Experiencing Interruptions?

THE FUNERAL PHOTOGRAPHER

When Julie arrives at a funeral home for a gig, she’s told by the attendant that she must photograph everyone in attendance and be done by 11:30. Shortly after she agrees to do her best, two suspicious men enter and Julie suspects something is not quite right.

What are these two men up to? Who are they waiting for? What is the attendant hiding? Most importantly…why was Julie hired?

  • Ashley Thompson
    Director
    I Miss Jamie When She’s Gone, Get Well Soon
  • Mark strauss
    Writer
  • Troy Daniel Smith
    Producer
    Lonely Boy
  • Jim Benoit
    Producer
  • Mark Strauss
    Producer
    The House on Oak Street
  • Kevin McGurn
    Producer
  • Tara Hazel Walsh
    Key Cast
    "Julie"
    Warren?
  • Curtis Edward Jackson
    Key Cast
    "Charlie"
    Teacher, Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., The Falls: Covenant of Grace
  • Timothy Weinert
    Key Cast
    "David"
    Tomorrow Comes Today, Death Trail, A Place for Henry , Chicago Fire, Orginary Joe, Street Justice: The Bronx, The Fugitive Chronicles
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Mystery, Drama, Thriller
  • Runtime:
    17 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    April 29, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    25,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States, United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Grand Rapids Film Festival
    Grand Rapids, MI
    United States
    September 25, 2022
    North American Premiere
    Best Director - Short Film
  • Chicago International Indie Film Festival
    Chicago, IL
    United States
    November 5, 2022
    Best Short Narrative
  • Wolf Tree Film Festival
    Marshall, MI
    United States
    January 21, 2023
    Best Drama, Best in Festival, Best Actor (Tara Hazel Walsh)
  • Chicago International REEL Shorts Film Fest
    Chicago, IL
    United States
    November 11, 2022
    Audience Choice Award
  • Central Michigan International Film Festival
    Mt. Pleasant, MI
    United States
    February 19, 2023
    Best Michigan-Made Short Film
  • Film Invasion Los Angeles
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    June 25, 2023
    Outstanding Short Film (Drama), Outstanding Director (Drama), Outstanding Screenplay (Drama), Outstanding Acting - Cast (Drama)
  • Picture's Up Film FEstival
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    August 26, 2023
    Best Drama
  • Canada Shorts Film Festival
    Vancouver, BC
    Canada
    Award of Excellence
  • New York Indie Shorts Awards
    New York, NY
    United States
    June 4, 2023
    Semi-Finalist
  • New York Shorts International Film Festival
    New York, NY
    United States
    October 19, 2022
    East Coast Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Alder International Short Film Festival
    Chicago, IL
    United States
    October 28, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival
    Tampa Bay, FL
    United States
    December 2, 2022
    Florida
    Official Selection
  • Los Angeles Women in Film Festival
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    August 5, 2023
    LA Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Palm Beach International Film Festival
    Palm Beach, FL
    United States
    March 21, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Indy Film Fest
    Indianapolis, IN
    United States
    April 21, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Emberlight International Film Festival
    Ironwood, MI
    United States
    August 24, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Atlanta Underground Film Festival
    Atlanta, GA
    United States
    August 6, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Underground Cinema Film Awards
    Dublin
    Ireland
    May 20, 2023
    Ireland
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Ashley Thompson

Ash enjoys humans, eye contact, and games. As a director, she works on films that utilize improvisation and emphasize vulnerability. Her work focuses on family dynamics, sisterhood, and friendship.

In 2018 she received an Illinois Arts Council grant to finish post on her short film I Miss Jamie When She’s Gone. Her directorial work has been screened at film festivals across the Midwest including Chicago International, Kansas City International, Chicagoland Shorts, and Midwest Film Festival.

Her editorial work has shown at numerous film festivals including Out Fest LA, Portland International Film Fest, Atlanta Film Fest, NewFest Film Festival, and Olympia Film Festival.

She is currently in pre-production for a short film and is working as an assistant editor on Jennifer Reeder’s new feature, Perpetrator.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I often make work about grief, family dynamics, and the fabric of relationships. These themes, paired with the artistry and process of filmmaking, assist me in moving through difficult feelings.

There are lots of reasons to make art, but this is what I always come back to.