Experiencing Interruptions?

Open Hands

Rancher Clay Cain is sentenced to hang after he's found with the body of Luke Owens, a known card shark who swindled Clay's father in a game of cards to obtain the Cain family ranch. While Clay waits his demise he must deal with the hate he has for Luke and his brother Perry.

  • James Burns
    Director
  • James Burns
    Writer
  • Hughie Wilson
    Writer
  • John Halliday
    Producer
  • Mickey Halliday
    Key Cast
  • Catherine Stewart
    Key Cast
  • Jimmy McMillan
    Key Cast
  • George McMillan
    Key Cast
  • Joe Halliday
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Christian, Western
  • Runtime:
    33 minutes 46 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 31, 2013
  • Production Budget:
    2,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Central Florida Christian Film Festival
    Altamonte Springs, FL
    February 20, 2014
    North American Premiere
  • Christian Online Film Festival
    Newport News, VA
    United States
    April 30, 2016
    Best Short Film, Best Director, Best Producer, Best Visual Effects, Best Costumes and Props, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Villian
  • Los Angeles CineFest
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    March 26, 2016
  • Churches Making Movies
    South Orange, NJ
    United States
    October 7, 2016
  • Christian Life International Film Festival
    Thamesville, Ontario
    Canada
    September 25, 2016
    Canadian Premiere
    Award of Merit
  • Inspired Faith Film Festival
    Atlanta, GA
    United States
    July 22, 2016
    Inspired Originality Award
  • International Christian Film Festival
    Orlando, FL
    United States
    May 5, 2017
  • Great Lakes Christian Film Festival
    Buffalo, NY
    United States
    August 18, 2016
  • Great Lakes International Shorts Festival
    Erie, PA
    United States
    November 18, 2016
  • Big Cross Los Angeles Christian Film Festival
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    November 16, 2016
    Finalist
  • Best Shorts Competition
    La Jolla, CA
    United States
    June 28, 2016
    Award of Recognition
  • Christian Film Festival
    Newport News VA
    United States
    May 28, 2016
    Best Short Film, Best Actor Supporting, Best Costumes and Props, Best Cinematography, Best Hair and Make-up, Best Sound/Music
Director Biography - James Burns

James Burns is a writer, director, producer from Chandler AZ. James is completely self taught and specializes in making big productions on a low budget. James currently assumes the rolls of writer, director, producer, editor, special effects, and cinematographer on all his films and is a one man filmmaking machine.

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Director Statement

If you keep trying to Speilberg, you will always be a poor man's version of Speilberg. I want to try to be the best version of me I can be, and trust God to inspire me.