“Quintessence”

a short film written and directed by Dustin Schell with actors:

Paula Malcomson (“Caprica”, “Deadwood”- SAG nomination, “ER”, “Lost”, “AI”, “The Green Mile”) and

Craig Chester (“Adam and Steve”, Kiss Me Guido”, “Swoon” – Spirit Award nomination)

About: Set in a remote and frozen landscape, “Quintessence” is a 25-minute drama, which explores themes of family and loss surrounding a man’s HIV illness and mysterious death.

Synopsis: The estranged lover of a man dying of AIDS returns, only to be confronted by the man’s embittered sister.

“Quintessence” premiered at the 2003 Seattle International Film Festival and has screened in Fort Worth (Best Short Film – Drama), Georgia, Philadelphia, Rhode Island (First Prize/The Positive Lifestyle Award), Pennsylvania, Illinois, Nashville, Austin and New York City. In 2004 it was programmed personally by the Executive Director of Frameline in San Francisco. Thereafter it screened in Barcelona, Madrid, Jakarta, Melbourne, Mexico City São Paulo and Milan. In 2005 it won the Jurors’ Award at the Delaware Valley Arts Association Digital Exhibition in Narrowsburg, New York. “Quintessence” was acquired by Here!TV Network and is available for international distribution from Iron Rod Motion Pictures, Toronto, ON.

Award Winning Filmmaker Dustin Schell’s films have been exhibited throughout the US, as well as in Europe, Central and South America, Southeast Asia and Australia. Schell’s short film, “Quintessence”, has received multiple festival honors. Mr. Schell produced the seven time festival winner and 2008 Iris Prize contender, “The Back Room”, directed by Greg Ivan Smith. Schell has also worked as Assistant Director, Script Supervisor and Art Director. He was educated in theater at University of Wisconsin at Madison and further trained at Circle in the Square Theatre School. Born in Dallas and raised in Wisconsin, Schell lives and works in New York City.  His short film “The Housetaurant” is currently on the festival circuit.

“Quintessence” Festivals and Markets:

- Seattle International Film Festival

- Q Cinema, Fort Worth (Best Short Drama)

- Dahlonega International Film Festival

- Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian

- Rhode Island International Film Festival (First Prize)

- Providence Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

- Great Lakes Independent Film Festival

- Howl! New Filmmaker Screening Series

- Big Muddy Film Festival

- Nashville Film Festival

- Freight Film Salon

- Film In the City Shorts Festival Selection

- San Francisco Gay & Lesbian (Frameline)

- VisionFest Independent Vision Showcase

- Barcelona International Gay & Lesbian

- Austin Gay & Lesbian

- Madrid International Gay & Lesbian

- Q! Film Festival Jakarta

- Fitzroy Shorts Melbourne

- DVAA Digital Exposition (Jurors’ Award)

- MIXMEXICO

- Milano International Gay& Lesbian Film Festival

- MIXBRAZIL – São Paulo

- Palm Springs Short Film Market

- Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Market