Keenelan

FAQs

What is Keenelan about?

What a wonderful question! Keenelan, a new short feature by My Friends and I, follows the story of artist Kaya and her close-knit group of friends in the days leading to an important art showcase. Normally calm and steadfast, Kaya finds herself having inconvenient dreams and intrusive memories about an ex-lover from her past.

The dreams, as poetic as they feel in the moments, start to pour over into her waking life bringing confusion into the forefront of her days. She seeks the advice of her friends and therapist to make sense of her mind’s sudden interest in nostalgia. She pushes through a final saunter of reckoning, walking a thin line between fate and free-will.

The film's theme encourages viewers to explore that line as well: as humans move forward in life and find community, things from the past are no longer crucial elements to the building blocks of our current selves - but to entertain the nostalgia feels satisfying, nonetheless.

Who is the production team behind Keenelan?

Keenelan is a full-court press from the My Friends and I and Retriever teams. Directed and written by Cami Thomas, DPd by Papa Blankson, Assistant Director Josh Guffey, casting by Joni Tackette, Producer Sami Blevins, Creative Director/Set Design by Hannah De Oliveira, Cam Assist Jesse Bader, Wardrobe and PA Karis Gamble, Audio by Chris Day, Make-up by Lisa Stylez, Gaffer Forrest Wharton, Grip/Swing Tobi Owolabi, and storyboards by Taylor Henderson. Score by Mvstermind, Assistant Editor Anna Brannon, and edit by Jazzy Kettenacker.

Why did you film this in St. Louis?

Ah, St. Louis. Our rustic, gritty, wild wild midwestern hidden gem. There’s much to love about this hometown of ours. Most importantly though, this city is full of raw talent and passion (birthed from the deep huger of creating art against all odds). We’re not known as a “movie city” quite yet, but project by project, filmmakers in St. Louis are carving out a place amongst the coastal giants, and it makes us feel excited about creating here. Plus, for a debut film, it’s nice to create it where it all started.

What’s with the name?

Keenelan (pronounced, Keyn-len) is a nod to the childhood neighborhood of director/writer, Cami Thomas. As its her first narrative film, and the film itself features homage to childhood memories and dynamics, she thought it best to name the film in honor of the very first place she learned to dream and create.

When and where can we watch Keenelan?

Now that we’ve put the final touches on post-production, it’s festival submission time! As details emerge, we will share when and where to catch Keenelan out in the field (the field being the theater, in this case).

How can I support?

You’re supporting by being on this page! You can also support by showing us love and spreading the word via social. We can’t wait to show you all what we’ve been working on.