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Kat and Karissa Strain have poured coronary heart and soul into making a function movie in Chatham – now they’re ready nervously to see if it’ll make one in every of North America’s prime movie festivals.

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The 33-year-old Chatham twins have submitted Call of the Blackbird to the Toronto International Film Festival.

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They’ve really submitted it to about 20 fests, however wish to hear first from TIFF, which gained’t contemplate movies which have been proven anyplace else. TIFF’s choice is anticipated in mid-August.

“Whether we get in or not, we can’t gamble with any other selections until that one is passed,” Karissa stated.

“It could be a longshot, but we also know festivals like that do reserve room for first-time filmmakers who have an interesting eye on storytelling,” Kat stated. “We’re hopeful they’ll see our (film) and think, ‘This is interesting and unique.’ ”

It’s a fictional story primarily based on their real-life experiences rising up in Chatham and moving into the film trade, Karissa stated, advised in a poetic, inventive method that differs from normal dramas.

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The twins have had some cinematic success, together with taking part in imply lady twins Nikki and Lizzy within the 2013 remake of the horror basic, Carrie. They additionally starred within the 2018 horror film, Twinsanity.

The Strains moved again residence about three years in the past and received into actual property, however their want to work in leisure is robust as ever and has expanded to writing, directing and producing movies. They created Sisters Strain Films to make motion pictures highlighting the feminine expertise.

They’ve written a number of function movies, together with a horror movie they’re actively pitching, they stated. But  the trade desires to see what they will do earlier than committing to a giant funds.

Call of the Blackbird is their “calling card,” stated Kat.

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“I am extremely proud of what we were able to do with our limited resources and limited funds,” she stated.

They put $40,000 of their very own cash into the venture, “which is unheard for producing a feature-length film, especially a production team of two.”

While it was traumatic pulling a function movie collectively in 14 days of capturing, whereas performing, directing, producing and even arranging catering for the crew, it was a terrific studying expertise, the twins stated.

“The biggest lesson was learning how to put a team together to fill all the roles that are required to accomplish a feature film . . . ,” Kat stated. “We had a lot of fun and found the right people to support us and to bring the skill sets that we didn’t have.”

They additionally took a leap of religion by incorporating their very own poetry and music within the movie, Karissa stated. About half the movie is visible vignette set to their poetry, and so they felt slightly weak placing it on the market for the primary time.

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They even have a full soundtrack with eight authentic songs, Kat stated.

Having taking the plunge, the twins plan to publish their poetry earlier than the movie is proven.

By July 21 – their birthdays – they’ll every have two particular person poetry collections and a compilation of poetry from the movie on sale.

While they await TIFF’s reply, the Strains are holding an area premiere for the movie later this 12 months.

“I think a lot of people will come out and see many faces and places that they know and love from town,” Kat stated.

For extra info, go to sistersstrain.com or contact them at contact@sistersstrain.com or @sistersstrain on Instagram.

eshreve@postmedia.com

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