Matriarch Films

02/04/2024

Be Not Afraid…MATRIARCH FILMS is returning to the Iowa Motion Picture Awards this year with 6 nominations for “THE SALVAGES”!

The Nominees are…
J. Croft—Best Actress
Jessica Buchanan—Best Supporting Actress
Joe Frenna—Best Supporting Actor
Michael Duede—Best Original Score
Carrsan T. Morrissey—Best Direction (Feature Film) & Best Cinematography

I know I say this all the time, but I am just so grateful to get to work with so many astoundingly talented people. Without their trust and collaboration, I don’t know where I would be.

Congratulations to all the other nominees! The competition this year is as fierce as ever, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. And DON’T FORGET - you can see “THE SALVAGES” this weekend (Friday at 9PM and Saturday at 9AM) at Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival ( )! Just follow the sound of the trumpets in the sky…everyone else, we’ll see you on May 4 in Forest City. 🖤🎬☠️
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23/02/2024

I’m honored to announce that “THE SALVAGES” will have its festival debut at the 2024 Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival!! 🖤✨

If you’ve been waiting for a chance to experience the film for yourself, you will now have TWO chances:

Friday, April 5 at 9:00 PM (Theatre 1)
Saturday, April 6 at 9:00 AM (Theatre 4)

And if you come to see “THE SALVAGES,” make sure to stay for the other incredible films at the fest!!
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19/12/2023

WORLD PREMIERE: "The Salvages"
Friday, January 26th, 10:00 PM
FilmScene at The Chauncey, Iowa City
$8 Admission; Q&A With Cast & Crew to follow.

Tickets on sale now, get them HERE: https://tickets.icfilmscene.org/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=842017

(I'm so excited my hands are shaking, but I want to keep this brief. Don't miss this one, folks. 🖤)

17/12/2023

There’s so much to say and so many people to thank. For now, I just want to give a huge shout out and much love to the many people over the last year who have helped, in ways both big and small, to make “The Salvages” happen.

Really big, exciting announcement is coming very soon, but for today I am just reminiscing about how fortunate and thankful I am to have the support that I do.

Much, much love to all. Stay tuned… 🖤✨🎬

13/11/2023

Two weekends down, and I can’t even begin to adequately express how proud I am of what we are making. “The Salvages” has lived in my imagination for so long now; to finally watch it come to life before my eyes is breathtaking. Everyone involved is giving it everything they have, and the finished product is going to be something to see.  All of us are so excited to show more of what we are creating.
In the meantime, here are the first few official images from production. Much, much more to come soon. 🖤🎬
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11/10/2023

Here is my interview with the Screen Speak podcast from the Iowa Independent Film Festival!

Discussion topics include horror and its many sub-genres, “elevated” horror (and why I really don’t like that term), the importance of intimacy coordination, and my experiences as a Trans filmmaker.

It’s a really great, substantive conversation and I’m excited for everyone to hear it! 🖤☠️🎬✨

Listen to this episode from Screen Speak on Spotify. In this episode, I talk with Carrsan T. Morrissey (Filmmaker) about the Horror Film Genre and more. This episode marks the fourth in a series of exclusive conversations that were recorded on site at the 16th Annual Iowa Independent Film Festival.T...

28/09/2023

One Week… 🖤🩸

22/09/2023

✨VERY SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!!✨

At Snake Alley Festival of Film, I was approached by the curators for Late Shift at the Grindhouse and asked if I would like to show my work at their event! So, Wednesday October 4 at 10:00 PM, “ROT” will be screening along with the incredible feature film “THE HUNGER”! 🩸🩸🩸

As an Iowan Filmmaker, I cannot overstate how honored I am to have my work shown at FilmScene. And ESPECIALLY as part of a grindhouse series! It feels like I’m truly starting to walk the path of many of my idols. 😭🖤🎬

I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited for a screening; I hope to see you there!! 🥰

Wednesdays get weird when Late Shift at the Grindhouse hosts Ross Meyer, Joe Derderian, and Aaron Holmgren dig up low-budget b-movies, horror and gore-fests, and camp classics for your viewing pleasure. Buy your ticket and take a ride in our Time Machine! Punch in and earn a bonus! $3 Pabst Blue Rib...

