ZOUL
In search of a good soul to consume, a sharp-dressed immortal demon decides to kill his assistant's niece.
In search of a good soul to consume, a sharp-dressed immortal demon decides to kill his assistant's niece.
ABOUT
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Zoul is an independent short film and my first foray into the horror comedy genre. Encouraged and inspired by the success of my previous film Concurrence, I couldn't wait to shoot my next film. I knew wanted to make something bigger and better than before, but I was caught between a few ideas. If I were to spend all this time, energy, and money (and blood, sweat, and tears) on a project, the story would have to be compelling and unique. I hit the drawing board. Scripts were written, rewritten, and scrapped. Then, one night in 2016 as I was drawing in my sketchpad, the image of a ghostly demon in a zoot suit sipping a drink popped into my head. The juxtaposition of supernatural horror with a bright outlandish costume stuck with me.
Preproduction started as soon as I finished the first draft of the screenplay. Zoul wasn't going to be a run-of-the-mill generic, depressing indie film. Sure, it would be dark at times, but it would also be fun! Soon my producers and I began the process of casting, and we were incredibly lucky to find actors who flawlessly embodied my characters. The setting for Zoul was also paramount to its success, and my cousin's house in Brooklyn made for the perfect location. This house, built in the 1880s, has been in my family for almost a century, and I've wanted to shoot a film there for as long as I can remember. I finally had an excuse.
On October 11, 2018, Zoul premiered at the legendary IFC Center, the epicenter of independent film in New York City. It has since gone on to screen in festivals all over the country, from New York to Rhode Island to Georgia to Las Vegas. As of August 2020, Zoul has screened in 21 festivals and has received 12 award nominations and 3 award wins.
Zoul is by far my most ambitious and most expensive film to date. It forced me to break out of my comfort zone, expand my network, and work with talented industry professionals. I can't begin to describe how grateful I am to everyone who gave their time and brought their talents to make Zoul a reality. It means the world to me.
- Tom
Preproduction started as soon as I finished the first draft of the screenplay. Zoul wasn't going to be a run-of-the-mill generic, depressing indie film. Sure, it would be dark at times, but it would also be fun! Soon my producers and I began the process of casting, and we were incredibly lucky to find actors who flawlessly embodied my characters. The setting for Zoul was also paramount to its success, and my cousin's house in Brooklyn made for the perfect location. This house, built in the 1880s, has been in my family for almost a century, and I've wanted to shoot a film there for as long as I can remember. I finally had an excuse.
On October 11, 2018, Zoul premiered at the legendary IFC Center, the epicenter of independent film in New York City. It has since gone on to screen in festivals all over the country, from New York to Rhode Island to Georgia to Las Vegas. As of August 2020, Zoul has screened in 21 festivals and has received 12 award nominations and 3 award wins.
Zoul is by far my most ambitious and most expensive film to date. It forced me to break out of my comfort zone, expand my network, and work with talented industry professionals. I can't begin to describe how grateful I am to everyone who gave their time and brought their talents to make Zoul a reality. It means the world to me.
- Tom
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Official Festival Selections, Screenings, and Awards:
• IFC Center Private Screening • Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival 2019 • FINALIST - Oscar Qualifying • Vortex Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Film Festival 2019 Official Selection • Manhattan Film Festival 2019 Official Selection • Venus Italian International Film Festival 2019 Official Selection • WINNER - Best Horror TV Series Award • Long Island International Film Expo 2019 Official Selection • Crimson Screen Horror Film Festival 2019 Official Selection • NOMINEE - Best Director of a Short Film, Tom Cassese • NOMINEE - Best Actor, Kent Coleman • NOMINEE - Best Special Effects, Nick Proto • Hoboken International Film Festival 2019 Official Selection • International New York Film Festival 2019 Official Selection • New Haven International Film Festival 2019 Official Selection • Dumbo Film Festival 2019 Official Selection • Grove Film Festival 2019 Official Selection • Atlanta Comedy Film Festival 2019 Official Selection • NOMINEE - Best Dark Comedy Film • Hudson New York Shorts Film Festival 2019 Official Selection • Chain NYC Film Festival 2019 Official Selection • Cutting Room International Short Film Festival 2019 Official Selection • NOMINEE - Best Director, Tom Cassese • NOMINEE - Best Actor, Kent Coleman • FINALIST - Zoul • YoFiFest, Yonkers Film Festival 2019 Official Selection • IndieWorks Monthly Screening Series December 2019 Official Selection • FearNYC Horror Film Festival 2019 Official Selection • Northeast Horror Film Festival 2019 Official Selection • Scared for Your LIIFE Film Festival 2019 Official Selection • WINNER - Best Long Island Film, "Hometown Hero" • WINNER - Best Actor, "King of Kreeps," Kent Coleman • Garden State Film Festival 2020 Official Selection • NOMINEE - Best Supporting Actress, Peyton Bristol • Queens World Film Festival 2020 Official Selection • NOMINEE - Best Comedy Short Film • Louisiana International Film Festival Semi-Finalist • Lift-Off Film Festival Official Selection (*not screened online) 
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