The Woods - Press Kit cannes film festival 2014

Synopsis After recently single mother Laura Mayfair runs away from her abusive husband Roger, she must learn how to start a new life with her 8-year-old son Aaron. But when Aaron begins to mention a new friend that he made in the woods near their new home, Laura suspects that her husband may have found them. While Laura struggles to uncover the truth behind her son's strange new friend, the local schoolteacher, Kent Erickson, tries to get closer to the mother and child. This causes Laura to lose grip of her own emotions, leading to misunderstandings behind Kent's true agenda. Ultimately Laura must learn to let go of her greatest fear in order to save her son from a mysterious creature lurking deep inside the woods.

Awards & Film Facts From the Woods won BEST HORROR SHORT at the Coney Island Film Festival in 2013.

From the Woods won DIRECTOR’S CHOICE AWARD at the Cape Fear Independent Film Festival in 2014.

F ro m t h e Wo o d s w o n B E S T ORIGINAL SCORE at the LA Movie Awards and got an Honorable Mention for best short film in 2014.

The movie was shot on 35mm Panavision.

The creature in the movie is based on The Slenderman, an online myth and sensation, known for abducting children.

Nicolas Wendl

WRITER/DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Born in Munich, Germany and raised in the South of France, Nicolas Wendl discovered film early, two of his teenage-made shorts screening at the Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner in 2008 and 2009. This early recognition encouraged Wendl to pursue film in the United States at Chapman University's Dodge College, from which he graduated with Honors and a BFA in Film Production. During his time at university, Wendl produced two acclaimed shorts, "How They Smiled" (2011) and "From the Woods" (2013), both starring Richard Burgi and screening at several festivals across the country including the Annual LA Indie Film Festival and the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival.

"From the Woods" also screened at multiple horror-genre festivals and won Best Horror at the Coney Island Film Festival.

Wendl's work reflects a desire to uncover the deeply nuanced decision-making processes of seemingly everyday people. His films capture a reality-driven investigation into the human mind, held in balance by carefully measured tension and immaculate timing. The trilingual director wrapped an indie feature shortly after graduating and now lives in Los Angeles, where he focuses on directing narrative feature films and surprisingly poignant fashion and music videos.

Cast LAURA MAYFAIR

Portrayed by Natalie Shaw Natalie Shaw is an actress known for From the Woods (2013), Glory Girl (1998), and Just One Night (2000). Shaw received a Young Artist Award nomination in 1995 for Best Performance by a Youth Actress in a Drama Series for her work in Under Suspicion (2004).

KENT ERICKSON

Portrayed by Sean McCracken Sean McCracken is an actor & writer from Sacramento, CA known for From the Woods (2013), Diego’s Umbrella: Richardson (2012), and California Solo (2012).

Cast AARON MAYFAIR

Portrayed by Cameron McIntyre Cameron McIntyre is an actor known for From the Woods (2013), Launch (2011), and Ever (2014).

ROGER MAYFAIR

Portrayed by Todd Schwary Todd Schwary is an actor from Orange County who began his career with great success in commercial & print work. Aside from Schwary’s strong on camera presence, he is a talented character actor with extensive range.

Cast LANDLORD/SHERIFF Portrayed by Richard Burgi

Richard Burgi is an actor from Montclair, NJ who was involved with community theatre in his formative years. Burgi began his on-screen acting career through TV series such as Another World (1986-88), As The World Turns (1088-89), and Days Of Our Lives (1992-93) until landing a leading role on the crime drama The Sentinel (1996). Aside from reprising roles on prominent TV series (24, Chuck, One Tree Hill, Desperate Housewives, etc.), Burgi has also worked in films such as Fun with Dick and Jane (2005), In Her Shoes (2005), Friday the 13th (2009), and more.

Cast LAURA MAYFAIR KENT ERICKSON AARON MAYFAIR LANDLORD/SHERIFF FATHER MOTHER DAUGHTER CREATURE

Natalie Shaw Sean McCracken Cameron McIntyre Richard Burgi Peter McGlynn Angela Stern Seren Stern Jasby Williams

Crew Directed by Written by Produced by Executive Producer Director of Photography Edited by Casting Original Music Visual Effects by 1st Assistant Director 2nd Assistant Director Production Design Set Decoration Costume Design

Nicolas Wendl Nicolas Wendl Nathan Mills Adam Litt Jamil Afzali Nicolas Wendl Colin P. McDonald Bryan Smaller Austin Carroll Cody Bursch Jack Anderson Kiley Vorndran Dean Collins Becky Hughes Kiri Kraatz Mark Pomerantz

Director Nicolas Wendl on set of From the Woods

From the Woods

a film by Nicolas Wendl USA  2013  26 MIN

Contact

Nicolas Wendl Writer/Director/Producer nicolas@wendlwood.com 714-721-6598

WWW.IMDB.COM/TITLE/TT2586720/

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