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Logline

An overnight stay becomes an eternal nightmare as a couple’s presence at Carver Hill sparks a supernatural force that refuses to release them.

Synopsis

When Tanner and Bella’s vintage bus breaks down, their cross-country adventure researching historical cemeteries comes to an abrupt halt. They’re forced to seek refuge at Carver Hill, a seemingly hospitable, albeit secluded old estate. The elderly tenants welcome them warmly, though they are surely withholding an arcane truth. Unaware of the supernatural forces surrounding the property, the stranded couple must confront the secrets of the house, making their temporary stay a haunting struggle to survive.
 

Meet the Filmmakers

Hollis Sherman-Pepe — Director/Producer/Writer
With over fifteen years working in the film industry Hollis’s film work has garnered acclaim, winning multiple Best Picture, Best Sci-Fi, Best VFX awards and nominations for Best Director across the International Festival Circuit. IMDB Link. Particularly drawn to concepts that dance the line between realism and fantasy, Hollis tends to align her creations along the sci-fi/thriller world, though her most grounded of dramas still give a nod to the magic and mystery of the universe and the intrigue of cultural folklore.

Hollis received a BFA in Theater Arts at The University of the Arts. Her acting career brought her to Los Angeles where she discovered “production life” working behind the scenes. As a screenwriter her work spans across genres and has been praised with festival achievements. Tenants of Carver Hill is Hollis’s feature film directorial debut. Principal photography was completed in eighteen days in rural SouthEastern Pennsylvania and promises a fresh take on the psychological thriller, where idelic fantasy intertwines with the rich history of a 1700s Pennsylvania homestead.

“Tenants Of Carver Hill is a ghost story rooted in the history of the early Pennsylvania Dutch settlers and Native American traditions. The inherent fear of being forgotten with time and the desire to leave behind a legacy are themes that run deeply in my film. The heroes struggle with their pragmatic side fighting against their natural draw to the paranormal.”

Scott Fleisher — Producer
Scott Fleisher has been working in the industry for over 20 years in NY & LA. Having produced many commercials and short films, he is excited to get back to his roots in narrative feature filmmaking.

Jean Louise O’Sullivan — Producer/Casting Director
With a commitment to storytelling that spans twenty years as an actress, writer, and producer, Jean Louise is thrilled to put her efforts behind this project that aligns with her mission of advancing the work of female filmmakers. Recent credits include the award-winning short film Troy and creating the world’s most viral videos with MrBeast.

Nicholas Pietroniro – Cinematographer
With a passion for all things cinematography, camera, and lighting, horror films have always been his favorite genre. Horror has influenced Nick’s style of embracing shadow to enhance the mood. Nicholas dreamed of working in film since he was ten-years-old. “Any day spent getting to bring a story to life is a good one.”

Katerina Gerlach — First Assistant Director
Kat is a midwest-born freelance director and AD. She began freelancing full-time immediately upon graduating from University with a degree in directing and producing. She now lives on the road, working on narrative films all over the country and is excited to call Tenants of Carver Hill her tenth feature.

Joey Paul — Production Sound
Working as a production sound mixer for twelve years, Joey has had the opportunity to be involved in everything from interviews to feature films. With a strong understanding of acoustic science, he enjoys providing technical solutions to a creative environment. “Every environment is different, I do my best to control what I can, and get the best recordings possible.”

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Contact

For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.