In The Tradition of My Family

About Me

The film In The Tradition of My Family was directed by Todd Davis, based on the short story by Phil LaMarche . See www.orlater.com for screening dates/times and other information about the film.
The official DVD of In The Tradition of My Family is now available for US$10. Extra features include the rehearsal cut, director’s commentary track, extended and deleted scenes, director’s interview, production photo slide show and 5.1 surround mix. Please click the Google Checkout button below to purchase a copy:
DOWNLOAD THE FILM: You can download a copy of the film from b-side , an on-line film distributor. Click here to get your digital copy.
2006/2007 Screenings/Awards:
New York Film Festival 2006
Philadelphia Film Festival 2006 - Best Narrative Short
Rhode Island International Film Festival 2006, Providence, RI - Grand Prize, New England Student Competition
Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2007, Santa Barbara, CA
Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films 2006, Palm Springs, CA
Los Angeles International Short Film Festival 2006
Redstone West Showcase 2006, Hollywood, CA - 1st place
Plymouth Independent Film Festival 2006, Plymouth, MA - Best Student Film
Killington Film Festival 2007, Killington, VT - Best Short Film
DC Independent Film Festival 2006, Washington, DC - Audience Award for Best Short
Boston Film Night 2006 - Audience Favorite
WorldFest Houston International Film Festival 2006 - Silver Remi Award for Cinematography
Boston Underground Film Festival 2006 - Runner up, Most Promising New England Filmmaker
Redstone Film Festival 2006, Boston, MA - 3rd place
Longbaugh Film Festival 2006, Portland, OR - Best of Shorts encore program
Munich International Festival of Film Schools 2006, Munich, Germany - Nominee, Prix Interculturel award
FAIF International Film Festival 2006, Hollywood, CA - Nominee, Best Supporting Actor - Paul Kmiec
Humboldt Film Festival 2007, Arcata, CA
Chicago Underground Film Festival 2006
Big Bear Lake International Film Festival 2006, Big Bear Lake, CA
Tel Aviv International Student Film Festival 2006, Nazareth and Tel Aviv, Israel
Napa Sonoma Wine Country Film Festival 2006, Sonoma, CA and American Canyon, CA
Northampton Independent Film Festival 2006, Northampton, MA
Santa Fe Film Festival 2006, Santa Fe, NM
Chlotrudis Short Film Festival 2006/2007, Boston/Brookline, MA
Lake County Film Festival 2007, Libertyville, IL
Filmstock International Film Festival 2006, Luton, UK
Rome International Film Festival 2007, Rome, GA
Boston Cinema Census 2007, Cambridge, MA
New England Film & Video Festival 2006, Brookline, MA
Boston International Film Festival 2006
Delray Beach Film Festival 2006, Delray Beach, FL
Chicago International REEL Shorts Festival 2006
New Hampshire Film Expo 2006, Portsmouth, NH
Marblehead Festival of Arts Winter Film Festival , 2007 Marblehead, MA
West Chester Film Festival 2006, West Chester, PA
Lake Forest Film Festival 2006, Lake Forest, IL
Somewhat North of Boston Film Festival 2007, Concord, NH
FilmGate International Student Film Festival 2006, St. Louis, MO
International Student Film Festival Hollywood 2006, North Hollywood, CA
Courthouse Center for the Arts 2006, West Kingston, RI
The Artists’ Exchange Short Film Festival 2007, Cranston, RI
Naked Eye College Film Festival 2006, Brookline, MA
Groton Public Library Winter Film Series 2007, Groton, MA
Century City Shorts & Screenplay Fest 2006, Century City, CA

My Interests

I'd like to meet:

"[Davis] effectively portrayed the tension that family members feel about this tradition. Cult like, it felt eerie and scary... What I enjoyed about the film was that I was bewildered, shocked, scared and fascinated all at the same time... effective storytelling, shots... full attention to details. The color tone - earthy and rustic. Acting was subtle but real. Remember the name, Todd H Davis, he has showed us what he can do. I got mesmerized by his work. I look forward to his first feature film. Why should you watch this short film? This film is a winner, effective storytelling par excellence!"
Luis Pedron, FanClubX.com

"A gem of a short film, In The Tradition of My Family tells its story, in the tradition of Shirley Jackson's 'The Lottery,' of the rite of male passage in an extended New England family. The clean, crisp acting, lighting and editing, and taut direction communicate a surprisingly deep and rich insight into male psychology. This film explores the warrior spirit beneath the surface of domestic order to suggest a vast labyrinth of unspoken higher truths. This little film will haunt its viewers, its vivid and striking images lingering long after the final blows have fallen."
Les Wright, CultureVulture.net

