The Projectionist

A father and son are taking a trip to the movies. One they might not return from.

A “ICW Productions” FILM
WRITTEN BY Andy James

Griff has recently moved to the small town of Shannon with his 10 year-old son, Austin. Griff’s ex-wife Lillian recently passed away and, in an attempt to get away from the busy city that reminds them both so much of what they’ve lost, he has moved them to his old hometown.

Griff doesn't deal with emotions well. An introvert, he’s used to processing his feelings through other mediums; typically films. It’s how he bonded with his own father and now, with the belated need to do so for his son, he’s looking to the movies again. Except the nearest cinema is two towns over. And it’s not worth driving two towns for.

On a desperate whim, Griff sinks all of his money into the old abandoned cinema in town and aims to renovate it and start it up again; despite the strange stories surrounding it. He convinces his architect friend Louise to come down from Auckland to give him a hand with the re-design and refurbishment.

There’s only one man standing in the way: Councilman Walters, a man with a stick up his arse instead of a spine. His is the deciding council vote on whether the extensive cinema refurbishment gets the go-ahead or not. And he’s not looking favourably upon it.

Griff and Louise agree to give Walters a grand guided tour of the cinema to show him what they could do with the place and how it will benefit the town. As Griff and Louise attempt to impress Walters, Austin wanders off to explore the shadowy corridors for himself.

Bad idea. Because there is something to those strange stories. Lurking in the deepest shadows and creeping along the aisles is a spectral presence. Something haunting. Something spooky. Something that can move objects around, that gives a chill to the air, locks and bars the doors and that can make its presence felt - violently. It seems the old projectionist – the old, dead projectionist – is none too happy about his beloved, decrepit 35mm cinema becoming a lively, digitally projected venue.

Flip down your seats, turn off all cell-phones and pray you make it past the pre-show previews.