The past is alive and the future is bright for Pilotgroove Pictures, set to premier their latest 48 Hour Film Project, Empty NES on Wednesday, May 13, 9:00 PM at the Somerville Theater. With a star-studded cast of newcomers, this YA Adventure features the big screen debuts of several 2nd-generation Pilotgroove players.

Empty NES is a throwback kids quest, in the spirit of Goonies, Adventures in Babysitting and The Sandlot. When the kids get bored at their parents’ party, adventure calls—and trouble is quick to answer! Contributing writer and breakout star, Kinsey Peirce teams up with Owen Huot (Resigning) as Ava and Isaac Pretti. The twins tag along to an adult party, and find unlikely allies in Cooper (Parker Peirce, The Heroics) and Liv (newcomer, Vera Syrene) in the search for a legendary artifact.

Empty NES, the 17th 48 Hour Film Project from Pilotgroove Pictures, was directed by Ben Peirce and P.J. Huot, the screenplay was written by Ben Peirce, with contributions from Huot, Jay Syrene, Kinsey Peirce, Tim Peirce and Greg and Mandie Giorgio. The film was conceived, written, shot, and edited between May 1-3, 2026 as part of the Boston 48 Hour Film Project. The required elements were:

Character: Rennie or Reneé Pretti, a volunteer
Prop: a map
Line: “What does the sign say?”
Genre: Fish out of Water

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

To watch the 48 Hour Film Project Portland, ME screening in person or livestream, visit 2026boston48.com or Click here for tickets.

ONLINE PREMIERE

An extended and remastered version of Empty NES will be released immediately following the premiere screening on Vimeo, YouTube, and here at Pilotgroove.com.

Pilotgroove Pictures premiered their 16th 48 Hour Film Project—Resigning—on Friday, August 15, 2025 at the Portland Players theater.

“Resigning”
48 Hour Film Project Portland, ME, 2025
(Genre: Buddy Film)

What are you looking for in a friend? Justin (played by Boston’23 best-actor winner, Jay Chanoine) is forced to answer this and other questions when his buddy, Marty (Ben Peirce, best actor Boston’17) delivers unexpected news over dinner. Featuring an ensemble cast that includes Sandra Vellani, Tim Peirce and newcomer, Owen Huot, this buddy comedy pushes boundaries—and friendships—to their breaking point.

Resigning is the 16th 48 Hour Film Project from Pilotgroove Pictures. Written and directed by Ben Peirce, with P.J. Huot, Jay Chanoine and Jay Syrene, it was conceived, written, shot, and edited between August 8-10, 2025 as part of the Portland, ME 48 Hour Film Project.

Copyright ©2025, Pilotgroove Pictures.

Music in the film is by Commander Killjoy and is used with permission from the artist.

Pilotgroove Pictures will screen its entry from 48 Hour Film Project in Portland, Maine TONIGHT (Aug. 15), 7:30 at the Portland Players Theater. Portland, ME—the 5th city to host a Pilotgroove Pictures premiere—will see the debut of our latest film, Resigning.

Resigning is a Buddy comedy, that asks what we’re looking for for in a friend. Justin (played by Boston’23 best-actor winner, Jay Chanoine) is forced to answer this and other questions when his buddy, Marty (Ben Peirce, best actor Boston’17) delivers unexpected news over dinner. Featuring an ensemble cast that includes Sandra Vellani, Tim Peirce and newcomer, Owen Huot, this buddy comedy pushes boundaries and friendships to their breaking point.

Resigning is the 16th 48 Hour Film Project from Pilotgroove Pictures. Written and directed by Ben Peirce, with P.J. Huot, Jay Chanoine and Jay Syrene, it was conceived, written, shot, and edited between August 8-10, 2025 as part of the Portland, ME 48 Hour Film Project. The required elements were:

Character: Bill or Billie Lamtrak, Lobsterman/woman
Prop: a shovel
Line: “Don’t touch it”
Genre: Buddy Comedy

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

To watch the 48 Hour Film Project Portland, ME screening in person or livestream, visit 48hourfilm.com/portland-me or Click here for tickets.

