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Thank you to all the screenwriters and filmmakers who submitted their projects into the 2022 I See You Awards®! We see you and we're looking forward to recognizing and rewarding your accomplishments!
To everyone who sees their name and/or their project(s) on this list, we salute you! We know the challenges that independent filmmakers are faced with trying to bring their projects to fruition. So now that the work is done, it’s time to celebrate all that you’ve accomplished! Here are the 2022 I See You Awards® official selections and individual nominees!
Official Selections – Student Films
Caller 45
Writer: JC Carroll
Producers: JC Carroll and Shania Henderson
Director: JC Carroll
Synopsis: After overhearing a murder on the other end of a phone call Mark must face his own past as well as dive into the mystery unfolding in front of him.
EYE ROBOT
Writer: Noah Harrison
Producers: Scott A. Galeski, Steve Kopera, Calvin Johns, Steve Sholtes and Jamie Latendresse
Director: Elina Villemure
Synopsis: A robot experiences human emotion.
Human Race Ism
Writer: Kya Garner-Minnick and Romeo Keyser
Producers: Scott A. Galeski, Steve Sholtes, Noel Galeski and Calvin Johns
Director: Elina Villemure
Synopsis: A teenager stationed on Mars with his family gets a lesson in racism.
Major Tom
Writers: Students of the Downriver Detroit Student Film Consortium
Producers: Scott A. Galeski, Steve Sholtes, Calvin Johns, Anthony Rizzo, Joey Dagda and Joseph Crowley Jr.
Director: Kya Garner-Minnick
Synopsis: A young teen (Thomas) who tries to stay away from the dangers of a rough life, imagines he is an astronaut to escape his reality. But the more he struggles on earth, he finds himself lost in outer space.
Merry Go Round
Writer/Producer/Director: Kara M. Canton
Synopsis: Triggered by a stranger's tragedy, a married couple embarks on an emotional journey, only to realize they've traveled this path before.
The Things I Miss
Writer/Director: Kevin R. Thompson
Producer: Zoe Taylor
Synopsis: The Things I Miss is a short film about the stories we tell ourselves to get over lost love, the objects that are left behind, and the roles that we play in everyday life. The story revolves around Leah as she meets Duncan to sell a diamond engagement ring, but what exactly is it that Leah is trying to sell him?
ubuntu
Writer/Director: Konner Turner
Producers: Scott A. Galeski, Calvin Johns, Steve Sholtes and Lisa Joy Adams
Synopsis: A philosophy defined by 6th grade student Konner Turner of the Downriver Detroit Student Film Consortium.
Individual Nominees – Student Films
Best Director
Kara M. Canton, Merry Go Round
JC Carroll, Caller 45
Kya Garner-Minnick, Major Tom
Kevin R. Thompson, The Things I Miss
Konner Turner, ubuntu
Best Lead Actor Nominees
Paul Dewdney, The Things I Miss
Romeo Keyser, Major Tom
Don Knill, Merry Go Round
Dryden Zurawski, Caller 45
Best Supporting Actor Nominees
William Pierson Orville, Caller 45
Connor Rajan, Caller 45
Oliver Silver, The Things I Miss
Best Lead Actress Nominees
Sian Altman, The Things I Miss
Nicole Marie Hunt, Merry Go Round
Best Cast
Caller 45
Merry Go Round
The Things I Miss
ubuntu
Best Original Screenplay
Kara M. Canton, Merry Go Round
JC Carroll, Caller 45
Kya Garner-Minnick, Human Race Ism
Noah Harrison, Eye Robot
Students of the Downriver Detroit Student Film Consortium
Kevin R. Thompson, The Things I Miss
Konner Turner, ubuntu
Best Editing
Eye Robot
Calvin Johns, Major Tom
Kevin R. Thompson, The Things I Miss
Best Sound Design
JC Carroll and Shania Henderson, Caller 45
Major Tom
Best Cinematography
Kya Garner-Minnick, Eye Robot
Calvin Johns, Major Tom
Calvin Johns, ubuntu
Best Picture
Caller 45
Major Tom
The Things I Miss
ubuntu
Hottest Up-and-Coming Actor (Student Films)
Romeo Keyser, Human Race Ism
Romeo Keyser, Major Tom
Connor Rajan, Caller 45
Dryden Zurawski, Caller 45
Official Selections – Michigan Made Films – Shorts
Firstborn
Writer/Producer/Director: Thomas Butcher
Synopsis: A decision made in a moment of despair leads to further agony down the wooded path. In this dark twist of an old fairy tale, love is only a reason for the darkness to prevail.
