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Gift From Above

When all hope was lost on Red Island in 1958, a mysterious parachute may be the answer the Counsel family was looking for. Based on a true story.

  • James Newhook
    Director
  • James Newhook
    Writer
  • Marion Counsel
    Writer
    Red Island - Resettlement Girl
  • James Newhook
    Editor
  • Peter Buckle
    Producer
  • Keith Bonnell
    Producer
  • Hollie Barrett
    Key Cast
    "Mary Counsel"
  • Marcus Langer-Smith
    Key Cast
    "Mike Counsel"
  • Keith Bonnell
    Key Cast
    "Father Muldowney"
  • Jim Pretty
    Key Cast
    "Radio Announcer"
  • Nick Duncan
    Director of Photography
  • Harshdeep Singh
    Sound
    A Quick Heist
  • Joshua Smith
    Sound
    Turmoil
  • Ben Power
    Gaffer/Grip
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student, Web / New Media
  • Genres:
    Historical, Drama, True Story, Period Piece, Newfoundland, 1950s, Family, Parachute
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 7 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 10, 2021
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Blackmagic RAW
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - College of the North Atlantic
  • CB Nuit After Dark Arts Festival
    Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador
    Canada
    September 25, 2021
    Online Premiere
    Featured Artist
  • A TO Z CINEMA FILM FESTIVAL
    Hyderabad
    India
    Best Student Short Film
  • Cinema Ticket International Film Festival
    Port Blair City
    India
    Best Student Short Film
  • AltFF Alternative Film Festival
    Toronto, Ontario
    Canada
    Film Festival/Photography Contest
    Nominee - Best Actress (Hollie Barrett)
  • Kino Monthly Film Festival
    Ottawa, Ontario
    Canada
    June 27, 2023
    Film Festival
    Honourable Mention
  • Kansas City Independent Film Festival
    Kansas City, Missouri
    United States
    Screenwriting Contest / Music Contest / Photography Contest / Online Festival / Awards Event
    Semi-Finalist
  • SNAPP 2021
    Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador
    Canada
    December 9, 2021
    Online Premiere
    Featured movie
  • Golden Eyes
    Golden Eyes House, Paris
    France
    Official Selection
  • Student Live Film Festival
    Paris
    France
    Film Festival
    Official Selection
Distribution Information
  • YouTube
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: Internet
  • FilmHub
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: Internet
  • Vimeo
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: Internet
  • Nuclear Home Video
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: Internet, Video on Demand
  • Cineverse
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: Internet
  • Viddsee
    Distributor
    Rights: Internet
  • Future Today
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: Internet
Director Biography - James Newhook

James Newhook is a filmmaker rooted in the captivating landscapes of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, with a deep admiration for both history and film. Over the years, as he has delved into filmmaking and immersed himself with Newfoundland's history, he's come to realize that film can serve as an extraordinary medium to both educate and preserve stories that would otherwise vanish into the annals of time. His works often center around the local Newfoundland culture, ranging from adapting true stories from his hometown and creating documentaries that archive historical aspects, to producing cinematic adaptations of the folklore deeply woven into the culture of his home province.

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Director Statement

James takes great pride in "Gift From Above" and is pleased to immortalize Marion's personal story on film for future generations. Additionally, he aims to bring more attention to his historically significant hometown of Placentia.