Private Project

Separation

A recently divorced family, comprised of a mother, father, and little girl, struggles to assimilate to their new lives. The girl, Abigail, resorts to surprising alternative methods to cope.

  • Andrew Schwarz
    Director
  • Andrew Schwarz
    Writer
  • Scott Aharoni
    Producer
  • Andrew Schwarz
    Producer
  • Shea Saracino
    Key Cast
  • Suzanne Rydz
    Key Cast
    Peanut Butter & Jelly
  • Mark Lyons
    Key Cast
  • Marlena Holman
    Key Cast
  • Nick Adamson
    Key Cast
  • Petra Denison
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Family, Fantasy
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 31, 2014
  • Production Budget:
    8,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    16mm
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1:85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes
  • Hofstra University Department Film Festival 2014
    Hempstead, NY
    May 16, 2014
    Best Editing, Best Director, 2nd Place
  • Hoboken International Film Festival 2015 (HIFF)
    Middletown, NY
    May 30, 2015
    World Premiere
  • Katra Film Series July 2015
    Manhattan, New York City, NY
    July 25, 2015
    New York Premiere
  • Hudson Valley International Film Festival 2015
    Monroe, NY
    United States
    August 16, 2015
    Hudson Valley, NY Premiere
  • The Boonies International Film Festival 2015
    Warren, PA
    United States
    August 24, 2015
    Pennsylvania Premiere
  • Northeast Film Festival 2015
    Teaneck, NJ
    United States
    September 17, 2015
    WINNER: Best Student Film
  • Sydney Indie Film Festival 2015
    Sydney, New South Whales
    Australia
    October 23, 2015
    Australia Premiere
    WINNER: Indie Spirit Award- Short Film
  • Miami Independent Film Festival November 2015
    Miami, FL
    United States
    December 18, 2015
    Florida State Premiere
  • Depth of Field International Film Festival Spring 2016

    March 10, 2016
    WINNER: Award of Merit
  • Idyllwild International Festival Of Cinema 2016
    Idyllwild, CA
    United States
    January 9, 2016
    California State Premiere
    WINNER: Indie Spirit Award, NOMINEES: Best Actress Featurette, Best Supporting Actress Featurette, Best Cinematography Featurette, Best Screenplay Featurette, Best Musical Score Featurette, Best Ensemble Cast Featurette
  • Accolade Global Film Competition 2016

    February 18, 2016
    WINNER: Award of Recognition (Student Short)
  • Wendy's Shorts December 2015

    December 27, 2015
    NOMINEE: Best International Student Short
  • FilmFest52 January 2016
    Bethel, CT
    United States
    January 20, 2016
    Connecticut Premiere
  • New York Short Film Fridays Fest at Bahche (January 2016)
    Brooklyn, New York City, NY
    United States
    January 20, 2016
    Brooklyn, NY Premiere
  • The Set NYC at Lovecraft Bar (March 2016)
    Manhattan, New York City, NY
    United States
    March 16, 2016
    Manhattan, NYC Premiere
  • Garden State Film Festival 2016
    Atlantic City, NJ
    United States
    March 26, 2016
    WINNER: Best Home-Grown Track From A Short Film: "Abigail's Journey"
  • "Hang Onto Your Shorts!" Film Festival 2016
    Asbury Park, NJ
    United States
    April 24, 2016
    Central New Jersey Premiere
    WINNER: Best Actress Student Film (Shea Saracino), NOMINEES: Best College Film, Best Actor Student Film (Mark Lyons), Best Director Student Film
  • Manhattan Film Festival 2016
    Manhattan, New York City, NY
    United States
    May 19, 2016
  • Riverside International Film Festival 2016
    Riverside, CA
    United States
    May 14, 2016
  • Madrid International Film Festival 2016
    Madrid
    Spain
    June 4, 2016
    Spain Premiere
    NOMINEE: Talented New Director Award
  • USA Independent Film Festival 2016
    Brooklyn, New York City, New York
    United States
    July 6, 2016
    WINNER: Best Actor In A Short Film (Mark Lyons)
  • Mexico International Film Festival 2016
    Mexico City
    Mexico
    August 18, 2016
    Mexico Premiere
    WINNER: Silver Palm Award for Best Student Film
  • Golden Door International Film Festival 2016
    Jersey City, NJ
    United States
    September 24, 2016
    NOMINEE: Best Student Film
Director Biography - Andrew Schwarz

An extremely hard-working and passionate writer and director, Andrew Schwarz graduated from Hofstra University in 2014 with a dual degree in Film Production and Music Composition. He is a director of rare diligence and precision, with a flare for detail and a hunger for discovering new and exciting ways to tell interesting stories.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

WHY?

Why do we love movies? Why do I love movies? Moreover, why do I love movies to SUCH THE EXTENT that, although it is a distinctly painstaking and vigorous endeavor to make one, it trumps all other possible, suitable, sensible career options for me?

The answer to this question is of course inexplicable. One may be presented with efforts from many a filmmaker attempting to provide a subjective response. Words, I believe, are inadequate.

The best words I can muster are: because of my untamed passion for storytelling! It sounds so hackneyed—but it nails it.

My senior thesis, SEPARATION, demonstrates exactly what I love about movie making. It’s drama, it’s fantasy, it’s comedy, it’s fun, devastating, silly, happy, mysterious, tragic, and hopeful all in one little story.

Why do I love to make movies? You can find my TRUE answer by watching my short film, SEPARATION.

Yours Cinematically,
Andrew Schwarz, Writer/Director