THE FILMMAKERS HAVE BEEN SELECTED!
The Jasper Project is pleased to partner with Coal Powered Filmworks to announce the roster of independent South Carolina filmmakers selected to participate in the 2026 2nd Act Film Project, the 10th in the organizations’ history. More than 30 filmmakers applied to take part in the project with a total of 16 being chosen by a committee of judges to compete for prizes that include cash and artisan-created trophies. All 16 films will be screened at Harbison Theatre (7300 College St., Irmo, SC) on Thursday, October 15th at 7:30 pm.
The 2026 slate of 2nd Act Film Project filmmakers includes: Tom Baire, Jennifer Baxley, Chris Bickel, Jason Berry, William Clay, Ed Connolly, Mathew Cothran, Ethan Lopez, Jessica Lyle, Trevor Mawhinney, Chris Refo, Liz Stalker, Alex Steele, Trey Weaver, USC1080c, and Jonathan Raban and CIU students.
The brainchild of filmmaker Wade Sellers, the 2nd Act Film Project began in 2013 as a way to bring independent SC filmmakers under the umbrella of one project in order to foster collaboration and innovation, as well as to build community among SC filmmakers. The 2nd Act Film Project is unique in its structure: Participating filmmakers receive the 1st and 3rd acts of an unfinished filmscript. Their challenge is to write the 2nd act of the script and produce all three acts as a finished film. There is no fee to enter and selected participants are automatically awarded a $100 stipend to help with the creation of their films. Films must not exceed 6 minutes in length including credits.
Thusfar, Jasper’s 2nd Act Film Project has produced 100 films by independent SC filmmakers.
TOM HALL
At least $2500 will be awarded on the night of the official screening at Harbison Theatre, including the Tom Hall Indie Spirit Award for the best overall film, named for the late Tom Hall, a SC filmmaker and attorney whose independent film, Compromised, is cited as contributing to the removal of the Confederate Flag over the SC Statehouse. The Tom Hall Indie Spirit Award is sponsored by the Krewe de Columbi-Ya-Ya. Other prizes include the Audience Choice Prize as well as awards for Best Actor, Best Script, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, and Best Director.
For more information about Jasper’s 2026 2nd Act Film Project contact Wade Sellers (above) or visit the website at secondactfilmproject.com where you can also buy tickets to the event.
