Strays (2024 Short )
About Strays
James Rana, the writer, star and executive producer of Strays, is a veteran New York stage actor. He notably understudied Tony Shalhoub in THE BAND’S VISIT on Broadway and on the national tour. Most recently, he performed in the national tour of THE KITE RUNNER.
He wrote this film over a decade ago to honor the sacrifices of his uncles who emigrated from Pakistan in the 70s. As they worked toward American citizenship, they took all sorts of jobs to raise money to afford to bring their families to America. They spent many birthdays alone, as his character, Shamsul, does.
"[This film] is dedicated to all immigrants who come here and feel invisible,” James said. “They are not invisible. They are seen."
James created this film in the tradition of silent film comedians like Charlie Chaplin and Jacques Tati. He rehearsed with well-known clowning expert Joel Jeske. Or Schraiber directed.
I produced this film along with James Rana and Jane Kotlyar. I also served as 1st Assistant Director and Unit Production Manager
Strays has won awards in the festival circuit since 2024. The Strays website is here.
Festival Recognition
AWARDS
Best Film - Chalachaitra International Festival
SELECTIONS
Jaipur International Film Festival (The largest global competitive film festival)
Newport Beach Film Festival
Independent Shorts Awards Short List (70 of 3,249 films from 65 countries)
New York Shorts | Teaneck International
Bacon Day (2022 short)
BACON DAY RECOGNITION ROUND-UP - WINTER 2024
AWARDS
Best Script - Munich New Wave Festival
Silver Award, Best Women Short - Independent Shorts Awards (March ‘23)
Best Short Film - Venice Full-Shot Film Festival
HONORABLE MENTION
Best Actress - Hannah Lanford - Independent Shorts Awards (March ‘23)
Best Actress - Hannah Lanford, New York Lift-Off Film Festival
SEMI-FINALIST
Best International Short - Berlin Shorts Award | New York International Women's Film Festival
Best Short - Brooklyn International Film Festival |
Best Female Director - San Francisco Arthouse Short Film Festival
Best US Short - Brooklyn International Shorts Award
QUARTER FINALIST
Short Film Category - Serbest International Film Festival
NOMINEE
Best Indie Short - Venice Shorts
Best Narrative Short - Toronto International Women Film Festival
OFFICIAL SELECTION
Japan International Short Film Festival | Tokyo International Short Film Festival
California International Film Festival | New York Tri-State International Film Festival
Seoul International Short Film Festival | Roma Short Film Festival
Just Water (2023)
About the Film
John’s alcoholism has reached a breaking point; the family dog is dead. In this short, adult son Travis and childhood best friend David forge their bonds anew to weather this disease that grips a man they love.
Filmed March 2021 in Baker, Louisiana, just outside of Baton Rouge. Written, directed and produced by Catherine Ann. In post-production now.
Behind the Scenes
Click on the side of photo the below to scroll through the gallery.
Thin Slicing (2020)
Catherine Ann’s second short film, Thin Slicing, was selected as one of the top 20 films for the Louisiana Film Prize this year.
The Shoot
In a three week span, Catherine Ann adapted this romantic drama from stage to screen, raised funds, and set up a film shoot with colleagues she met on a Baton Rouge feature film in winter 2020. They filmed August 1 and 2, and submitted the film on August 11 for the festival. COVID precautions were taken during the shoot. The location was Henry Turner, Jr.’s Listening Room.
Press
About the Prize
The Louisiana Film Prize has the largest cash prize for a film festival in the entire world: $50,000. More at www.prizefest.com.