Inclusive Film by Maryland-Based Filmmaker to Get First Screening in DC on July 24

SILVER SPRING, Md. - July 6, 2023 - PRLog -- Award-winning filmmaker Alyscia Cunningham will debut her new thriller, "SENSES", during a private screening on July 24 at The Avalon Theatre, 5612 Connecticut Ave, NW, Washington, DC. Her latest project is one of four films to be featured as part of the "Let's Make Shorts" program hosted by Women In Film & Video.

"I'm excited to have the first screening to take place locally," Cunningham said. "It'll give the cast, crew as well as donors and supporters an opportunity to see the finished product firsthand. Without them, the film would not have been possible. I'm also looking forward to seeing 'SENSES' along with the other three films in the program."

Written and directed by Cunningham, "SENSES" chronicles the horrific encounter of two friends, one blind and the deaf, with a stranger who appears friendly but soon reveals his true colors. Using their senses, the pair must fight to survive and defend themselves from a robbery gone wrong. The moral and bigger picture of the story is one we've all heard at some point in our lives: things aren't always what they seem.

"This was the first time I worked with differently abled actors (blind and deaf), and it was the first time I worked with a film crew. One of the requirements for 'Let's Make Shorts' program is the majority of the crew had to be members of WIFV, which I am also a member of," Cunningham explained. "It felt good to work with a team and to not have all the load on my shoulder."

"It took me months to find actresses to authentically represent the deaf and the blind main characters," she said. "When I finally found them, it wasn't very different from working with other actors. The only difference is I needed an ASL interpreter on set, and during the initial meeting and table reads. The actress with vison loss also wanted to have a guide on set, which was her husband. In this case, my budget was more expensive, but again I wanted to assure there was authentic representation of actresses."

With women of color severely underrepresented in front of and behind the lens, particularly in the horror-thriller genre, Cunningham is proud of "SENSES" inclusive representation that extends well beyond stereotypical industry roles.

After "SENSES" screens for the first time in Washington, DC next month, Cunningham said her latest flick will have a one-year run on the film festival circuit through June 2024.  To watch the trailer to "SENSES," visit Cunningham's website  click here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YUPWV5KG-Y).