ONLINE PREMIERE

An extended and remastered version of Resigning will be released immediately following the premiere screening on Vimeo, YouTube, and here at Pilotgroove.com.

Fresh off of its theatrical premiere at Avon Cinemas in Providence, Pilotgroove Pictures proudly presents their 15th 48 Hour Film Project – Slay Yes.

“Slay Yes”
48 Hour Film Project Providence, 2024
(Genre: Fish out of Water)

Indie filmmaker, Gretchen Gershwin (Sandra Vellani) is the unwilling captor and unwitting collaborator of Eve Lenténte—the ‘Silver Screen Slayer’ (Becki Dennis). Will Gretchen take a shot at setting the Silver Screen Slayer’s name in lights? How is Hollywood A-lister, Richard Channing (Glenn Provost) involved? Will it be a hit? And who will be left standing when the credits roll?

Slay Yes is the 15th 48 Hour Film Project from Pilotgroove Pictures. Written and directed by the award-winning writing directing tandem of P.J. Huot and Ben Peirce. It was conceived, written, shot, and edited between June 21-23, 2024 as part of the Providence 48 Hour Film Project.

Copyright ©2024, Pilotgroove Pictures

Music in the film is by Bitter Pill and is used with permission from the artists.
Copyright ©2022, Bitter Company

Wednesday night will be a historic one for Pilotgroove Pictures, as they premiere their 15th 48 Hour Film Project, and first as part of the Providence 48 Hour Film Project. Fresh off induction into the Boston 48 Hour FIlm Project Hall of Fame, the team is back in action with Slay Yes—making its theatrical debut on Wednesday, July 10 at 8:30 PM (Group D) at Avon Cinemas in Providence, RI.

Sandra Vellani stars as indie filmmaker, Gretchen Gershwin—the unwilling captor and unwitting collaborator of Eve Lenténte—the ‘Silver Screen Slayer’ (Becki Dennis). Will Gretchen take a shot at setting the Silver Screen Slayer’s name in lights? How is Hollywood A-lister, Richard Channing (Glenn Provost) involved? Will it be a hit? And who will be left standing when the credits roll? Slay Yes is a fish out of water story that asks the question, “how far would you go for art?” …and, “is a thumb a yes to murder?”

Slay Yes is the 15th 48 Hour Film Project from Pilotgroove Pictures. Written and directed by the award-winning writing directing tandem of P.J. Huot and Ben Peirce. It was conceived, written, shot, and edited between June 21-23, 2024 as part of the Providence 48 Hour Film Project. The required elements were:

Character: Trevor Gofursh, planner
Prop: sunglasses,
Line: “Wow, it’s hot”
Genre: Fish out of Water

Pilotgroove Pictures takes on yet another familiar topic this year, following their send-ups of music and sports and music with last year’s You Make Me Wanna Rock! and Get Your Hands Dirty in 2022. This year their love of filmmaking takes center stage, with a film-within-a-film made by an on-screen crew of new talent. Sandra Vellani steps out of her silent role in You Make Me Wanna Rock! and into the spotlight as Gretchen Gershwin. Not to be outshined is Pilotgroove newcomer, Becki Dennis, who brings a homicidal sweetness to the Character of Eve. Ben Peirce had this to say about the Silver Screen Slayer:

“A STAR in the best possible way! Not only did [Becki] pull that character straight from my brain and onto the screen, exactly as intended and moreso—but [she] endured the hours, and the mosquitos, the murder implements, and the whole 48 of it all, in true Pilotgroove fashion.

The addition of, Glenn Provost (a late substitution for Peirce, who was initially set to act and direct—while bound a blindfolded?!) saved the film and stole the show as the delightfully-oblivious, Richard Channing. Joining our newly-minted trio is Pilotgroove mainstay John MacAskill, in the role of enthusiastic Best Boy, Gene.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Audiences can watch the Group D screening LIVE or ONLINE, and tickets are on sale now at pvd48hp.com. Click here to order.

ONLINE PREMIERE

An extended and remastered version of Slay Yes will be released immediately following the premiere screening on Vimeo, YouTube, and here at Pilotgroove.com.

