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Shorts 6: The 850
September 27, 2025 @ 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm EDT
Step into the heart of Florida’s Panhandle with The 850, a curated program of short films that capture the grit, humor, mystery, and soul of a region often overlooked for movies but never lacking in cinematic spirit. These five films—crafted by local filmmakers—offer a kaleidoscopic view of the region, blending documentary, drama, surrealism, and horror into a compelling evening of storytelling.
From the musical musings of a Tallahassee native in One Tallahassee Son, to the absurd frat-house folklore of Cameron Mitchell Gets His Face Smashed, the program swings between humor, mystery, and emotional grit. In Identical, three teens uncover a chilling secret in the woods en route to a rave, while Hustle follows a young woman’s frantic journey through Tallahassee to raise rent money in a single day. Closing the lineup is Tate, a haunting descent into the swamp where grief, survival, and Southern myth collide. Together, these films paint a raw, imaginative portrait of a region brimming with stories waiting to be told.
Filmmakers and artists from a selection of these shorts will be attendance at the screening for a post-film discussion. Please see details for individual films below.
*Individual tickets available for purchase the day of the show at door. Seeing more than a few films? Buy a pass!
Theater #1
About the Program
- One Tallahassee Son (11m)
- Cameron Mitchell Gets His Face Smashed (10m)
- Identical (5m)
- Hustle (27m)
- Tate (32m)
A film by Jason Stelios Chimonides
A musical, often humorous “found footage” documentary exploring four quotidian years (21′-25′) in the life of Tallahassee native/returnee, Jason Chimonides.
2025 | 11 mins | US | Color | Documentary, Portrait, Personal essay
The filmmaker is expected to be in attendance for a post-film discussion.
A film by Samuel Ortiz Hardee
Through exaggerated tales of distant rumors, two frat guys speculate over a fight between their brothers.
2025 | 9 mins | US | Color | Drama, Comedy
A film by Kevin Cate
Three teenagers discover a shocking secret in the woods while on a road trip to a secret rave.
2024 | 5 mins | US | Color | Thriller, Comedy
About the Filmmaker
Kevin Cate, founder of Catecomm and Clinging Vine Films, is a filmmaker, writer, and director. Cate uses stories and images to win competitive, history-making campaigns, including what the New York Times dubbed the “upset of a lifetime.” His commercial work has earned him national recognition, including two Emmy® Awards (Suncoast), many Pollie® and Reed® Awards, and a Silver Anvil® from the Public Relations Society of America. His studio’s short films have drawn over a million views and critical acclaim.
A film by Emma James, Tyler Shore
Mia Sloan is a bright yet unmotivated 29-year-old waitress who suddenly finds herself in the unenviable position of having one day to raise thousands of dollars in back-due rent in order to stave off eviction. During this memorably hectic day, Mia journeys through her hometown of Tallahassee, encountering various figures from her life while attempting to earn the funds any way she can.
2025 | 26 mins | US | Color | Drama
The filmmakers are expected to be in attendance for a post-film discussion.
About the Filmmaker
A poet and first-time filmmaker, Emma James is currently based in Tallahassee, FL, and hopefully “based” in general. A lifelong cinephile since discovering film reviews in the Tallahassee Democrat at the age of five, she has recently achieved her goal of writing and directing a motion picture, the short drama Hustle. Entirely self-taught, James attended the same film school as Quentin Tarantino — the video store. While James identifies as trans, she is a woman of many interests and refuses to be limited to telling queer stories, important though they are. Moving forward, she intends to help strengthen the budding Tallahassee independent film scene while also utilizing connections in the NYC underground. She aspires to be a prestige auteur in the vein of Sean Baker or John Cassavetes, yet would not decline a Marvel offer, should anyone be listening.
A film by Stacy Patrick Brown, Joseph Wesley Badia
After his father’s death and the fall of the farm, Cebe Tate enters a sacred swamp seeking food for his wife and answers from the past. What he finds instead is a descent into hell.
2025 | 32 mins | US | Color | Thriller, Horror, Historical drama
The filmmaker is expected to be in attendance for a post-film discussion.