Private Project

Eyes Upon Waking

A woman’s journey from despair to hope inspires others toward healing.

Amidst the gravity of a mental health crisis, laughter emerges as an unexpected medicine. Taren Foley, after surviving two suicide attempts, finds herself in a mental health facility. Initially alienating herself, her unplanned extended stay leads her to foster connections and share laughter with fellow patients. Although she remains troubled, her journey sparks hope and unexpected joy, suggesting a brighter, albeit uncertain, future.

  • Timothy Zwica
    Director
  • Co-Director - Jennifer Scott
    Director
  • Jennifer Scott
    Writer
  • Andy Golub
    Writer
  • Jennifer Scott, p.g.a.
    Producer
  • Jennifer Scott
    Key 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
  • Edie McClurg
    Key Cast
    "Nurse Jane"
    Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Planes, Trains & Automobiles, Froze, Natural Born Killers
  • Joe Estevez
    Key Cast
    "Dr. Ferguson"
    The California Kid, The Hatfields and the McCoys (TV Movie), Eye of the Stranger, Doonby, Chasing Gold, High on the Hog
  • Janet Ulrich Brooks
    Key Cast
    "Dr. Kepler"
    Conviction, I Heart Shakey, Divergent, Fargo (TV)
  • Rhobye Wyatt
    Key Cast
    "Mrs. Kelly"
    Asylum, Mash (TV), Chronicles (TV Mini Series)
  • Jeffrey Grover
    Key Cast
    "Dennis"
    Compliance, I Feel Pretty, Dark Waters, Two Cents From a Pariah
  • Eddie Huchro
    Key Cast
    "Ferdinand"
    8 of Diamonds, Dog Jack, Conviction
  • Becky Thyre
    Key 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)
  • Juan Francisco Francisco Villa
    Key Cast
    "Carlos"
    Chicago P.D. (TV), The Tank, Canvas
  • Rosa Isela Frausto
    Key Cast
    "Maria"
    Soy Nero, Kidnapped Souls, Amar Sin Miedo/Love Without Fear
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 52 minutes 19 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 1, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    230,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Arri Alexa / Arri Alexa Mini
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Phoenix Rising International Film Festival
    Luton
    United Kingdom
    May 13, 2022
    Winner - Best Feature Film
  • Phoenix Rising International Film Festival
    Luton
    United Kingdom
    May 13, 2022
    Nominated - Best Screenplay
  • Phoenix Rising International Film Festival
    Luton
    United Kingdom
    May 13, 2022
    Nominated - Best Director
  • Art Stream
    Amsterdam
    Netherlands
    May 14, 2022
    Winner - Best Actress
  • Art Stream
    Amsterdam
    Netherlands
    May 14, 2022
    Winner - Best Female work
  • Art Stream
    Amsterdam
    Netherlands
    May 14, 2022
    Honorable Mention - Best Picture
  • Cannes World Film Festival
    Cannes
    France
    May 15, 2022
    Winner - Best Ensemble Cast
  • Cannes World Film Festival
    Cannes
    France
    May 15, 2022
    Winner - Best Feature Drama
  • Pure Magic International Film Festival
    Amsterdam
    Netherlands
    June 4, 2022
    Winner - Best Actress
  • Salt House Creative International Film Festival
    Kincumber
    Australia
    June 17, 2022
    Winner - Best Actress
  • London Independent Film Awards
    London
    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 Festival
    Brooklyn
    United States
    July 1, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Mannheim Arts and Film Festival
    Mannheim
    Germany
    July 8, 2022
    Winner - Best Actress
  • Chicago Indie Film Awards
    Chicago
    United States
    July 14, 2022
    Honorable Mention - Best Actress
  • Orlando International Film Festival
    Orlando
    United States
    July 15, 2022
    Honorable Mention - Feature Fiction
  • Arizona Sunburn Film Festival
    Tucson
    United States
    July 23, 2022
    Official Selection
  • LA Independent Women Film Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    July 28, 2022
    Nominated - Best First Time Filmmaker
  • New York Independent Cinema Awards
    New York
    United States
    August 3, 2022
    Winner - Best Producer
  • San Diego Art Film Fest
    San Diego
    United States
    August 3, 2022
    Winner - Best Actress
  • San Diego Art Film Fest
    San diego
    United States
    August 3, 2022
    Winner - Best First Time Feature Filmmaker
  • Your Way International Film Festival
    Valletta
    Malta
    August 17, 2022
    Winner - Best Supporting Actress
  • Montreal Independent Film Festival
    Montreal
    Canada
    August 18, 2022
    Nominated - Best Actress
  • Hollywood Blvd. Film
    Hollywood
    United States
    August 31, 2022
    Winner - Best Cinematography
  • Hollywood Blvd. Film
    Hollywood
    United States
    August 31, 2022
    Winner - Best Producer
  • Hong Kong Indie Film Festival
    Hong Kong
    China
    August 31, 2022
    Winner - Best Actress
  • International Manhattan Film Awards
    Manhattan
    United States
    September 5, 2022
