Private Project

Falling From Arms

John recently lost his wife and son to an active shooter at their school. Now as his daughter Claire prepares for her first day back at school after the life altering incident, John searches for new ways to cope with the grief. What he learns from those around him could provide him with the keys to unlock new ways to move forward in life.

  • Sean Patrick Leonard
    Director
    Step One, Sunrise, Love Me Tinder
  • Matthew Lucki
    Writer
  • Sean Patrick Leonard
    Producer
    Rockabye, Stranglehold, Step One, Sunrise, Love Me Tinder
  • Matthew Lucki
    Producer
  • Matthew Lucki
    Key Cast
    "John"
    Captive State, Chicago Med, Chicago PD, Sirens, 90210
  • Jim Saltouros
    Key Cast
    "James"
    Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Empire, Proven Innocent, ER, Early Edition, Hoodlum
  • Chandra Michaels
    Key Cast
    "Anne"
    Chicago Med, American Crime Story, Step One, Dynasty, Chicago Fire
  • Chloe Schueller
    Key Cast
    "Claire"
    Chicago Med, Every 21 Seconds, Hardliner
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes
  • Production Budget:
    5,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 4k
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Independent Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles, CA.
    United States
    June 10, 2020
    Finalist
  • May Day Film Festival
    Evansville, IL.
    United States
    May 17, 2021
    Indiana premiere
  • Ft. Worth Indie Showcase
    Ft. Worth, TX.
    United States
    October 9, 2020
    Texas Premiere
  • San Antonio Film Festival
    San Antonio, TX.
    United States
    October 16, 2020
  • Lake County Film Festival
    Lake County, IL.
    United States
    October 8, 2020
  • Chicago International REEL Shorts Film Fest
    Chicago, IL.
    United States
    October 29, 2020
    Chicago Premiere
  • Red Dirt Film Festival
    Stillwater, OK
    United States
    March 13, 2021
    Oklahoma Premiere
    Winner-Best Supporting Actress-Chloe Schueller, Nominee-Best Actor-Matthew Lucki, Nominee-Best Supporting Actor- Jim Saltouros, Nominee-Best Director-Sean Patrick Leonard
  • Austin Revolution Film Festival
    Austin, TX.
    United States
    February 12, 2022
    Nominee-Cedric Thomas Smith Social Conscious Filmmaking Award Nominee-Sean Patrick Leonard
Director Biography - Sean Patrick Leonard

Sean Patrick Leonard has been a professional actor in Chicago for 20 years. More recently he took to producing, directing and writing. His directorial debut Step One currently ended its festival run where has been an Official Selection to 20 festivals across the country including wins of Best of Fest at the 2018 Shawnee Shorts Midwestern Film Festival and Best Dramatic Short Film at the 2018 Illinois International Film Festival and the 2019 Midwest Waterways Short Film Fest. He was also nominated for Best Director-Drama at the 2018 and 2019 Twister Alley Film Festival. His short screenplay- Rockabye, won at the 2017 Twister Alley Film Festival and was a Finalist at the 2017 Windy City Film Festival and the 2016 Austin Revolution Film Festival. His current film Sunrise has been accepted to 12 festivals across the country and lookout for his first horror short film Love Me Tinder coming in 2020.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

When Matt came to me with the Falling From Arms script, it reminded me a lot of my first short film that I produced and starred in-Rockabye. The subject matter in Falling From Arms is so very relevant to what is happening in our country today and Matt really has a finger on the pulse of something that we usually gloss over when tragedy like an active shooter comes into our lives. What happens to the family affected in the aftermath. This to me seemed like a really interesting topic to touch upon since usually films about victims of gun violence usually take a stand on guns either way. Matt's script avoided that all together which I found totally refreshing. We hope you enjoy.