Attend Film Prize in-person October 16-17th or watch online starting October 15th, watch all 20 short films, and then you can vote for the grand prize winner of $50,000 cash. Plus you can vote for the best acting performance category!
A sound-forward story that follows Henri Beckett, a reclusive, audio field recordist who captures a chilling occurrence during one of her ambient sessions.
Produced by Paul Petersen, Lucy Brown, Tamra Corley Davis, Paul Reiser
Starring Anne Brown Petersen, Rachael Hudson, Sam Copeland
Cinematography by Alexander Jeffery
Cinematography by Jonnie Stapleton
Paul Petersen is a film producer based in Shreveport, Louisiana. He co-owns Bespoke Works LLC alongside his longtime production partner, Alexander Jeffery. He is the co-writer/producer of The Twin which is currently a Shudder Original. Other notable works are: The Power of Pickleball (documentary feature), You Have No Idea (documentary feature), A Chance Encounter (narrative feature), and the upcoming Peeping Todd: The Musical (narrative feature). Since 2020, he has production sound-mixed over 40 short films, four independent features, a dozen commercial ads, and a dozen unscripted/documentary/reality series. Most recently, Paul has started his own business: Sonic Foundry LLC with the primary focus being growing his skills in both production sound mixing and post-production sound editing. Though he has dug deep into the sound field, his heart is in writing and creating stories that are heartfelt and resonate with audiences.
Coming Soon
Spatial is a short film that explores the expressive power of sound. How it shapes not just what we hear, but how we feel and perceive the world. One could argue that sound isn’t just about hearing. It’s a feeling. Organic. Tangible. If done craftily, it can be a tickle of the brain, a warming of the heart, or a punch in the gut. It is the story-enhancer, the tempo-driver, and the thrill-maker of Spatial. In this short film, sound becomes the misdirection.
From a deeper story standpoint, it magnifies the theme of isolation, especially through Henri, who embodies a quiet loneliness that lives in many of us. However, through observation rather than exposition, we sense that she is carrying loss. It’s that familiar, blanketed feeling that overpowers us and dulls the vibrancies of the world.
Some say the secret to happiness is learning to live with misery. But Spatial asks what happens when that fragile balance is disrupted… when even misery is invaded by an external force. How do we trust again? Love again? How do we give humanity another chance after it’s wounded us? How do we persevere? That’s the why for me.
I want this film to be a reminder that there is still life to be lived. A cup that longs to be filled. And perhaps we can begin to find that fullness if we stop… and listen.
— Paul Petersen