    Winner - Best First Time Filmmaker
  • Makizhmithran International Film Festival
    South Tamil Nadu
    India
    September 7, 2022
    Winner - Best Actress, Special Jury Award
  • Miami Indie Film Awards
    Miami
    United States
    September 9, 2022
    Winner - Best First Time Filmmaker
  • Iowa Independent Film Festival
    Mason City, Iowa
    United States
    September 9, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Peoria Film Fest
    Peoria
    United States
    October 15, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Show Low Film Festival - White Mountains Arizona
    Show Low
    United States
    October 15, 2022
    Winner - Top 10 Best of Festival
  • Asia Film Festival
    Mumbai
    India
    October 20, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Paris Lift-Off Film Festival
    Paris
    France
    October 23, 2022
    Official Selection
  • AFIN International Film Festival
    Brisbane, Queensland
    Australia
    November 5, 2022
    Winner - Best Actress
  • AFIN International Film Festival
    Brisbane, Queensland
    Australia
    November 5, 2022
    Honorable Mention - Best Diversity in Film
  • AFIN International Film Festival
    Brisbane, Queensland
    Australia
    November 5, 2022
    Nominated - Best Picture
  • AFIN International Film Festival
    Brisbane, Queensland
    Australia
    November 5, 2022
    Nominated - Best Supporting Actress
  • AFIN International Film Festival
    Brisbane, Queensland
    Australia
    November 5, 2022
    Two Nominations - Best Actor
  • AFIN International Film Festival
    Brisbane, Queensland
    Australia
    November 5, 2022
    Two Finalists - Best Supporting Actor
  • Queens World Film Festival
    Long Island City
    United States
    November 6, 2022
    Nominated - Best Story of Healing category
  • Queens World Film Festival
    Long Island City
    United States
    November 6, 2022
    Nominated - Best Screenplay Narrative Feature
  • Queens World Film Festival
    Long Island City
    United States
    November 6, 2022
    Nominated - Best Actress Narrative Feature
  • Sydney Lift-Off Film Festival
    Sydney
    Australia
    November 14, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Las Vegas International Film & Screenwriting Festival
    Las Vegas
    United States
    November 15, 2022
    Winner - Best Feature Drama
  • Las Vegas International Film & Screenwriting Festival
    Las Vegas
    United States
    November 15, 2022
    Winner - Best Supporting Actor
  • Las Vegas International Film & Screenwriting Festival
    Las Vegas
    United States
    November 15, 2022
    Nominated - Best Actress
  • Las Vegas International Film & Screenwriting Festival
    Las Vegas
    United States
    November 15, 2022
    Nominated - Best Supporting Actress
  • Las Vegas International Film & Screenwriting Festival
    Las Vegas
    United States
    November 15, 2022
    Nominated - Best Cinematography
  • Santa Monica Film Awards
    Santa Monica
    United States
    November 20, 2022
    Winner - Best Actress
  • Santa Monica Film Awards
    Santa Monica
    United States
    November 20, 2022
    Semi-Finalist - Best Feature Film
  • Mediterranean Film Festival Cannes
    Cannes
    France
    November 27, 2022
    Honorable Mention - Best Feature Film
  • Tokyo International Monthly Film Festival
    Tokyo
    Japan
    December 5, 2022
    Winner - Best Actress
  • Oaxaca FilmFest
    Oaxaca
    Mexico
    December 8, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Shockfest Film Festival
    Las Vegas
    United States
    December 10, 2022
    Official Selection
  • T.I.F.A. - Tietê International Film Awards
    São Paulo
    Brazil
    December 10, 2022
    Nominated - Best Screenplay, Feature Film
  • Snow Leopard International Film Festival
    Madrid
    Spain
    December 10, 2022
    Winner - Best Original Screen Play
  • Prague Underground Film Festival
    Prague
    Czech Republic
    December 10, 2022
    Semi-Finalist - Best Writer
  • Palm Springs International Film Awards
    Palm Springs
    United States
    December 20, 2022
    Winner - Best First Time Filmmaker
  • Indie Filmmaker Awards
    Pasadena
    United States
    December 30, 2022
    Winner - Best Supporting Actress
  • Indie Filmmaker Awards
    Pasadena
    United States
    December 30, 2022
    Nominated - Best Actress
  • NewFilmmakers NY
    New York
    United States
    January 4, 2023
    Semi-Finalist - Best Feature
  • Utah Film Festival
    Vineyard
    United States
    January 5, 2023
    Nominated - Best Ensemble Cast
  • Stafford Film Festival
    Stafford
    United Kingdom
    January 7, 2023
    Semi-Finalist - Best Feature Film
  • Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival
    Athens
    Greece
    January 19, 2023
    Honorable Mention - Best Original Script
  • Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival
    Athens
    Greece
    January 19, 2023
    Honorable Mention - Best Actress
