Private Project

Moon Beams

While on the run after killing an undercover cop, small town drug dealer Harry runs into his former flame and partner in crime, Maxine, after three years apart. Their ensuing night together in their old stomping grounds of Birmingham, Alabama consist of catching up, musing on societal norms as they come of age, and how maybe they ended their relationship too soon. A no-budget feature film.

  • Nick Adrian
    Director
  • Nick Adrian
    Writer
  • Nick Adrian
    Producer
  • Seth Henry
    Producer
  • Richard Cruze Kaiser
    Key Cast
    "Harry Carruthers"
  • Katelyn Simmons
    Key Cast
    "Maxine Paris"
  • Seth Henry
    Key Cast
    "Reid"
  • Blake Walch
    Key Cast
    "Mark"
  • Tori Smith
    Key Cast
    "Lisa"
  • Azya Elrod
    Key Cast
    "Gina"
  • Taylor Adams
    Key Cast
    "Cop"
  • Bailey Brown
    Key Cast
    "Lucas"
  • Madi Farrow
    Key Cast
    "Megan"
  • Dylan Gaskey
    Key Cast
    "Brody Holliday"
  • Nick Adrian
    Key Cast
    "Buddy"
  • Robbie
    Key Cast
    "Himself"
  • Blake Walch
    Cinematography
  • Nick Adrian
    Cinematography
  • Jesse Collier
    Sound
  • Jesse Norris
    Composer
  • Nick Adrian
    Story
  • Seth Henry
    Story
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Genres:
    Drama, Crime
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 51 minutes
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • 2025 George Lindsey UNA Film Festival
    Florence, AL
    United States
    February 28, 2025
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • February East Village New York Film Festival
    New York, New York
    United States
    Honorable Mention
  • Los Angeles Underground Film Forum
    Los Angeles
    United States
    April 18, 2025
    Honorable Mention
  • Lift-Off Filmmaker Sessions Volume 5
    Iver Heath
    United Kingdom
    June 2, 2025
    European Premiere
    Official Selection
  • First-Time Filmmaker Sessions Volume 6
    Iver Heath
    United Kingdom
    June 16, 2025
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Nick Adrian

As a freshman in college, Birmingham, Alabama-native Nick Adrian grew tired of putting ideas for projects on hold because of a lack of money and resources. Instead, he gathered a couple friends and made their first short film with what they had (an iPhone for a camera and an iPad for an editing booth). What originated as a result of necessity turned into a filmmaking philosophy that he holds ten years on. Adrian prefers a DIY method to movie making, where he and his team call the shots and only make the films that they want to make. The act of creating art is more fulfilling in this manner, no matter its result. He’s been incredibly lucky to build up a roster of talented collaborators, working for free and for the love of the art, to help in his many short films and finally his debut, the no-budget feature film, MOON BEAMS.

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Director Statement

To act like we’re too above the notion that we’re watching a movie sometimes, to complain when something “takes us out of it,” is nonsense. We know we are watching a film just as much as we know we’re watching a play, reading a book, or listening to a record. It’s a fiction film and it’s okay to remind ourselves that what we’re watching is fiction, despite it trying its hardest to be depicted realistically. Ultimately fiction films are a facade, wearing a mask to pretend they’re something they’re not. People do this, as well, especially the lead characters in MOON BEAMS. This is a film about artifice, deceit, hiding our real selves behind who we want to be - it’s hard to escape who we really are. Moon Beams is a film, one made for less than $1,000 - and it’s no use in hiding that. Instead, we want to highlight what can be done without resources and budgets. What can’t be done doesn’t interest me, but what the mind can create within these limitations? That’s where the true meat is.