Eyes Upon Waking
A troubled woman must come to terms with her suicide attempts while spending several days in a holding facility. Inspired by the true story of one person's struggle to find purpose in her own existence.
The story follows a very distressed woman into a mental health facility following two attempts to end her life, and examines her growth into a still-troubled person content to continue living. In this incredibly true story, Taren Foley survives her second suicide attempt within a week, and is sent from the ER to a holding facility for three days of observation and analysis. Quickly realizing she has no intention of taking her life in the future, Taren alienates herself from the patients and staff, biding her time until she can be released. When circumstances force her to remain locked up all weekend, a compassionate Taren makes an effort to help her fellow patients with their issues, unaware she still neglects her own. By the time she is released on Monday, Taren has yet to feel better about her life, but there is hope that one day, she might.
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Timothy ZwicaDirectorThe Nest (Short)
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Co-Director - Jennifer ScottDirector
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Jennifer ScottWriter
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Andy GolubWriterHead Case
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Jennifer ScottProducerThe Nest, The Stray, Je T'aime, Au Revoir, Elevator Pitch
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Jennifer ScottKey Cast"Taren"Idleheist, Bedford Diaries (TV), Love Monkey, Spirit Lake, The Other Side of the Door, Je T'aime, Au Revoir, How to Make a Deal with the Devil
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Eddie McClurgKey Cast"Nurse Jane"Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Planes, Trains & Automobiles, Froze, Natural Born Killers
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Joe EstevezKey Cast"Dr. Ferguson"The California Kid, The Hatfields and the McCoys (TV Movie), Eye of the Stranger, Doonby, Chasing Gold, High on the Hog
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Janet Ulrich BrooksKey Cast"Dr. Kepler"Conviction, I Heart Shakey, Divergent, Fargo (TV)
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Rhobye WyattKey Cast"Mrs. Kelly"Asylum, Mash (TV), Chronicles (TV Mini Series)
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Jeffrey GroverKey Cast"Dennis"Compliance, I Feel Pretty, Dark Waters, Two Cents From a Pariah
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Eddie HuchroKey Cast"Ferdinand"8 of Diamonds, Dog Jack, Conviction
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Becky ThyreKey Cast"Shelly"The Ben Stiller Show, PCU, The Flintstones, Mr. Show with Bob and David (TV), Six Feet Under (TV), Parks and Recreation (TV), Weeds (TV), Arrested Development (TV)
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Juan Francisco Francisco VillaKey Cast"Carlos"Chicago P.D. (TV), The Tank, Canvas
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Rosa Isela FraustoKey Cast"Maria"Soy Nero, Kidnapped Souls, Amar Sin Miedo/Love Without Fear
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Project Type:Feature
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Runtime:1 hour 52 minutes 19 seconds
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Completion Date:April 1, 2022
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Production Budget:230,000 USD
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Arri Alexa / Arri Alexa Mini
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Aspect Ratio:1.85:1
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:No
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Phoenix Rising International Film FestivalLuton
United Kingdom
May 13, 2022
Winner - Best Feature Film -
Phoenix Rising International Film FestivalLuton
United Kingdom
May 13, 2022
Nominated - Best Screenplay -
Phoenix Rising International Film FestivalLuton
United Kingdom
May 13, 2022
Nominated - Best Director -
Art StreamAmsterdam
Netherlands
May 14, 2022
Winner - Best Actress -
Art StreamAmsterdam
Netherlands
May 14, 2022
Winner - Best Female work -
Art StreamAmsterdam
Netherlands
May 14, 2022
Honorable Mention - Best Picture -
Cannes World Film FestivalCannes
France
May 15, 2022
Winner - Best Ensemble Cast -
Cannes World Film FestivalCannes
France
May 15, 2022
Winner - Best Feature Drama -
Pure Magic International Film FestivalAmsterdam
Netherlands
June 4, 2022
Winner - Best Actress -
Salt House Creative International Film FestivalKincumber
