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This is the day everyone at the I See You Awards® looks forward to every year from the moment the Call for Entries goes out! That’s because it’s our mission to recognize and reward the accomplishments of independent filmmakers, and because we know how much it means to all of the filmmakers who have submitted their projects. It’s the day we announce the I See You Awards® official selections! So, without further adieu, here are the 2021 I See You Awards® official selections and individual nominees!
Official Selections – Student Films
4AM
Writer: Jacob Horne (adaptation)
Bob Krakower (original play)
Producers: Kurt Eli Mayry, Kathryn McDermott and Scott Norman
Director: Jacob Horne
Synopsis: 4AM is the story of how Men and Women fail to communicate at a late night diner. Adapted from the one act play by Bob Krakower.
Desuetude
Writers: Jarod D. Clark, Kat McGowan and Kelsey O’Brien
Producers: Jarod D. Clark and Kelsey O’Brien
Director: Jarod D. Clark
Synopsis: In the distant future, Ed Meade, a fire lookout living alone in the forest is forced to rethink his future when a visitor arrives and informs him that his job is being replaced with “better technology”.
mama
Writer/Producer/Director: Delores M. Flynn
Producer: Julie Devine
Synopsis: A woman suffering from postpartum depression leaves her family and comes back years later to deal with the fallout.
The Color of Hate
Writer/Producer/Director: Delores M. Flynn
Synopsis: An interracial love story set hours before the Detroit riot in 1967.
Individual Nominees – Student Films
Best Director
Jarod D. Clark, Desuetude
Delores M. Flynn, mama
Jacob Horne, 4AM (Based on the play by Bob Krakower)
Best Lead Actor Nominees
Dale Dobson, Desuetude
Keanu Sousa Mendes, mama
Sully Wood, 4AM (Based on the play by Bob Krakower)
Best Supporting Actor Nominees
Dhinesh Raja Kannan, 4AM (Based on the play by Bob Krakower
Connor McBain, 4AM (Based on the play by Bob Krakower)
Jeffrey McMahon, Desuetude
Best Lead Actress Nominees
Victoria Swan, 4AM (Based on the play by Bob Krakower)
Ashley Douglas, mama
Best Supporting Actress Nominees
(N/A)
Best Cast
4AM
Desuetude
mama
Best Original Screenplay
Jarod D. Clark, Kat McGowan and Kelsey O’Brien, Desuetude
Jacob Horne, 4AM (Based on the play by Bob Krakower) (adaptation)
Delores M. Flynn, mama
Best Editing
Joshua Brockett, 4AM (Based on the play by Bob Krakower)
Calvin Johns, mama
Best Soundtrack
Michael Hilgendorf, 4AM
Best Cinematography
Jake Cypert, 4AM (Based on the play by Bob Krakower)
Brendan Sheardy, mama
Jackson Stormer, Desuetude
Best Picture
4AM (Based on the play by Bob Krakower)
Desuetude
mama
Hottest Up-and-Coming Actor (Student Films)
Dhinesh Raja Kannan, 4AM (Based on the play by Bob Krakower)
Keanu Sousa Mendes, The Color of Hate
Hottest Up-and-Coming Actress (Student Films)
Madison Coates, mama
Ashley Douglas, The Color of Hate
Official Selections – Short Film Category – Michigan Made Films
A Basement Film
Writer/Producer/Director: Katelin Maylum
Synopsis: A Basement Film" is about Matilda, an English major at U of M Ann Arbor, who is struggling to find her way through mental illness and other personal issues such as bad self-esteem and hooking up with the wrong dudes. Matilda decides to go home for the weekend and with all of her buddies, they smoke, do mushrooms, and try to handle the several catastrophes and stresses that occur with coming of age and realizing that you're a hot mess.
A People’s History
Writer: Matt Harmon
Producer: Becca Messner
Directors: Ben Focht and Cade Mirabitur
Synopsis: When Ford Motor Company announces plans to buy the former Michigan Central Station, Charlie, an innocent collector, makes plans to anonymously return the clock that once hung at the station.
