DIFFERENT FROM WHAT? FILM FESTIVAL

THE MIRACLE
(USA, 2007) Director: Jeffrey Jon Smith
Comedy/Drama, English, 29 minutes

SYNOPSIS
In confession to her priest, Tekki Lomnicki, a little person, reveals how she dishonored her mother on a trip to Lourdes twenty-seven years before. For a chance at redemption, Tekki will need all her courage, humor and imagination to face the truth about her life and what happened at Lourdes.

FROM THE DIRECTOR
"I wanted to make a film with a disabled heroine as the audience identification character, shot in the classical Hollywood style (inspired by films and directors I've loved since childhood), and to tell a story of spiritual transformation for general audiences and the disability community."

REVIEWS
"When she was born, Tekki Lomnicki had, as she says, legs that were 'twisted like a soft pretzel. But that didn't stop her from making tracks, and The Miracle is her life. With throaty voice, and an expressive, pan-ethnic face, Tekki plays herself at all ages: tot, teenager, tomboy, and innocent abroad. This is a film about daring to dream, trying to fit in against vast odds, redefining the meaning of 'different', and disabling the word 'disability'. It is vibrantly directed by Smith, who has made it as colorful and capricious as its heroine. Even faith, which informs Tekki's life - and the film - is viewed with what could only be called a twinkle in God's eye." - Jeffrey Gorney, Review for the Syracuse Film Festival

FESTIVALS, SCREENINGS & AWARDS
Festivals/Screenings: Buffalo Niagara Film Festival (2009); Garden State Film Festival, Asbury Park, NJ (2009); California Independent Film Festival, San Ramon (2009); George Lindsey UNA Film Festival, Florence, AL (2009); da Vinci Film Festival, Corvallis, OR (2009); CHINH India Community Film Festival, New Delhi, India (2009); Beaufort International Film Festival, SC (2009); Beloit International Film Festival, WI (2009); Show Off Your Shorts Film Festival, Hollywood (2009); Beverly Hills HiDef Film Festival (2008-9); International Film Festival, South Africa (2008); Taiwan Disability Film Festival (2008); Secret City Film Festival, TN (2008); The Other Venice Film Festival, CA (2008); BendFilm Festival, OR (2008); Edmonton International Film Festival, Alberta (2008); Santa Fe Metaphysical Film Festival, NM (2008); Oak Park International Film Festival (2008); Lakedance International Film Festival (2008); Great Lakes International Film Festival, Erie, PA (2008); Charlotte Film Festival, NC (2008); Big Bear Lake International Film Festival (2008); River’s Edge Film Festival, Paducah, KY (2008); Indie Gathering, Cleveland (2008); Real to Reel Film and Video Festival, NC (2008); Gloria International Film Festival (2008); ReelHeART International Film Festival, Toronto (2008); Superfest, Berkeley, CA (2008); Provincetown International Film Festival (2008); Tupelo Film Festival (2008); Big Island Film festival (2008); West Chester Film festival, PA (2008); Syracuse International Film Festival (2008); Picture This Film Festival, Calgary (2008); Golden Lion Film Festival, Swaziland, Africa (2007); Abilities Arts Festival, Toronto (2007); New Hampshire Film Festival (2007)

Awards: Grand Prize, Lake Havasu Int'l Film Festival (2009); Best Short, San Fernando Valley Int'l Film (2008); Best Short Feature, Moscow Disability Film Festival (2008); Best Short, Bayou City Inspirational Film Festival, Paris (2008); Best Short, Geneva Film Festival (2008); People’s Choice Award, European Spiritual Film Festival, Paris (2008); Best Family Film, Reno Film Festival (2008); Best Drama, Focus Film Festival (2008); Best Comedy, First Take Film Festival (2008); Best Comedy / Drama, Indie Gathering (2008); Best Short Screenplay, Treasure Coast Film Festival (2008); Audience Choice Award, Cinema City International Film Festival (2008); Audience Choice Award, Illinois International Film Festival (2008)

THE CAST
Tekki Lomnicki, age 5 to 48: Tekki Lomnicki
Dolores Lomnicki: Rula Sirhan Gardenier
Ed Lomnicki: Michael Chinn
Sister Mary Thecla: Mary Redmon
The Priest: Sean Gallagher

THE PRODUCTION TEAM
Writer/Director: Jeffrey Jon Smith
Adapted from Thanksgiving by: Tekki Lomnicki
Executive Producers: James Aull and Jeffrey Jon Smith
Producer Jerry Prochazka
Director of Photography: Freddy Miller
Production Designer: Carl Ulaszek

Editors: Melissa Lawrenz, Chor Ai Lene
Music: Adgio Hutchings
Sound Design: John Murray

Special Visual Effects: Paul Rosckes
Costume Designer: Cheryl Turek
Makeup and Hair Designer: Alx Galasinao