Private Project

Millicent & Me and The Apple Tree

Ella, an impoverished chimney sweep in Hollywood, finds Millicent, a lonely mouse puppet on Hollywood Blvd. Ella's realistic world is brought into musical fantasy as Ella is inspired by Millicent to explore her biggest wish ever: her wish of becoming a ... movie star!

  • Heidi Schooler
    Producer
  • John Beaton Hill
    Director
  • Based on a story by Jules Feiffer /from musical "The Apple Tree".
    Writer
  • Heidi Schooler
    Key Cast
    "Ella/Passionella & Millicent "
  • Serene Zloof
    Key Cast
    "Dreamer Girl"
  • Lauren Simon
    Key Cast
    "Landlady"
  • Tony Mouleart
    Key Cast
    "Angry Car Owner"
  • Shila Ommi
    Co-Producers
  • Serene Zloof
    Co-Producers
  • Heidi Schooler (additional writing)
    Writer
  • John Beaton Hill (additional writing)
    Writer
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 42 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 14, 2019
  • Country of Origin:
    United States, United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema
    Idyllwild, CA.
    United States
    March 4, 2025
    Official Selection
  • Voices Rising Film Festival
    East Islip
    United States
    October 15, 2024
    N.Y. Premiere
    WINNER - Best Musical Short Film
  • Mightier Than The Sword Awards At Sunset Film Festival
    Asheboro, NC
    United States
    January 11, 2024
    WINNER - CRITIC'S CHOICE: Mighty Movie Heart Warmer Award
  • Artist Emerged International Film Festival (Ethos Film Awards)
    Santa Monica
    United States
    November 10, 2023
    FINALIST - Best Short Film
  • Skiptown Playhouse International Film Festival
    Hollywood
    United States
    November 7, 2023
    NOM. - Best Narrative Short Film
  • Marina del Rey Film Festival®
    Marina del Rey
    United States
    June 8, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Golden State Film Festival
    Hollywood
    United States
    February 23, 2023
    WINNER - Best Short Film Adapted From Another Medium
  • Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival - HRIFF 2023
    Hollywood
    United States
    February 22, 2023
    NOM. - People's Choice Award (Best Comedy Short)
  • Sherwood Players International Film Festival [SPIFF]
    Los Angeles
    United States
    December 15, 2022
    WINNER - Best Comedy Short & FINALIST - Best Lead Actress
  • Culver City Film Festival®
    Culver City
    United States
    December 2, 2022
    WINNER - Best Musical / Comedy Short
  • San Francisco Arthouse Short Festival
    San Francisco
    United States
    July 20, 2022
    San Francisco Premiere
    SEMI-FINALIST - Best Actress & SEMI-FINALIST - Best Narrative US Short Film
  • French Riviera Film Festival
    Cannes
    France
    May 20, 2022
    Cannes Premiere
    WINNER - Best Comedy
  • London International Filmmakers Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    December 1, 2021
    UK Premiere
    SEMI-FINALIST - Narrative International Shorts
  • Paris Independent Film Festival
    Paris
    France
    October 18, 2021
    Paris Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Toronto Independent Film Festival of Cift
    Toronto
    Canada
    August 14, 2021
    Canadian Premiere
    FINALIST - Best Actress in Short & FINALIST - Best Comedy in Short
  • Niagara Falls International Short Festival
    Niagara Falls, NY
    United States
    July 19, 2021
    SEMI-FINALIST - Best Actress in Short & SEMI-FINALIST Best Comedy Short
  • Hong Kong Indie Film Festival
    Hong Kong
    China
    June 5, 2021
    SEMI-FINALIST - Best Actress in Short
  • Kapow Intergalactic Film Festival
    Studio City
    United States
    September 13, 2019
    SEMI-FINALIST - Best Musical Short or Comedy Film
  • We Make Movies International Film Festival
    Hollywoood
    United States
    July 11, 2019
    Los Angeles Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - John Beaton Hill

John Beaton Hill is an award winning filmmaker, and operates his production company, Galaxy/Ad Infinitum. A graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, as well as the National Theater Institute in Waterford, Connecticut,

John brings a unique depth of talent and commitment to every project in development. John has a range of experience in production, including producing and acquisitions [as Director of Development and Acquisitions for Iron Entertainment], and casting, and has written several screenplays, "Killing Jane Doe" and "The Devil's Lottery".
John worked closely with screenwriter Mardik Martin and studied with Milton Katselas and Jeffery Tambor at The Beverly Hills Playhouse, along with Byrne and Joyce Piven at the Piven Theater Workshop in Chicago.
John produced a number of short films before writing, directing, and producing the accomplished festival short, "Meter Maids Anonymous" starring Kurt Fuller, and did the same for the feature "The Wolves of Savin Hill," winning the prestigious Chris Brinker Award (most outstanding first feature film) at the 2014 San Diego Film Festival. "Wolves" was accepted into the 2015 Independent Filmmakers Showcase Film Festival in Los Angeles, winning for Best Feature Film; and Best Supporting Actress at the 2015 Action on Film Festival.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I first saw Heidi Schooler perform a live version of “Millicent & Me and The Apple Tree” as a stage performance as part of an Industry community we both belong to called, We Make Movies, in Jan 2018.
She was to perform a medley of two songs for a one-night show from the Broadway musical, “The Apple Tree”, in town. I thought her comedic portrayal of the characters had amazing energy, and really popped on stage, and I thought it would also make a great short film.

Heidi had originally added some aspects to the performance that showed her VO talent (in the character of ‘Millicent’), and we feel this version continues to come to life and presents this as a modern-day fairytale of sorts.

With Heidi producing, and myself directing, we together wrote and shaped a surrounding story for the lead character, ‘Ella’, and all that she experiences here in Hollywood, expanding on the original theme of the musical’s story.

It’s a poignant comedy that everyone can relate to, since we all have dreams, no matter how big or small, that we need to keep striving for…and that we’re always hoping to fulfill…