Announcing the 5th Annual I See You Awards® Official Selections and Nominations!

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.

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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!