filmmaker.
If the Trees Heard Us
Lost within a vast, barren landscape, an estranged brother and sister embark on a journey searching for their childhood home.
After a year of planning, fundraising, traveling, shooting, re-shooting, and editing, our team could not have been more honored to receive the Grand Jury Prize from The Lousiville Film Society and Speed Cinema at the Louisville Short Film Slam 2023!
Thank you so much to our incredible community of friends, family, and supporters who made If the Trees Heard Us a reality. This is only the beginning of what will be a phenomenal festival season. Follow our Instagram or sign up for our email list below for any and all updates.
Stay up to date on If the Trees Heard Us!
from the director
If the Trees Heard Us started with an assortment of various ideas, central of which was the enigmatic quality that can come with one’s individual healing process. Inspired by the vast emptiness of North Dakota’s landscapes, this film strives to evoke the loneliness of rehashed memory, while also recognizing the harsher, uncertain possibility that come when one tries to move forward.
meet our team
writer/director
Noah Griffin is from Louisville, Kentucky. A graduate of Western Kentucky University’s Film program, he’s long had a passion for creating immersive environments and guiding a viewer from a purely sensorial perspective. Noah’s most recent work as a writer and director includes The Silence Between (2022) and Everlasting (2021).
producer
A graduate of the Cincinnati School for Creative and Performing Arts, Christian grew up surrounded by theatre and film. He went on to get his BFA in film production, producing projects that push the audience to question the world around them and inspire them to explore their own existence. Previous producing credits include The Silence Between (N. Griffin, 2022), and Cactus (C. Gillian, 2021).
producer
Christi is a producer and assistant director raised in Louisville, Kentucky. She graduated in 2022 with her BFA in film production from Western Kentucky University. Her previous producing credits include: Camp Sunshine (J. Henson, 2022), Just Past Dark (C. Straub, 2021), and Best to Worst (J. Bowles, 2020).
director of photography
From Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Mikale is a director of photography with a passion for creating. He got his BFA in film production from Western Kentucky University in 2022. Past films Mikale has shot include The Silence Between (N. Griffin, 2022) and Just Past Dark (C. Straub, 2021). Mikale’s favorite part of the job is adapting and constructing light to bring the director’s vision into the real world.
production designer
Katherine is a production designer from Taylor Mill, Kentucky. She is going into her senior year at Western Kentucky University, studying film production. She was the art director for El Camino Hacia la Nada (J. Lopez, 2021), and previous credits as production designer include Vices (R. Coomes, 2022) and Tomboy (A. LeAnn, 2021). Katherine loves exploring nature and all of the small details that go into designing a film.
Editor
Jack is an editor and director from Bardstown, Kentucky. He got his degree in film production from Western Kentucky University in 2022. Having worked as both an editor and director, Jack brings his own unique vision to any project he works on. Films he’s edited include Trophy Hunter (A. Survant, 2022), Happy Mombie’s Day (J. Kunish, 2022), and Spillway (J. Kunish, 2022).
lead actor
sound design
assistant director
assistant camera
key grip
field sound mixer
Our Fiscal Sponsor
This film could not have happened without the generous help from the incredible people at the Louisville Film Society. Visit our page on their website here to learn more about their organization and how you can help support our team!
If the Trees Heard Us is a fiscally sponsored project of the Louisville Film Society (LFS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions in support of If the Trees Heard Us are payable to LFS and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. LFS will administer all funds received on behalf of If the Trees Heard Us and exercise financial oversight to assure that funds are spent for their designated purpose.
from the producers
The people of North Dakota were an essential part in making this production a reality. Without their generosity and genuine excitement for the film, this production could have been a disaster. If ever in the area, consider visiting any of these independant businesses to show your support!
Dairy King - Hurdsfield, ND
Carol's Kitchen - Robinson, ND
Farm and Family Center - Hurdsfield, ND
Manfred History and Preservation - Manfred, ND
Scotty's Drive-In - Bismark, ND
Star Thai Cuisine - Williston, ND
The Hurd Round House - Hurdsfield, ND
Custom Logoware - Lexington, KY