20/08/2023

I am so excited to finally post about this!!
A few months ago, I was approached by and offered the incredible chance to speak on my experiences as a Trans filmmaker, and host a screening of “Rot,” my newest short!
This special event, titled “Making Matriarch: On Filmmaking, Horror, and Gender Discovery,” will be held at the Waterloo Convention Center at 4:00 PM next Saturday! I will be speaking for about 20-30 mins, the film will screen, and a talkback will follow! There will be popcorn!! This event is beyond important to me, and I would love to see you there.
Find more info on the official CV Pride Schedule, here: http://www.cedarvalleypride.com/schedule-2023.html
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13/08/2023

After almost a year of prep, I am overjoyed to announce that we are just over one month from finally shooting “THE SALVAGES.”

I am so passionate about this film, this story, and these characters. I am beyond lucky to have the stunningly talented cast and crew that I do.

STARRING
Jenna Greve as "Judith"
Grace Schoenthal as "Abra"
Joe Frenna as "Rev. Hoelting"
Shelby Davis as "The Madonna"

These are our first on-location test images of Jenna as Judith. This film is going to be as beautiful as it is brutal…and believe me, it’s very much both.

I can’t wait for the World to see what we create. 🖤🎬✨

31/07/2023

This year for 48 Hour Film Project Des Moines, Matriarch Films is proud to present “TO WITNESS DEATH,” starring Matty Weiland, Finch Moore (who also crafted INCREDIBLE practical effects for the project), and Mac Oleson. This is an absolutely wicked movie that I STILL cannot believe we pulled off in such a short amount of time. It blends our selected Mystery genre with an aesthetic that I--as well as a lot of folks on Team Matriarch--have wanted to tackle for a LONG time: Giallo.

To say that we swung for the fences would be an understatement. This simply could not have been done without an incredible team of artists pulling out all the stops to create the feel we were looking for. We had 11 people on our team (the biggest crew I’ve ever had for any project) and all of them contributed indispensable work.

See “TO WITNESS DEATH” on the big screen Tuesday August 8th at 7:00 PM at the Varsity Cinema in Des Moines.
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11/07/2023

Thrilled to announce that “ROT” has been selected for the 2023 Iowa Independent Film Festival!!

This festival is so special to me, because it’s technically the first film fest I ever attended way back in 2017. I can’t wait to screen this beautiful little horror-show we made, and see all the other incredible selections.

See you in September, Iowa Indie!! 💀🖤🎬✨
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04/04/2023

Iowa Motion Picture Award nominations were announced last night, and once again I am so proud of the recognition we have received. MATRIARCH FILMS has 9 nominations in total! I am so overwhelmingly grateful to my dear friends who acted in these films and brought these characters to life with such brilliance. And I am thankful to the IMPA Judges for their consideration of my and my colleagues’ hard work. Here are the nominations we received:

“The Tower” (Short)
-BEST DIRECTION (Short Film)—Me
-BEST ACTRESS—Linnea Sumner
-BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS—Jenna Greve
-BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY–Me

“Rot” (Mid-Length)
-BEST DIRECTION (Mid-Length)—Me
-BEST ACTRESS—Mara Rothman
-BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS—Linnea Sumner
-BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY–Me

“The Salvages” (Screenplay)
-BEST SCREENPLAY (Unproduced)—Me

Thank you to everyone who has supported me and my Art over the last year (or ever!). You keep me going and make all of this possible. “The Salvages” is next, and believe me when I tell you we’re about to make an impact. 🖤🗡️✨ 

The 32nd IMPA’s are Saturday, May 6th at the Boman Fine Arts Center in Forest City. Please come support us if you’re able!!
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22/03/2023

After a LONG search, I’m thrilled to welcome Grace Schoenthal to the cast of “THE SALVAGES” as Abra. This means our principle cast is officially complete, and production will begin soon!! Keep an eye out for ways to help in the weeks to come.
I’m so excited to finally get to work on this amazing story. You all have no idea what we’ve got in store. 🖤🔪✨
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02/03/2023

