Ben and Big: The Movie (20min)

Ben and Big has a simple, universal theme - behind every teardrop lurks a ravenous evil. We had better learn to get along, or it will devour us.

Madame Fetid is a supremely vain, horribly wicked witch. To retain her youth, magic requires that she eat living things... plants, insects... people. Ah, people, very good - powerful youth potion. And children, oh the very best of all, those wonderful, succulent life-giving little creatures.

Fetid drools at the thought of having young Ben, a sprightly young fellow from a nearby village, over for dinner. She conjures a plan to lure him into the dilapidated, bewitched old house she calls her "castle."

How on earth is a simple village boy to escape the clutches of Fetid's powerful magic, and her entourage of comical, but vindictive talking insects? Well, Ben's probably done for... but then there's Big, a ferocious cave troll, also on Fetid's menu.

With Ben's brain, and Big's brawn, maybe, just maybe, Fetid has bitten off more than she can chew this time... nah, she is a powerful witch, after all.

  • Rowan Grey Sutherland
    Director
    See IMDB page
  • Rowan Grey Sutherland
    Writer
    See IMDB page
  • Rowan Grey Sutherland
    Producer
    See IMDB page
  • Federico Gatti
    Composer
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Short
  • Genres:
    Fantasy, Action, Drama, Thriller, Family
  • Runtime:
    19 minutes 49 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 18, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    150,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Rome Indie Prisma Awards
    Rome
    Italy
    April 15, 2018
    Official selection
  • AltFF Film Festival
    Toronto
    Canada
    March 15, 2018
    Finalist
  • Move Me Productions

    Belgium
    March 18, 2018
    Official Selection
  • World Premiere Film Awards

    United States
    April 30, 2018
    Winner
Distribution Information
  • Amazon Prime, USA, UK
    Country: United States
    Rights: Internet, Video on Demand, Pay Per View, Hotel, Video / Disc, Paid TV, Console / Handheld Device
  • Amazon Prime, Germany, Austria, Australia
    Country: Germany
    Rights: Internet, Video on Demand, Pay Per View, Video / Disc, Paid TV
    Country: Australia
    Rights: Internet, Video on Demand, Pay Per View, Hotel, Airline, Ship, Video / Disc, Paid TV, Console / Handheld Device
    Country: Austria
    Rights: Internet, Video on Demand, Pay Per View, Hotel, Airline, Ship, Video / Disc, Paid TV, Console / Handheld Device
  • UDU Digital, Worldwide
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights
  • Vimeo, Worldwide
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Rowan Grey Sutherland

Rowan Grey Sutherland (IMDB page - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2918753/ )
was born in Zimbabwe. His family moved to the beautiful coastal town of Durban, South Africa, where he received his formative education.

A keen martial artist, he represented his state in the national karate championships twice. He was drafted into the South African Army and trained as a green beret, eventually working his way to the rank of full lieutenant. He subsequently worked as a military correspondent in the reserves for a number of years. Rowan served three tours of duty on the South African/Angolan border.

After honorable discharge from the military, he worked as a teacher at Edenglen High School, where he opened and headed the Theatre Department. Happy as he was, America called and he emigrated to explore his fascination with California and Hollywood. Degrees include B.A (Theatre and English), M.A. (Writing for Mass Media) M.F.A. (Screenwriting, California State University, Northridge, USA). He is a former professor of screenwriting at CSU, Northridge, Department of Cinema, Television, and Visual Arts.

Ben and Big, the movie, had its premiere Los Angeles run in September 2017.

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Director Statement

I'd rather be an ordinary somebody than a spectacular nobody.