Brian Markinson, Melanie Nicholls-King and Tonya Lee Williams will star in Cormican Short Film

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) October 13, 2011 -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TORONTO, ON -- Earlier today Producer David Cormican and Director James Cooper launched a crowd-funding campaign through Kickstarter for their short film 'Elijah the Prophet'.

The script, penned by Zachary and Jesse Herrmann of Brooklyn, New York, beat out over 500 other worldwide entries to take the grand prize for the 2010/11 Canadian Short Screenplay Competition.

‘Elijah the Prophet’ tells the comedic story of Elijah, the pious, chummy and alcoholic prophet, whose yearly antics have graced Jewish households for ages as part of the Passover celebration. Unfortunately, not everyone understands that drunk driving for him is a divine right, which soon gets him in trouble with the law.

“The script uses the Jewish tradition of Passover to tell a story of lost innocence and the harsh realities of growing up. It does so with a hilarious, irreverent twist that gives it universal appeal," said Producer David Cormican. “It’s the moment when every kid realizes Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy or even the Easter Bunny aren’t real. That’s what drew me to this script”.

The cast includes Gemini and Leo award nominee Brian Markinson (Charlie Wilson’s War, Shooter, Caprica) in the title role as Elijah the Prophet. Melanie Nicholls-King (Rookie Blue, The Wire) and two-time Emmy Award nominee Tonya Lee Williams (Young & The Restless, Poor Boy’s Game, She’s The Mayor) play Officer Murphy and Cst. Jackie, respectively. Gemini nominated funny man, Carlos Diaz (Rent-a-Goalie, Cra$h & Burn), also lends his comedic chops to the short playing Brian.

Behind the camera, Cormican and Cooper have assembled an experienced team that includes: Genie and Gemini nominee, Director of Photography Alwyn Kumst (Degrassi: The Next Generation, Highland Gardens); indie music and recording artist, Olds Sleeper, as Composer; and veteran Sound Editor and two-time Genie nominee, Alan Hardiman (Relic Hunter, Kids in the Hall).

"I couldn't be more pleased with the team we've been able to put together. The script has really helped us generate interest from day one”, said Director James Cooper. "Kickstarter offers us a unique ability to raise awareness for the film before we go to camera, which is something a lot of shorts have trouble doing."

The film, set to be shot in the Spring of 2012, will be partially funded via Kickstarter (insert hyperlink), an arts-specific crowd-funding site. The all-or-nothing campaign aims to raise an additional $20,000.00 in 45 days.

Kickstarter campaign contributors will be provided with a variety of unique rewards, ranging from original music from indie recording artist Olds Sleeper, limited edition artwork, Elijah bobble-heads and engraved flasks, to festival premiere tickets and round trip plane tickets to attend the filming of the short film.

Cormican’s executive producer credits include feature film work on the Milla Jovavich starrer, ‘Faces in the Crowd’, the Jessica Biel thriller, ‘The Tall Man’ and the currently in production zombie slasher ’13 Eerie’ starring Katherine Isabelle (Ginger Snaps).

Cormican’s last two produced short films from the Canadian Short Screenplay Competition, ‘Minus Lara’ and ‘Rusted Pyre’, have most recently been co-awarded the distinction of “Best in Canada” by the 2011 Reel Rave International Film Festival. ‘Rusted Pyre’, which first bowed in Cannes as part of Telefilm Canada’s “Not Short on Talent” programme has also screened as an official selection of the CFC’s Worldwide Short Film Festival, Calgary, Edmonton, Atlantic and Tulsa International Film Festivals. The short was also named one of the top 100 films of 2011 by the Young Cuts Film Festival. ‘Minus Lara’, a Bravo!FACT funded short film, has also received ‘best of’ honours at the Yorkton Film Festival and screened recently as an official selection of the Edmonton International Film Festival.

The Kickstarter campaign for ‘Elijah the Prophet’ runs from October 11 to November 24, 2011. For more information on the project or to make a donation, visit www.IBelieveInElijah.com.

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About The Canadian Short Screenplay Competition (CSSC)

The Canadian Short Screenplay Competition, administered by Year of the Skunk Productions, and established in 2008, is the premiere script contest for short film screenplays. CSSC is the single-most competitive, prestigious, short screenplay festival in Canada, winner of the 2010 Canadian Weblog Award for Literature and Writing, a champion for screenwriters everywhere and a launching pad for writers’ professional careers.

Brian Markinson     crowd funding     Jewish Film     Kick Starter     Rookie Blue     short film     tonya lee williams