I am so honored to announce that “THE TOWER” has been selected for the 2023 Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival!! If you have been waiting to experience this wicked little nightmare of a film, you will finally have your chance… 🖤🗡️☠️

The festival runs April 14-16! If you can, please be there to support “THE TOWER,” and all the other incredible Iowan films that will be screening! I cannot wait for everyone to see what’s in store. See you in April. 🎬
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25/02/2023

I am so thrilled to announce that the screenplay for my next film, “THE SALVAGES,” has been selected for The Toronto International Women Film Festival, and has been nominated for Best Unproduced Screenplay!! To have been selected for a festival like this means more to me than I can possibly express through words. 🖤🏳️‍⚧️

This project is so dear to me, and I can’t wait to get it off the ground very, very soon! 🖤🎬

04/02/2023

"ROT" (Teaser)
A newly-wedded couple's relationship is challenged when one of them contracts a mysterious illness.
A Film by
Carrsan T. Morrissey
Mara Rothman
Linnea Sumner
Benjamin Be
Starring
Mara Rothman as "Shae"
Linnea Sumner as "Eden"
Written & Directed by
Carrsan T. Morrissey
Story by
Carrsan T. Morrissey
Mara Rothman
Linnea Sumner
A Matriarch Films Production
Coming Soon

"ROT" . A newly-wedded couple's relationship is tested when one of them contracts a mysterious illness. . A Film by Carrsan T. Morrissey Mara Rothman Linnea…

12/10/2022

Announcing auditions for my next project, the first official Matriarch Film: “THE SALVAGES.” Conceived by myself, along with Jenna Greve and Shelby Davis.
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This is, even by my standards, a HEAVY piece. But it’s also the best, rawest, most intimate screenplay I’ve ever written. Also, it will be my first time working with the infinitely talented Rob Merritt (FINALLY!!!), and I can’t wait to get started on it.
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If you’re interested in auditioning or supporting the project in any way, comment below, message me, or email [email protected]! 🖤
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“Wait Without Hope.” 🩸
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20/07/2022

Big, Important News!!

As of today, the Production House City M Productions is officially retired. Going forward, I will be working under the name MATRIARCH FILMS. The motto of MATRIARCH FILMS is “Nitimur In Vetitum,” meaning “We Strive After What is Forbidden.”

I came up with the name “City M Productions” in 2017 because I wanted a new name with which to advertise “Dawn.” I liked City M, but it never quite felt right to me. It was initially meant to be a placeholder until I thought of something better, but then “Dawn” took off and I thought I should stick with it for a while.

This year has been by far my most successful year (yet…) at filmmaking. I feel I have finally found my Voice, and it’s paying off gloriously. I have won multiple awards, been appointed to the Board of an organization which I love with my whole heart, and gotten more recognition than ever. What’s most important to me is that this is all for my ORIGINAL work. I am so far removed from “fan-made” films that I have a deep desire to sever all ties to that part of myself. So, with the Snake Alley Festival of Film and Iowa Independent Film Festivals both right around the corner, I thought it was time to revisit my “identity" and come up with something that felt a little more distinctly…Me.

I have often been told that my films and my writing have a distinctly Feminine or even “Genderless” vibe. I write stories about Women and LGBTQIA+ folks, and I direct and shoot without any sort of male gaze. I think there are two distinct reasons for this. First, I come from a long line of strong Women who instilled me with the values that I still hold proudly to this day. Secondly, my gender identity is very much evolving, and has continued to move further and further away from anything resembling “Male.” I find I am becoming more myself with each passing day, and I want my art to be a reflection of my true self.

Because of both of these reasons, and myriad more, I chose to take the name “Matriarch” for my works going forward.

I’m sorry for anyone who was particularly attached to “City M Productions,” but to be honest…I never was. I feel like the name of my House should mean something to ME, not just remind people what letters makeup my name.

I promise my tone isn’t changing. I still plan to bring you the most intense, brutal, and occasionally horrifying Works of Art this side of the Cedar River. I’m just doing it under a banner that I feel more fully represents who I am, and who made me. I see myself, more and more, as a sort of Matriarch of my own design.

