Shawna E. Shea Memorial Foundation, Inc.

Check it out! The Shawna E. Shea Memorial Foundation, Inc. Library Poetry Tour host Tony Brown is the feature poet at Arts in the Garden, 3 West Boylston Drive in Worcester on May 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. Tony is an extraordinary poet and we are so grateful he's on the team. You don't want to miss this!
And our Library Poetry Tour is back this month at the Uxbridge Free Public Library and the Milford Town Library thanks to the support of the Uxbridge Cultural Council, the Milford Cultural Council and the Mass Cultural Council.
Get your fill of live poetry reading all month! Never enough, if you ask us.

Send a message to learn more

is so under-appreciated. However, not here.

Paul Klee (Swiss-born German, 1879-1940)
Printed Sheet with Picture (Bilderbogen), 1937

If you are a member of the Shawna Foundation Patreon Page you'll get a very cool explanation as to why we host the Library Poetry Tour. Simply put Shawna was a poet.

You'll read all about it with a PDF download of her published work.

Join here!

Get more from Shawna Foundation on Patreon Supporting the Arts and Artists. No Matter What.

Now that Massachusetts Independent Film Festival is over, there is no rest for the Shawna E. Shea Memorial Foundation, Inc.

Let's turn our attention to the Shawna Shea Film Festival! Submissions are still open for our new July dates so get your movies submitted now!

Let's see what you've got!

The Shawna Shea Memorial Film Festival The Shawna Shea Film Festival (SSFF) is a fringe independent international film festival. We love quirky and experimental films as much as we love straight n...

A wildly successful 2024 on the books! We had a great time, thank you to all the fantastic filmmakers who submitted, who attended and who keep true independent film a viable and important part of arts and culture. Here are just a few captures of the many wonderful moments and experiences of this past weekend. And don't blink -- is 84 days away!

The Shawna E. Shea Memorial Foundation, Inc.'s Massachusetts Independent Film Festival is in the books. Because we have a very literate audience!

Thanks to all who submitted and attended. There are a lot of film festivals to choose from. Too many, frankly. The fact that you chose us to submit to is something we never take for granted. We truly appreciate it.

Like most festivals we give out awards at the end. It's a fun time of celebration, networking a pizza. But as we know art is subjective. So everyone is actually a winner, as trite as that sounds. But it is true simply because they are brave enough to create.

That said...

Here is the list of the 2024 Mass Indie Winners.

Award Winners

Best Feature
Ugly Sweater

Best International Feature
This Time

Best Feature Documentary
Sara's Circus

Best New England Feature
We Are The Warriors

Best Massachusetts Feature
Super Beef

Best Worcester County Feature
One Door Closes: Korey's Courage

Best Short
Bender

Best International Short
The Lonely Doryman

Best Horror Short
Laura Lisa

Best Experimental Short
Another You

Best Animation Short
Break Bread

Best Short Documentary
Mama

Best New England Short
Alright Robot

Best Massachusetts Short
How to Clean: An ADHD Story

Best Worcester County Short
A Momentary Stop

Unproduced Feature Screenplay
Assassination of President Duke by Xi Ren

Unproduced Short Screenplay
The Best of Times by Robert J Lanciani

Mass Indie Spirit Awards

A is for Alice
Apophenia
Child’s Play
Dibs on Mars
Fell Right Next to the Tree
Jasper’s Tales
A Long Lived Obliquity
Made in Bridgeport
Ototeman
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
The Saga of the Golden Potty
She Who Dared
The Toad in the Hole
Waiting for Beckett
A Woman, a Priest, and a Comedian

Mass Indie Winners | shawnafoundation

Final Day of the 2024 Shawna E. Shea Memorial Foundation, Inc.'s Massachusetts Independent Film Festival! Some tickets are still available! I hope to see you there!

A big thank you to every filmmaker and screenwriter who submitted to us. I know there are thousands of festivals to choose from and that submission budgets are tight. I do not take for granted that you submitted to us and I am very grateful for that. Thank you!

Tickets for The Massachusetts Independent Film Festival Buy tickets and passes for The Massachusetts Independent Film Festival.

Q&A time for the Experimental & Animation Block at the Massachusetts Independent Film Festival! What an amazing group of artists!

And the crowd is still coming in for the Experimental and Animation Block at the Massachusetts Independent Film Festival. Our best selling block of the festival! Very excited about that!

If you are feeling left out of the Massachusetts Independent Film Festival because you don't live near us, no worries, you can enjoy a full line-up at our Patreon Page and a bunch of other cool perks for only $9.00 a month. Which will also include similar access to the Shawna E. Shea Memorial Foundation, Inc. which would be roughly $200 savings. Plus access to Creating Dangerously Podcast bonuses, more poetry, digital art and whatever else we cook up at the Shawna Foundation.

Here is the full line-up for the Mass Indie Patreon Screening. But sign up now, because when the Mass Indie Film Fest ends on Sunday, so does the Virtual Screening.

Feature Documentaries

Alone
Director: S Columbus

Documentary about the difference of being alone and feeling alone.