  • Chandler International Film Festival
    Chandler
    United States
    January 27, 2023
    Winner - Best Actress
  • Chandler International Film Festival
    Chandler
    United States
    January 27, 2023
    Nomination - Best Feature Film
  • Berlin Lift-Off Film Festival
    Berlin
    Germany
    February 13, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Zagreb International Film Festival
    Zagreb
    Croatia
    February 28, 2023
    Winner - Best Actress
  • Golden State Film Festival
    Hollywood
    United States
    March 1, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Beloit International Film Festival
    Beloit
    United States
    March 4, 2023
    Finalist - People's Choice Award - Best Feature Film
  • Kalakari Film Fest
    Indore
    India
    March 18, 2023
    Official Selection
  • The Gladiator Film Festival
    İstanbul
    Turkey
    March 18, 2023
    Winner - Best Actress
  • The Gladiator Film Festival
    İstanbul
    Turkey
    March 18, 2023
    Winner - Best Costume/Makeup Design
  • Germany International Film Festival
    Berlin
    Germany
    March 20, 2023
    Winner - Best Feature Film
  • Oz Indie Film Festival
    Melbourne
    Australia
    March 25, 2023
    Nominated - Best Feature Film
  • Oz Indie Film Festival
    Melbourne
    Australia
    March 25, 2023
    Winner - Best Director
  • Oz Indie Film Festival
    Melbourne
    Australia
    March 25, 2023
    Winner - Best Actress
  • London International Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    March 30, 2023
    Honorable Mention - Best Feature Film
  • Austin Lift-Off Film Festival
    Austin
    United States
    April 2, 2023
    Official Selection
  • International Motion Picture Awards
    Ontario
    Canada
    April 15, 2023
    Winner - Best Actress
  • International Motion Picture Awards
    Ontario
    Canada
    April 15, 2023
    Winner - Best Film (Over 40min)
  • Swiss International Film Festival
    Zurich
    Switzerland
    April 24, 2023
    Winner Jury Award - Best Feature Film
  • Bare Bones International Film & Music Festival
    Muskogee, OK
    United States
    April 29, 2023
    Winner - Best First Time Feature Filmmaker
  • Bare Bones International Film & Music Festival
    Muskogee, OK
    United States
    April 29, 2023
    Winner - Best Actress
  • Bare Bones International Film & Music Festival
    Muskogee, OK
    United States
    April 29, 2023
    Winner - Best Actor - Jeffery Grover
  • Bare Bones International Film & Music Festival
    Muskogee, OK
    United States
    April 29, 2023
    Honorable Mention - Best Dramatic Feature Film
  • Bare Bones International Film & Music Festival
    Muskogee, OK
    United States
    April 29, 2023
    Winner - Ambassador Award - Writer
  • Bare Bones International Film & Music Festival
    Muskogee, OK
    United States
    April 29, 2023
    Winner - Ambassador Award - Director
  • Bare Bones International Film & Music Festival
    Muskogee, OK
    United States
    April 29, 2023
    Winner - Ambassador Award - Editor
  • Bare Bones International Film & Music Festival
    Muskogee, OK
    United States
    April 29, 2023
    Winner - Ambassador Award - Producer
  • Bare Bones International Film & Music Festival
    Muskogee, OK
    United States
    April 29, 2023
    Nominated - Ambassadors Indie Auteur
  • Venus Community Awards
    Istanbul
    Turkey
    May 17, 2023
    Winner - Best Feature Film
  • Vero Beach Film Festival
    Vero Beach, FL
    United States
    June 7, 2023
    Winner - Audience Award - Best Narrative Feature Film
  • Prague International Film Festival
    Prague
    Czech Republic
    June 16, 2023
    Nominated - Best Original Story
  • Prague International Film Festival
    Prague
    Czech Republic
    June 16, 2023
    Nominated - Best Actress
  • World Class Film Awards
    Mexico City
    Mexico
    June 16, 2023
    Official Selection
  • International World Film Awards
    London
    United Kingdom
    July 7, 2023
    Winner - Best Ensemble Cast
  • Jerome Indie Film & Music Festival
    Jerome, AZ
    United States
    September 7, 2023
    Official Selection
Distribution Information
  • Galloping Entertainment
    Sales Agent
    Country: Worldwide
Director Biography - Timothy Zwica, Co-Director - Jennifer Scott

Tim Zwica, Founder of Rattlesnake Studios, is a graduate from Northwestern University working full time as a Visual Effects Artist residing in Austin, TX.

Jennifer Scott, is the founder of Open Eyes Productions, L.L.C. and an Award Winning Producer and Actress. As a first time Director and feature filmmaker, producing the Award Winning feature film Eyes Upon Waking, she received her Producers Guild of America (p.g.a.) status, along with 62 Wins and 40 Nominations worldly. Known as a chameleon actor, she has been credited with over 46 film and television performances.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

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".

~Andy Golub, Co-Writer