Written and Directed by Rafal Sokolowski
“RIVER” (2023) – Short Narrative Fiction
River, a 30-year-old trans woman, returns home to attend her father’s funeral. Nothing can prepare her for the extraordinary reunion.
Inspired by a real story, the film looks at a transition in the context of conservative family values and probes the so-called ‘conversion therapy’. The script was developed with the participation of trans community and artists. I conducted a nation-wide talent search for the transgender actress playing the part of River.
Winner
Best Indy Short Award – Budapest Movie Awards
Santa Barbara Indie Film Festival
Bucharest Rolling Ideas
Short Film Factory Festival
Nominee
Montreal Independent Film Festival
Semi Finalist
Flickers’ Rhode Island International
Miami Short Film Festival
Principal Cast and Crew
Alex Might (River), Barbara Zablocky (Martha), John Capocci (Bill), Eric Olson (Father Phil)
Producers
Garrett Bates and Josh Clark
Director of Photography
Patrick Hubbard
Production Designer
Stacy Abbott
Editor
Julie Peley
Sound and Music
Ivo Paunov
Official Selection
48th Cleveland International Film Festival
Los Angeles International Film Festival
Berlin Indie Film Festival
Philadelphia Independent Film Festival
Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival
Cinema Columbus
Santa Barbara Indie Film Festival
Shorts Miami International Film Festival
Budapest Movie Awards
Wexner Center for Film and Video – Ohio Shorts Festival
Reelout Queer Film Festival
SHORT to the Point
Pride Film Fest
Rolling Ideas – Bucharest, Romania
Short Film Factory
Berlin Lift-Off Film Festival
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