It’s my birthday! 🎉 Instead of gifts or a night out, I’m focusing on something more meaningful — supporting independent art and pushing The Arbiters, my hand-drawn animated feature film, closer to full funding.
In this video, I share a few ways you can support not just me, but the creative ecosystem I’m part of:
1️⃣ Support authors and artists I love
I recently made an Instagram post (https://www.instagram.com/p/DQo8P_VCYHb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) highlighting authors I know personally:
📖 Emily Krempholtz – Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore (out Nov 18). Emily’s coached me and made me a better writer in so many ways.
🍴 Pyet DeSpain – Rooted In Fire (also out Nov 18). Her food is as soulful as it is delicious.
✍️ Jeff Cannata – Best Summed Up. I don’t know Jeff personally, but I’ve supported the project since I’ve heard him announce it on The Filmcast podcast.
💪 Eboni K. Williams – Bet on Black. Eboni is one of the wisest people I know, and this book radiates her strength and insight.
🎭 AJ Gibson – Flipping the Script. A deeply personal story full of humor, vulnerability, and universal lessons on growth.
💫 Cleo Wade – Remember Love. A beautiful and profound poetry collection that feels like medicine for the soul.
🧠 Elise Loehnen – Choosing Wholeness Over Goodness. Elise is such a brilliant analytic fuser of ideas — her writing bridges intellect and soul with rare clarity.
🌀 Susan K. Wehrley – Shift. Susan is an amazing coach, and this book is as transformative as her others.
🌱 Satya Doyle Byock – Quarterlife. A must-read for any young adult — I wish it had existed when I was 20.
💰 Chelsea Galicia – SAVE Yourself. An incredible and practical guide to personal finance and self-worth.
💔 Rachel Brathen – To Love and Let Go. A deeply moving memoir about loss, love, and healing.
2️⃣ Watch my indie feature films🎬 Love Market → Watch free on Tubi or Rent/Buy on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Love-Market-Amy-Cassandra-Martinez/dp/B09DFS3FTZ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=OPD1DOF5QJEV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IdPrSpjj3QqPAftz6QnsMQ.H5mtVTRIKGp9SqJ8znlJDoH1p2q39ZfTS1jxxyxCj6Y&dib_tag=se&keywords=love+market+phil+svitek&qid=1762806777&sprefix=love+market+phil+svitek%2Caps%2C259&sr=8-1)🎥 Finding Love in Bogotá → Watch free on Tubi or Rent/Buy on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CVTV87HL/ref=atv_sr_fle_c_sr62ef6f_1_1_1?sr=1-1&pageTypeIdSource=ASIN&pageTypeId=B0CVV1KBZN&qid=1762806804981)
3️⃣ Read my books
📗 Master Mental Fortitude (35 creative lessons) → https://www.amazon.com/Master-Mental-Fortitude-Achieving-Ambitions/dp/B0BF2XK7GY/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2iq-FzaQP-lr2GVeLiZ7jF2ZxSmmSCakvzXhcaac19xNUHAHxF_6tRsvufK4NoZqsjirTRVpyeVmQQNBYJl17HZ6siOyOCDLlbyGBBGdI1BW5Y0Hx64-L5AEXWPJcxCgGlqZoZR7qRJXZHpoKBCs4xxjCwNR26tl8kq-Yj56Kp3WlW3WqQVapzdhbNhS00sqH_ZC2y3HVVnu7HC546f-5IjW6Cf7kiwCmV0rhMjc3zE.u6SVkM25unupCU6gS7y04SF6Y-0vG-DHFLPHCYEmwKI&dib_tag=se&keywords=master+mental+fortitude&qid=1762806868&sr=8-1
📙 Elan Elan (coming-of-age fiction set in Slovakia) → https://www.amazon.com/Elan-Phil-Svitek/dp/B09M5HS5G9/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3JQOZ43DYPSRY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zSiboGodZvBn8Cp3CJkzlw.OR3StJwrFVhPGBYMyz_qtEtrO7vGQbmqjDI1k0uZLvI&dib_tag=se&keywords=elan+elan+phil+svitek&qid=1762806898&sprefix=elan+elan+hil+svitek%2Caps%2C370&sr=8-1
4️⃣ Join my Patreon community
👉 patreon.com/philsvitek
Your monthly or one-time support directly funds The Arbiters — covering storyboard development, artist fees, and behind-the-scenes production.
🎁 BONUS: You can also get access to the 20-minute behind-the-scenes making-of video from The Arbiters proof of concept for $30 right here → https://www.patreon.com/posts/making-of-proof-119386974?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link