Abigail
Official film poster
Directed by
  • Max Hechtman
  • Christonikos Tsalikis
Screenplay byJason K. Allen
Max Hechtman
Meryl Hechtman
Story byJason K. Allen
Produced by
  • Max Hechtman
  • Christonikos Tsalikis
Starring
  • Richie Allan
  • Elvira Tortora
  • Lauren Hart
  • Leilani Marie Vasquez
Cinematography
  • Joe Daniele
  • Joe DeFelice
Edited byMax Hechtman
Music byAndrés Soto
Production
company
Max Hechtman Films
Release date
  • May 17, 2019 (2019-05-17) (Fashion Institute of Technology)
Running time
23 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Abigail is a 2019 American short drama film directed and produced by Max Hechtman and Christonikos Tsalikis. The film served as Hechtman's senior thesis. It is influenced by a one-scene screenplay of the same name by writer Jason K. Allen and is inspired by a true story dealing with the subject matter of end-of-life decisions.[1]

It was first screened as part of the Fashion Institute of Technology Film and Media Program's senior show on May 17, 2019 and was a year later named a quarterfinalist in Stage 32's 5th Annual Short Film Contest.[2] Its first public screening took place virtually on October 6, 2020 at the 2020 Long Island International Film Expo, where it won the Audience Award, and was nominated for Best Short Film, Best Long Island Short Film and Best Director.[3] This was followed by a screening at the Point Lookout Film Festival on March 31, 2021.[4]

Premise

A lonely and elderly widower struggles to come to terms with the loss of his wife and the circumstances surrounding her death. When he visits her grave, he encounters a little girl who shows him the path to healing and fills him with hope.[5]

Cast

  • Richie Allan as Elmer
  • Elvira Tortora as Abigail
  • Lauren Hart as Woman at Cemetery
  • Leilani Marie Vasquez as The Girl

Production

Development

Jason K. Allen's original script for the film was of just the cemetery scene. When Max Hechtman optioned the script, documentary filmmaker Josh Koury, his professor at the time, encouraged Hechtman to expand upon it in order to fit the requirements of the senior thesis assignment.[6] Hechtman worked closely with his mother, Meryl Hechtman, co-director Christonikos Tsalikis and script editor Miscelleana Tsalikis to make the story fit the required 15-20 minute length limit of the assignment.

It is Hechtman's first narrative short to feature professional actors in the roles, with Elvira Tortora and child actress Leilani Marie Vasquez making their screen debuts as Abigail and The Girl respectively.

Filming

Filming took place in Merrick, NY and at All Faiths Cemetery in Middle Village, NY from November 21, 2018 to April 25, 2019.[6]

Post-production

Post-production on the film was completed in August 2019.

Reception

Jenna Reilly of Take 2 Indie Review gave the film 4 stars and wrote that it "not only explores the emotional toll of grieving a loved one – it also gives the viewer a powerful message of hope. If we are open to receiving the signs that surround us – we realize that our loved ones are always with us and that love – never dies."[5]

Accolades

Year Award Film Festival Recipient Result
2020 Quarterfinalist Stage 32 5th Annual Short Film Contest Abigail Won
Audience Award Long Island International Film Expo Won
Best Short Film Nominated
Best Long Island Short Film Nominated
Best Director Max Hechtman
Christonikos Tsalikis		 Nominated
2021 Best Film Point Lookout Film Festival[7] Abigail Won
Best Local Film Nominated
Best Director Max Hechtman
Christonikos Tsalikis		 Nominated
Best Actor Richie Allan Nominated
Best Produced Script Jason K. Allen
Max Hechtman
Meryl Hechtman		 Nominated
Best Cinematography Joe Daniele
Joe DeFelice		 Nominated
Best Drama "Hang Onto Your Shorts" Film Festival[8] Abigail Nominated

References

  1. ↑ Stieglitz, Brian. "East Meadow filmmaker nominated for three awards at local festival". Herald Community Newspapers. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  2. ↑ LLC, Stage 32. "5th Annual Stage 32 Short Film Program Contest". Stage 32. Retrieved 2020-08-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ↑ "Archives". The Long Island International Film Expo. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  4. ↑ "March 2021 Lineups". Point Lookout Film Festival.
  5. 1 2 Reilly, Jeanna (2020-10-14). "ABIGAIL". Take 2 Indie Review.
  6. 1 2 Stieglitz, Brian. "East Meadow filmmaker wins Best Documentary at local festival". Herald Community Newspapers. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  7. ↑ "March 2021 Award Winners". Point Lookout Film Festival.
  8. ↑ "Home". "Hang Onto Your Shorts" Film Festival. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
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