Detroit Landmarks: Inspiration
Writer/Producer/Director: Dr. William Hustzi
Synopsis: In this uncertain time of pandemic my family and I resigned to make something beautiful. The result is a film composition celebrating the people and architecture of several places of worship in the Detroit area. This film is dedicated to the memory of my father (Michigan COVID #132) and my graduate Sophia, Class of 2020.
Feminine Shadow
Writer/Producer/Director: Kelly Karam
Synopsis: An old man reconnects with his deceased wife by embracing his feminine shadow.
Portrait of Tracy
Writer/Producer: Jasmine J. Beane
Directors: Jasmine J. Beane, Deborah Lane Spencer
Synopsis: A visual piece about the adverse affects of the unjust killings of Black people during the pandemic. Portrait of Tracy follows a young woman as she processes the current climate without the distractions of work, friends or play.
Project Horror
Writers: Rob E, Albert Gerber
Producers: Carrie Holland, Sean Holland, Bobby Laenen
Director: Rob E
Synopsis: A birthday party takes a dark turn. What happened the night of Beth's birthday party? Will Jamie be able to help Agent 1 in solving the mysterious events that unfolded? The world of horror will change forever.
Run Girl Run
Writer/Director: J.Q. Nelson
Synopsis: Allison Pfaendler's goal is to win the Detroit Free Press marathon. As she trains for the marathon, she is suddenly intercepted by 3 muggers, which is a chase that tests her stamina.
Without Grace
Writer/Director: Corey Milton
Producers: Corey Milton, Chin Yang, Dau Yang
Synopsis: A aspiring musician abandons his identity to seek revenge when his love is taken from him.
Individual Nominees – Short Films – Michigan Made Films
Best Director
Rob E, Project Horror
Dr. William Huszti, Detroit Landmarks: Inspiration
Kelly Karam, Feminine Shadow
Corey Milton, Without Grace
Best Lead Actor
Tony Calabrese, A Basement Film
Daniel Jeffries, Without Grace
Bobby Laenen, Project Horror
Best Supporting Actor
Joshua Bootz, Run Girl Run
Brian Heintz, Project Horror
Justin Mane, Without Grace
Ammar Nemo, Project Horror
Best Lead Actress
N/A
Best Supporting Actress
Callie Bussell, Project Horror
Allyson L. Smith, Run Girl Run
Best Cast
Project Horror
Without Grace
Best Original Screenplay
Rob E and Albert Gerber, Project Horror
Kelly Karam, Feminine Shadow
Katelin Maylum, A Basement Film
Corey Milton, Without Grace
J.Q. Nelson, Run Girl Run
Best Editing
Rob E, Project Horror
Roger Haggart and Nate Klenk, Feminine Shadow
Dr. William Huszti, Detroit Landmarks: Inspiration
Corey Milton, Without Grace
Best Score
Project Horror
Martin Cilia, Run Girl Run
Noah J. Teachey, Detroit Landmarks: Inspiration
Best Cinematography
Roger Haggart, Feminine Shadow
Dr. William Huszti, Detroit Landmarks: Inspiration
Andrew Sosa, Project Horror
Dau Yang, Without Grace
Best Picture
Detroit Landmarks: Inspiration
Feminine Shadow
Project Horror
Without Grace
Hottest Up-and-Coming Actor
Tony Calabrese, A Basement Film
Patrick Harney, Project Horror
Bill Swift, Run Girl Run
Hottest Up-and-Coming Actress
Avery Bolt, A Basement Film
Callie Bussell, Project Horror
Elannah Dent, Run Girl Run
Elizabeth Kronner, A Basement Film
Official Selections – Short Films
Death Offers Life – last moments of Vincent Van Gogh
Writer: Madhu R
Producers: Rani and Ranjan
Director: Saheer Abbas
Synopsis: The story is the fictional account of the last five minutes of the acclaimed painter Vincent Van Gogh who was a failure in his lifetime. Death who has come to take him makes an offer which Van Gogh rejects and accepts the hands of death gracefully.
