Private Project

August

Henry is shocked by the appearance of German P.O.W.s in his rural farming community, and makes a decision that will impact his family for a generation.

"August" is a student MFA thesis film.

  • Eli McGowan
    Director
  • Emily McGowan
    Writer
  • Eli McGowan
    Writer
  • Eli McGowan
    Producer
  • Jared Bailey
    Producer
  • Ashley Mayberry
    Producer
  • Emily McGowan
    Producer
  • Elizabeth Busby
    Producer
  • Jakob Wagner
    Key Cast
    "Henry"
  • Meredith Johnson
    Key Cast
    "Irene"
  • Sam Cass
    Key Cast
    "August"
  • Ricky Smiley
    Key Cast
    "Mr. Blun"
  • Caleb Avery
    Key Cast
    "Rufus"
  • Stuart Maxheimer
    Key Cast
    "Older Henry"
  • Avery Kellington
    Key Cast
    "Mrs. Blun"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Historical, WWII, Southern, Atmospheric
  • Runtime:
    11 minutes 15 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 15, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    30,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English, German
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Savannah College of Art & Design
  • Red Movie Awards - Annual Awards
    Reims
    France
    May 10, 2024
    European Premiere, French Premiere
    Nominee - Best Director of the Year
  • Macon Film Festival
    Macon, GA
    United States
    August 18, 2023
    World Premiere
    Winner - Best Student Short
  • Santa Barbara Indie Film Festival
    Santa Barbara
    United States
    August 26, 2023
    California Premiere
    Winner - Best Short Film
  • Independent Shorts Awards - Annual Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    September 16, 2023
    LA Premiere
    Winner - Best Student Short, Best Child/Young Actor, and Best Original Score. Nominated for Best Student Director (Male).
  • Richmond International Film Festival
    Richmond, Virginia
    United States
    September 29, 2023
    Virginia Premiere
    Nominee - Best Narrative Short
  • Miami Short Film Festival
    Miami
    United States
    November 18, 2023
    Florida Premiere
    Winner - Best College/University Short
  • Beaufort International Film Festival
    Beaufort, SC
    United States
    February 23, 2024
    South Carolina Premiere
    Official Selection
  • FP Arts Film Festival
    East Kilbride
    United Kingdom
    August 17, 2024
    United Kingdom Premiere
    Best Short Film of the Month
  • Hollywood Shorts Fest (Virtual, September 18-22)
    Virtual
    United States
    September 22, 2024
    Honorable Mention
Director Biography - Eli McGowan

Listening to stories from his large Southern family and watching rented movies were two of Eli's favorite pastimes as a military brat traveling the world during childhood. In 2016, he dropped out of law school for a career in the film industry. After working in D.C. doing corporate film and video work for several years, he relocated to Savannah, GA with his family. He has worked extensively in camera, editorial, and G&E for commercials, documentaries, and features. He holds an MFA in film & television from SCAD.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

It was a pleasure to see real family history from both my wife's family and my own weaved together in her short story and our script, to create a fictional cinematic tale that feels to us like it could have happened, and been ripped out of our own family diaries. Bringing something that personal to life in just four days of cold, rural shooting was a challenge. I'm grateful to so many for the work and sacrifice it took, especially those who passed us down stories.