Fan Mail.

a film by sean christensen

Phoenix native Sean Christensen based his five-minute, live action short FAN MAIL, which he also narrated, on an actual fan letter he wrote to performance artist-director Miranda July (Me and You and Everyone We Know). An Angelus finalist, the film, which critics describe alternately as introspective and tongue-in-cheek, also secured Awards of Merit at the Accolade Competition and took the Arizona Award for Best Short Film at the Arizona State University Art Museum Short Film and Video Festival.  An illustrator and songwriter in addition to filmmaker, Christensen, who studied cinema and film production at San Francisco State University, has also written and directed several other award-winning live action and animated films.

Synopsis:

A poignant look at the creative process and the self-critical nature of the entertainment industry, writer/director Sean Christensen puts the pen in the audience’s hand—giving them an inside look at what it means to be someone on the outside, looking in through the gates of Hollywood. Drawing from personal experience, Fan Mail tells the story of one ardent fan’s attempt at contacting the object of his affections, and the self-doubt and anxiety that ensues because of it. Hilarious and heartbreaking, Fan Mail speaks to the fan in all of us.

“Fan Mail succeeds in being a ridiculous tale that is told with great wit. One of my favorite films at the Griffon International Film Festival.”

- Shea Conner, St. Joseph News-Press

Filmmaker Bio:

Born and raised in Phoenix, AZ—Sean Christensen is the Artistic Director of Square One Cinema, LLC, a production company devoted to creating unique films with evocative imagery and emotional storytelling. His work has screened at the Cannes and Toronto Film Festivals, and of his most recent film, Empty House, Sundance Jury Award-winning director and Guggenheim Fellowship recipient Jay Rosenblatt said:

“Touching. An evocative, brief glimpse into a painful part of one’s past. It does what many short films fail to do; it makes you wish it were longer.” Most recently, he has become the recipient of the 2009 “AZ Award,” an annual recognition given by the ASU Art Museum for outstanding achievements in filmmaking and video art.

Awards & Honors:

“Best Short Film,” WNET/Reel13 Shorts, 2008

“AZ Award,” ASU Art Museum Short Film & Video Festival, 2009

“Award of Merit: Short Film,” The Accolade Competition, 2009

“Award of Merit: Creativity/Originality,” The Accolade Competition, 2009

“Semi-Finalist: Film,” Cave Creek Film & Arts Festival, 2009

“Semi-Finalist: Live Action Drama, Narrative & Comedy,” Angelus Student Film Festival, 2009

“Best Short Film,” Ellensburg Film Festival, 2009