March 2020
Producer/Director: Doug McCloskey
Synopsis: A visual essay shot during the COVID-19 lockdown of 2020.
New Beginnings
Writer: Timothy Briody
Producer: Tom Fugedi
Director: Maurizio Dominguez
Synopsis: After experiencing a difficult loss, an orphaned girl and her uncle try to mend their strained relationship.
Why I Hate My Job
Writer: Kelechi Ukachukwu
Producer: XV Media Productions
Director: Kelechi Ukachukwu
Synopsis: A YouTuber finds himself dealing with various issues at his first corporate job. He decides to make a video about his experience.
Individual Nominees – Michigan Made Films – Shorts
Best Director
Thomas Butcher, Firstborn
Maurizio Dominguez, New Beginnings
Kelechi Ukachukwu, Why I Hate My Job
Best Lead Actor
Tom Fugedi, New Beginnings
Zack Gergel, Firstborn
Kelechi Ukachukwu, Why I Hate My Job
Best Supporting Actor
Marcus Ephraim, Why I Hate My Job
Isaiah Orsborn, Why I Hate My Job
Best Lead Actress
Ireland Briody, New Beginnings
Alexis Kuehnl, Firstborn
Tahirah Muhammad, Why I Hate My Job
Best Cast
Firstborn
New Beginnings
Why I Hate My Job
Best Original Screenplay
Firstborn
New Beginnings
Why I Hate My Job
Best Editing
Thomas Butcher, Firstborn
Why I Hate My Job
Best Score
Thomas Butcher, Firstborn
Nick Fugedi, New Beginnings
Best Cinematography
Hassan Ahmadu, Why I Hate My Job
Maurizio Dominguez, New Beginnings
Best Picture
Firstborn
New Beginnings
Why I Hate My Job
Official Selections – Short Films
Aping Edward Porter
Writers: James O’Donnell and James Whetstone
Producers: James O’Donnell and David O’Neill
Director: James O’Donnell
Synopsis: 4 film grads give 4 film pitches, but there's only 1 outcome!
Four close film obsessed friends and recently graduated film students hold a production meeting to plan their first feature film. They discuss the state of Hollywood and how are they ever going to come up with an original idea if Hollywood has struggled since 1903, when Edwin S. Porter's first film 'The Great Train Robbery ' was remade only a year later in 1904!
A very nuanced film with heaps of film history buried in a laugh out loud script with great characters who you will fall in love with really quickly. We will feel and see each of their fantastical streams of consciousness ooze from every pore as they tell the others of their 'great movie ideas'. The meeting soon collapses in a moment of chaos as their college day instincts overrun the meeting and their dreams of grandeur quickly fade away with the inevitability of a trip off to the pub!
Citizen Blaine
Writer/Producer/Director: Antoine Dillard
Synopsis: Staff Sergeant Blaine, a decorated sniper recently discharged from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Army Night Stalkers), goes back to his hotel to get some sleep. Due to PTSD and noisy surroundings, Blaine can't sleep and is compelled to take matters into his own hands.
Dead Silent
Writer: GM Woodruff
Producer/Director: Werner Jauch
Synopsis: A quiet day at home is interrupted by the arrival of a detective, resulting in a realization that all is not as it seems.
Dreamer
Writer: Vergi Rodriguez
Producers: Vergi Rodriguez and Diana Zollicoffer
Directors: Vergi Rodriguez and Diana Zollicoffer
Synopsis: Lily Cruz, a DACA recipient, travels on a medical volunteer mission and upon returning to the USA a TSA agent isn’t so welcoming.
