Inaugural Interlochen Cinema Collective film scores top prizes at prestigious film festivals

Written by Interlochen alumna Sara Nimeh and produced by a crew of Interlochen-affiliated collaborators, “Jedo’s Dead” has received accolades at SXSW, Palm Springs International Shortfest, and other noted festivals.

A young girl looks intently at a man's face

“Jedo’s Dead,” the inaugural production of the Interlochen Cinema Collective, has scored top prizes at several of the nation’s most prestigious film festivals.

Written and directed by Interlochen Arts Academy alumna Sara Nimeh (IAC 00-06, IAA 06-08) and produced in April 2023 by a team of Interlochen-affiliated collaborators, “Jedo’s Dead” made its world premiere at the SXSW Film & TV Festival in Austin, Texas this March. During the festival, the 11-minute short film was selected as the winner of the Texas Shorts Jury Award.

Since its success at SXSW, “Jedo’s Dead” has screened at numerous other film festivals across the United States and earned additional accolades. The film made its California premiere at Palm Springs International Shortfest—an Academy Award qualifying event—where it was selected as Best U.S. Short Special Mention. “Jedo’s Dead” also won Best Short at the Minnesota Film Festival.

Other festival appearances include the Atlanta Film Festival, Dead Center Film Festival, Hill Country Film Festival, and Maryland Film Festival, among others. The film is also scheduled to screen at the Academy Award-qualifying Indy Shorts International Festival as part of “The Unexpected” program on Saturday, July 27. Additional appearances are pending.

Established in 2020, the Interlochen Cinema Collective unites Interlochen alumni, students, faculty, staff, and visiting artists to develop original visual stories. The Collective offers opportunities for young filmmakers to be mentored by professionals working in many facets of the film industry and gain hands-on experience on a professional film set. The Collective’s second project, a feature-length documentary on regenerative agriculture, is currently in production.