Michael Solace
A screenwriter finds himself on a surreal odyssey where he wrestles with selling his soul and his script.
Credits
Directed by: Chris Esper
Written by: Kris Salvi
Produced by: Chris Esper & Jimmy Jackson
Executive Producers: Chris Esper & Deborah Seco Del Negro
Cast: Justin Thibault, Diana Porter, John R. Smith, Jr., Paul Noonan & Kris Salvi
Director of Photography: John Westcott
Edited by Chris Esper
Production Designer: Gabrielle Rosson
Awards and Honors
Official Selection, Rock the Shorts Film Festival (Los Angeles, CA) (2026)
Nominated for Best Writing, Mount Vernon Independent Film Festival (Mount Vernon, NY) (2026)
Nominated for Best Short Film & Best Screenwriter, New Bedford Film Festival (New Bedford, MA) (2026)
Winner of the Shawna Shea Spirit Award, Shawna Shea Film Festival (Worcester, MA) (2026)
Winner of the Spring Lane Hall of Fame Award, Spring Lane Film Festival (Sanford, NC) (2026)
Official Selection, Dead of Winter Horror Film Festival (Palmer, MA) (2026)
Official Selection, Lonely Seal Film Festival (Arlington, MA) (2026)
Official Selection, Block Island Film Festival (Block Island, RI) (2026)
Elite Selection, Jersey Shore Film Festival (Asbury Park, NJ) (2026)
Links
Reviews
“…evocative of the dark side of filmmaking. It entertains and makes the viewer think about the pitfalls of screenwriting and of getting the writer’s visions on the screen.” - Michael Knox-Smith, Mike’s Film Talk
“…proficiently reminds us about the hidden nature of ‘The Biz’ while imploring us to always strive to be the one thing that so often we might feel is LACKING behind the scenes in the grander industry in question….authenticity and integrity.” - Kirk Fernwood, One Film Fan
“It’s all enough to put you off wanting to be a writer—or conversely, just the thing to inspire you by firing your imagination by example.” - Scott Larson, Scott’s Movie Comments
“Michael Solace is unsettling, thoughtful, and emotionally raw, a short that understands the horror of losing control over your own voice.” - Carl Burgess, ScreenCritix
“Unlike the situation this unfortunate soul finds himself in, it does not feel like any creative compromises were made in the production of this exceptional film!” - James Learoyd, UK Film Review
“Michael Solace understands the predicament every artist has had to reckon with: Fame and fortune, or artistic integrity? It takes this question and puts Michael to the test, forcing him to confront his fear in a viscerally entertaining fashion.” - Theo Whitehead, Take2IndieReview