Ironing with Tee & Koko
Writers: Joyce Marie Fitzpatrick-Forbes and Brian Christopher Shackelford
Producers: Joyce Marie Fitzpatrick-Forbes, Brian Christopher Shackelford, Tracy (Tee) Wilson, Kaylah (Koko) Parsons and Kenneth Montgomery
Director: Brian Christopher Shackelford
Synopsis: A hilarious mother (ex-military) and daughter (celebrity hair stylist in the ATL) who interview movie and tv celebrities, social influencers, chefs and more. Tee and Koko take on today's topics from interviewing the hottest Hair Salon in Atlanta, to delving into the latest in politics, to reviewing the hottest new toys for kids. This mother/daughter duo keeps viewers laughing and learning as they share ironing tips and spill some tea, all while ironing out those wrinkles.
Ironing with Tee and Koko is a fun and informative talk show that satisfies the need to straighten something (clothes), but also viewers learn a thing or two in the process.
Rise of the Avalanche: Revenge from the Shadows
Writer/Producer/Director: Antoine Dillard
Synopsis: Sequel to the award-winning Neo-Noir film Rise of The Avalanche (2017), Rise of the Avalanche: Revenge from the Shadows is about a gangster by the name of Alvin "Avalanche" Steele who is freed from prison and executes his plans to take back his city. Meanwhile, the Supercop that put him behind bars (Antoine "Megki" DeLord) is hell-bent on sending him back to prison where he belongs. While Avalanche is distracted trying to take back his city and doing everything he can to keep the cops off his trail, an old rival who he left for dead is out to exact revenge from the shadows.
You Weren’t Afraid at All
Writer: Kristen Falso Capaldi
Producer: Cory Nicholas
Director: Kristen Falso Capaldi
Synopsis: A celestial bar, a raging party, a growling monster and a mysterious doppelganger contribute to one young woman’s life-altering evening.
Whiskey Neat
Writer: Virginia Shine
Producer: Glass City Screenwriters
Director: Virginia Shine
Synopsis: A couple in the mist of an argument, come to a resolution by way of a special key.
Official Selections – Cell Phone Video Challenge
The Surprise Announcement
Writer/Director: Keila A
Producer: Emily Wirth
Synopsis: In the midst of surprise news, what will they gain...or lose? When a loving wife shares surprise news with her narcissistic husband, his shocking reactions trigger her to make a major decision about their future.
Toronto Lockdown
Director: Sallyanne Massimini
Individual Nominees – Short Films/Cell Phone Video Challenge
Best Director
Keila A, The Surprise Announcement
Antoine Dillard, Citizen Blaine
James O’Donnell, Aping Edward Porter
Vergi Rodriguez, Director and Sammi Begelman, Assistant Director, Dreamer
Virginia Shine, Whiskey Neat
Best Lead Actor
Julian Guerrieri, The Surprise Announcement
Frazer Hadfield, Aping Edward Porter
Steven Martin, You Weren’t Afraid at All
Kevin Smith, Whiskey Neat
Best Supporting Actor
Buck Braithwaite, Aping Edward Porter
Adam Carbone, You Weren’t Afraid at All
Jordan Scowen, Aping Edward Porter
Best Lead Actress
Elaina Christina, The Surprise Announcement
Vergi Rodriguez, Dreamer
Best Supporting Actress
Rumi Sutton, Aping Edward Porter
Linden Waddell, Dreamer
Best Cast
Aping Edward Porter
Dreamer
The Surprise Announcement
You Weren’t Afraid at All
Best Original Screenplay
Citizen Blaine
Dreamer
The Surprise Announcement
Whiskey Neat
Best Editing
Matt Erman, Whiskey Neat
Kristen Falso-Capaldi, You Weren't Afraid at All
Ben Simon, Aping Edward Porter
Mairi Soelsepp, Dreamer
Best Cinematography
Tim Maurice-Jones, Aping Edward Porter
Mariscela Beatriz Mendez, Dreamer
Best Picture
Aping Edward Porter
Dreamer
Hottest Up-and-Coming Actor
Adam Griggs, Citizen Blaine
Kevin Smith, Whiskey Neat
Hottest Up-and-Coming Actress
Audrey Latino, You Weren’t Afraid at All
Rumi Sutton, Aping Edward Porter
Official Selections - Documentaries
Baked by Grace - The Movie(feature)
Director: David W. King
Producers: David W. King and Jessica King
Synopsis: Music's on. Coffee's Hot. Donuts are Fresh. Lake City Bakery in Polson, Montana has been in the same family for 52 years. While the donuts are great, the people who run the place are what make it special.
