Pennsylvania Based Film-Maker and Musician Matt Otis will be premiering an award winning short film "Here not Here” on Sunday, September 25th at the State Theater in Johnstown, PA from 3:00-5:00 P.M. In addition to the screening the band “Matt Otis and the Sound '' will provide a musical performance and discussion about the film accompanied by various special guests. Johnstown native Rachel Allen will open the show. All proceeds for this event will benefit Patched Together, Inc. Since 2011, Patched Together has raised funds to support the Healing Patch, a group who provides free services to any child who has suffered the loss of a loved one.
Tickets are $10 for presale tickets before the day of the show or $15 on the day of the show. The last screening sold out so please consider purchasing your ticket in advance. The short film which is only be shown in select theaters has won the following national/international accolades:
Winner of Best Short Film (Pittsburgh Pleasant Indie-Film Fest)
Winner of Best Musical Score (Pittsburgh Pleasant Indie-Film Fest)
Winner of Best Musical Score (Los Angeles Tracks Music Awards)
Official Selection Best Short Film (Ohio Midwest Slam Film Festival)
Official Selection Best Short Film (New Jersey Turning Film Festival)
Official Selection Best Short Film (Stockholm Sweden City Film Festival)
“Here not Here” (2022) depicts an existential love story of two individuals traversing life, love, loss, time, and the supernatural. The title “Here not Here” metaphorically and literally delves into the idea of being physically present, while mentally being elsewhere. The film was directed by Pennsylvania-based Matt Otis, while the musical score was also created by Otis and his band “Matt Otis and the Sound” with their 2022 album release also entitled “Here not Here” which is now available on Spotify, Itunes, and all streaming services. Many of the filming locations took place in Johnstown, PA in addition to countless other locations throughout Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh, Bedford, Altoona, Carlise & Winthrop Maine). Many of the actors are Johnstown natives.
About the Film-Maker: Matt Otis is a film-maker, musician, and teacher based out of central Pennsylvania. His film-making often focuses on cinematography/content depicting hyper-realism, existentialism, and surrealism. The latest film features music from his band’s latest album “Here not Here” which is also the title of the film. Otis plays in the band “Matt Otis and the Sound” featuring Robin Chambers on the Violin, Kent Tonkin on Bass, Ron Brode on Drums, Alec Zander Redd, on Sax. All music for the film was created by Matt Otis and the Sound, while some of the tracks will be performed before the actual screening.
Johnstown native Rachel Allen will be opening the show. Rachel is a survivor, community activities, musician and writer. She teaches yoga to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence while teachinig classes in ceancer centers, mental health facilities, prisons, and beyond. Her mission is to foster healthy, joyful communities by sharing tools of healing empowerment, and self-expression. Her performance will consist of several songs and a short blessing from her recently published chapbook entitled Blessings Beyond Bypass.
About Patched Together: Patched Together, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit started in 2011 by Dr. Kent Tonkin, his wife Melissa, and their friends to exclusively support the Healing Patch. Since its founding in 2011, Patched Together has raised over $120,000 through annual concerts, fund-drives and contests. 100% of proceeds past expenses from all efforts have been donated to ensure that grief-related services remain available for any child in our community who needs them. Dr. Tonkin teaches in the Shields School of Business at Saint Francis University and also conducts research on workplace bereavement and is a regular speaker to community groups and organizations. For more information on Patched Together, visit www.facebook.com/patchedtogether. For more information on Dr. Tonkin, visit www.linkedin/in/kent-p-tonkin