After their COVID-inspired nightmare film “Sparrow Street” made a splash around the country and the world, Brighton-based filmmakers Sparrow Street Films are back with their second horror-themed feature film.
Sparrow Street Films hosted a private screening with family and friends of their second film, “The Silicant,” on June 17 at Denver’s Bug Theater.
Justice Cole, executive producer and general manager, said it was good to be back at the Bug Theater, the spot where their first film made its debut.
“This has been a four-year journey; we had our first private screening here, which provided valuable feedback, and we made numerous changes,” Cole said. “Now we have a finished film, and we’re ready to get it into the market.”
He had nothing but praise for the people who made the film happen.
“What a great, talented cast and crew! It’s a film that holds so much meaning and depth, and we have all poured our hearts into it,” Cole said. “Being a part of it means a lot to me, and I’m excited to see where the film will go and how these truly talented individuals will advance in their careers. It’s wonderful to be part of that creation.”
The team’s first film, “Sparrow Street” was filmed in a Brighton neighborhood during the COVID-19 shutdowns and was partially a response to those claustrophobic times. The small-budget independent horror film told the tale of a typical suburban neighborhood plunged into a nightmare as an invisible, monstrous force picks off the neighbors one by one.
This second feature was initially titled “What We Don’t See,” but they changed the name after getting some feedback after an early screening, Cole said. “The Silicant” tells the story of a man, Tristan, isolated in his house in the wake of a domestic assault charge.
Cole said the name “Silicant” originates from Tristan’s need to give a name to the mysterious, unseen monster.
“His self-isolating recovery is interrupted by an otherworldly force that tries to creep into his mind… and his house,” Cole said.
Cole said they are actively seeking a distributor now, both domestically and internationally.
“We have several companies from the Cannes Film Festival and the American film market interested in this film,” he said. “In the coming months, we aim to negotiate a distribution deal that will enable people worldwide to view this film.
“Last night was a private screening. The film won’t be ‘premiered’ until we get a distribution deal and work that out with our distributor, of course,” Cole said.
Billy Jack, director, executive producer, and general manager, said, “I am so excited. It was a lot of fun to make.”
They are hoping their latest work follows the same path as their first one. Their movie “Sparrow Street” won several awards across three continents. It also won the Hollywood Indie Film Award for Best Indie. It was also a semi-finalist at the Art Giraffe Film Festival in Nice, France; awarded Best Feature Film at the Tuesday of Horror in Unna, Germany; and recognized as Best Feature Film at the Horror Underground Film and Screenplay Festival in Montreal, Quebec.
The film also received an exceptional merit award and a best actress award at the Nature Without Borders International Festival in Lewes, Delaware, and earned six awards at the Depth of Field International Festival in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
The film was screened at the Budapest Movie Award Festival in Hungary and the Kosice International Film Festival in Kosice, Slovakia.
For information about Sparrow Street Films, visit: https://sparrowstreetfilms.com