Baked by Grace goes behind the scenes of this beloved eatery.
I am not like others (short)
Director/DoP: Ivan Rodin
Synopsis: The story of a family that is unlike the rest.
In a Whole New Way (short)
Writer/Director: Jonathan Fisher
Producer: George Carrano
Synopsis: Ensnaring almost four million Americans, probation has evolved from a second chance to avoid prison to a sanction actually feeding mass incarceration. Supported by neighborhood allies, some people of color set out in a whole new way to change all this—equipped only with cameras.
Mentality (feature)
Writer: Keith Schnabel
Producer: Mukesh Lathia
Director: Garret Morgan
Synopsis: “Mentality” tracks the evolution of mental health treatment through the stories of patients and professionals. Over their lifetimes, they have watched America’s mentality about psychiatric illness change and treatment options greatly improve. But in a society that leaves millions of people with mental illness untreated, on the streets, or in prison, how far have we really come since the days of the asylums?
The Habit of Prayer (short)
Writer/Director: Lee Klein
Producer: Rachel Crawford
Executive Producer: Sr. John Dominic Rasmussen, O.P.
Synopsis: Cloistered nuns explain why they've chosen their way of life in the modern age.
Toronto Lockdown (short)
Director: SallyAnne Massimini
Official Selections – Feature Film Category
Dangerous Creation
Writers: Andrew Alden and Teresa Alden
Director: Andrew Alden
Producers: Andrew Alden and Teresa Alden
Synopsis: A young woman struggles to find her identity and purpose until she discovers a profound and mysterious novelist. After being invited to attend his writing fellowship, she begins to mentally unravel and is forced to face her privilege and her past.
Descend
Writer/Director: Mark A. France
Producers: Heather Fairbanks, Mark A. France, Tricia L. France and Troy Randall-Kilpatrick
Synopsis: Andrea faces an uphill battle as she deals with postpartum psychosis and the realization that her world is going to be shattered, once more, when past memories come back to make the present a living nightmare.
Meeting Boone
Writer/Director: Paige B. Alston
Producers: Ariel L. Bogan, Paris Jones, Louis Martinez, Grover McCants and Sean Vaughn
Synopsis: An ex-convict befriends a young woman after the pursuit of the mysteriously caused death of his younger brother, and her close friend.
Pandemic
Writer/Director: John Malesevic
Producers: John Malesevic and Niklas Molander
Synopsis: In a world where a pandemic has devastated the human population, a man escapes from the crumbling civilization after his wife dies of the disease. After living alone in the wilderness for years, he finds refuge in a mysterious cult that harbors a dark secret. As he rises through the ranks, the man finds himself questioning everything he knows about morality, loyalty, and love.
Pussie Control: The Story of Davion Pussie
Writer/Producer/Director: Bryan Bostic
Synopsis: Davion Pussie is a hood talking, video game playing cat who has a tight bond with his sweet loving owner, Tiana. When Tiana decides to date a new man, who isn't who he appears to be, Davion warns her of his advances. Can Davion get to the bottom of his intentions before it spells disaster for his beloved pet owner and livelihood?
