New York Film Academy instructor Ryan Schwartz’s debut feature film, “Summer of 8,” is scheduled to be released in select theaters and all VOD platforms on Sept. 2 , 2016. The film stars: Shelley Hennig, Carter Jenkins, Matthew Shively, Natalie Hall, Michael Grant, Bailey Noble, Nick Marini, Rachel DiPillo, and Sonya Walge.
A Santa Monica native, Schwartz remained close with his high school friends and says his film is about that time in his life. “‘Summer of 8’ is about eight best friends sharing one last summer day together before heading off to college,” said Schwartz. “It’s a special day because they all sort of intuitively know things will never be the same again, so they really try to soak it all in.”
Schwartz shot most of the film in Newport Beach, CA, and fittingly it premiered in April at the Newport Beach Film Festival.
“If you want to make a good movie, you need to surround yourself with talented, smart, generous, wonderful people,” said Schwartz. “I am so grateful to my unbelievable cast, and to my entire crew who worked tirelessly for very little money.”
Schwartz continues to work on projects under his new production company, Object In Motion — which is producing a true crime documentary — and he is also currently attached to direct “Cadence,” a character-driven sports drama set in the world of ultramarathons.