Four Seasons of Youth
Director: Essi Rafael

From enrollment to graduation, a wannabe movie director filmed his experience at one of the most important universities in Brazil. Through this portrait of a disenchanted generation, we follow the hopes and fears of students who faced an unprecedented educational crisis.

One Door Closes: Korey's Courage
Director: Anna Walsh

The film follows the stories of 4 people from all walks of life who overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles to achieve their dreams/goals: Dr. Korey Varano (bone cancer & amputation), Ken McDonnell (traumatic brain injury), Scherrie Payne, Formerly of The Supremes (breast cancer, depression, lack of confidence in her ability to sing, su***de attempts), June Monteiro of The Toys (throat cancer).

Based on the award winning book, One Door Closes: Overcoming Adversity By Following Your Dreams, by Tom Ingrassia and Jared Chrudimsky

Sara’s Circus
Directors: Meagan T Frappiea, Bryant Naro

SARA’S CIRCUS follows twenty-year circus veteran and single mother Sara Greene as she attempts to create the first woman-founded tented circus.

Undivide Us
Director: Kristi Kendall

UNDIVIDE US is a poignant exploration of the toxic polarization gripping America. From the cynical tactics of a power-hungry political class to the manipulative narratives of media influencers, the film reveals the overlooked facets of America's political dysfunction. However, it is a story of hope, not despair. Through the intimate lens of six focus groups across three American cities, UNDIVIDE US explores conversations around the most divisive topics of our time and uncovers the potential for healing conversation. The film celebrates the spirit of unity and resilience woven into America's fabric. Through powerful political analyses and intimate conversations with everyday Americans, UNDIVIDE US reveals the empathy and tolerance that exist beneath the manufactured divisions.

Feature Length Films

I Want to Live on Mars
Director: Mariya Somova

In broad strokes, two young women (Pickles, very rural, and Breezy, very urban) are brought together by the mistakes or the circumstances of their guardians beyond their control. After months of prickly, unlikely friendship, and a series of poetically unexpected events, the two strike out on their own, leaving behind whatever scraps they had in exurban Pennsylvania in search of "Life on Mars."

Monsters Within
Director: Devin Montgomery

Life brings Luke Wolf back to his hometown where his sister, who has Down Syndrome, is. Things are different, or maybe it's just that now he's different. After years of running from his problems, Luke must face his monsters.

This Time
Director: Robert Vaughn

When a closeted teen inherits her estranged father’s journal she discovers cryptic clues uncovering his secret life. Now to fulfill her father’s dying wish she must blackmail an alcoholic hearse driver to race her cross-country to attempt a long shot rendezvous with her father's longtime friend Liza Minnelli.

Wheel of Heaven
Director: Joseph Badon

A woman caught up in predatory relationships is thrown into a multi-layered world of choices after she discovers a mystical book in a thrift store.

Shorts Block

Dawn of Death
Director: Armin Rajaei

An Experimental Short from Iran.

All the Paths
Director: John William Malesevic

During World War II, a French family faces harsh consequences for harboring retreating British soldiers after a failed ambush of a German convoy.

I Still Love You
Director: Diane Pontius

A Short Documentary:
Bob Pontius operates on children with heart defects, and in the 1960’s helps bring pediatric heart surgery to Bergamo, Italy. Then his life is radically altered. He has a mental health crisis.

Before The Freeze
Director: Tenley E. Raj

There might not be blood, but there may be murder. �"Before the Freeze" is an experimental psychodrama about the anxieties of motherhood and the dangers of escapism.

Confession
Director: Justin Lombardi

Gabriel Blake is a middle-aged instructor at a youth conversion therapy program for young gay men in small-town Florida. On the cusp of coming to terms with his own sexuality, he is forced to confront the hypocrisy of his own beliefs and the harm that he has caused others just like himself. In weighing the current understanding against his heart, Gabriel must decide whether to continue living a lie, or to embrace his true self so that others around him can finally do the same.

Mailbu Soda
Director: Lucas Arruda

In this flashy universe, a gay young man, struggling to feel confident in his body, latches onto personalities he deems perfect; one of them being a manufactured pop star.

Little Hurts
Director: Debra Solomon

Animated Short
An errand at the dry cleaners unleashes a free-for-all of fat-shaming, body image demons and family dieting obsessions.

Get more from Shawna Foundation on Patreon Supporting the Arts and Artists. No Matter What.

Day Three, or is it Four counting UnderGround Wednesday, of the Shawna E. Shea Memorial Foundation, Inc.'s Massachusetts Independent Film Festival and it is a full one starting with our Block of International Shorts at 10:00AM because in Italy it would be 4:00PM. Makes sense right?

Followed at 12:30PM by our favorite Experimental and Animation Block which is sold out this year!!!

Then we have at 3:00PM the very cool doc The History of Metal and Horror by Mike Schiff which is groovy because some of the interviews happened at an old Worcester Institution, Rock and Shock!

At 5:30PM we have another groovy feature Ugly Sweater by Lauren Musgrove, screening with Homeward Drift by Eric Banks
and A Woman, a Priest, and a Comedian by Kim Christel.