Individual Nominees – Feature Films
Best Director
Andrew Alden, Dangerous Creation
Paige B. Alston, Meeting Boone
John Malesevic, Pandemic
Best Lead Actor Nominees
Niklas Molander, Pandemic
Izaya Spencer, Dangerous Creation
Sean Vaughn, Meeting Boone
Best Supporting Actor Nominees
Walker Fairbanks, Descend
Phil Leslie, Dangerous Creation
Oisin Stack, Dangerous Creation
Marcus Woods, Meeting Boone
Best Lead Actress Nominees
Kaitlyn Valor Borque, Dangerous Creation
Heather Fairbanks, Descend
Sofie Reyes-Bjorestam, Pandemic
DaCarla Strong, Meeting Boone
Best Supporting Actress Nominees
Asia Marie Hicks, Dangerous Creation
Sue Kernish, Descend
Terri Partyka, Descend
Best Cast
Dangerous Creation
Descend
Meeting Boone
Pandemic
Best Original Screenplay
Andrew Alden and Teresa Alden, Dangerous Creation
Paige B. Alston, Meeting Boone
Bryan Bostic, Pussie Control: The Story of Davion Pussie
John Malesevic, Pandemic
Best Editing
Darrin Deshazer, Pussie Control: The Story of Davion Pussie
Terry King, Meeting Boone
John Malesevic, Pandemic
Best Cinematography
Teresa Alden, Dangerous Creation
Lawrence Allen, Pussie Control: The Story of Davion Pussie
Carlton L. Canty, Meeting Boone
John Malesevic, Pandemic
Best Picture
Dangerous Creation
Meeting Boone
Pandemic
Hottest Up-and-Coming Actor
Walker Fairbanks, Descend
Duane Shabazz, Meeting Boone
Hottest Up-and-Coming Actress
Asia Marie Hicks, Dangerous Creation
DaCarla Strong, Meeting Boone
I See You Awards’ People’s Choice
The winners of the I See You Awards’ People’s Choice is selected by the people! To determine the winner, the public is invited to attend the in-person screenings during our film festival being held at the Emagine Theater in Royal Oak, MIchigan. The date of the screenings is Thursday, August 18, 2022. More details, including ticket information, is coming soon, so stay tuned!
Filmmakers, be sure to spread the word so you'll have the best chance at being named an I See You Awards’ People’s Choice award winner!
Screenplay Submissions – Official Selections/Nominees
Short Film Category
10 Stops
Writer: JD Green
Second Chances
Writer: Kara M. Canton
Feature Film Category
At the Mercy of Faith (terror version)
Writer: Samuel Lee Taylor
Moonscope
Writer: Dave Fein
Porcupine
Writer: Dave Fein
Time Will Tell
Writers: Terry Newman and Jonathan Winehouse
Congratulations and good luck to all the nominees! We see you!
The 6th Annual I See You Awards® will be handed out during our Black Tie, Blue Carpet awards ceremony on Sunday, August 21, 2022, at the Emagine Theater in downtown Royal Oak, Michigan.
However, before the awards are handed out, the public is invited to watch the films during our in-person film festival on Thursday, August 18, 2022. Not only will you get to see some great films from some very talented filmmakers, you’ll also have the opportunity to vote for your favorite(s) to win an I See You Awards’ People’s Choice award! So, be sure to follow the I See You Awards® on our social media pages to keep up to date and be among the first to know when tickets are available. And while you’re here, be sure to subscribe to our mailing list for regular updates via our email newsletter.
We want to say “Thank You” to all the screenwriters and filmmakers who submitted their projects. We appreciate you for giving us the opportunity to view your work. To those filmmakers who do not see their projects and/or names listed, we are still very grateful to have had the opportunity to view your work as well. We wish you the best of luck with your project(s) going forward and hope to see more from you in the future. Keep learning, keep growing, keep pushing and keep moving forward! We see you and we’re here to support you!
Thank you to our sponsors and supporters!
Thank you to our sponsors and supporters: the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office, Emagine Entertainment, Final Draft, Paramount Pictures, Matrix Motors, WWJ Newsradio 950, Randazzo Formal Wear, The Lee Group, ES Communications Agency, look park STUDIOS, Casey Sign Company and PR Media Services, Inc.
Please support our sponsors! They help make the I See You Awards® possible! A big welcome to our newest sponsor, look park STUDIOS!
Ticket Information Coming Soon!
The list of this year's events is as follows:
Film Festival
Thursday, August 18
(All day)
Industry Seminar
Friday, August 19
12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m.
Awards Ceremony
Sunday, August 21
Doors open at noon
Ceremony starts at 2:00 p.m.
Complete details, including ticket information, are coming soon, so be sure to subscribe to our email list to stay up to date on all the latest news and happenings! We see you and we have a lot in store as we gear up to celebrate the 6th Annual I See You Awards®!