Meet Cameron Clay, one of the winners of the 7th annual Focus Features Short Film Showcase.
In Clay’s short film, JESUS IS COMING (to take the Church away), a devoted reverend and his son suspect an extraterrestrial explanation when faced with mysterious disappearances in their small rural town.
We asked Clay about the inspiration for his film, the artists who influenced him, and his plans for the future, read at the link in bio.
JESUS IS COMING (TO TAKE THE CHURCH AWAY) will premiere at the 50th Atlanta Film Festival.
we were hoping for this one; and of course the first place our film plays would be down south.
many big brains & skilled hands molded this into something special and strange and worth it. nostalgia doing me in rn looking at these BTS photos. i am so grateful to have worked at home with family, old friends, and new friends to make something much bigger than me
im happy as hell. magic city will see me
starring
@dondafilmer@timothytinkersr@barry_dil.will@ayesis
producer: @yaelmonae
dir of photography: @bradleycreditdp
1st AD: @ssof.ortega
production designer: @cocktail_twin
costume designer: @cheybattle
music by: @cameran.johal
VFX supervisor: @areyouabug
1st AC: @lailshelby
2nd AC/loader: @sara.vanderlaan
camera PA: @benwanko
super 8 cam operator: @tosin.p
gaffer: @bittertoejam
best boy electric: @niccfliccs
key grip: @jamesmdoug
best boy grip: @kenzerin0
sound mixer: @oldmanmazzei
script supervisor: @ellis.finney
on-set VFX supervisor: @reumusic
SFX makeup: KC Paulson
lifeguard: Merritt Bradsher
catering & craft service: Larry Clay II
score recording engineer: @ootermind
musiccontractor: @elecviola
music editing: James Yost
music recorded at: @reservoirstudionyc
clarinet/bass: Bohdan Hilash
clarinet: Andrew Lamy
french horn: Nancy Billmann
vibraphone: Roxan Jurkevich
violin: Jorge Avila & Louise Owen
double bass: Roger Wagner & Dave Romano
sound designer/re-recording mixer: @timobzud
assistant sound producer: Raina Cagiao
director of sound: Nicole Tessier
colorist: @_kyungchanmin
we shot my thesis film, JESUS IS COMING (TO TAKE THE CHURCH AWAY) last July.
we filmed in my father’s, his father’s, and his father’s hometown—Roxboro, North Carolina.
I have dreamt of going home to make a film since I wrote my very first script in 2018. and, with my brilliant producer @yaelmonae , the support of an army of family and friends — and many, many prayers — we finally did it.
this is a story about about facing the terrible smallness of one’s self.
in that smallness, on those five hot North Carolina summer days, I was supported by the love of friends and family who sweat, sacrificed, and carried me home.
photos: @tosin.p
the gotham awards the other night
JESUS IS COMING (to take the Church away) — a film i made at home, with my people — was awarded the Focus Features Short Film Award
you cannot tell from these photos but i smiled a great deal thinking of my beloved cast and crew and family and neighbors and church family and all the many folks who lent a hand, an ear, a prayer to help make this movie, which was secretly just a long con for me to have an excuse put a suit and enjoy an open bar
