Writing runs in the blood for The Nolan Clan! I just discovered that Bruised Sky, which my nephew Michael Nolan co-wrote with writer/director Gary Kent, won the Gold Audience Award for Best International Short Film at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal.

Fantasia concluded its 30th annual event this summer. Since its inception, the increasingly popular festival has grown to garner “the attention of the international film industry alongside a legion of attendees from across the world. Every facet of the film-making chain is increasingly represented with in-person delegates at the festival: directors, actors, producers, studio representatives, distributors and festival programmers.”

Set in the United Kingdom in the 1970’s, Bruised Sky was described by the festival as “a gut-wrenching youth oblivion thriller” that audiences would find “devastating.” (And audiences apparently agreed; having voted for the short being best in its award category.) The film was produced by David Dunnage, and stars Che Bell, Geoff Bell, Nathan Mack and Nathan Smith — with editing by Flaura Atkinson.

I can’t wait to see the short film myself — the trailer looks damned good. (You can find the trailer and more information about Bruised Sky right here at the movie’s website.)

Congratulations, Mike!