Friday and Saturday, August 6th and 7th, the Memphis Film Prize returns to Studio on the Square. After a pandemic year hiatus, the short film festival will once again present ten short films made in Memphis that will compete for a prize of $5,000.
This year’s finalists are “Timothy” by playwright and filmmaker Tymika Chambliss; “The Black Fist Part 2” by Blake Heimbach and Najee Strickland; “Shattered” by actor/director and “Earth Nerds are Cheesy” podcast host Kate Mobley; “Something Simple, Something True” by Bala Boyd; “Miss Responsibility” by veteran filmmaker Clint Till; “Dear Lady Joan” by cinematographer/director Jared Callan; “Damaged Goods” by 2020 IndieGrant winner Daniel R. Ferrell; “Clair De Lune” by filmmaker and disability activist Daniel Lane Baker; “Calling” by Indie Memphis Best Narrative Short winner Willie Robbins; and “A Moment in Time” by Bluff City filmmaker Brandon Russell.
The winner is determined by an even mix of a select jury and votes from the audience. But remember, if you want to vote, you have to watch all ten films.
In addition to the main prize, Best Actor and Best Actress awards will also be awarded. Actress nominees are Jay Johnson for “A Moment in Time”; Carnecia Lashae for “Shattered”; Lauren Lay for “Something Simple, Something True”; and Amelia Sutherland for “Miss Responsibility.” Actor nominees are David Caffey for “Dear Lady Joan”, Daniel Aaron Harris for “Clair De Lune”; Willie Robbins for “Calling”; Najee Strickland for “The Black Fist: Part 2”; Artavius Veasey for “Timothy”; and Phil Darius Wallace for “Damaged Goods.”
For pandemic safety, this year’s Film Prize will take up two screens instead of the traditional one, with each screen only seating at 50 percent capacity. Masks will be required for all screenings.
Screenings will begin at 2 p.m. Friday, August 6th and 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 7th. The award winners will be announced at a festival brunch on Sunday, August 8th. For more information, visit the Memphis Film Prize website.
