Sanctuary Dream

An Autism Simulation Narrative dealing with Domestic Violence, Homelessness, and the Search for a Peace House.

  • Grant Carsten
    Director
    Emotion, Grade Camp, The Meritocratic Failure
  • Grant Carsten
    Writer
    Ditto + Commercials, Documentaries, and a Kai Waves Music Video
  • Kendeyl Johansen
    Producer
  • Kristen Gould Case
    Producer
  • Grant Carsten
    Producer
  • Cheryl Dejno
    Producer
  • Jim Hutt
    Producer
  • Traven Thomas
    Key Cast
    "Faisal Ost"
    Emotion (2014), https://www.backstage.com/u/traven-thomas/
  • Kristin Grismore
    Key Cast
    "Julia Ost"
  • David Carsten
    Key Cast
    "Braxton Ost"
    Grade Camp (2015)
  • John Allan
    Key Cast
    "Harris Ost"
  • Kendeyl Johansen
    Key Cast
    "Martha Case"
  • CJ Bodily
    Key Cast
    "Phil Case"
  • Keith Livingston
    Key Cast
    "Detective Greg"
  • Susie Derber
    Key Cast
    "Detective Trainee Kim"
  • Wilbur Thomas
    Key Cast
    "Baruch the Dog"
  • Reem Ikram
    Key Cast
    "Clarissa (Braxton's Girlfriend)"
    https://www.backstage.com/u/reem-ikram/
  • Tori Grismore
    Key Cast
    "Pink Shorts"
  • Tinker D;harra AKA Rev
    Key Cast
    "Irish Traveler"
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 10 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    August 1, 2018
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Canon Rebel t6i w/ Starter lens
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.40:1/APS-C
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - University of Utah
  • IndieFEST Film Awards Fall 2018
    Online
    United States
    November 17, 2018
    or somewhere in November 2018
    Award for Recognition- Disability Issues
  • Private Showings (October 2018 - February 2019)
    Park City and Salt Lake City
    United States
    Got 10,000 dollar break even by donations
    How are you still working Blue Collar Jobs? Lack of Marketing Skills
  • New Creators Film Awards (August 2021)
    Paris
    France
    August 1, 2021
    North American
    Won 3 Awards; 5 additional nominations [they are on IMDb]
  • Black Panther International Short Film Festival(September 2021)
    New Delhi
    India
    September 3, 2021
    North American Premiere
    Out of 7,000 films, Won 5 Awards and got nominated for 5 more (Check out September 15th, 2021 on Facebook and Linkedin Profile)
  • Infinity Film Festival (September 2021)
    London
    United Kingdom
    September 10, 2021
    North American Premiere
    None, but accepted + One Week of Showings.
  • London Reel Film Festival (September 2021)
    London
    United Kingdom
    September 25, 2021
    North American Premiere
    Nomination for Best Cinematography
  • Moscow international Design Film Festival (September 2021)
    Moscow
    Russian Federation
    September 29, 2021
    North American
    Nominations TBD
  • London Movie Awards (October 2021)
    Lendon
    United Kingdom
    October 10, 2021
    North America Premiere
    TBD
  • Florence Film Awards (October 2021)
    Florence
    Italy
    October 5, 2021
    North American
    TBD
  • Moscow Russia International Film Festival (October 2021)
Distribution Information
  • Film Pocket Knife Pictures
    Distributor
    Country: United States
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Grant Carsten

Made a feature film that broke even $10,000 by donations. There is a 3% chance of making money/breaking even on any feature film. Only 1 in 10,000,000 people have ever completed a feature film in their life.

Composed 6 Film Scores (5 for shorts; 1 for Feature) + 1 Feature Film Score and 1 Video Game Score ready to create once the projects are complete.

Written, Directed, and Edited countless short narratives, documentaries, and even some avant-garde work since 2013.

Been a team player on three professional film sets (lots more semi-professional and amateur).

Knows how to use Red and Canon Cameras(Sony and Arri could be next).

Coordination and communication skills on any prep or film set are a plus!

Editing another Feature Film for a Friend right now(81 hours of footage).

All of this, despite my Autism,...

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Though there are definitely films that depict Autism, almost all of them show viewpoints from the other side. 'Rain Man' and 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape?', though powerful movies, depict Autism through what Tom Cruise and Johnny Depp see in Dustin Hoffman and Leo; 'The Accountant', though great, shows mostly the aftermath of an assassin who learned to cope with and hide his disabilities; 'Life Animated', once again great, is another autistic documentary which shows an overdose of the parents, and Disney Movies making sense to Autists is not new.

Forrest Gump (it's implied) and Temple Grandin are exceptions, though it is clear the viewpoint speaks as a consultant rather than the feeling. This is where my film differs.

I'm not saying my motion picture is better than any of these. Far from it. All these movies are rightfully considered masterpieces and they should stay that way. What I am saying is that no movie which has depicted Autism has simulated what being Autistic feels like. That is exactly where Sanctuary Dream differs.

Whether it's through the story or the technical stuff, Sanctuary Dream goes above and beyond in making sure its audience feels Autistic. The techniques include, but are not limited to -- cinematography and edit cuts which create a sense of constant attack; strong color tints and slightly cheesy acting to give an unreliable narrator quality; and Music which states what could not be verbally or physically told.

Looking at the final result, I am proud to say that Sanctuary Dream is my first feature.