Fan films have risen to the level of art. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the fan films dedicated to Star Wars, in which the universe created and introduced to the world just over 40 years ago is given new life and breath through the imaginations of the fans themselves.

Today we bring you Star Wars: Dresca, starring Meleane Maile in the title role, and written, produced and directed by Jessica Champneys.

This is one of the more sophisticated Star Wars fan films we’ve seen in a long while. The film isn’t long, but it hits all the story beats, features some nice character arcs, and even manages some surprise twists and reveals without feeling – if you’ll pardon the expression – forced.

Giving a Star Wars fan film a solid foundation is a difficult, daunting task. It is a trial by fire, recalling the challenges Lucas faced when creating the original feature length motion picture. Every role in this production was executed with professional grade talent and skill. The lines between fan and pro production blur, and in some instances are erased altogether.

It’s no wonder this short film has been sweeping short film festivals all over the country.

The film also features some impressive visual effects. For some extra fun, here’s a video on how the space battle effects were created. 

It’s films like this that makes our hearts race, not only for the excellence of the film itself, not only for the chance to so vividly experience a new piece of the Star Wars saga that we haven’t seen before, but because this short film shows what’s truly possible with enough dedication, hard work, and above all, hope for the future. 

The future for this merry band of filmmakers is very bright indeed. May the Force be with you all.

Awards

NYC INDIE FILM AWARDS:
Diamond Awards: Best Short Film, Best Visual Effects
Platinum Awards: Best Editing, Best Cinematography
Gold Awards: Best Score, Best Screenplay

LA SHORTS AWARDS:
Diamond Awards: Best Sci Fi, Best VFX, Best Makeup
Platinum Awards: Best Editing, Best Lighting
Silver Awards: Best Actress, Best Screenplay

MINDFIELD FILM FESTIVAL – LOS ANGELES:
Diamond Awards: Best Director, Best Score, Best VFX
Platinum Awards: Best Sci Fi, Best Short Screenplay, Best Editing

MINDFIELD FILM FESTIVAL – ALBUQUERQUE:
Diamond Award: Best VFX
Platinum Awards: Best Short Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Cinematography
Silver Award: Best Original Score

ONIROS FILM AWARDS:
Best Fan Film, Best Supporting Actress, Best Visual Effects, Best Prosthetic, Best Sound Design, Best Editing

INTERNATIONAL INDEPENDENT FILM AWARDS:
Diamond Awards: Best Cinematography, Best Digital Effects, Best Editing, Best Original Score, Best Sound Design, Best Special Effects Make Up
Platinum Awards: Best Leading Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Casting, Best Director, Best Narrative Short, Best Screenplay, Best Stunts –

CRYPTIC AWARDS:
Best Sci Fi Masterpiece Short

Credits

Written, Produced, and Directed by JESSICA CHAMPNEYS
Director of Photography DAVID A. SKOUSEN
Associate Producer TOM DURHAM (https://www.tomdurham.com/)
Music by SEBASTIANO ZUCCHELLI

Cast

MELEANE MAILE as Dresca
ALI DURHAM as Dr. Merra Cray
PAUL ANTHONY SONNIER JR. as Commander Var
STERLING EVANS as Travin Parlee
Pilot Voices:
    MITCHELL JONES
    ANDREW BRAMBLE
    CHASE ROOSENDAAL
    TOM CLARK
    ANGIE LARSEN
    MATT CHAMPNEYS
    JESSICA CHAMPNEYS
Assistant Director: TOM DURHAM (https://www.tomdurham.com/)
Stunt Coordinator DUY BECK
Stunt Rigger BEN ALEXANDER
Assistant Camera PAUL GREEN
Production Sound/Boom Operator CHASE ROOSENDAAL
Sound Design/Mixer CHASE ROOSENDAAL
Assistant Sound LAMAR GUEST
Grips
    ROMAN ALAIVI
    SHANE B. JACKSON
    TRAVIS BABCOCK
Set Designer MATT CHAMPNEYS
Scenic Artist KAYLI CHAMPNEYS (http://www.kaylinchampneys.com/)
Props CLARK SCHAFFER (http://www.schaffer-studios.com/)
Hair and Wardrobe MATTILYN CHAMPNEYS
SPFX Makeup
KAYLI CHAMPNEYS (http://www.kaylinchampneys.com/)
CLARK SCHAFFER (http://www.schaffer-studios.com/)
Makeup Artist MELINA PRICE
Assistant Makeup ALI DURHAM
Editor JESSICA CHAMPNEYS
Visual Effects
    JESSICA CHAMPNEYS
    MATT HOFFMAN
Modeling/Animation
    DAVID GIBB
    MATT CHAMPNEYS
    ABDOU BOUAM
Colorist DAVID A. SKOUSEN
Production Coordinator KOREN BUTKOVICH
Production Assistants
    SHANE B. JACKSON
    ANGIE THOMPSON
    GERARDO SOTO
    MATT CHAMPNEYS
    ANDREW BRAMBLE
Equipment from Kineto Pictures, Roman Alaivi, Paul Green, Moving Pictures Ltd, and Usana Health Sciences Photographed in Spanish Fork, Utah, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, California Special Thanks To… THE CHAMPNEYS FAMILY, KINETO PICTURES, BLUFIRE STUDIOS, REELMAGIK PROSTHETICS, USANA HEALTH SCIENCES, NEWRULE FX, BRETT EVANS, PATRICIA RILEY, SEAICH FILMS, ANGIE LARSEN, SCOTT PORTER, TOM CLARK