COLUMBIA, SC – Award-winning filmmaking team Daljit Kalsi and Merritt Vann are collaborating once again on a new feature film heading into production in summer 2019 in and around Columbia, South Carolina.
Vann and Kalsi have produced a string of award-winning films, including BOUND: An unflinching look inside the brutal world of human trafficking, Triggered, Bottled Up, Down in the Dark, and Harvest Season.
On the heels of creating several powerful narratives on the topics of human trafficking, school violence, alcoholism, and cancer, Kalsi and Vann have devised a new script surrounding another hard-hitting subject that will take audiences on an emotional journey and leave them smiling through tears.
The film, tentatively titled “Rescued,” follows Tom Connelly, a grieving man who hopes adopting a dog can help fill a hole in his heart and life. Tom soon learns his new dog, Ruby, has her own tragic backstory, and this discovery ultimately sets Tom on a path on a path to save a young child’s life. However, there are unexpected detours along the way and Tom is eventually forced to make what will either be the best decision of his life, or the last.
Kalsi, who was named Best Director at the Northeast Mountain Film Festival in Dillard, GA in June 2019, is back in the director’s chair for this film.
Kalsi is co-producing with Vann, who is also playing the lead. Vann has a lengthy resume, including principal roles in CBS’ The Inspectors, Homicide Hunter, Atlanta Homicide, Murder Calls, Killer Couples, Sleepy Hollow, Banshee, and American Nightmare.
Lucy, a lab mix with a resume of theatrical performances in the Columbia area, will portray the four-legged leading lady.
10-year-old Columbia native Chappell Lackore will be making her on-screen debut as Louisa, a young girl whose life is on the line.
NFL legend and South Carolina Football Hall of Famer Sam Wyche, who played in Super Bowl VII for the Redskins and coached the Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII, is lacing up his cleats to lead the supporting cast.
Kate Dailey (Homicide Hunter, The Encounter), Matthew Merritt (Cracks, Mister Academy), Chantey Colet (Harvest Season, Door to Door) and Pat Yeary (Love to the Rescue, The Righteous Gemstones) round out the top supporting cast.
Kalsi and Vann are currently seeking sponsors for the film. A financial contribution will earn sponsors a mention at the beginning of the film, in the closing credits, and in forthcoming social media and promotional materials. There is also a likelihood of having a sponsor’s business or product featured in the film as long as it fits the script. In addition, the filmmakers are also seeking restaurant sponsors for select scenes in the film and an automotive sponsor for the motor vehicles in the film. Additional incentives include brand exposure to audiences at film festivals across the country and brand exposure via online streaming platforms, such as Amazon Prime, Roku, and other leading video-streaming networks.
Kalsi and Vann have a proven track record of making successful films. Below is a list of films and awards or nominations.
BOUND (2017)
- Winner – Best Overall Film, Tryon Intl. Film Festival (2017)
- Winner – Silver Award, Independent Shorts Awards, Los Angeles, CA (2018)
- Nominee – Best Short, Independent Horror Movie Awards (2017)
- Nominee – Best Editing, Independent Horror Movie Awards (2017)
- Nominee – Best Cinematography, Independent Horror Movie Awards (2017)
- Streaming on Amazon Prime
Bottled Up (2018)
- Winner – Silver Award, Spotlight Short Film Awards (2018)
Triggered (2018)
- Winner – 3rd Place, Lander University Film Festival: 2 week challenge
- Streaming on Amazon Prime
Down in the Dark (2018)
- Winner – Filmmaker’s Award, 2nd Act Film Festival, Columbia, SC
- Streaming on Amazon Prime
Harvest Season (2018)
- Winner – Audience Choice Award, Reedy Reels Film Festival
- Winner – Best Musical Score, Peak City Film Festival
- Winner – Best Director (Daljit Kalsi), Northeast Mountain Film Festival
- Official Selection – North Carolina Film Awards
- Nominee – Best Short, Top Indie Film Awards 2018
- Nominee – Best Director, Top Indie Film Awards 2018
- Nominee – Best Writing, Top Indie Film Awards 2018
- Nominee – Best Music, Top Indie Film Awards 2018
- Streaming on Amazon Prime
Businesses and individuals wishing to learn more about sponsorship opportunities can email daljitkalsiproductions@gmail.com for additional details.
Daljit Kalsi Productions 