The Gift

The Gift (short drama) 2019

Co-produced with 4SightMedia

 

IMDB: The Gift

Details

When you’re lost and broken what brings you back?

“The Gift” is a short film about a young man struggling with depression who embarks on a journey back into the world he withdrew from. We watch his first hesitant steps as he reaches out beyond himself to find a new lease on life. At its core, “The Gift” is a journey to find out what really motivates us as we navigate through the challenges in our lives.

Principal photography took place in locations around Ottawa, Ontario, Canada in October and November 2018.

In 2019 “The Gift” screened at the Stirling Silver Screen Film Festival and the Soo Film Festival. In April 2021, the film was part of OCan Film Fest’s Shorts at Home: Vol 4.

Head over to our Facebook page to see updates and announcements of where to watch “The Gift”

Music

We are very excited to have “Worth It” an original song performed by Brant Pethick over the end credits. “Worth It” was written by Brant Pethick and Jaylene Johnson and fits the theme of our film very well. Brant’s music is soulful and beautiful. Hear the story of what inspired Brant and Jaylene to write “Worth It”, click here. Watch the official lyric video here. Check out Brant’s site: BrantPethick.com

In collaboration with Hotcakes New Media, we have produced two music videos for Brant. “Awake” and “When I’m With You”.

Cast

Matt Will Lafrance

Melissa Anne-Carolyne Binette

Dr. Andrews Mark Templin

Writer’s Group Host Aisha El Shennawy

Guitar teacher Brant Pethick

Guitar players Jith Paul, Derek Jones, Steven Gravelle

Melissa’s friend Gillian Mattock

Crew

Producers Lorelei E. Miller, Blair Campbell

Executive Producers Donna Cotnam, Ed Cotnam

Director Lorelei E. Miller

Director of Photography Andy Morris

Writer Brodie Cotnam

Trainee Assistant Director Valerie Robert

Storyboard Artist Kayla Bowmaster

Continuity Marie-Christine Hebert

Camera Assistant Tinker Bell

Sound Recording Danick Gratton, Jason Sonier

On Set Photographer Jith Paul

Key Make-up Artist April Bradford

Assistant Make-up Artists Rachel Newman, Rain Fisher

Locations Manager/Scout Blair Campbell

Assistant Locations Scout Trina Malcolmson

Catering/Craft Services Lynn Griffiths

“Worth It” performed by Brant Pethick

Written by Brant Pethick and Jaylene Johnson

Production Equipment provided by:

Post Production Facilities provided by:

Special thanks to our financial supporters:

Viviane Ayala, Sharon Bedard, Tina Belanger, Sonja Black, Frank J Burchat, Laura Carroll, Natalee Castor, Dale, Bonnie, Jodi, Jeff & Erin Cotnam, Sharon Cotnam, Tessa Cotnam, Robert Craig , Chantal Dupuis, Miriam Farber, Janice Fleischmann & Jamie Miller, Godwin & Roshani, Catherine Green, Jon Green, David, Deanna & Sophie Hammel, Karl Hammel, Cheryl Hanniman, Brian Heney, Deb Hickey, Heather Hickson, Doug Hillman, Cynthia Jones, Roberta Kramchynsky, Karin Kratz, Katie Legere, Casey Li, John MacPhee, Megan Mahler, Mary Ann McEachen, Ross McOrmond, Molly McGuire, James Mollica, John Mollica, J Barton Moore, Claire Morris, D&J Mouchian, Samantha Murray, Donna Neff and Wayne Wink, Nicole A, Denis Roy, Aaron Sadhankar, Bradley Scott, Benjamin Schunk, Robert Sheppard, Patricia Sinicropi, Phil Sinicropi, Sharon Sinnott, Ryan Slaughter, Connie Sung, Griffin Viau, Lynne & Tony, Heather Wilson, Adrian Wing

Producers with to thank:

Spaceman Music

Book Market

Ross Campbell

Angelina Chupetlovska

David Hoffman

St James Anglican Church

Saint Paul University

Our partners

Hotcakes New Media - A refreshingly unique creative company.

Hotcakes New Media is a full service creative company in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. We produce a wide range of rich media in-house for our clients. Whether you need animation, video production, post-production, illustration, graphic design, branding, or web design, Hotcakes New Media is here to help.

4 Sight Media

4 Sight Media is an independent film and digital media production company based in Ottawa, Canada. We provide production services to independent filmmakers to support narrative and documentary projects that resonate with all audiences.