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Abigail

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.

Inspired by a true story, "Abigail" addresses the topics of grief, loss and the complicated topic of end-of-life decisions, and the unique challenges it poses on relationships and family dynamics.

  • Richie Allan
    Key Cast
    "Elmer"
    Meet Dave (2008), The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017-), Escape at Dannemora (2018)
  • Leilani Marie Vasquez
    Key Cast
    "The Girl"
  • Lauren Hart
    Key Cast
    "Woman at Cemetery"
    Nightwing: Escalation (2017-2018), Cast Down (2017), The Harbor Story (2013), Looking Through the Windows (2017)
  • Elvira Tortora
    Key Cast
    "Abigail"
  • Max Hechtman
    Director
    I Am Here (2016), FIT Hives: Sustainability - The Secret to Survival (2016), Stories of Strength and Hope: Preventing Youth Suicide (2018)
  • Christonikos Tsalikis
    Director
    I Am Here (2016), Front Man (2008), So Tiri: Thes Pastítsio (2017)
  • Jason K. Allen
    Writer
    American Sock (2013), Lucky Fritz (2009), Nashville (2012), That Smell (2017)
  • Max Hechtman
    Writer
    I Am Here (2016), FIT Hives: Sustainability - The Secret to Survival (2016), Stories of Strength and Hope: Preventing Youth Suicide (2018)
  • Meryl Hechtman
    Writer
    I Am Here (2016)
  • Jason K. Allen
    Story
    American Sock (2013), Lucky Fritz (2009), Nashville (2012), That Smell (2017)
  • Christonikos Tsalikis
    Producer
    I Am Here (2016), Front Man (2008), So Tiri: Thes Pastítsio (2017)
  • Max Hechtman
    Producer
    I Am Here (2016), FIT Hives: Sustainability - The Secret to Survival (2016), Stories of Strength and Hope: Preventing Youth Suicide (2018)
  • Meryl Hechtman
    Executive Producer
    I Am Here (2016)
  • Joe Daniele
    Directors of Photography
    Meet the Bostonians (2003), New Dogs, Old Tricks (2018)
  • Joe DeFelice
    Directors of Photography
  • Max Hechtman
    Editor
    I Am Here (2016), FIT Hives: Sustainability - The Secret to Survival (2016), Stories of Strength and Hope: Preventing Youth Suicide (2018)
  • Andrés Soto
    Music
    ¡He matado a mi marido! (2018), The Father's Love (2014), ¡Madre Mía! (2012-2013), Assassin's Assistant (2012)
  • Joe Daniele
    Lighting
    Meet the Bostonians (2003), New Dogs, Old Tricks (2018)
  • Christonikos Tsalikis
    Lighting
    I Am Here (2016), Front Man (2008), So Tiri: Thes Pastítsio (2017)
  • Joe Daniele
    Camera Operators
    Meet the Bostonians (2003), New Dogs, Old Tricks (2018)
  • Joe DeFelice
    Camera Operators
  • Max Hechtman
    Camera Operators
    I Am Here (2016), FIT Hives: Sustainability - The Secret to Survival (2016), Stories of Strength and Hope: Preventing Youth Suicide (2018)
  • Miscelleana Tsalikis
    Script Editor
    I Am Here (2016)
  • Nathan Siegelaub
    Script Supervisor/Continuity
  • Monique Norwick
    Hair and Makeup
  • Renée Safir
    Hair and Makeup
  • Maria Vlantis
    Hair and Makeup
  • David Jaffe
    Storyboard Artist
    Insects (2015), The Day My Mother Screamed (2018), Little Men (2016), Heart Strings (2016)
  • Alberto Innella
    Assistant Director of Photography
    Siji: Driver (2018), Murphy Crib (2016), Black Balloons (2019)
  • Joe Daniele
    First Assistant Camera
    Meet the Bostonians (2003), New Dogs, Old Tricks (2018)
  • Christonikos Tsalikis
    Post Production Supervisor
    I Am Here (2016), Front Man (2008), So Tiri: Thes Pastítsio (2017)
  • Max Hechtman
    Visual Effects
    I Am Here (2016), FIT Hives: Sustainability - The Secret to Survival (2016), Stories of Strength and Hope: Preventing Youth Suicide (2018)
  • Nick Proto
    Visual Effects
    Timespace (2014), Zoul (2018), Porch (2015), Selling Silence (2016)
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama
  • Runtime:
    23 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    August 13, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    30,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States, United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    4K Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Long Island International Film Expo
    Bellmore, New York
    United States
    October 6, 2020
    Long Island Premiere
    Audience Award
  • Stage 32 5th Annual Short Film Contest

    2020
    Quarterfinalist
  • Golden Door International Film Festival
    Jersey City, New Jersey
    United States
    April 24, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Point Lookout Film Festival
    Point Lookout, NY
    United States
    March 31, 2021
    Best Film
  • "Hang Onto Your Shorts" Film Festival
    Asbury Park, New Jersey
    United States
    May 1, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Portland Film Festival
    Portland, Oregon
    United States
    October 6, 2021
    Portland Premiere
Director Biography - Max Hechtman, Christonikos Tsalikis

MAX HECHTMAN, a graduate of the Film and Media Program at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), NYC, is a Long Island and New York-based filmmaker. His narrative and documentary work has received recognition at various film festivals nationally. His goal is to use the art of film to bring attention to issues that challenge his and other generations, through subject matter and stories that are relatable and impact our lives.

In addition to filmmaking, he has been working as a professional video editor for the past five years. He hopes to continue his work in production and post-production and pursue film projects, including short and feature-length narratives and documentaries that get people to think, question and open conversations about subjects that are difficult, but can lead to change and positive outcomes. An avid enthusiast of musical theatre, he also hopes to adapt Broadway musicals for film.

CHRISTONIKOS TSALIKIS is a co-founder of Reel Life Cinematography, one of Long Island’s premiere video production companies. Chris’ 20+ years of experience in production and post-production has established him as a master of storytelling through his expertise in directing, cinematography and editing.

His experience encompasses producing films and videos for commercial and event clients. With an extensive knowledge of cameras and editing software platforms, Chris’s work reflects exceptional skill in elevating the production value of the projects with which he has been involved, as well as his ability to successfully blend traditional and current techniques and trends.

He is also a gifted and natural teacher of his craft, which he has used to mentor a number of emerging filmmakers, including his co-director on "Abigail," Max Hechtman.

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Director Statement

We believe this film is important because it facilitates the complicated and difficult subjects of illness, grief and loss - topics that are more relevant today in the recent past, given the millions of families worldwide who have been effected so tragically by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through the endearing relationship of Elmer and his beloved Abigail, we are prompted to ask ourselves important and uncomfortable questions about expressing our wishes regarding medical treatment and end of life, while we’re in a position to do so. Through Elmer’s grieving process, we also discover how the path to acceptance and moving forward, often comes from the memories, traditions and secrets of those who we have lost.

It is our hope that this film opens the door for conversations for anyone facing this adversity in their life.

– Max Hechtman and Christonikos Tsalikis