Dog Day Afternoon was one of the seminal movies of the 1970s. Al Pacino garnered an Oscar nomination for his performance as Sonny Wortzik, a desperate man who robs a bank to pay for his lover’s sex change operation. At the end of the film, it is revealed that the real-life inspiration for the Sonny Wortzik character, John Wojtowicz, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Did you ever wonder what became of him?

In 2002, filmmakers Allison Berg and Frank Keraudren tracked down the elusive John Wojtowicz, who had remained out of the public eye for years after his release from prison. After meeting with him in person, the team was transfixed by Wojtowicz’s captivating account of his life story—from the real life incident to his prison sentence to his complicated love life. 

Out of these conversation arose the idea for The Dog, Berg and Keraudren’s film about this polarizing, hilarious, and sometimes frightening man. The filmmakers were also able to interview Wojtowicz’s mother, Terry, and his first wife, Carmen, in addition to an assortment of crazy characters and people who figured prominently in John's life.

Why are we telling you this? Because The Dog needs your help in order to make its world premiere at the 2013 Toronto Film Festival and to go on to other festivals such as the 51st New York Film Festival, which included the film in its recently announced line-up. You have until Thursday at 4:45PM to donate to Berg and Keraudren’s Seed and Spark campaign.

Even if you are short on cash, you can still contribute by taking a look at their wish list and seeing what items you can loan.  Please consider helping these artists both finish this fascinating film and then bring it to audiences on the Festival circuit and beyond.