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A Real Genius

Bill is a wannabe student filmmaker. When he sets out to make a short film to impress a girl, he crosses paths with the most popular filmmaker in school, Gus Sanders.

  • Boden Cottrell
    Director
    Roadside Drive, The Monster
  • Boden Cottrell
    Writer
    Roadside Drive, The Monster
  • Boden Cottrell
    Producer
    Roadside Drive, The Monster
  • Phin Broussard
    Key Cast
    "Bill"
  • Peyton Joy
    Key Cast
    "Milly"
    Sleight of Hand
  • Carlos Rivera
    Key Cast
    "Gus Sanders"
    Sleight of Hand
  • Jack Ochab
    Key Cast
    "Derek"
  • Jude Slowik
    Key Cast
    "Actor / Goon 2"
    The Monster
  • Boden Cottrell
    Key Cast
    "Goon 1"
    Sleight of Hand
  • Liam Wood
    Key Cast
    "Goon 3"
  • Elliot Midha
    Key Cast
    "Director"
    The Monster
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    comedy
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 42 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 31, 2025
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Springfield Township High School
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Boden Cottrell

Boden Cottrell is a student filmmaker at Springfield Township High School in Pennsylvania, and an aspiring director/producer. He is a two-time winner at the Greenfield Youth Film Festival. "A Real Genius" is his third short film.

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Director Statement

A Real Genius is an absurd comedy about high school student filmmakers - a familiar subject matter, but stretched to the most extreme and ridiculous it can possibly be. The result is a comically unrealistic and totally bonkers take on the world of student filmmakers.

This film was made with no budget, by 12 high school students who served as both the entire cast and crew.