Mickey Hardaway (Proof of concept short)
Writer/Producer/Director: Marcellus Cox
Producer: Eric Quincy
Executive Producer: Armando Townsend
Synopsis: A Young Sketch Artist visits a well renowned psychiatrist as his life begins sprawling out of control after years of Physical and Verbal Abuse has taken a toll on him.
O_CE_AN
Writers: Kika Cunha and Priscila Guedes
Producer: Marcos Saad
Director: Priscila Guedes
Synopsis: On an unnamed beach, OCEAN (a woman made of clay) is waiting, hoping to gain the freedom she dreams of. The passionate hands that protect her are also the ones that imprison her. Discovering her strength, she does everything to break the barrier that separates her from the world. HERE and NOW, it’s all or nothing.
Psyched! – Pilot
Writer/Producer/Director: Anca Vaida
Assistant Producer: Alice Catanzaro
Synopsis: 'Psyched!' is a medical drama based on psychiatry. It follows the day to day lives of the staff and patients from the Community Mental Health Team.
Pussie Control 2: Night at the Drive-in
Writer/Producer/Director: Bryan Bostic
Synopsis: That smooth playboy Ryan tries his luck out with Tiana again at the drive-In movies. Ryan thinks he is home free until Davion Spoils his plans.
The Heart Has No Boundaries
Writer/Producer/Director: Paolo Milocco
Synopsis: An African mother arrives with her daughter in the land of hope, after having experienced moments of terror and a profound suffering that the sea and life
reserved them. They are alive and can finally embrace and hope for a better future.
Suffering does not spare even a young Italian mother and her son; to chase a toy boat, the child finds himself in the open sea and risks drowning: he will be saved by his father. The two women, although of different nationalities, religions and cultures, are bound by the same destiny: suffering does not spare anyone and under the starry mantle we are all the same, we are human beings looking for solidarity.
THE HEART HAS NO BOUNDARIES is a film about tolerance and understanding about the help we allow to the disadvantaged and about love that is the only thing that can mediate a solution.
Velvet Crush
Writer/Producer/Director: Michael Boston
Associate Producers: Joanna Easton, Diane Eaton, Roger Williamson
Synopsis: An unsuspecting plumber with a velvet fetish answers a service call for a gorilla-loving nympho with the goods he's long treasured.
Zone 38
Writer: Carl Copeland
Producer/Director: Saul Murphy
Synopsis: A virus has swept the country, infected areas have been quarantined and large numbers hospitalised. Father Michaels congregation has dwindled but he still goes through the motions of his weekly sermons, he tries to remain a bastion of hope for his community whilst fighting off his temptation to alcohol, this is tested when a neighbour suspiciously offers him a drink which alters his mindset and focus. On his journey to visit his quarantined wife he has an unexpected early encounter which is not the reunion he had hoped for.
Individual Nominees – Short Films
Best Director
Saheer Abbas, Death Offers Life – last moments of Vincent Van Gogh
Bryan Bostic, Pussie Control 2: Night at the Drive-in
Michael Boston, Velvet Crush
Marcellus Cox, Mickey Hardaway (Proof of concept short)
Priscila Guedes, O_CE_AN
Saul Murphy, Zone 38
Anca Vaida, Psyched!
Best Lead Actor
Taylor Byron Barr, Pussie Control 2: Night at the Drive-in
Michael Boston, Velvet Crush
Thomas Galashan, Zone 38
Rashad Hunter, Mickey Hardaway (Proof of concept short)
Saj Hussain, Psyched!
Rashin Khan, Death Offers Life – last moments of Vincent Van Gogh
Best Supporting Actor
David Chattam, Mickey Hardaway (Proof of concept short)
Sam Heller, Zone 38
Gearoid Kavanaugh, Psyched!
Anuroop Thekkumkadan, Death Offers Life – last moments of Vincent Van Gogh
Roger Williamson, Velvet Crush
Best Lead Actress
Georgiana Goes, O_CE_AN
Dani Savka, Velvet Crush
Anca Vaida, Psyched!