Then be prepared for Scary Saturday with or very popular Block of Horror Shorts at 8:00PM. If it is too scary for you, no fear, the bar will be open.

It's a full day of an eclectic mix of what the art of cinema is all about. Tickets are still available right here! Buy them ahead of time. Or else it is cash only at the door!

Tickets for The Massachusetts Independent Film Festival Buy tickets and passes for The Massachusetts Independent Film Festival.

Getting set up for day 2 of the Shawna E. Shea Memorial Foundation, Inc.’s Massachusetts Independent Film Festival at the Hilton Garden Inn Worcester! See you soon!

Opening Night Q & A of the Massachusetts Independent Film Festival! Quite an eclectic block of shorts. Very cool stuff!

Tickets still available for most blocks! Grab them while you can from shawnafoundation.org

Very happy to meet Karen Warinsky at our Library Poetry Tour at the Uxbridge Free Public Library tonight with our special poet Lea C. Deschenes. Karen is an author and coordinator of Poets at Large, and on Saturday, one of our poet guests Victor Infante will be at The Vanilla Bean Café Saturday, he's amazing, along with other poets. A poem demands the spoken word and we aim to please! Thank you Karen for your good work, I hope we can collaborate soon!

We have a full house here on the Official Opening Night of the Massachusetts Independent Film Festival. Do you have a little FOMO? Just a little? Well fear no more! You too can see some of the Mass Indie Film Fest movies right here, right now exclusively through our Patreon Page. It's only $9.00 a month and you'll get access to Podcast Extras, movies, poetry, digital art and more!

Sign up here and help support the Shawna E. Shea Memorial Foundation, Inc.

And start watching Mass Indie Movies!

Get more from Shawna Foundation on Patreon Supporting the Arts and Artists. No Matter What.

Lea, poet on a stage, crushing it. Thank you! Uxbridge Free Public Library Milford Cultural Council
More to come in May on our

And while , is happening in Southbridge, if movies aren’t your thing, we have our Library Poetry Tour tonight at Uxbridge Free Public Library with the poet’s poet Lea C. Deschenes! 7 pm! You can make it!

And just like that, with a quick move, we are ready for the Official Opening Night of the Massachusetts Independent Film Festival!

Unofficially, we kicked off with our monthly Underground Wednesday screening at starlite in Southbridge — so just a taste of the films we’ll be showing through Sunday. Leading us off tonight is the world premiere of Italian film “A is for Alice” — tomorrow is our opening shorts block at where else—starlite! See you!

If you aren’t from Central Massachusetts and have a little FOMO, fear not! We now have a way to help you experience some of our programs through our Shawna Foundation Patreon Page.

We hope to introduce our Patreon supporters to the unique and independent film, art, poetry, and more, which we strive to bring to audiences. The small subscription fee includes exclusive screenings to movies, essays and poems and digital art. We will expand our UnderGround Wednesday exploration of cult cinema with exclusive Patreon episodes. Patreon supporters will also have access to interviews with artists before we release them on our Creating Dangerously podcast.

In essence, all of our live program events will now have a Patreon component for subscribers, from our Library Poetry Tour to our Pop-Up Art Exhibits to UnderGround Wednesday screenings to the Shawna Shea and Mass Indie Film Festivals. You no longer have to live in Central Massachusetts to participate, for the small subscription fee of $9 a month you get all this. And if you join now you will have access to view some of the Mass Indie Film Festival selections exclusively through our Patreon page.

In fact, if you sign up now, you will have exclusive access to films at the Massachusetts Independent Film Festival that will only be shown on our Patreon Page during the film festival! From Thursday through Sunday this week! Join us now!

Join here

Get more from Shawna Foundation on Patreon Supporting the Arts and Artists. No Matter What.

This is a first! The Experimental/Animation Block is by far the best selling block at the Massachusetts Independent Film Festival. It is just about sold out. I can't tell you how much I love this!

Tickets for The Massachusetts Independent Film Festival Buy tickets and passes for The Massachusetts Independent Film Festival.

We are about to launch a Patreon Page to give subscribing members exclusive access to our programs. Including the upcoming Massachusetts Independent Film Festival.

In essence, all of our live program events will now have a Patreon component for subscribers. From our Library Poetry Tour to our Pop-Up Art Exhibits to UnderGround Wednesday screenings to the Shawna Shea and Mass Indie Film Festivals. You no longer have to live in Central Massachusetts to participate.

We will have only one $10.00 monthly tier. Stay tuned!

This week! The Massachusetts Independent Film Festival! Starting with a free screening as a part of the Shawna E. Shea Memorial Foundation, Inc.'s UnderGround Wednesday at starlite on, yes, Wednesday. We have the World Premiere of A is for Alice (Italy) by Sharon Grace Badiato.

We have movies every night after through Sunday at both starlite and the Hilton Garden Inn Worcester. Tickets for each block are only $10.00. Where can you see a movie for that?

Here is a link to the full schedule and tickets. I look forward to seeing you there.

Mass Indie 2024 Schedule | shawnafoundation Come and see some of the best indie films from around the world and right next door!