SOMERVILLE, June 12, 2023 — Pilotgroove Pictures had another proud showing at the 20th Annual Boston 48 Hour Film Project Best of & Awards Show. The team made 5 trips to the podium, accepting awards for Audience Choice, Best Song, Best Script, Best Acting (Jay Chanoine) and, in an impressive field of over 70 films—2nd Runner-Up for Best Film.

You Make Me Wanna Rock! was the popular vote winner at the Group B screening, earning an Audience Choice Award for the 3rd time. Pilotgroove Pictures—winners previously for A Bloodless Crime (2014, NH) and An Explanation of Loneliness (2019)—was honored alongside the other screening group winners, Angel Slice (Tiny Punk Prod.), Special Delivey (Not Awful), Black Harvest (The Extremely Mature Adults) and Desmond Lewis Presents: The Rise and Fall of Zin (Extra Medium).

The title song, “A Box of Porn in the Woods” by HEELS won Best Song, edging out “There’s a Monkey in the House” (The Rise and Fall of Zin), “Mrs. G I have to Pee” (Reality Trip, G. Cole Productions), “What’s Going on Here” (Knock, Dark Mystery Prod.) and “Go to Mars” (Dibs on Mars, Friendly Filmmaker). It’s the first win in this category for Pilotgroove Pictures, nominated previously for “Wish” by The Whatnot.

Along with the laurels for Best Song, Memphis-based HEELS released the entire 8-minute extended cut of You Make Me Wanna Rock! as the official music video for “A Box of Porn in the Woods”. The video premiered on BlankTV and saw over 600 views in its first day of release.

The award for Best Script (presented by New England Screenwriters) was the 3rd-consecutive for Pilotgroove Pictures, and 4th in 7 years of competing in the Boston 48 Hour Film Project. In accepting the award, P.J. Huot acknowledged the contributions of the writer’s room, led this year by stand-up, Jay Chanoine who brought his personal brand of comedy to the diarrhetic dialogue of Alexander Greene.

Jay Chanoine‘s performance in the required role earned him the award for Best Acting. No stranger to the stage, but stepping into an acting role for the first time, he brought heart and humility to a character who could’ve been mere comic relief in lesser hands—a role Jay described by saying, “I won Best Acting for playing myself.” His was one of 4 acting awards handed out, the others going to Annie Cicero in Acceptance (Wax Idiotical) and the ensemble casts of Algorithm (Fred TV) and Amidst Ourselves (Hop Top Films)

Chanoine is the 2nd member of the Pilotgroove Pictures ensemble to win Best Acting. Ben Peirce won in 2017 for his portrayal of Lawrence Soto in Don Is the New Death. It should be noted that both roles were co-leads, opposite Aaron Compagna. The Pilotgroove mainstay announced he would be stepping back from 48HrFP roles, following this production. Aaron leaves a 7-film legacy at Pilotgroove Pictures and will be dearly missed by our cast, our crew and our audiences. Fans of his work can continue to watch him onstage in his many performances with the Hatbox Theater, Queen City Improv and beyond.

Out of 72 films in this year’s competition, 6 were nominated for Best Film, as announced in a Cameo by Jackie Beat and Boston Rob: Acceptance, Angel Slice, Becoming Whole (Obnots), Black Harvest, Last Supper (Medley of Fresh Vegetables) and You Make Me Wanna Rock! Of those, Pilotgroove took the Bronze Medal as 2nd runner up behind Wax Idiotical and the night’s big winner, The Extremely Mature Adults—whose winning film, Black Harvest was the first 48 Hour Film Project for director, Paul Odgren, who also won Best Directing.

This year marks the 3rd-consecutive Best Film nomination for Pilotgroove Pictures, following Get Your Hands Dirty in 2022 and 2021 winner, Life with the Dead.

As always, Pilotgroove Pictures would like to extend a hearty thanks to our cast and crew, to the judges and producers of the Boston 48 Hour Film Project, and to everyone who’s watched the film, live or online. YOU make me wanna rock!