Best Supporting Actress
Mairi Kennedy, Zone 38
Nancy Van Iderstine, Velvet Crush
Best Cast
Death Offers Life – last moments of Vincent Van Gogh
Mickey Hardaway (Proof of concept short)
Psyched!
Velvet Crush
Zone 38
Best Original Screenplay
Cari Copeland, Zone 38
Marcellus Cox, Mickey Hardaway (Proof of concept short)
Kika Cunha and Priscila Guedes, O_CE_AN
Madhu R, Death Offers Life – last moments of Vincent Van Gogh
Best Editing
Pedro Gonzalez Kuhn, Velvet Crush
Jamil Gooding, Mickey Hardaway (Proof of concept short)
Saul Murphy, Zone 38
Best Soundtrack
Bob Bradley, Mickey Hardaway (Proof of concept short)
Salvador Lopez, Psyched! (original score)
Jude Robins, Death Offers Life – last moments of Vincent Van Gogh (Sound Design & Stereo Mixing)
Best Cinematography
Petros Gioumpasis, Psyched!
Jamil Gooding, Mickey Hardaway (Proof of concept short)
Steven Jared Mangurten, Velvet Crush
Noushad Shereef, Death Offers Life – last moments of Vincent Van Gogh
Best Picture
Death Offers Life – last moments of Vincent Van Gogh
Mickey Hardaway (Proof of concept short)
Psyched!
Velvet Crush
Zone 38
Hottest Up-and-Coming Actor (Short Films)
Taylor Byron Barr, Pussie Control 2: Night at the Drive-in
DeAngelo Davis, Mickey Hardaway (Proof of concept short)
Hottest Up-and-Coming Actress (Short Films)
N/A
Official Selections – Music Videos
Babylon: Ghetto, Renaissance and Modern Oblivion
Writer/Director: Jessica Gould
Producer: Salon/Sanctuary Concerts
Synopsis: Babylon considers the text of Psalm 137 (By the Waters of Babylon) as it has resonated through the music of two ghettoized peoples – Italian Jews of Mantua during the period of the Counter-Reformation, and African Americans during the Harlem Renaissance and beyond.
Narrated by the titanic voice of actor Ezra Knight, the musical performances of works by Italian-Jewish composer Salamone Rossi (1570 – 1630) and contemporary American Brandon Waddles (1988 –) are by the groundbreaking Kaleidoscope Vocal Ensemble. Other musical selections are historical recordings by such luminaries as Ma Rainey, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Big Mama Thornton, The Fisk Jubilee Singers, and others, as well as two luminaries in contemporary West African music, Kevin Nathaniel Hylton and Yacouba Sissoko.
George Floyd: Say Their Names
Directors: Christopher R. Owens, Alyssa Dann
Producer: Ceso Enterprises, Inc.
Synopsis: When will the "last" time be the LAST time? Chris Oledude's single "George Floyd" has now been re-presented in the powerful video, "George Floyd: Say Their Names." America's struggle for equality and fairness throughout law enforcement parallels those struggles faced by minority groups in every society where the majority feels empowered to disregard civil and human rights. The powerful protests that erupted worldwide after George Floyd's murder in May, 2020, are celebrated here. The enduring power of Black women as determined healers of a torn community is celebrated here. The victims had names. We honor their lives by saying their names.
The pressure for change must continue. No justice? No peace!
Triggered
Writer/Producer/Director: Ariyan Johnson
Synopsis: Cell phones. Social media. Our lifelines to the outside world. Daily we’re barraged with images, words and video that trigger our emotions. But what happens when it’s one post too many and the emotional dam breaks? TRIGGERED takes us on a visual rollercoaster of music and movement, processing the emotional impact of social media from the inside out.
Official Selections - Documentaries
Scout 10-5 (feature)
Writer/Producer/Director: David Van Wie
Synopsis: At 11:40 pm with 20 minutes left on their shift, two Detroit police officers make one last stop. A police officer never knows what stop will be his last. The New Bethel Church Shooting told by the surviving officer Richard Worobec and the aftermath that followed.
