Filmmaker turning to Kickstarter to finish Dennis Hopper's last movie

Actor Dennis Hopper, seen here in 2009, died in 2010 before completing “The Last Film Festival.” Now, filmmaker Linda Yellen is turning to Kickstarter to finish the film. REUTERS/Mike Blake

A filmmaker is hoping her New York City hometown and fans of the late actor Dennis Hopper will help her finally finish Hopper's last movie, The Queens Courier reported.

Linda Yellen, director and co-writer (with Michael Leeds) of the comedy "The Last Film Festival," is turning to the crowd-sourcing site Kickstarter to raise the money needed to finish the film, which was shot in 2009.

Hopper, who became ill with just five scenes left to shoot, died in May 2010 at the age of 74. He is best known for his role in the film "Easy Rider."

Yellin's film, according to the paper, details the life of a Hollywood producer, played by Hopper, whose movie is rejected by every film festival -- except a small town festival called the O'Hi Film Festival.

The film also stars Jacqueline Bisset, JoBeth Williams, Chris Kattan, Donnell Rawlings, Katrina Bowden, Joseph Cross and Leelee Sobieski.

Yellen filmed "The Last Film Festival" entirely in the New York City borough of Queens, where she grew up.

"I loved growing up in Queens," Yellen told the Courier. "It was so accessible to Manhattan, but it also had the feeling of a small town and community. It was always so friendly. It was a wonderful thing to sort of return home."

Now Yellen, who hails from Forest Hills, is hoping fans will help fund the $90,000 needed for post-production expenses that will finally help her finish the film. The money will go, in part, to fund the movie clips needed to replace Hopper in some scenes.

Fans are urged to contribute to the Kickstarter site set up by Yellen.

As of March 29, $70,063 has been pledged. The Kickstarter deadline is April 9.