Lee University’s Matthew Fisher wrote and directed a short film, “Helen and the Greatest of All,” that was nominated for Best Short Film at the Canadian International Faith and Family Film Festival. The festival took place in Toronto, Canada.
In addition CISS nomination, Mr. Fisher, associate professor of communication at Lee, has entered his film in various other festivals across the United States. His film won in the categories of Best Short Film Over 10 Minutes and Best Screenplay at The Attic Film Festival in Austin, Texas. The film won in the categories of Best Comedy and Best Actress at the Southern Shorts Awards in Roswell. The film also won in the categories of 1st Place Tennessee Film Narrative and Audience Favorite at the Knoxville Film Festival in Knoxville.
“This film was a collaborative effort,” said Professor Fisher. “A small team of Lee faculty, students, and outside creatives worked hard to tell a simple story, and we're all pleased it found an audience. I'm especially excited that one of our young actors, Mia Fansler, took home an award. She was only a third grader when we shot the film.”
A Lee alumnus, Mr. Fisher returned to campus as a faculty member in 2011. He teaches classes on screenwriting, directing, film theory, and film criticism.
Professor Fisher has written and directed other short films that have won several awards and been screened at festivals internationally including the Nashville Film Festival, Cannes Court Métrage, the Short Shorts Film Festival in Tokyo, and most recently, the Austin Film Festival.
Mr. Fisher has a Master of Fine Arts from Savannah College of Art and Design in dramatic writing.