Shade Guzzling (short)
Writer/Producer/Director: Ulrike Korbach
Synopsis: Anke Ames' attitude towards life is loving: people, music, ideas. That was the way the violist, author and drawing artist found her center. Her last hospital residence was a couple of years ago. The doctors call it a bipolar disorder. Anke herself describes her mission as "shade guzzling".
We Are All In This Together (feature)
Writer/Producer/Director: Daniel Troia
Synopsis: During divisive times in America, a man sets off on a cross-country bicycle journey, with no food, no money, and the hope of gaining a better understanding of the human connection.
Official Selections – Feature Film Category
Downeast
Writers: Greg Finley and Joe Raffa
Producers: Greg Finley, Cory Pyke and Edwin Stevens
Director: Joe Raffa
Synopsis: A story of love, loss, and redemption - "Downeast" dives into the often ignored seedy underbelly of Maine. The film combines crime, revenge, and the hope for a new life.
Just Another Dream
Writer: Jennifer Nichole Lee
Producers: Ele Bardha, Jennifer Nichole Lee, Joel Paul Reisig, Eugene Brave Rock
Director: Paul Schneider
Synopsis: When a fateful injury sparks an ordinary girl to have foretelling dreams, she is forced into a race against time to save her family and prove her sanity... or is it JUST ANOTHER DREAM?
Individual Nominees – Feature Films
Best Director
Paul Schneider, Just Another Dream
Joe Raffa, Downeast
Best Lead Actor Nominees
Copeland Diver, Just Another Dream
Greg Finley, Downeast
Best Supporting Actor Nominees
Dean Cain, Just Another Dream
Dennis Cockrum, Downeast
Joss Glennie-Smith, Downeast
Best Lead Actress Nominees
Kayden Bryce, Just Another Dream
Dylan Silver, Downeast
Best Supporting Actress Nominees
Kristy Swanson, Just Another Dream
Best Cast
Downeast
Just Another Dream
Best Original Screenplay
Greg Finley and Joe Raffa, Downeast
Jennifer Nichole Lee, Just Another Dream
Best Editing
Meredith Mantik, Downeast
Paul Schneider, Just Another Dream
Best Soundtrack
Aaron Bagley, Downeast
Phil Tipping, Just Another Dream
Best Cinematography
TJ Orrys, Just Another Dream
Edwin P. Stevens, Downeast
Best Picture
Downeast
Just Another Dream
Hottest Up-and-Coming Actor
N/A
Hottest Up-and-Coming Actress
N/A
People’s Choice Awards
Just as the name implies, the winners of the People’s Choice Awards will be decided on by the people! To help select the winner, the public is invited to attend virtual screenings of the films by logging onto https://www.bingewave.com/f/the-5th-annual-i-see-you-awards.
More details, including ticket information, is coming soon, so stay tuned! And 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
Short Film Category
Breaking of Chains
Writer: Shanelle Monique
Let the Music Play On!
Writer: Deborah Hodgetts
The Soul of Endless Fears
Writer: Shanelle Monique
Feature Film Category
At the Mercy of Faith
Writer: Samuel Lee Taylor
Serial
Writer: Robert Benjamin
The Witter Merchants
Writer: Elizabeth Blandford
Congratulations and good luck to all of the nominees! We see you!
The 5th Annual I See You Awards® will be handed out during our Black Tie, Blue Carpet awards ceremony which will be virtual again this year. However, before the awards are handed out, you’re invited to watch the films during our virtual film festival, running from Thursday, August 19 – Wednesday, August 25, 2021. 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 a People’s Choice Award! So, be sure to follow the I See You Awards® on our social media pages in order 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 of 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!
The 5th Annual I See You Awards® are sponsored by the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office, Emagine Entertainment and WWJ Newsradio 950, with additional partners Randazzo Formal Wear, The Lee Group, ES Communications Agency and Casey Sign Company.
Please support our sponsors! They help make the I See You Awards® possible!