Experiencing Interruptions?

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.

  • Harrison J Thomas
    Director
    The Wanderer, Isolated, I Can't
  • Harrison J Thomas
    Writer
    The Wanderer, Isolated, I Can't
  • Fastest Fox Films
    Producer
  • Harrison J Thomas
    Key Cast
    "William"
    The Wanderer, Isolated, I Can't
  • Harrison J Thomas
    Score
  • Harrison J Thomas
    Director of Photography
  • Harrison J Thomas
    Editor
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Sci-Fi, Drama, Student, Short
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    November 18, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    73 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Prince Alfred College
  • Fleurieu Film Festival
    McLaren Vale, SA
    Australia
    February 4, 2023
    World Premier
    Best Young Filmmaker Under 26 Years Old
  • Sparrowland Short Film Festival
    Brisbane, Qld
    Australia
    March 11, 2023
    Queensland Premier
    Young Filmmaker Award
  • Setting Sun Film Festival
    Melbourne, Vic
    Australia
    May 11, 2023
    Victorian Premier
    Best Film - Primary
  • Princes Film Fest
    Adelaide
    Australia
    October 28, 2022
    School Film Festival
    Best Film, Best Cinematography
  • Moscow International Children's Film Festival
    Moscow
    Russian Federation
    February 26, 2023
    Eurasian Premier
    Best Narrative Short Film - 12 and Under
  • San Antonio Film Festival
    San Antonio, Texas
    United States
    August 4, 2023
    North American Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Screen It International Film Festival
    Brisbane, Queensland
    Australia
    August 25, 2023
    Most Outstanding Director, Superb Sound Design, Tremendous Editing
  • POV: Youth Film Awards
    Adelaide, South Australia
    Australia
    October 17, 2023
    Best of the Fest (12-14), Best Actor - Rizz Thomas
  • Adelaide Film Festival
    Adelaide
    Australia
    October 26, 2023
    Best Primary Film
  • Australian Cinematographers Society SA/WA
    Adelaide
    Australia
    October 28, 2023
    Encouragement Award
Director Biography - Harrison J Thomas

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.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

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.