"...riveting..."
Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films program

"...the same gritty feel as the recent 13 (Tzameti) and hits just as hard with its depiction of a gruesome family tradition that must be seen to be believed."
ReelReviewer.com (New York Film Festival review on Rotten Tomatoes)

"...This was the most professional looking film I saw at the [Rome International] Film Festival... Keep your eye out for [Todd Davis]; he is going to be big one day. Score: A"
Adam Martin, Rome Unscene

"...perversely intriguing..."
Greg White, BU Source

"A terrific adaptation of the short story, and an excellent use of its cast's talents."
Scott Johnston, Philadelphia Film Society

"In The Tradition of My Family is very well made-- and quite disturbing. Todd demonstrates his individuality as a filmmaker not only in the manner in which he creates the film, but in the decision to film this story in the first place. I applaud him for both... I would love to see [his other films]."
Arthur Allan Seidelman , director, The Sisters

"The film is really extraordinary... It has a very rich parable... a simple story that can be read in many different ways. Although the narrative is clear, it hints at all types of mysterious meanings."
Charles Merzbacher , chairman, Department of Film and Television, Boston University

Movies:

In The Tradition of My Family

Books:

American Youth

My Blog

Now available for download through b-side

In The Tradition of My Family is now available for download through b-side, an on-line film distributor. You can download a digital copy of the film by clicking here....
Posted by In The Tradition of My Family on Wed, 19 Mar 2008 01:57:00 PST

PRESS: article on the film in The Metro West Daily News

The Metro West Daily News have published an article on In The Tradition of My Family. Read Shooting for recognition online (scroll down past Beacon article)....
Posted by In The Tradition of My Family on Fri, 15 Sep 2006 05:37:00 PST

"In The Tradition of My Family" accepted into SNOB Film Festival

In The Tradition of My Family has been accepted into the Somewhat North of Boston (SNOB) Film Festival. The film will play twice on Saturday November 10, 2007. The first time will be at 11:45 AM at ...
Posted by In The Tradition of My Family on Thu, 20 Sep 2007 10:45:00 PST

Official DVD release - now available for purchase

The official DVD of In The Tradition of My Family is now available for US$10. Extra features include the rehearsal cut, director's commentary track, extended and deleted scenes, director's interview,...
Posted by In The Tradition of My Family on Tue, 08 May 2007 07:45:00 PST

PRESS: Cover of StudentFilmmakers Magazine September 2007

In The Tradition of My Family is on the cover of the September 2007 issue of StudentFilmmakers Magazine. Inside is a 6-page interview with director Todd Davis and 12 production photos. (Read the arti...
Posted by In The Tradition of My Family on Tue, 04 Sep 2007 12:06:00 PST

"In The Tradition of My Family" wins Best Short Film at Killington Film Festival

In The Tradition of My Family won the Best Short Film award in the 2007 Killington Film Festival New England Filmmaker Short Film Competition on August 26....
Posted by In The Tradition of My Family on Tue, 28 Aug 2007 08:00:00 PST

"In The Tradition of My Family" accepted into Killington Film Festival

In The Tradition of My Family has been accepted into the Killington Film Festival. It will play on Sunday August 26, 2007 at 3:00 PM at the Killington Grand Resort Hotel, 228 E Mountain Rd, Killington...
Posted by In The Tradition of My Family on Tue, 31 Jul 2007 05:47:00 PST

"In The Tradition of My Family" accepted into Rome (GA) International Film Festival

In The Tradition of My Family has been accepted into the Rome International Film Festival. It will play on Friday September 7, 2007 at 7:00 PM at the Forum Civic Center, 2 Govenment Plaza, Rome GA. ...
Posted by In The Tradition of My Family on Fri, 29 Jun 2007 06:32:00 PST

"American Youth" by Phil LaMarche - GREAT LA Times review

Phil LaMarche, author of the short story "In the Tradition of My Family" is now in our top friends list. His first novel "American Youth", published by Random House, was released on April 10. Check ...
Posted by In The Tradition of My Family on Mon, 12 Mar 2007 06:28:00 PST

"In The Tradition of My Family" accepted into Humboldt Film Festival

In The Tradition of My Family has been accepted into the Humboldt Film Festival. It will screen on Wednesday April 4, 2007 at 9:00 PM at the Minor Theatre, 1001 H Street, Arcata, CA. The Humboldt Fi...
Posted by In The Tradition of My Family on Fri, 23 Mar 2007 09:16:00 PST