A short silent drama that serves as a visual representation of anxiety.
CREDITS
Written & Directed by: Chris Esper
Produced by: Lisa Wynn
Cast: Tom Mariano, Brendan Meehan, Sheetal Kelkar & Jamie Braddy
Director of Photography: Rick King
Visual Effects Artist: Robert Lopez
Music by: Steven Lanning-Cafaro
AWARDS & HONORS
Nominee for Best Actor (Tom Mariano) & Best New England Film, Massachusetts Independent Film Festival (Cambridge, MA) (2018)
Winner of Best Director (Chris Esper), Nominee of Best Short Film, Best Ensemble Cast, and Best Music, Sanford International Film Festival (Sanford, ME) (2018)
Nominated for Best Supporting Actress (Jamie F. Braddy), UNDO Divergent Film Awards (Boston, MA) (2018)
Winner of Best New England Film, Shawna Shea Memorial Film Festival (Boston, MA) (2018)
Nominated for Best Director (Chris Esper), UK Film Awards (2018)
Official Selection, Cabin Fever Film Festival (Warren, OH) (2019)
Semi-Finalist, JellyFest (Los Angeles, CA) (2019)
Official Selection, Golden State Film Festival (Los Angeles, CA) (2019)
Semi-Finalist, Berkshire Short Film Festival (Pittsfield, MA) (2019)
Winner of Indie Soul Special Recognition Award, Boston International Film Festival (Boston, MA) (2019)
Official Selection, Maryland International Film Festival (Hagerstown, MD) (2019)
Winner of the Honorable Mention Award for Best New England Short, SENE Film, Arts & Music Festival (Providence, RI) (2019)
Official Selection, SSFF Spring Shorts (Worcester, MA) (2019)
Winner of Best Creative Concept for a Short Film, Jersey Shore Film Festival (Asbury Park, NJ) (2019)
Winner Best Editing for a Short-Short & Best Social Commentary Short Film, Action on Film International Film Festival (Las Vegas, NV) (2019)
Official Selection, Golden Door International Film Festival (Jersey City, NJ) (2019)
LINKS
REVIEWS
"Imposter is Chris Esper’s strongest piece to date. It’s powerful, original and a testament that this young director is surely going places. Rating 5 out of 5 stars." - Carl Burgess, ScreenCritix
"'Imposter' is a masterpiece. It is also one of the best ventures of its type I’ve seen all year. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars." - Andrew Buckner, A Word of Dreams
"By the end of Imposter’s ten-minute runtime, we have gone from being intrigued and curious to finding ourselves strangely moved." - Scott Larson, Scott's Movie Comments
"Smart, engaging, and thoughtful storytelling with a masterful approach to its mise en scéne, Imposter is likely to get you inside your head and keep you there against your will. Rating: 4 out of 4 stars." - Chris Olson, UK Film Review
"'Imposter' is a masterpiece that is sure to win a boatload of awards. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars." - Patrick Ricketts, VideoViews
"It's acted well, and has a really interesting take on a tough topic. When speaking of any movie, indie or large studio, what more could you ask? The simple truth is this. Chris Esper has set out to tell a story - with the hopes it will play well enough to keep people interested. He not only succeeds, but surpasses. All of this in just under ten minutes! Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars." - Billy Conrad, IndyRed
"The intimacy of the film can also be seen on the larger more epic scale because so many of us relate to what is here. We all harbor feelings of self-doubt and it is important to understand that we are not alone." - Amos Lassen, Reviews by Amos Lassen
"From concept to script, actors to screen, Imposter is completely worth it! An interesting fresh take on something most of us can relate with; even if only on some minor level. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars." - Arthur Turner, ReelRomp
"...a very simple, metaphorical tale about anxiety into a (mostly) silent lyrical piece that doesn't try to hammer its message home but packs it into a weirdly beautiful mood piece, the odd imagery of which only really helps to make its topic relateable. A very unusual movie, that's not to be missed though!" - Michael Haberfelner, (re)Search my Trash
"This is one of those diamond in the rough independent films, that just knows where to hit and how to do it. How to keep things interesting. Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars." - 22 Indie Street
"Esper has created a genuinely original way of visualizing fear and desire all within the meticulous construction required for an 8-minute short film. There is no doubt that IMPOSTER is the real deal and worth seeking out." - Mark Schwab, Diamond in the Rough Films
"This is a film that acknowledges the simple truth that, while we feel like it sometimes, we’re not alone in our struggles. 'Imposter' is beautiful." - Brian Skutle, Sonic-Cinema
"...a very good short film that manages to portray anxiety both accurately and touchingly, not by focusing on just one person but on each and every one and on the universality and humaneness of the syndrome in nine minutes that are worth a watch." - Laurie Delaire, OC Movie Reviews
"Executed with a no-nonsense, smartly written narrative, captivating visual approach, and deftly presented, real-world tone that is as affecting and sobering as it is ultimately hopeful and awareness-raising, writer/director Chris Esper’s indie short film takes only 10 minutes to make one whopper of an evocative statement about the crippling effects of anxiety and Imposter Syndrome while creatively illustrating that those suffering from it can have a needed assurance it can be conquered." - Kirk S. Fernwood, One Film Fan
"Esper delivers a bold and compelling short with 'Imposter' and it’s a film which will leave a lasting impression, with its very effective use of storytelling with compelling performances. Incredibly moving stuff. Rating: A" - Bianca Garner, TheMovieBuff
"'Imposter' is Esper's most intimate and effective film to date, an impactful and emotionally resonant exploration of a world that feels familiar even if we don't completely understand it. Rating: 3.5 out of 4 stars." - Richard Propes, The Independent Critic
"Enjoyed the visual metaphor and narrative. Worth seeking out at a festival near you." - Mark Krawczyk, The Final Cut
"Everything clicks and the film becomes a warm mediation and reflection of our inner selves. A super film that is recommended." - Steve Kopian, Unseen Films
"If you're not ready to feel something, then you'd better find some cat videos or something to watch because Esper is plunging you into the deep end of the swimming pool with this one." - Nicholas La Salla, Forest City Short Film Review
“With Imposter, Chris Esper has created a captivating short film experience where fear and self doubt can be crippling. Yet, it also boasts the message that people suffering from any form of anxiety should not let such things prevail. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.” - Jeremie Sabourin, Cinema Smack
“It's well written, exciting and touching. And that in such a short time. The acting was great as well. All the actors really brought their story to life and I would love to see more of them.” - Conmose
“I commend Esper for starting to render the foundations of the stigma surrounding anxiety and depression and doing so in such a muted but powerful way. 8 out of 10.” - Adam Weber, Adam the Movie God
