Runner (Short)

film poster for the film Runner.

On the precipice of having her first child, Diane turns to the whiskey drinking, cigarette smoking, ghost of her grandfather for solace and late-night conversation.

  • Director Jenn Murray
  • Writer Jenn Murray
  • Producers Jenn Murray | Saro Varjabedian | Eddie Frente
night exterior, a man smoking a cigarette leaning against a lamp post.
night exterior, a young woman standing in the street.
night interior, a man at a table smoking a cigarette.
film set interior, a woman standing by a door.
night exterior, a young woman standing in the street.
film set interior, two men setting the camera up for filming.
film set interior, a camera monitor showing the scene.
night interior, a man at a table smoking a cigarette.

Inspiration

I wrote my first short film Runner when I was in my third trimester of my first pregnancy. I filmed it the weekend before she was born. Lucky timing. I was living in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn at the time. As I was becoming increasingly pregnant, I felt compelled to explore what it might be like to be an artist, an immigrant and a mother. I would ride the subway and listen to The Waterboys, and the film began to percolate in my mind. I was inspired by Barbra Loden who had written, directed and starred in Wanda 1970.



Credits

  • Cinematographer – Saro Varjabedian
  • Editor and Composer – Eddie Frente
  • Music – The Waterboys

Cast

  • Diane – Jenn Murray
  • Patrick – John Duddy
  • Sam – Hamish Allan-Headley
  • Tammy – Lucia Brizzi
  • Hank – Steve Key
  • Caroline In the Park – Monica Eva Foster

Recognition

Official selection

  • Lighthouse Film Festival Long Beach USA 2024
  • Arpa Film Festival Los Angeles USA 2024 Nomination Best Short Film
  • Katra Film Series New York USA 2024
  • SoHo International Film Festival New York USA 2024 Nomination Best Actor Jenn Murray
  • Madrid Arthouse Film Festival Spain 2024
  • New Filmmakers Film Festival New York USA 2025
  • New York International Woman’s Film Festival USA 2025 Winner Best Screenplay
  • Pittsburgh International Film Festival USA 2025
  • New Orleans International Film Festival USA 2025
  • Mirada Corta Film Festival New Mexico USA 2025