Charlie Kessler

U of I Student Category- Nominated for Best Actor, Illini Student Award, Best Picture Midwest Student, Best Director Midwest Student, Best Ensemble Cast Midwest Student, and Best Cinematography Midwest Student.

This is a short crime/noir/satire film that was produced as part of Pens to Lens 2016. Written by high schooler Mitchell Flanagin, the film follows detective Lance Lawson as he searches for a kidnapped mayor. Set in the 1950’s and shot in black and white, the film plays on tropes of the film noir genre with dry humor and visual gags.