International distribution for the Western alumni-helmed Whispers of Life has been picked up by Contemporary Arts Media-Artfilms, Turbid Lake Pictures recently announced. The film was written and directed by Florian Halbedl, BA’09 (Film Studies, Medical Sciences), and produced by Joshua M. Ferguson, BA’09 (Film Studies). Contemporary Arts Media-Artfilms has distributed numerous high-profile films, including Michael Haneke’s Amour, Jane Campion’s Bright Star, Wong Kar Wai’s Happy Together and Lena Dunham’s Tiny Furniture, among others.
Whispers of Life tells the story of Tom, a gay teenager, who is threatened by a bully’s homophobic words. As Tom sits on his park bench, ridden with angst, a stranger named Charles suddenly appears next to him and strikes up a conversation that forever alters the teenager’s future and life.
Whispers of Life has been selected by 21 film festivals around the world, and has been awarded both the Audience Choice and Jury Choice Awards at the 26th Reel Pride Winnipeg Film Festival, Best Short Film Audience Award at Reelout Film + Video Film Festival, Festival Favorite at The Palm Springs Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and, most recently, was nominated for the 2014 Director’s Guild of Canada Best Short Film Award.
Turbid Lake Pictures is currently negotiating U.S. distribution for Whispers of Life.
