BURRILLVILLE – A short drama written by Burrillville resident and NRI NOW Sunday Cartoon artist Jim Weicherding took home a first place award last week at the Boston International Film Festival.
Outlaw Run, a 17 minute movie directed and produced by Dawn Natalia, was named first place among short films in the Indie Soul Best Picture category at the festival, which took place from Thursday, April 9 through Tuesday, April 14.
The short, based on Weicherding’s book and ongoing monthly magazine series, also held its world premiere at a private screening at the event, at IMAX Theaters on Central Wharf in Boston.
“Outlaw Run was a team effort,” the writer said this week following news of the first place win, noting there too many people to thank to list. “They know everything they did was very much appreciated.”
Based on a book of the same name published in 2012, Outlaw Run features Weicherding’s own 1969 Pontiac GTO, built especially for the picture by Lav’s Muscle Cars in Punta Gorda, Fl. The story takes readers on an action-packed ride inside the vehicle, driven by protagonist Etch, a glass, window and mirror craftsman modeled after the writer himself, who also does custom glasswork.
Weicherding and Natalia founded Outlaw Run Productions prior to filming last year. Known locally for his award-winning traffic safety effort and coloring cartoons series, Weicherding filmed the movie locally, including stunts and high speed police chase scenes shot at Thompson Speedway in Connecticut.
Weicherding notes that more than 6,000 films from across the globe were submitted to the festival, with only a handful ultimately selected.
“That’s quite an accomplishment for a startup movie production studio,” Weicherding said.
The festival included a Red Carpet Gala and a formal awards banquet, where Natalia accepted the honor joined by lead actor Robert Marsella, who starred as “Etch.”
Weicherding also wrote the film’s script and screenplay.
The win marks the latest honor for the well-received short, which was nominated for Best Short Drama and Best Film Stunt at the International Motor Films Festival, as well as Best Narrative Film at the Grand Motoring Film Festival in 2025. In Rhode Island, it will screen during the three-day Block Island Film Festival on Thursday, May 28 at 9 a.m.
The movie production studio is planning a merchandising line and licensing effort this summer, and Weicherding just signed a licensing agreement with Marra Design Associates in Minnesota to bring his intellectual property to puzzle, game and toy companies worldwide.
He said he expects to announce more details and developments soon.
