Private Project

Everhand

SYNOPSIS:
Rancher Abe Brightwell (Lee Cleaveland)
struggles to maintain his livelihood alongside his
wife Edie (Sarah Beth Budd), until a shadowy biotech
company offers him a sleek new bionic limb — the
Everhand. Productivity soars, but so do the
consequences. The couple must confront a mute and
menacing corporate Sales Rep (Ron Williams) and
reclaim their humanity before the machine consumes
them — and everything they love.

A silent film, Everhand relies heavily on mood, music,
and visual storytelling.

GENESIS:
Filmed with a budget of $0 USD, Everhand was shot
in under 48 hours and created for the 2025 Easterseals
Disability Film Challenge . The film first screened at the
Carey Grant Theatre at Sony Studios where Everhand went on
to win Best Director and Best Picture while also receiving
a Best Editing nomination. Inspired by actor and producer
Lee Cleaveland's mind controlled bionic hand, Everhand is a
sci-fi thriller and body horror piece that draws influence
from The Twilight Zone, Black Mirror, and Fallout.

  • Shane Hillier
    Director
  • Mario Cassem
    Writer
  • Sarah Beth Budd
    Producer
  • Lee Cleaveland
    Producer
  • Shane Hiller
    Editor
  • Lee Cleaveland
    Key Cast
    "Abe"
  • Sarah Beth Budd
    Key Cast
    "Edie"
  • Ron Williams
    Key Cast
    "Rep"
  • Din Pastrana
    1st Assistant Director
  • Nick Matthews
    2nd Assistant Director
  • Grace Schilp
    Script Supervisor
  • Sean Mouton
    Director of Photography
  • Kevin Waltz
    1st Assistant Camera
  • Luke Mulvaney
    2nd Assistant Camera
  • Cooper Arent
    DIT
  • Luke Mulvaney
    DIT
  • Gianluca Petrazzi
    Gaffer
  • Jake Gottman
    Key Grip
  • Jaden Stroude
    Sound Recordist
  • Jake Clark
    Composer
  • Evan Houdek
    Production Designer
  • Jack Horrigan
    Graphic Designer
  • Alexis Stacy
    Graphic Designer
  • Hannah M. Budd
    Costume Designer / Key HMU
  • Mikey Vultaggio
    Wardrobe Assistant
  • Trever Barkham
    Locations Manager
  • Wyatt Cleaveland
    Production Assistant
  • Trever Barkham
    Animal Trainer
  • Samuel Loudon
    Grip
  • Ryan Rootare
    Grip
  • Henry Cleaveland
    Set Decorator
  • Scot Cleaveland
    Set Decorator
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 3 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 6, 2025
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Alexa Mini
  • Film Color:
    Black & White
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • 2025 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    May 8, 2025
    Best Picture , Best Director
  • 2025 HollyShorts Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    August 16, 2025
    Official Selection
  • Heartland International Film Festival 2025
    Indianapolis
    United States
    October 12, 2025
    Official Selection
  • Midnight Monster Club Short Film Festival 2026
    San Antonio
    United States
    January 16, 2026
  • Slamdance Film Festival 2026
    Los Angeles
    United States
    February 20, 2026
    Grand Jury Prize - Best Unstoppable Short
Director Biography - Shane Hillier

Shane Hillier (Detroit, MI) is a disabled director, editor,
and writer known for his commitment to inclusive
storytelling and impactful filmmaking.

His passion for film has been prevalent his whole life. He began acting as a child, participating in local theater. In his teenage years this interest then blossomed into behind the scenes work. This led Shane to pursue photography and video editing where he spent several years making skateboard films with his friends. Through this newfound interest he developed his skills and ultimately ushered him into narrative filmmaking.

Shane then enrolled at the Motion Picture Institute in Troy, MI. There he wrote and directed three short films; "Absolutely No Hunting", "If These Walls Could Talk", and "Yellow Bellied Rat". Upon graduating Shane took on his next project, "If These Walls Could Walk". Which went on to have a successful festival run, winning several awards throughout the process, including Best Film, Best Thriller, Best Production Design and Best Editing in various festivals.

Shane continues to pursue filmmaking in numerous avenues, including narratives and music videos. He also continues to work professionally in the Detroit film industry.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

“We live in a world where technology, prosthetics, and augmentation has changed so many lives for the better. We wanted to take that narrative and flip it on its head. What would be the darker consequences? What are the more sinister consequences? Everhand explores those ideas. In the end, Everhand is a labor of love created by Michigan filmmakers.”

-Shane Hillier