The 2009 class of Compass Film Academy made its presence known at the Detroit Independent Film Festival this weekend with the short films “The Commandant” and “1 New Message.”
Nominated for Best Michigan Short and winning for Best Actor (Robert William Ford), “The Commandant” tells the story of three Russian soldiers hiding in Poland during World War II. The film “1 New Message,” directed by Julie Dugger, was nominated for Best Screenplay (Alexander Slain) and won for Best Academic Short. It tells the story of a family on 9/11.
Both films were up against over 30 selected short films from various Michigan universities and film programs but talk at the festival was strongly in favor of the quality productions that Compass students produced.
During his acceptance speech Robert Ford thanked Compass Film Academy and its students for giving him so many opportunities to practice his craft as well as Compass faculty member Joshua Courtade for his constant support and encouragement.
Immediately following the program, “The Commandant” producer Ross VandeWaa and director Stephen Pell were approached by another festival organizer, keen to have “The Commandant” play at his festival in the coming months. While “1 New Message” producer Jeremy Waterbury was not able to be present at the festival to accept the award, news quickly reached him on the set of Frontier Boys, the feature he is currently line-producing. The festival circuit is sure to soon be flush with the accomplishments of Compass students both here in Michigan and across the country.
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