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Contact: Tom Sims, Above the Line Films
(267) 626-3688

Local Theater Company Is the Star in Film at Cape May Festival

Caep May - The East Lynne Theater Company makes up the majority of primary cast members in a film that will be screened at this year’s NJ State Film Festival. “Bittercress” is a drama about a woman who gets the chance to take revenge on her son’s murderer. It has appeared on television as well as in film festivals in the south and here in the region.

Bittercress will be shown during at 3 pm at Congress Hall .

East Lynne Theater Company Artistic Director Gayle Stahlhuth saw a great opportunity when local filmmaker Tom Sims approached her about making the movie. At the time, Sims was planning to leverage the film accomplishments of elementary schoolmate James S. Trois, who has worked on several productions including Titanic, True Lies, Mannequin, and other major productions.

Stahlhuth invited Sims to a presentation during Sherlock Holmes week, where Sims says he saw such great talent. “Really there were four major players there that were ultimately cast into the film,” he says, “and it’s worked out great.” Sims entered into an agreement with the Screen Actors Guild to have the film produced as an Experimental Project. “I’m sure this allowed the East Lynne Theater actors to feel comfortable about my commitment to making the film.

So far, the film has appeared at the following festivals: University of North Alabama Film Festival, Delray Beach International Film Festival, and Delaware Valley Film Festival, and the Independents’ Film Festival. On November 18, it will appear at the New Jersey State Film Festival in Cape May. It has also appeared on The Education Channel, a cable television station.

Sims is thankful to East Lynne Theater for its collaboration on the film. “I’ve listed Gayle as my Casting Director because of all her work in presenting actors who fit the roles and did a great job.”

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