover festival submission fees, ensuring Tippi & Barb is considered for top-tier festivals. Allies will receive recognition on social media. $250 - Storyteller: Supports marketing and outreach efforts including promotional materials, posters, and digital content to spread awareness. Storytellers receive recognition on social media and the website. $500 - Advocate: Helps cover travel and lodging expenses for the director and key team members to attend festivals and community screenings, ensuring Tippi & Barb reaches the widest possible audience. Advocates receive all Storyteller perks plus a special acknowledgment at the brunch. $2,500 - Film Credit Recognition: Funds travel and lodging for national festival screenings and post-screening Q&A sessions. Donors at this level receive special thanks in the film's credits and all Advocate perks. $5,000 - Private Screening & Producer Credit: Provides significant support for standalone community and educational screenings, festival travel, and audience engagement initiatives. Includes a private screening and Q&A with the director (subject to availability), a producer-level credit in the film, and all previous perks. $10,000 - Executive Producer Credit: If we reach our stretch goal of $100,000, this level helps lay the groundwork to expand Tippi & Barb into a full-length feature film. This isn't just a documentary – it’s a moment in history that must be preserved, shared, and amplified. Tippi & Barb is a beacon of hope at a time when visibility and representation are more critical than ever. Your support ensures that Tippi and Barb’s story continues to inspire, challenge, and empower those who need it most. Join us in making an impact. Donate today and be part of the movement.