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2020

UNDEREXPOSED

FILM FESTIVAL yc

BALLOON

Succulents

BALLOON

BLOCK C

THEME: Emerging

FRIDAY |  3 - 5 PM

Narrative | 2019 | 16 min. 46 sec.
Official Selection
Suggested Rating | PG-13
Country | United States
Language | English
Producers | Kate Chamuris, Christina Cha
Director | Jeremy Merrifield
Writers | Jeremy Merrifield, Dave Testa
Cast | Paul Scheer, Jonah Beres, Jaylin Ogle, Carson Severson
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[HollyShorts  •  New Orleans Film Festival  • Napa Valley Film Festival • The Film Series at Cine Gear Expo  • ASC Student Heritage Award • Palm Springs International Short Fest • Fort Lauderdale Film Festival • Comic Con International • Naples International Film Festival • FilmQuest • Rhode Island International Film Festival • Oaxaca Film Festival • IndieMemphis • SCAD Savannah Film Festival]
 
Exploring gender through the lens of the superhero myth, BALLOON questions how we raise boys when our concept of masculinity has become narrow.  For fourteen-year-old Sam, surviving junior high means staying below radar. But that becomes impossible after he becomes the target of the school’s next viral video. He’s pressured to “hit back,” but Sam isn’t so sure—even if he does have superpowers. 
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Eligible for Specialty Award:​
  • Best Student Film | Collegiate
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ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

While at The American Film Institute, Jeremy made four short films, LINE, A TRAVELING SYMPHONY, THE BELL, and, most recently his thesis film, BALLOON (winner, Grand Prix HollyShorts), which explores questions of toxic masculinity in the way we raise our boys. He wrote and directed a spec comedy pilot, FOR REAL, which is the satirical journey exploring American narcissism in the age of the social media star. Prior to AFI, Jeremy worked in New York’s Broadway theater community where he started as an actor and ultimately began producing and directing. He produced the concert and subsequent Broadway workshop for Tony Award-winner Jason Robert Brown’s debut musical SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD. As casting director, he worked on THE BOY FROM OZ starring Hugh Jackman as well as Cameron Mackintosh’s CATS. As a director, he assisted the New York Theatre Workshop production of Houshang Touzie’s OUR SWEET LIFE BY THE PACIFIC OCEAN starring Shoreh Agdashloo and exploring the life of a Persian family living in America. Other credits include YANK! (Off-Broadway, associate producer), MARY POPPINS (Broadway, assistant to the producer), MISS SAIGON (Broadway tour). He lives with his partner in Los Angeles.

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RELATED LINKS

Website | https://www.balloonmovie.com

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/BalloonShort

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/balloonfilm/

Twitter | https://twitter.com/balloonfilm

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Last Film                                                                                                                                                                                   Next Film
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2025 VENUES

The Mercantile

153 E White Street

Rock Hill, SC 29730

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Tom S. Gettys Center Courtroom

201 E Main Street

Rock Hill, SC 29730

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York County Library | Rock Hill

138 E Black Street

Rock Hill, SC 29730

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Slow Play Brewing

274 Columbia Avenue

Rock Hill, SC 29730

SCREENINGS

BLOCK A 

7 - 9 PM

The Mercantile

FREE

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BLOCK B 

3 - 5 PM

Tom S. Gettys Center Courtroom

TICKETS

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BLOCK C

6:30 - 8 PM

York County Library, Rock Hill

FREE WITH REGISTRATION

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BLOCK D

7- 9 PM

Tom S. Gettys Center Courtroom

TICKETS

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BLOCK E

2- 4 PM

Tom S. Gettys Center Courtroom

TICKETS

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BLOCK F

7 - 9 PM

Tom S. Gettys Center Courtroom

TICKETS

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Doors open 30 minutes before

each block.

TICKETS

 

IN PERSON: Center for the Arts

121 E. Main St. | Rock Hill, SC

ONLINE: arts-people.com

BY PHONE: (803) 328-2787

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Privacy Policy

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CONTACT

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Arts Council of York County

PHONE: (803) 328-2787

EMAIL: arts@yorkcountyarts.org

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© 2025 by Arts Council of York County

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Support for this project is provided by Comporium Communications, the SC Arts Commission (which receives funding from the NEA), Rock Hill Accommodations Tax Grant Fund, York County Accommodations & Hospitality Tax, & the ACYC Annual Campaign. For visitors information including lodging, contact Visit York County, SC at visityorkcounty.com Support for this project is provided by the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of the Coastal Community Foundation of SC, and the SC Arts Commission, which received funding from the National Endowment for the Arts,.



The Arts Council of York County is headquartered OnlyInOldTown. Downtown Rock Hill is South Carolina's first Cultural District.

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