Hunting Matthew Nichols is a 2024 Canadian horror film written, directed, and starring Markian Tarasiuk in his directorial debut.[1] It has elements of a "found footage" mockumentary in which filmmakers explore a decades-long, unsolved disappearance.
| Hunting Matthew Nichols | |
|---|---|
| Directed by |
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| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Justin Sebastian |
| Edited by |
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| Music by | Jeff Griffiths |
Release date |
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| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
Plot
editTwenty-three years after her brother mysteriously disappeared, a documentary filmmaker sets out to solve his missing case.
Cast
edit- Markian Tarasiuk as himself
- Miranda MacDougall
- Ryan Alexander McDonald as himself
Production
editDevelopment
editTarasiuk was inspired by true crime documentaries on Netflix, "as a satire to some degree," and myths around the world involving "forest creatures". The film was inspired by The Blair Witch Project and The Ring.[citation needed]
Filming
editThe film was made over several weeks in December on Vancouver Island to capture a gray, rainy, dark tone and sense of dread.[citation needed]
Release
editThe film premiered at the 2024 Newport Beach Film Festival, and also screened in the Borsos Competition at the 2024 Whistler Film Festival, as well as Nightmares Film Fest, FilmQuest and Blood in the Snow Canadian Film Festival.[2][3][4] UK sales outfit Amp International acquired worldwide sales rights in October 2024.[5]
The marketing included a website with “case-file evidence” and other extras adding to the central story.[6]
Reception
editAwards and nominations
edit| Event (year) | Award | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FilmQuest (2024) | Best Found Footage Feature | Markian Tarasiuk | Won | [4] |
| Best Editing | Jonathan Mathew | Won | ||
| Best Actress | Miranda MacDougall | Nominated | ||
| Best Supporting Actor | Markian Tarasiuk | Nominated | ||
| Nightmares Film Fest (2024) | Best Thriller Feature | Markian Tarasiuk | Nominated | [7] |
| Best Lead Performance | Miranda MacDougall | Nominated | ||
| Best Writing | Sean Harris Oliver | Nominated | ||
| Whistler Film Festival (2024) | Best Canadian Feature | Markian Tarasiuk | Nominated | [3] |
| Blood in the Snow Canadian Film Festival (2024) | Best Director | Markian Tarasiuk | Won | [2] |
| Best Lead Acting | Miranda MacDougall | Nominated | ||
| Best Feature Film | Markian Tarasiuk | Nominated |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Salcido, Mark (December 4, 2024). "Exclusive: 'Hunting Matthew Nichols' Director Breaks Down His Feature Debut". Screen Geek. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
- ^ a b "BiTS". bloodinthesnow.ca. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ a b Janet Smith, "Hunting Matthew Nichols and Kryptic among B.C. contingent as Whistler Film Festival unveils Canadian entries". Stir, October 28, 2024.
- ^ a b "2024 Award Winners & Nominees – FilmQuest". Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas. "Newport Beach Horror 'Hunting Matthew Nichols' Gets Sales Deal Ahead Of AFM". Deadline. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
- ^ Smith, Janet (November 28, 2024). "At Whistler Film Festival, Hunting Matthew Nichols plays with true-crime genre to scary effect". Create A Stir. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
- ^ Hunting Matthew Nichols (2024) - Awards - IMDb. Retrieved March 1, 2025 – via www.imdb.com.
External links
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