Australia
June 17, 2022
Winner - Best Actress -
London Independent Film AwardsLondon
United Kingdom
June 24, 2022
Winner - Best Actress -
Toronto Independent Film Awards Inc. (TIFA)Toronto
Canada
July 1, 2022
Nominee - Feature Film, Mid Budget -
New York Lift-Off Film FestivalBrooklyn
United States
July 1, 2022
Official Selection -
Mannheim Arts and Film FestivalMannheim
Germany
July 8, 2022
Winner - Best Actress -
Chicago Indie Film AwardsChicago
United States
July 14, 2022
Honorable Mention - Best Actress -
Orlando International Film FestivalOrlando
United States
July 15, 2022
Honorable Mention - Feature Fiction -
Arizona Sunburn Film FestivalTucson
United States
July 23, 2022
Official Selection -
LA Independent Women Film AwardsLos Angeles
United States
July 28, 2022
Nominated - Best First Time Filmmaker -
New York Independent Cinema AwardsNew York
United States
August 3, 2022
Winner - Best Producer -
San Diego Art Film FestSan Diego
United States
August 3, 2022
Winner - Best Actress -
San Diego Art Film FestSan diego
United States
August 3, 2022
Winner - Best First Time Feature Filmmaker -
Your Way International Film FestivalValletta
Malta
August 17, 2022
Winner - Best Supporting Actress -
Montreal Independent Film FestivalMontreal
Canada
August 18, 2022
Nominated - Best Actress -
Hollywood Blvd. FilmHollywood
United States
August 31, 2022
Winner - Best Cinematography -
Hollywood Blvd. FilmHollywood
United States
August 31, 2022
Winner - Best Producer -
Hong Kong Indie Film FestivalHong Kong
China
August 31, 2022
Winner - Best Actress -
International Manhattan Film AwardsManhattan
United States
September 5, 2022
Winner - Best First Time Filmmaker -
Makizhmithran International Film FestivalSouth Tamil Nadu
India
September 7, 2022
Winner - Best Actress, Special Jury Award -
Miami Indie Film AwardsMiami
United States
September 9, 2022
Winner - Best First Time Filmmaker -
Iowa Independent Film FestivalMason City, Iowa
United States
September 9, 2022
Official Selection -
Peoria Film FestPeoria
United States
October 15, 2022
Official Selection -
Show Low Film Festival - White Mountains ArizonaShow Low
United States
October 15, 2022
Winner - Top 10 Best of Festival -
Asia Film FestivalMumbai
India
October 20, 2022
Official Selection -
Paris Lift-Off Film FestivalParis
France
October 23, 2022
Official Selection -
AFIN International Film FestivalBrisbane, Queensland
Australia
November 5, 2022
Winner - Best Actress -
AFIN International Film FestivalBrisbane, Queensland
Australia
November 5, 2022
Honorable Mention - Best Diversity in Film -
AFIN International Film FestivalBrisbane, Queensland
Australia
November 5, 2022
Nominated - Best Picture -
AFIN International Film FestivalBrisbane, Queensland
Australia
November 5, 2022
Nominated - Best Supporting Actress -
AFIN International Film FestivalBrisbane, Queensland
Australia
November 5, 2022
Two Nominations - Best Actor -
AFIN International Film FestivalBrisbane, Queensland
Australia
November 5, 2022
Two Finalists - Best Supporting Actor -
Queens World Film FestivalLong Island City
United States
November 6, 2022
Nominated - Best Story of Healing category -
Queens World Film FestivalLong Island City
United States
November 6, 2022
Nominated - Best Screenplay Narrative Feature -
Queens World Film FestivalLong Island City
United States
November 6, 2022
Nominated - Best Actress Narrative Feature -
Sydney Lift-Off Film FestivalSydney
Australia
November 14, 2022
Official Selection -
Las Vegas International Film & Screenwriting FestivalLas Vegas
United States
November 15, 2022
Winner - Best Feature Drama -
Las Vegas International Film & Screenwriting FestivalLas Vegas
United States
November 15, 2022
Winner - Best Supporting Actor -
Las Vegas International Film & Screenwriting FestivalLas Vegas
United States
November 15, 2022
Nominated - Best Actress -
Las Vegas International Film & Screenwriting FestivalLas Vegas
United States
November 15, 2022
Nominated - Best Supporting Actress -
Las Vegas International Film & Screenwriting FestivalLas Vegas
United States
November 15, 2022
Nominated - Best Cinematography -
Santa Monica Film AwardsSanta Monica
United States
November 20, 2022
Winner - Best Actress -
Santa Monica Film AwardsSanta Monica
United States
November 20, 2022
Semi-Finalist - Best Feature Film -
Mediterranean Film Festival CannesCannes
France
November 27, 2022
Honorable Mention - Best Feature Film -
Tokyo International Monthly Film FestivalTokyo
Japan
December 5, 2022
Winner - Best Actress -
Oaxaca FilmFestOaxaca
Mexico
December 8, 2022
Official Selection -
Shockfest Film FestivalLas Vegas
United States
December 10, 2022
Official Selection -
