A Lark and a Swallow
Director Statement
After working together as a filmmaking team for over a decade making 14 environmental movies, we wanted to make a film that would be a game-changer for the global environmental movement. We wanted the film to be based on science, to be inspiring and to be something that audiences love to watch together in movie theaters. Ultimately, we wanted it to transform the global conversion from despair around our world to hope for our future.
KISS THE GROUND was born from one simple idea: we can reverse global warming and the Earth’s soil is the solution. By regenerating earth, we can completely and rapidly stabilize our planet’s climate, restore lost ecosystems, and create abundant food supplies.
We shot footage on five continents, worked with NASA and NOAA to gain access to data and graphics, and spend years on animations. We found the voice of the movie through interviewing leading scientists, ecologists, and experts including Nobel Laureates in climate, members of the International Panel on Climate Change, top scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), as well as environmental activists such as Gisele Bundchen, Tom Brady, Jason Mraz, Ian Somerhalder, Patricia Arquette, and Rosario Dawson.
After 7 years of hard work, we believe this film is an urgent call to action in addressing the world’s climate crisis. Finally, there is an accessible, relatively simple solution to humanity’s greatest challenge. It is our dream that it will be viewed by audiences in every part of the world for years to come and we would be honored if you and your festival would join us on this mission.
Josh and Rebecca Tickell,
Directors and Producers of KISS THE GROUND
Parker Winship
Director
Film Information
Director: Parker Winship
Country: USA
Year: 2020
Language: English
Runtime: 19:59 min.
Rated: R
Credits
Writer: Parker Winship
Producer: Kristin Peterson Kaszubowski
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Principal Cast
Amy
Nika
Blackbird, Fly
Director Statement
Jay is thrilled to be sharing this short film with audiences. She hopes everyone becomes a fan of Raven Wilkinson and take up ballet or at least supports it!
Jay Winters
Director
Jay Winters is a multi-talented filmmaker, actress, director, writer, editor and producer.
In “Blackbird, Fly” she co-wrote, directed, produced and edited.
Film Information
Director: Jay Winters
Country: USA
Year: 2020
Language: English
Runtime: 7 min.
Rated: G
Credits
Writers: Jay Winters, Alyson Chavez
Producers: Gabriella Mancuso, Kristin Peterson, Mary Chuy, Alyson Chavez, Joseph Mancuso, Jay Winters
Principal Cast
Cardinal
Director Statement
Signing on to direct this film was an easy “yes” for me. The team behind this female written, directed, and produced short film set out to create a story on screen that reflects the diverse world we live in, while staying true to our comedic roots. The comedic timing each performer brought to set was just *chef’s kiss.* And we are proud our cast and crew represent a variety of individual backgrounds, including African American, Middle Eastern, LGBTQ, Latinx, and Asian.
Conor Hibbler
Director
Conor Hibbler is a Writer/Director from Houston, Texas, with experience writing and directing 12 films over the course of his time at Columbia College Chicago. His past works include various short films, ranging from character dramas to thrillers, to comedies, as well his 2017 feature film debut The Aardvark. With his additional musical talents, Conor also composes for each of his films, bringing an extra touch to each of these projects. With his films, Conor strives to tell unique and personal stories with a strong sense of perspective and allowing the character’s eyes to guide how the audience sees the world. Although these stories come from a very particular point-of-view, they still hold a weight that can be felt by anyone watching. This is no different for his most recent film Cardinal. He is currently working in New York after graduating in May 2019 and is in pre-production on his next film, An American Viking Funeral.
Film Information
Director: Conor Hibbler
Country: USA
Year: 2019
Language: English
Runtime: 17 min.
Rated: PG-13
Credits
Writers: Brock Stillmunks
Producer: Snore Doumbia
Director of Photography: Corey Kinnane
Editor: Max Drenckpohl
Production Designer: Ellie Langshaw
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Principal Cast
as Rory
as Nancy
Customer Support
Director Statement
Signing on to direct this film was an easy “yes” for me. The team behind this female written, directed, and produced short film set out to create a story on screen that reflects the diverse world we live in, while staying true to our comedic roots. The comedic timing each performer brought to set was just *chef’s kiss.* And we are proud our cast and crew represent a variety of individual backgrounds, including African American, Middle Eastern, LGBTQ, Latinx, and Asian.
Andrew Paul Davis
Director
Andrew Paul Davis is an American filmmaker and songwriter based in Chicago. He was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on September 20th, 1994, and has been writing and directing since 2011.
He graduated from Taylor University in 2018 with a BA in Film Production and minors in Theatre Arts and Creative Writing. He’s directed over twenty short films and three plays, with festival recognition at the Heartland International Film Festival, RiverRun International Film Festival, Palm Beach International Film Festival, and Charlotte Film Festival. His short film “Maya” went on to receive 5 million views on YouTube before being censored from the platform. In college, he wrote and directed eight short films spanning 1929-1999, each film taking place in the final year of their respective decade.
