April Kills The Vibe

When party girl April wakes up after a rowdy New Year’s eve with a lot more than just a hangover, she calls her partner in crime, Lola, to try to fill in the blanks. But the truth is uglier than April bargained for, and she is forced to confront her demons.

  • Bonnie Mckee
    Director
  • Bonnie McKee
    Writer
  • Alex Schindler
    Producer
  • Bonnie Mckee
    Producer
  • Bonnie McKee
    Key Cast
    "April"
    August Rush, Royalties
  • Bonnie McKee
    Key Cast
    "Lola"
    August Rush, Royalties
  • Andy Harry
    Key Cast
    "Grant"
  • Daniel Nguyen
    Key Cast
    "Ziggy"
    Kidding, How to Get Away With Murder, Game Shakers
  • Dawn Suhyun Shim
    Cinematography
    The Best People, The Sand Dune
  • Carl Nezen
    1st AC
    You Will Be Mine
  • Stephen St Peter
    Gaffer
    Utopia, Hermit
  • Andy Harry
    Score
  • Bonnie Mckee
    Score
  • Bonnie McKee
    Production Design
  • Jake Unterreiner
    Sound Mixer
  • Quetzel Herzig
    Post Sound Mixer
  • James Johenning
    VFX
  • Aaron Light
    Hair
    500 Days of Summer
  • Mažena Pukšto
    Makeup
  • Arianna Pane
    Colorist
  • Bonnie McKee
    Editor
  • Bonnie McKee
    Original Songs
    'Roar', 'California Gurls', 'Teenage Dream', Katy Perry. 'Dynamite' Taio Cruz
  • Andy Harry
    Original Songs
    'Bad Feeling', 'Heat Wave' Cobra Man
  • Claude Kelly
    Original Songs
    'Grenade', Bruno Mars, 'Party In the USA', Miley Cyrus,'Circus' Britney Spears
  • Oliver Goldstein
    Original Songs
    'Mechanical' Oliver, 'Sit Next To Me', Foster The People, 'Smile', Katy Perry
  • Justin Gray
    Original Songs
    John Legend, Mariah Carey
  • James Johenning
    Poster
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 33 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 12, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    14,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Alexa Mini
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Venice Shorts Film Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Best US First Time Filmmaker
  • Independent Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Best Women's Short
  • Independent Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Best Actress
  • Independent Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Best First Time Director (Female)
  • Independent Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Honorable mentions for Best Original Score & Best Supporting Actor
  • IndieX Film Fest
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Won - Outstanding Achievement Award (First Time Director- Female)
  • IndieX film fest
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Nominated: Best Indie Short
  • IndieX Film Fest
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Nominated: Best Women Short
  • IndieX Film Fest
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Nominated: Best Director (Female)
  • IndieX Film Fest
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Nominated: Best Makeup and Hairstyling
  • Tokyo International Short Film Festival
    Tokyo
    Won - Best Actress
  • New Wave Short Film Fest
    Munich
    Germany
    Won - Best Actress
  • Indie Short Fest
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Nominated: Best Women's Short
  • Indie Short Fest
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Nominated: Best Director
  • Indie Short Fest
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Nominated: Best Actress
  • Indie Short Fest
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Best Supporting Actor
  • Indie Short Fest
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Nominated: Best Makeup & Hairstyling
  • Big Apple Film Festival & Screenplay Competition
    New York
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Bonnie Mckee

Bonnie McKee made a name for herself as a pop songwriter, writing 10 #1 hit songs for the charting topping stars of the past decade, and for her own career as an indie pop artist. After years of packing big emotional stories into tidy 31/2 minute songs and creating her own colorful music videos, she is finally expanding into a new realm of story telling. April Kills The Vibe is Bonnie’s screenwriting and directing debut.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

April Kills The Vibe is based on the true story of a night I was sexually assaulted in the deep throws of my alcoholism, and the slut shaming, victim blaming conversation with a fair weather friend that followed on that miserable morning after.

I wanted to take an unwavering look at the inherent dangers of being female while intoxicated, and explore the complicated dynamics between two women pointing the finger everywhere except where it belongs- at the perpetrator.

I chose to play both characters because I, like so many women, have been on both sides of this disgustingly familiar conversation. I’ve been the reckless drunk girl with dire consequences playing the blame game, and I’ve been the defensive friend that failed her. And while no survivor of assault is to blame, nor are her careless friends, I wanted to pose the question— what responsibilities do we as women have to protect each other, and where is the line drawn? What part did my own alcoholism play in the circumstances that lead me to this life altering event? The morning this film is based on was the first day I attended an AA meeting, and I graciously celebrated 8 years of sobriety this year.

After a successful career as a Grammy nominated pop songwriter and singer, I am excited to step into the film world and expand on my passion for storytelling.