T.I.F.A. - Tietê International Film AwardsSão Paulo
Brazil
December 10, 2022
Nominated - Best Screenplay, Feature Film -
Snow Leopard International Film FestivalMadrid
Spain
December 10, 2022
Winner - Best Original Screen Play -
Prague Underground Film FestivalPrague
Czech Republic
December 10, 2022
Semi-Finalist - Best Writer -
Palm Springs International Film AwardsPalm Springs
United States
December 20, 2022
Winner - Best First Time Filmmaker -
Indie Filmmaker AwardsPasadena
United States
December 30, 2022
Winner - Best Supporting Actress -
Indie Filmmaker AwardsPasadena
United States
December 30, 2022
Nominated - Best Actress -
NewFilmmakers NYNew York
United States
January 4, 2023
Semi-Finalist - Best Feature -
Utah Film FestivalVineyard
United States
January 5, 2023
Nominated - Best Ensemble Cast -
Stafford Film FestivalStafford
United Kingdom
January 7, 2023
Semi-Finalist - Best Feature Film -
Athens International Monthly Art Film FestivalAthens
Greece
January 19, 2023
Honorable Mention - Best Original Script -
Athens International Monthly Art Film FestivalAthens
Greece
January 19, 2023
Honorable Mention - Best Actress -
Chandler International Film FestivalChandler
United States
January 27, 2023
Winner - Best Actress -
Chandler International Film FestivalChandler
United States
January 27, 2023
Nomination - Best Feature Film -
Berlin Lift-Off Film FestivalBerlin
Germany
February 13, 2023
Official Selection -
Zagreb International Film FestivalZagreb
Croatia
February 28, 2023
Winner - Best Actress -
Golden State Film FestivalHollywood
United States
March 1, 2023
Official Selection -
Beloit International Film FestivalBeloit
United States
March 4, 2023
Finalist - People's Choice Award - Best Feature Film -
Kalakari Film FestIndore
India
March 18, 2023
Official Selection -
The Gladiator Film Festivalİstanbul
Turkey
March 18, 2023
Winner - Best Actress -
The Gladiator Film Festivalİstanbul
Turkey
March 18, 2023
Winner - Best Costume/Makeup Design -
Germany International Film FestivalBerlin
Germany
March 20, 2023
Winner - Best Feature Film -
Oz Indie Film FestivalMelbourne
Australia
March 25, 2023
Nominated - Best Feature Film -
Oz Indie Film FestivalMelbourne
Australia
March 25, 2023
Nominated - Best Director -
Oz Indie Film FestivalMelbourne
Australia
March 25, 2023
Nominated - Best Actress -
London International Film FestivalLondon
United Kingdom
March 30, 2023
Honorable Mention - Best Feature Film -
Austin Lift-Off Film FestivalAustin
United States
April 2, 2023
Official Selection -
Swiss International Film FestivalZurich
Switzerland
April 24, 2023
Winner Jury Award - Best Feature Film -
Bare Bones International Film & Music FestivalMuskogee, OK
United States
April 29, 2023
Nominated - Indie Auteur -
Bare Bones International Film & Music FestivalMuskogee, OK
United States
April 29, 2023
Nominated - Best 1st Feature -
Prague International Film FestivalPrague
Czech Republic
June 16, 2023
Nominated - Best Original Story -
Prague International Film FestivalPrague
Czech Republic
June 16, 2023
Nominated - Best Actress
Tim Zwica and Jennifer Scott both hail from Chicago, IL. This is Jennifer Scott's first attempt in making a feature film from scratch.
Eyes Upon Waking is a True Story about one woman’s struggle to come to terms with her own existence. This film has garnered a great deal of interest from a wide range of people - not only those who identify with the main character’s search for understanding within herself but others who have lost people close to them and want to understand why. The story is told with a surprising amount of humor, which keeps it entertaining while giving the audience a break from the drama. The target audience includes artistic-minded individuals as well as straightforward-thinking, everyday people who don’t know what it’s like to suffer their emotions. The appeal of the story is that it exposes psychological issues still mostly hidden throughout society yet everyone in the world either knows someone who’s experienced these things or felt this way themselves. When simply being alive is a life-or-death struggle, people are drawn to that conflict and want to know what will happen to these characters.
Depression = PRESS ON
"Eyes Upon Waking '' was crafted as a distinct and memorable title to help the film stand out, as well as convey one of its central themes. The poem is spoken aloud by a character in the final scene, and can be interpreted as making the choice to face a difficult existence even though one might prefer to end it.
"When sleep becomes habit
and we dare to look life
in the eyes upon waking
we can only see ourselves
and never look back".
~Jennifer Scott