HAPPY PALS

HAPPY PALS

Directed by Ryan Palmer

12 min | Drama, Psychological | United States | 2024
New York City Premiere

REGAL 14TH ST. | Saturday, October 18th | 11:00 AM
Plays in SHORT FILM FESTIVAL #13
Auditorium 15

Cast: Brandon J. Sommerville, Annalea Fiachi, Preston Fusci, Zoe Yale, Amber Li, David Hunter Jr, Sunny Rashad and Chris Conte

Synopsis: After Ben loses his 3-year-old daughter in an unspeakable tragedy, he escapes reality into his mental headspace called “Happy Land.”
In Happy Land, there are anthropomorphic animal characters, Dena, Antwan, Bara, and Danny, who each represent a stage of grief. They all force Ben to forget his troubles to be happy with them. All while Acceptance, the “villain,” ensures Ben holds onto his daughter’s memory, even if it hurts.
In the end, Ben is forced to either effectively end his life and join the Happy Pals forever or choose to return to reality and start his healing journey.

Followed by Q&A with Filmmaker & Cast.