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A lonely and elderly widower struggles to come to terms with the loss of his wife and the circumstances surrounding her death. When he visits her grave, he encounters a little girl who shows him the path to healing and fills him with hope.
Inspired by a true story, Abigail addresses the topics of grief, loss and the complicated topic of end-of-life decisions, and the unique challenges it poses on relationships and family dynamics.
Winner of the Audience Award at the 2020 Long Island International Film Expo and Best Film at the 2021 Point Lookout Film Festival, this narrative short was produced as Hechtman's senior thesis film for the completion of his Bachelor's Degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology's Film and Media Program.
The film has recently completed its film festival run and is currently is in the process of being acquired for a worldwide online release in 2025.
IMDb Page | Official Facebook Page | Official Instagram Page
RICHIE ALLAN (Escape at Dannemora) as Elmer
ELVIRA TORTORA as Abigail
LAUREN HART as Woman at Cemetery
LEILANI MARIE VASQUEZ as The Girl
Directors/Producers: MAX HECHTMAN and CHRISTONIKOS TSALIKIS
Screenplay: JASON K. ALLEN, MAX HECHTMAN and MERYL HECHTMAN
Original Story: JASON K. ALLEN
Executive Producer: MERYL HECHTMAN
Cinematographers: JOE DANIELE and JOE DeFELICE
Editor: MAX HECHTMAN
Music: ANDRÉS SOTO
Although we made this back in 2019, we believe that this film is so important because it facilitates the complicated and difficult subjects of illness, grief and loss - topics that are more relevant today than ever before, given the millions of families worldwide who have experienced catastrophic illness and death of loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through the endearing relationship of Elmer and his beloved Abigail, we are prompted to ask ourselves important and uncomfortable questions about expressing our wishes regarding medical treatment and end of life, while we’re in a position to do so. Through Elmer’s grieving process, we also discover how the path to acceptance and moving forward, often comes from the memories, traditions and secrets of those who we have lost.
It is our hope that this film opens the door for conversations for anyone facing this adversity in their life.
- Max Hechtman and Christonikos Tsalikis
Best Drama - NOMINATED
Best Film - WON
Best Local Film - NOMINATED
Best Director - NOMINATED
Best Actor - NOMINATED
Best Produced Script - NOMINATED
Best Cinematography - NOMINATED
Audience Award - WON
Best Short Film - NOMINATED
Best Long Island Short Film - NOMINATED
Best Director - NOMINATED
Quarterfinalist - WON
Richie Allan as Elmer
Max Hechtman, Christonikos Tsalikis and co-director of photography Joe Daniele set up a shot for the anniversary dinner scene.