As the Sunflower Whispers

As the Russian invasion begins, a dedicated group from Huntington, West Virginia-teachers, students, and community members united as MUkraine-embarks on a mission to share the untold stories of Ukrainian refugees. Through a powerful podcast featuring untold stories, including interviews with front line workers, journalists, and families directly impacted by the war, they bring the realities of the conflict to life and give a voice to those affected.

This 10-minute cut of the documentary was created specifically for submission to the Foxfire Film Festival.

  • Samuel Felinton
    Director
  • Gabriel Marcum
    Writer
  • Samuel Felinton
    Writer
  • Samuel Felinton
    Producer
  • Gabriel Marcum
    Producer
  • Xander Alvarez
    Key Cast
    "Narator"
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    War, Documentary, Student
  • Completion Date:
    July 21, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    50 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    Ukraine, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - West Virginia University
  • West Virginia Mountaineer Short Film Festival
    Morgantown, West Virginia
    April 12, 2025
    Best WVU Student Film
Director Biography - Samuel Felinton

Samuel Felinton is a Theatre Tech and Design student at West Virginia University, Class of 2027, originally from Huntington, West Virginia. At WVU, he serves as the president of both the Film Club and TEDxWVU. Passionate about storytelling through film, Samuel is currently developing Project Butterfly: Flatwoods, a found footage horror film centered on the legendary Flatwoods Monster. His most recent work, The Death of Film, is an 856-hour experimental piece exploring the horror of AI in cinema—making it the second-longest film ever created, just behind Logistics. All proceeds from the project support the Animation Guild and its efforts to combat AI encroachment in the film industry.

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Director Statement

Working with the team at MUkraine to create this film was a tremendous honor. The version presented here is a ten-minute cut, a condensed glimpse of the full forty-minute piece. While it cannot fully capture the depth and nuance of the complete film, it offers a window into the heart of the story and the people behind it.

This was my first project exceeding twenty minutes, and it marked an important step in my growth as a filmmaker. The scale brought new challenges and new rewards—each moment, from development through post-production, was a learning experience I deeply valued.

I’m grateful to everyone who contributed their time, trust, and talents to this project. Their collaboration shaped the final piece in ways I could never have achieved alone. This film stands as a testament to what can happen when personal vision meets collective effort.