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4est Films

2019 · Short film · 12 awards

Strung

Lost in the forest of his own mind.

The story

Lost in the forest of his own mind, Eric must rely on the survival skills of an enigmatic nine-year-old boy to help him battle vicious withdrawals and self-deprivation to catalyze change within his family’s cycle of addiction.

The story of Strung was conceived by Jeromy Darling, drawn from a life of service — working in rehab centers and using music to heal since he was sixteen. More than thirty collaborators brought it to the screen.

Only acting award

out of 4,000+ submissions

Jeromy Darling took the sole acting prize at the Munich Film Awards.

Nine years old

first film he had ever acted in

Wyatt Darling won Best Child Actor and Best Supporting Actor at Actors Awards Los Angeles — the second beating adult performances in feature films. Four acting awards in a single month.

Two nights

at the historic State Theatre

Sioux Falls, tickets free with a donation, every dollar to Emily’s Hope and Tallgrass Recovery for people who cannot afford treatment.

Selected honors

  1. Best in Fest

    Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival

  2. Best First-Time Director

    Top Shorts Film Festival

  3. Best First-Time Director

    Los Angeles Film Awards

  4. Best Healing/Recovery Film

    Believe Psychology Film Festival

  5. Best Child Actor

    Actors Awards Los Angeles

  6. Best Supporting Actor

    Actors Awards Los Angeles

12 awards across 8 festivals

View all awards
Strung — official poster

Key art

The poster that carried the film's first festival laurel.

Official Selection, Top Shorts Film Festival, 2020 — the first of 12 wins across 8 festivals.

Directed by

  • Joseph Bezenek

Co-directed by

  • Ryan H. Reid

Written by

  • Wenonah Wilms
  • Jeromy Darling
  • Joseph Bezenek

Produced by

  • Joseph Bezenek
  • Alexander C. Shields
  • Molly Worre
  • Ryan H. Reid

Cast

  • Jeromy Darling — Eric
  • Wyatt Darling — Wilder

Crew

  • Director of Photography — Geoff George
  • Assistant Director — Molly Worre
  • Art Department — Rob Walstead
  • Steadicam Operator — Travis Higgins
  • Behind-the-Scenes Photography — Forrest Wasko

Why it was made

Never give up on that child within, so we may understand, teach, and raise our own children with the love they deserve.

SAMHSA National Helpline

1-800-662-4357

If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction. You are not alone in your struggle. You are seen, heard, and loved.

A feature-length version of Strung is in development.

The online premiere

Before His Name is Michael,
there was Strung.

Watch the film online, pay what you can, and every dollar goes to addiction recovery — the way the premiere did.

The premiere

Stay close

Follow the feature.

A feature-length Strung is in development. We will write when there is news.