Selma
Arriving at Selma Primary intent on a fresh start, old patterns re-emerge as William attempts to escape his troubled past. Selma is written, directed, edited, scored and starring 11 year-old Rizz Thomas.
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Harrison J ThomasDirectorThe Wanderer, Isolated, I Can't
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Harrison J ThomasWriterThe Wanderer, Isolated, I Can't
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Fastest Fox FilmsProducer
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Harrison J ThomasKey Cast"William"The Wanderer, Isolated, I Can't
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Harrison J ThomasScore
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Harrison J ThomasDirector of Photography
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Harrison J ThomasEditor
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Project Type:Short, Student
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Genres:Sci-Fi, Drama, Student, Short
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Runtime:5 minutes
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Completion Date:November 18, 2022
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Production Budget:73 USD
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Country of Origin:Australia
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Country of Filming:Australia
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:Yes - Prince Alfred College
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Fleurieu Film FestivalMcLaren Vale, SA
Australia
February 4, 2023
World Premier
Best Young Filmmaker Under 26 Years Old -
Sparrowland Short Film FestivalBrisbane, Qld
Australia
March 11, 2023
Queensland Premier
Young Filmmaker Award -
Setting Sun Film FestivalMelbourne, Vic
Australia
May 11, 2023
Victorian Premier
Best Film - Primary -
Princes Film FestAdelaide
Australia
October 28, 2022
School Film Festival
Best Film, Best Cinematography -
Moscow International Children's Film FestivalMoscow
Russian Federation
February 26, 2023
Eurasian Premier
Best Narrative Short Film - 12 and Under -
San Antonio Film FestivalSan Antonio, Texas
United States
August 4, 2023
North American Premiere
Official Selection -
Screen It International Film FestivalBrisbane, Queensland
Australia
August 25, 2023
Most Outstanding Director, Superb Sound Design, Tremendous Editing -
POV: Youth Film AwardsAdelaide, South Australia
Australia
October 17, 2023
Best of the Fest (12-14), Best Actor - Rizz Thomas -
Adelaide Film FestivalAdelaide
Australia
October 26, 2023
Best Primary Film -
Australian Cinematographers Society SA/WAAdelaide
Australia
October 28, 2023
Encouragement Award
Harrison, now 13, completed Selma at age 12. Harrison is an award-winning actor, filmmaker, musician and vocalist. His self-produced, written, directed, edited and scored short films (5 to date) have won numerous awards at Australian & international festivals, including Ridgewood International Film Festival (New Jersey), Adelaide Film Festival, Fleurieu Film Festival, Sparrowland, Setting Sun, San Antonio, Moscow, Prague and many more. Harrison has twice been awarded the Young Filmmaker Award at Sparrowland Short Film Festival (Queensland) and won Best Young Filmmaker Under 26 at Fleurieu Film Festival (South Australia). As a writer, actor and director, Harrison is unique in that he also undertakes all post-production work on his own. Harrison has performed leading roles in over 30 stage productions since 2020, including multiple seasons at Adelaide University's Elder Conservatorium, Adelaide Fringe, the Royal Show, Pelican Productions, Adelaide Youth Theatre, Northern Light, Shane Davidson, etc. Harrison recently starred as Young Elvis in the Adelaide season of Elvis: A Musical Revolution (David Venn Enterprises) at Her Majesty's and Little Sally in Prince Alfred College's production of Urinetown, and will take on the iconic role of Jack Kelly in Newsies Jr with Pelican Productions in September. Harrison enjoys writing songs as much as he enjoys writing scripts and produces under his own label, Fastest Fox Films. He must often be wrestled from the piano and guitar at bedtime.
My idea for the script came after reading Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. I wanted to incorporate the idea of witchcraft and supernatural elements into a modern-day story about bullying. But in my version, I wanted to ask the question, “what if the villagers of Salem had been right all along?”. I attempt to build the audience’s sympathy for William before the twist. Selma is my most technically demanding project yet, with multiple actors to direct and multiple camera angles to juggle, in addition to a drone and gimbal. I was fortunate to have enlisted help from three classmates to assist with cameras and sound in the shoots, freeing me up to concentrate on directing and acting after setting up the shots. I hope the audience leaves the experience feeling a sense of dark surprise.