In 2018 he launched One County Film Company with his brother Timothy Mark Davis.
Andrew’s debut feature-length film “Palace” was called “a bittersweet love letter to rural Indiana” and “remarkable debut” by Fort Wayne’s ‘whatzup’ publication. His sophomore feature “Pompano Boy” is slated for a 2021 release.
His debut folk-rock album “For Now” was recorded in California with producer Bill Baird and friends.
Film Information
Director: Andrew Paul Davis
Country: USA
Year: 2020
Language: English
Runtime: 5 min.
Rated: G
Credits
Writers:Andrew Paul Davis
Producer: Andrew Paul Davis
Principal Cast
Keep The Change
Director Statement
Signing on to direct this film was an easy “yes” for me. The team behind this female written, directed, and produced short film set out to create a story on screen that reflects the diverse world we live in, while staying true to our comedic roots. The comedic timing each performer brought to set was just *chef’s kiss.* And we are proud our cast and crew represent a variety of individual backgrounds, including African American, Middle Eastern, LGBTQ, Latinx, and Asian.
Tom Doherty
Director
Tom Doherty is a graduate of The Palm Beach Film School and Rock Valley College. He loves movies and has been passionate about filmmaking ever since he was a little kid. His short films have been featured in a number of festivals and have been honored with multiple awards over the years. Tom believes collaborating with great people is key to the success any of his films have had. The process of filmmaking brings Tom much joy and he considers it an absolute privilege to meet and work with the talented individuals who make up the cast and crew of each project.
Film Information
Director: Tom Doherty
Country: USA
Year: 2020
Language: English
Runtime: 10 min.
Rated: PG-13
Credits
Writers: Gunnar Ulrich
Producer: Tom Doherty, Josiah Sjostrom, Gunnar Ulrich
Principal Cast
as Simon
as Troy
as Gary
Scutly
Director Statement
I am interested in new worlds and the weird and wonderful characters that reside there. I am hungry for collaborations that broaden my perspective and nourish both the makers and the watchers. I’m interested in grand gestures, poetry, expressionism, fantasy, grit, and hard truths. I am an activist, a feminist, a Southern woman, a former Barbie, an energetic leader, a doodler and a dreamer. I am interested in social justice and learning from those whose histories and inspirations are different from my own.
Layne Marie Williams
Director
After arriving in Hollywood, it took filmmaker Layne Marie Williams not even two weeks to land her first LA directing gigs. Not surprising, given the talents of this acclaimed Chicago filmmaker. Prior to arriving in LA, Layne Marie has logged over a dozen credits, everything from writing and directing award-winning shorts to developing web series to producing internationally acclaimed features. All that, and yet this young auteur is just getting started. For more on Layne Marie and her endeavors: www.LayneMarieWilliams.com
Film Information
Director: Layne Marie Williams
Country: USA
Year: 2020
Language: English
Runtime: 15 min.
Rated: PG-13
Credits
Writers: Layne Marie Williams, Laura Day
Producers: Sam George, Jill Sandmire, Aimy Tien, Layne Marie Williams
Editor: Zoé Kraft
Director of Photography: Paige Hochstatter
Composer: Devin Delaney
Principal Cast
as Scutly
as Rozette
as Lou
as Icicle
as Edie
as Herbert
Ships in the Night
Director Statement
I am inspired by women who dare to be weird- and not in an ironic, manic pixie way. Weirdness rooted in passion and purpose. There is something beautiful about that moment when you recognize each other and go, “you too?”, realizing that you aren’t as alone as you thought. I make stories about those women.
Katherine Bourne Taylor
Director
Katherine Bourne Taylor is an actor, producer, and creator in Los Angeles by way of Chicago. Most recently, she produced and starred in the short film “Cool for Five Seconds” which premiered at Beloit International and went on to be a selection at over 20 film festivals (BendFilm, deadCenter, Tallgrass, Mammoth Lakes Film Festival, among others), won Grand Prize at Best of The Midwest Awards, and can now be viewed on Omeleto. You also might have caught her in the HBO series, Lovecraft Country, or in a tiny house with Amy Poehler. On stage she has performed with Raven Theatre, The House Theater of Chicago, The Back Room Shakespeare Project, The Gift Theatre, A Crew of Patches and Undermain Theatre (ensemble member), among others. Katherine earned her BFA in Acting at Southern Methodist University and studied with The School at Steppenwolf and the British American Drama Academy. Katherine-Bourne.com for more info!
Film Information
Director: Katherine Bourne Taylor
Country: USA
Year: 2021
Language: English
Runtime: 11 min.
Rated: PG
Credits
Producers: Jennifer Hoks, Katherine Bourne Taylor
Writer: Katherine Bourne Taylor
Principal Cast
as @Chrisanthemum2012
as Sister
