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Michael, Emmadri, and the Mermaid

In the wake of her home's destruction as Hurricane Michael makes landfall in the Florida Panhandle, a little girl finds herself in the stressful situation of her parents trying to find them a place to stay.

  • David Fenstersheib
    Executive Producer
  • Alyssa Morlacci
    Producer
  • Dawn Clark
    Producer
  • Ken Barr
    Producer
  • Ryan Dougall
    Writer
  • Ryan Dougall
    Director
  • Blake Studwell
    Director of Photography
    Shift Drinks, The Owl's Nest
  • Michael A. Hoffman
    Editor
  • Matthew Ross
    Composer
  • Liyah Hinds
    Key Cast
    "Emmadri"
  • Rita Cole
    Key Cast
    "Mother"
  • David Hinds
    Key Cast
    "Father"
  • Eliana Ghen
    Key Cast
    "Mermaid/Princess Ana"
    Insatiable
  • Reed Alexander
    Key Cast
    "Resort Front Desk Agent"
    iCarly, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Jr, Will & Grace
  • Johnny Contini
    Key Cast
    "Motel Front Desk Agent"
  • Raven Brinson
    Key Cast
    "Radio News Reporter"
  • David Griffin
    1st Assistant Director
  • Anthony Carlo
    Camera Operator
  • Luis Marin Jr.
    Sound Recording/Mixing
  • Ryan Copt
    Sound Design
  • Eric Villaire
    Grip/Lighting
  • Valunthinee Phoung
    Hair & Make-Up
  • Bongiovi Entertainment
    Post Production Supervision
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Family, Natural Disaster, Fantasy, Road, Children, Kids
  • Runtime:
    11 minutes 47 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 23, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Indie Short Fest (December 2019)
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    Award Nominee: Best Drama Short
  • Indie Short Fest (December 2019)
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    Award Nominee: Best Young Actress
  • Queen Palm International Film Festival (2020)
    Palm Springs, CA
    United States
    Bronze Award Winner: Best Short - Family/Faith
  • Queen Palm International Film Festival (2020)
    Palm Springs, CA
    United States
    Bronze Award Winner: Best Young Actress
  • Southeast Regional Film Festival (2020)
    Jacksonville, FL
    United States
    Best Young Actress (Runner-Up): Liyah Hinds
  • Southeast Regional Film Festival (2020)
    Jacksonville, FL
    United States
    Finalist: Best Drama Short
  • Golden State Film Festival (2020)
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    February 23, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Sunscreen Film Festival (2020)
    St. Petersburg, FL
    United States
    Official Selection
  • Connect Beyond Festival (2020)
    Asheville, NC
    United States
    Official Selection
  • Pittsburgh Independent Film Festival (2020)
    Pittsburgh, PA
    United States
    Official Selection
  • Orlando International Film Festival (2020)
    Orlando, FL
    United States
    Official Selection
  • Las Vegas International Film & Screenwriting Festival (2020)
    Las Vegas
    United States
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Ryan Dougall

Ryan Dougall lives in Los Angeles, California, and works in TV/motion picture production.

Born in Hollywood, Florida, Ryan attended the University of Central Florida’s Radio & Television program for his B.A. and completed a minor in Cinema Studies. During college is also when Ryan began writing and directing a series of short films with friends.

In October of 2018, inspired by the events of Hurricane Michael in the Florida Panhandle, Ryan wrote a screenplay for "Michael, Emmadri, and the Mermaid." Filming took place in March 2019 with a final cut completed in August 2019.

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Director Statement

My younger brother was born during a hurricane. As a native Floridian, I’ve done the drill almost every year: put up the storm shutters, stock up on water and canned foods, and make sure there’s gas in the tank. I am no stranger to the devastating effects of hurricanes. As I watched Hurricane Michael make landfall back in October of 2018, I felt compelled to tell a story that's all too familiar to Floridians, but through a lens rarely depicted: the innocence of a child's eyes. Directing a 4-year-old in a lead role was difficult, but in order to capture the real-life struggles families endure in the wake of natural disasters, I was inspired to meet the challenge.