Native American Heritage Month 2025

Picture Day

2022 00:16

Scripted Short Film Festivals

When a tomboy growing up on military bases struggles to fit in at a new school, one small act of rebellion sparks a much larger crisis at home.

ABOUT
BIO
SCREENINGS
AWARDS
PRESS
CREDITS
GALLERY

Genre

Coming of Age Drama Family LGBTQ+ Youth Women People of Color

Synopsis

Figuring who you are is hard enough at 12. For Casey, a tomboy growing up on military bases, the moves every few years don't help. When she becomes an outcast at a new school Casey decides to take control of her life. What starts as a small act if rebellion ultimately sparks bigger problems at home, revealing more than she wanted to know about gender, power, and what it really means to find your place in the world.

Director Identity

she/her

Bio

Kelly Pike is the recipient of the DGA "Award of Outstanding Directorial Achievement", named on Austin Film Festival’s “25 Screenwriters to Watch” list, and a graduate of the AFI Directing Workshop for Women.

With an established career as a sculptor and museum professional in Houston,TX she first expanded her practice into filmmaking by working with documentarian Albert Maysles. She then went on to earn her M.F.A in Film & Television from UCLA.

Her films have screened at festivals around the world, winning awards from the Emerging Filmmaker Showcase at the Cannes Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, Palm Springs International Film Festival, Savannah (SCAD) Film Festival, Warsaw International Film Festival, Bahamas Film Festival, and many more.

Her work has also earned recognition from PBS, Vimeo, NATO, and the Caucus for Producers, Writers, & Directors, the Puffin Foundation, the Directors Guild of America, and Short Of The Week.

She is currently based in Los Angeles.

www.kellypikefilm.com

Screening History

Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films 2022

Warsaw International Film Festival 2023

HollyShorts Film Festival 2023

Awards History

Warsaw International Film Festival 2023 - Grand Jury Award, Best Live Action Short

Palm Springs Shortsfest 2022 - Jury Award, Honorable Mention

Dallas International Film Festival 2023- Grand Jury Award, Best Short Film

Press

"“With a powerful narrative, strong performances, and a beautiful visual aesthetic, Picture Day is a must-see short that invites reflection on the universal struggles of adolescence. Its thoughtful approach to themes of gender and self-discovery ensures it leaves a lasting impression, making it a standout entry in contemporary short filmmaking.”"

Film & Television Business

"“(Picture Day) isn’t the short of short film you’d expect to qualify for the Oscars. It’s not a message film. It doesn’t represent a cause. It might very well be thought of as political, but not overtly so. It has made it through the festival qualifying process based on merit. It’s one of the very best shorts in that position this year.”"

EYE for FILM

"“With striking performances and an empathetic vision of youth at its forefront, Kelly Pike’s coming-of-age drama is one of the best in recent memory.”"

Take 2 Indie Review

"“I adored this film, and audiences I’m sure will be equally engaged by its story and style. It’s destined to do fantastically, and readers should not miss the opportunity to seek it out. The sound design is phenomenal, the editing isn’t heavy-handed and allows the shots to breathe. Impeccable performances across the board, and a core vision which has a lot to say. Picture Day will have you immersed from beginning to end, and will stick in your memory long after you’ve watched it.”"

UK Film Review (PD Review)

Credits

Actor - Michelle Krusiec

Actor - Oona Yaffe

Gallery

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