Towson University College of Fine Arts & Communication alumni Mike Flanagan, Barry Worthington and Ketryn Porter are conquering the world of filmmaking, as evidenced by the major awards the trio has earned so far this year.
Flanagan’s feature film “Oculus” – which grossed over $27.6 million in the U.S. – won 2015 FANGORIA Chainsaw awards for Best Wide-Release film and Best Supporting Actress (Katee Sackoff, “Battlestar Galactica”). FANGORIA was founded in 1979 and became the first national magazine to focus on the horror genre as it was produced after 1975. Widely acclaimed from its release, “Oculus” was written, edited and directed by Flanagan.
Worthington’s film short “Sponge” received a 2015 Award of Recognition from IndieFEST. According to the website, the IndieFEST awards “attract both powerhouse industry veterans as well as talented new filmmakers.” Currently in its seventh year, The IndieFEST Film award winners have gone on to win Oscars, Emmys & Tellys. Worthington’s eight-minute film about a nomad exploring the plains of Texas was selected for screening at the 2015 Cinema on the Bayou and the South Carolina Cultural film festivals.
Porter’s screenwriting debut “Painless” won a Gold Remi for Dramatic Original Short at the 2015 Worldfest – Houston International Film Festival. Worldfest – Houston was founded 48 years ago and recognizes a selection of independent films from across the world. Porter served as not only writer and producer for “Painless,” but also starred in the film, which explores the relationship between two sisters after they discover their mom has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. The short film also screened at the Art House Cinema Screening in London.
