FROM STAFF REPORTS

MONTEVALLO – A group of Montevallo college students are making their mark in the world of indie films, recently winning awards in two national film festivals with their release of “Soon Enough.” Most recently, the five-minute short, telling the story of a zombie invasion in a small Alabama town, was accepted into Birmingham’s annual Sidewalk Film Festival’s elite lineup. It is slated to screen Aug. 25.

“Soon Enough” won Best Technical Award at the Scare My Shorts Off Film Festival in Montevallo, and Best Student Film at the Variety International Film Festival in Long Island, New York. It will soon be followed by a full-length film version of the story, from director Luis Abe Jim. He says the team behind “Soon Enough” knew there was more to the story.

“We just weren’t ready to let it go. We wanted to take this to the next level. And that was something our audience wanted too,” said Jim.

After months of writing, shooting and editing, a full-length version of “Soon Enough” will have its world premiere Sept. 29. In a nod to the film’s small-town Alabama roots, the young filmmakers are planning to hold the premiere for investors and special guests at Playhouse Cinemas in Alexander City.

The next day the film will open to the general public.

The indie film community has been supportive of the young Alabama film makers. LV Magazine told readers “Soon Enough” is “the top Indie film to look out for in 2018.” The Alabamian, the University of Montevallo’s newspaper, heard about the production and reached out for interviews, running a story on the project early in its development.

Jim said the group needs community support to help with marketing and distribution expenses, which have been a challenge for the young filmmakers.

Their budget for the entire film, including marketing was just $13,000. Sponsors have stepped up to get project funds to the halfway point, and the group has a Go Fund Me page. Jim said there is still room for a limited number of investors, as well. They will be considered producers and see their names roll with the film’s credits.

“Yes, this has absolutely been an ambitious project,” Jim said. “We wanted to do something big. We wanted to show the world that you can be young, and you can dream big dreams. We need people to take a chance on us, trust us, believe in us.”

“For most of the people attached to this film, this could well be their first big step in getting their names out there, and seeing doors open for future careers,” he said. “We have a director, a writer, actors, camera operators, makeup artists. . .it’s amazing the level of talent. All that these people need is a little encouragement. There is no limit to what they can achieve.”