The latest independent film from Dr. Bob Pondillo, a professor of electronic media communication at MTSU, has been chosen as an official selection by several film festivals across the nation.

“The Miracles on Honey Bee Hill” was screened at the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival in Philadelphia, Pa., on June 22 and at the Litchfield Hills Film Festival in Torrington, Conn., on June 30.

The 23-minute film, which has been two years in the making, already has won the “Best Achievement-Short Screenplay” award at the 2010 SoCal Film Festival in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Pondillo’s earlier independent films have garnered awards at film festivals around the world. “My Name is Wallace” and “Wait …” were screened at the Cannes Film Festival in France.

As in all of Pondillo’s previous independent short films, MTSU faculty, students and alumni played critical roles in making “Miracles.” Recording-industry professor Dr. Bob Wood composed the score, and his colleague Cosette Collier engineered the film’s song, “My Special Someone.”

While MTSU does not offer a film major or minor, members of the MTSU Film Guild, a student organization, are motivated by Pondillo’s work to learn about making motion pictures.

Nashville actress Lucy Turner portrays "Millie" in a scene from "The Miracles on Honey Bee Hill," the latest independent film from MTSU's Dr. Bob Pondillo and a student and alumni crew. (photo submitted)

“Miracles” will be shown July 8 at the Northwest Ohio Independent Film Festival in Lima, Ohio. Pondillo is nominated there for Outstanding Screenplay for a Short Film.

Lucy Turner, who stars in “Miracles,” is nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Short Film, and Matt Satterfield, an MTSU alumnus, is nominated for Outstanding Cinematography for a Short Film.

“Miracles” also is an official selection of the Real to Reel International Film Festival in Kings Mountain, N.C., the Southern Appalachian International Film Festival in Knoxville and the Oceanside International Film Festivals in Oceanside, Calif.

In addition, “Miracles” is in contention for “Best Short Film of 2012” honors from the VMS Short Film Channel (www.vmsplay.com/shortfilmchannel) and will be distributed by IndieFlix, an online/Internet service (www.indieflix.com).

With a mostly juvenile cast, “Miracles” tells the story of Millie, a girl who is beloved by everyone in her church until she introduces the congregation to her soulmate, a girl named Ed.

A DVD of “Miracles” is available for a $15 donation to the Tennessee Equality Project at www.wepay.com/donations/595625. More information about the movie is available at http://miraclesonhoneybeehill.com as well as on Facebook and Twitter.

— Gina K. Logue (Gina.Logue@mtsu.edu)