In short?

City M Productions is dead…long live MATRIARCH FILMS.

-Carrsan

08/10/2021

Watch the trailer for "Roulette Girl" here, then mark your calendars for the world premiere tomorrow night! Doors open at 6pm at the Waterloo Center for the Arts with the showing starting at 7pm. A casual talkback with Director and Screenwriter Carrsan T. Morrissey and cast will follow the showing. We look forward to seeing you there!

Premiering Saturday October 9th at 7:00 PM at the Waterloo Center for the Arts, "Roulette Girl" tells the story of Greta, a young performance artist dealing…

12/09/2021

"Roulette Girl" Trailer

Premiering Saturday October 9th at 7:00 PM at the Waterloo Center for the Arts, "Roulette Girl" tells the story of Greta, a young performance artist dealing with love, art, and death in the Midwest.

Although this trailer is family-friendly, the film is very mature and suitable for adults only.

Starring:
ALLY JO WILLIAMS--Greta
KATE ROBERTSON PRYOR--Zoey
ORION RISK--Levi
ANDREA MORRIS--Eleanor
JOE FRENNA-Greta's Father
DAKOTA FONTES--Ryan

Written & Directed by Carrsan T. Morrissey

12/09/2021

Time to start a new chapter.
www.Vimeo.com/citymproductions
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17/08/2021

We are thrilled to announce that our 48 Hour Film, “What Follows the Shadows,” has been selected to screen at the “Best of City” Awards Ceremony next Thursday at the 48 Hour Film Project Des Moines! We are so honored to have been chosen. We are delighted to be joined by so many teams of talented Iowa Filmmakers!

We will find out next week if we are in the “top 3,” or if we won any other awards. The countdown to next Thursday begins now. Wish us luck!
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48 Hour Film Project

13/08/2021

We had a WONDERFUL time at the “Group C” 48 Hour Film Project screenings in Des Moines last night, watching 12 amazing films!! We saw everything from drug deals gone wrong, to Cowboy-Santa shoot-outs, to cannibal BBQs, and even Demon Babies! And of course, the screening was capped by our grim, gritty noir film “What Follows the Shadows.” Also congrats to the Audience-Choice winner, the clever and absolutely hilarious sports film/musical “The Golfin' Man vs. Tina…”!

Afterwards, Team City M celebrated at Up/Down, enjoyed some delicious pizza, and played games until nearly midnight.

It was a fantastic evening, and it demonstrated just how much filmmaking talent this state has to offer. We are so excited for the 26th of August, when we will find out who wins “Best In City,” as well as other awards! The three nominees for “Best In City” will be announced on the 17th (the highest-scored films from each screening), so cross your fingers for us!
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48 Hour Film Project
48 Hour Film Project Des Moines
Up-Down Des Moines

05/08/2021

Here is the 48-second teaser for our 48 Hour Film Project Des Moines project, a tense Noir thriller entitled "What Follows the Shadows."

Written & Directed by Carrsan T. Morrissey
Director of Photography: Ben Schmidt
Audio Technician: Ramon Gallegos IV
Original Score: Michael Duede

Starring
Finch Moore as Francine DiSilva
Emille Lacsa as Dominic DiSilva
and
Shelby Davis as Tina Woods

Our film screens Thursday evening in Des Moines at 7:00 PM. Find tickets HERE: https://tickets.midwestix.com/events/10617

02/08/2021

And just like that, it’s over. “What Follows the Shadows” will have its premiere screening on Wednesday, August 11 in Des Moines. We cannot wait to see what everyone else has created over these past 48 wild, crazy, beautiful hours! 🎬

31/07/2021

48 Hour Film Project, “Day” 1.

We shot from 2-7 AM.

Back at it again in 12 hours…
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30/07/2021

We are so excited to be participating in our first 48 Hour Film Project Des Moines! Kick-off starts at 6pm tonight, so check out our Instagram for behind-the-scenes photos and videos. Ever wanted to see what the process of creating a film looks like from conceptualization to post-production? Come watch it happen in real-time, condensed into a 48-hour timeframe!