Announcing the 5th Annual I See You Awards® Official Selections and Nominations!
Updated: Aug 4, 2021

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