Underfunded, a dramatic racing film written and directed by NASCAR Driver and team owner Tommy Joe Martins, has been fully released on YouTube.
Prior to it’s release, Underfunded was a seven-time regional film selection, garnering over twenty award nominations, and winning nine including Best Directorial Debut, Best Editing, and Best Sound Design at Asheville Film Festival, Best Director at Moonless International Film Festival, and was a Semifinalist at the Cannes Indie Shorts Awards.
The film is being distributed by Omeleto, a popular YouTube channel and independent digital distributor with nearly four million subscribers, dedicated to showcasing award-winning short films. It functions as a curated hub for emerging filmmakers, publishing high-quality, thought-provoking shorts across various genres.
“This is such an awesome opportunity for Underfunded,” said Tommy Joe Martins. “It took an unbelievable effort to bring such an ambitious project to life, and it means so much to me how people have responded to the film.”
The 24 minute short focuses on multiple characters at a crossroads in their careers. A talented, unknown driver, J.D. Marshall played by Austin Valli, trying out for a spot on one of the sports biggest teams and stepping into a world he’s dreamed of competing in. A grizzly former champion, Baker Brooks played by Patrick Logan, who’s prickly personality and sponsorship woes might mean the end of his career. A top prospect, Lacy Summers played by Kim Sandwich, who’s talent and family history in the sport have propelled her into the spotlight. And team owner Eric Benning played by Joseph Gray, who has to bear the financial weight and consequences of every decision.
Producer Skylar Schock encourages everyone to share their thoughts on the film via YouTube.
“For a first time filmmaker like Tommy Joe, the opportunity to react with fans and see how people are receiving this story is so important,” Schock said. “Omeleto is providing a unique chance for fans and new people to interact with the sport in a big way.”
Martins wants the whole industry to come together sharing their opinions of the film.
“I like to imagine our whole racing industry as the critics for this,” Martins said. “Underfunded is very much my racing story, and I tried to tell it in a compelling way, and I really want to know what people that live it every day think of it. It needs to feel true to the sport.”
What can people do to support Underfunded? Martins says that answer is easy.
“For Underfunded to really pop all people have to do is watch the full movie, it actually hurts it when people click out of it midway, so watch the full movie and leave a comment,” Martins said. “And share it, too! Any posts about it really help.”
— Tommy Joe Martins —