Crimson short film
How did Shytown Sugar spend their Spring Break? Not on a fancy beach or a relaxing vaca…nope, we were making our latest short film at an abandoned warehouse owned by Soundtrack Community Development & Talent Enhancement! Check out our BTS reel here:
Logline: A woman meets her nightmares as lives within a cycle of unspeakable physical and emotional pain.
Starring: Senyah Haynes, Felena Bunn, Kim Townsend, Cornell Braggs & Rani Young
Written by: Sarah Falkiner & Senyah Haynes
Directed by: Sarah Falkiner
DP: Kurt Long
This short film was made possible with an Illinois Art Council Grant & Shytown Sugar Films, LLC
STILLS from the Crimson shoot
Washed Up short film
Logline: Two comedians in their twilight years unexpectedly reunite amidst dirty dishes after taking very different life journeys. Completed March 2023.
Currently on the film festival circuit
Starring: John McDonnell, Debbie Sue Goodman, Rani Young, Mike Dunbar & Joe Rosing
Directed & Written by: Sarah Falkiner
DP: Kurt Long
Chicago Indie Night was a success!
Let’s do another one-
details coming summer 2023
Vince: The Punctual Vagrant Screening
A night of music, short films & conversation.
A night of music, short films and conversation.
How can we make a difference when so many are without homes?
Musicians: William Jason Raynovich, Chloe Rae Ward and Mike Green
Filmmakers: Adria Dawn, David Tarleton and Sarah Falkiner.
$465 raised to purchase socks and hand warmers were delivered with care
Post-Racial? Yeah, Right.
An evening centered around thought-provoking short films followed by discussion.
Event link here
Filmmakers include: Brittany Hogan, Maurice Walls, Adria & David Tarleton and Sarah Falkiner
Audience Feedback from the evening:
“People opening about their real life experiences in relation to some of their films. It was a comfortable way to discuss uncomfortable subject matter.”
“The different black experiences, the different points of view, because although racism is universal, each person has a different story.“
“Loved the open dialogue and so appreciate seeing the work“
WHITE FEMALE short film (2022)
Logline: One conversation between two women with one problem. If you don’t see color, how will you see?
Starring: Senyah Haynes
Co-written, co-produced: Sarah Falkiner & Senyah Haynes
Directed by: Sarah Falkiner
DP: Jamel Hewitt
“This short film is the most important I have directed so far. Based on real life, this film works to heal trauma while underscoring critical issues people often don’t want to discuss.
Senyah Haynes (lead actress) and I, co-wrote and co-produced “White Female” with the hope to raise questions and emotions, while creating illumination and dialogue. White Female showcases one conversation between two women with one problem.
If you don’t see color, how will you see?”
-Sarah Falkiner
Interested in doing a screening for educational purposes with discourse?
Reach out: sfalkiner7@gmail.com
Fascinating Audience Feedback from 2022 Chicago Wild Feedback competition
Click here for BTS White Female reel of production pics
Music: 21H2 “She Don’t Love Me (America)” Feat. Bianca B. Black
Take a look back at our #BELONGING Event 8/18/22
A night to get you thinking about what
“diversity” really means.
Live performance, music, comedy and more.
Currently we are awaiting to hear about a grant application that would allow us to do four #Belonging events. Stay tuned for more information….
IN THE MEANTIME: Check out the 8 episode podcast “Belonging”. This work was a huge inspiration for the #Belonging event. This is a podcast about reckoning, reconciliation, and rebuilding. Join us in the work that desperately needs to be done.
Oliver Tibbold short film (2021)
Logline: “An elderly man is forced to face reality when it slaps him in the face.”
CLICK here to watch Oliver Tibbold
Starring: Arch Harmon, Senyah Haynes
Directed & Written by: Sarah Falkiner
DP: Adam Adamus
OLIVER TIBBOLD 4/5 stars on Think Shorts! READ REVIEW HERE
Click here to stream
Vince: The Punctual Vagrant
Logline: Vince, an artistic homeless man with a penchant for punctuality, creates a piece which may help re-kindle a long-lost connection.
The homeless do not have a home to self-isolate or quarantine. As restaurants close and the fortunate are home-bound, many opportunities for panhandling and leftover food from restaurants is not an option. If you are able please donate to The Night Ministry at
click the donate now button and select primary reason: “Inspired by Vince the movie”
Thank you to The Night Ministry for featuring our film, “Vince: The Punctual Vagrant” on 1/26/2021 for a virtual fundraiser.
Interested in hosting a screening to have dialogue and raise money for any organization that assists people find housing? Reach out: sfalkiner7@gmail.com
“Vince: The Punctual Vagrant” was written in December 2017. Actors signed on as early as September 2018 and preproduction began in May of 2019. We shot five days with only one inside location. Written & Directed by Sarah Falkiner, Director of Photography: Adam Adamus.
Lead Actors: Mike Green, Arch Harmon and Adria Dawn.
Mike Green, aka “Vince” wrote and performed this heartfelt song, “Come” and we put it with a video of BTS photos.
At The Garden (children’s tv show concept)
Logline: A concept for a children’s television program that turns every teachable moment into a useful skill children can use to engage with
the real world.
remote and hybrid learning.
“At The Garden” has engaging puppets and diverse, multi-generational adults with real problems, high quality books read aloud, social emotional based episodes, original music and a curriculum featuring the Earth and sustainability.
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What makes “At The Garden” different from other children’s tv shows is that our team of educators and artists have designed a specific curriculum to address the
unique issues our children are facing today.
Concept: Sarah Falkiner, Writers: Sarah Falkiner, Sivan Spector, Jackie Smook, Tommy Sigmon & Senyah Haynes, Original Music by Ben Astrachan, Puppets created by Oddbox Theater, DP: Jessica Tolliver, Co-Produced by Sarah Falkiner & Grace Pisula (Gold Point Studio)
Interested in purchasing the concept? contact Purple Cinema to view our completed promo.
OUR GOFUNDME CAMPAIGN was a success!
We envisioned and we completed. We filmed our proof at The Bunker soundstage on the southside of Chicago on March 27th and 28th! Thank you to all that helped. Our post production was finished in early September 2021, thanks to Grace Pisula from Gold Point Studio and Cait Rappel for post Sound Design.
or our TikTok Atthegardentvshow channel
Cermak Cinema film party!
Film party in a warehouse to celebrate shorts of all nature and genres
We held a film festival aimed at shorts, music vids, animations, etc for Chicago Indie filmmakers…only rules-not over 10 minutes!
A funky collab in an industrial loft in the heart of Chicago, we put together a bar, music and an hour and a half of fun shorts.
Want more? Visit Shytown Sugar Films
youtube channel
Have questions or want to be involved in our next project?
Email me: sfalkiner7@gmail.com
Because why NOT?
Shytown Sugar Films 