Pilotgroove Pictures was back in action last week, wrapping production on their fourteenth short. The latest film, You Make Me Wanna Rock! will make its theatrical debut at the Boston 48 Hour Film Project Group B screening, Monday May 15 at 9PM at the Somerville Theater.

You Make Me Wanna Rock! is a buddy comedy celebrating all things music and movies. It follows two friends through a series of wise-cracking non-adventures. All is not well for John Smith (Aaron Compagna). With the help of his friend Alex Green (Jay Chanoine) and the power of rock, on his side he looks to quiet the noises in his head and shed what’s been haunting him.

You Make Me Wanna Rock! is the 14th 48 Hour Film Project from Pilotgroove Pictures and the 10th from award-winning writing/directing tandem, P.J. Huot and Ben Peirce. It was conceived, written, shot, and edited between May 5-7, 2023 as part of the Boston 48 Hour Film Project. The required elements were:

Character: Alexandre Green, tattoo artist
Prop: a pizza box
Line: “She’ll never know”
Genre: Buddy Film

The film strikes a personal chord (pun intended) with Pilotgroove Pictures producers. Peirce had this to say in his letter to the cast & crew…

“It’s not just that it’s funny and heartfelt and so [expletive] technically-beautiful and well-acted that it makes me wanna puke—which it does… It’s that it’s a perfect telling of the exact story I needed to hear. I don’t think I had any idea how badly I NEEDED this, until it came spilling out of your hearts and onto the screen.”

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Tickets for the Group B screening are on sale now from the Somerville Theater box office. Click here to order.

ONLINE PREMIERE

A remastered version of You Make Me Wanna Rock! will be available here at pilotgroove.com immediately following the premiere screening. An extended cut will be released later this month.

WATCH ONLINE
(Available after the live Premiere)

SOMERVILLE, June 14 — Get Your Hands Dirty had a big night, leading all films with 12 nominations and five awards at the Boston 48 Hour Film Project Best Of & Awards. The mocku-sports short was a nominee for Best Film and a winner for Best Use of Character, Best Use of Genre, Best Sound, Best Editing and Best Script. The accolades make it Pilotgroove Pictures’ most decorated 48 Hour Film Project to date.

The Boston 48 Hour Film Project Best Of & Awards returned to the theater this year, with 16 films screening before a capacity crowd at the Somerville Theater’s Crystal Ballroom. Get Your Hands Dirty closed out the night, before the awards presentation by Boston producer, Andrew Osborne.

Pilotgroove Pictures captured two of the four required element awards, winning Best Use of Genre (Mockumentary) and Best Use of Character (Martin Shatternick, Florist). They were also nominated for Best Use of Line (“Who said that”). 2017 entry, Don Is the New Death, was also a winner for Best Use of Genre (Fish out of Water).

The mix of broadcast commentary, music and live atmospherics, secured the award for Best Sound. It was the first win in this category for Pilotgroove Pictures and the technical team of Jay Syrene, Dave Distilli and P.J. Huot. The soundtrack—featuring tracks from The Whatnot, Anton Vlasov and Skilsel was also nominated.

Ben Peirce made it back-to-back wins in the category of Best Editing, following up last year’s win for Life with the Dead. Fast-paced action sequences, layered graphics and careful cuts, contribute to a film that’s both cinematic and evocative of live TV.

In another repeat performance, Peirce and Huot picked up their third (second straight) award for Best Script, winning previously for Don Is the New Death and Life with the Dead. They share the honor with collaborating writers and floral pun-smiths, Tim Peirce, Greg Giorgio and Jay Syrene.

If the 2022 Awards were a sports movie, Pilotgroove was Apollo Creed. Get Your Hands Dirty was a nominee for Best Film and after several wins early in the night, the defending champs seemed poised for a return trip to Filmapalooza. But it was Moose Films in the Rocky roll this time. The middle schoolers from Meadowbrook, took top honors with their Buddy Film, Best Frenzy. Moose Films—a rotating crew of student filmmakers since 2007—was also inducted into the Boston 48 Hour Film Project Hall of Fame, along with longtime 48’ers, Playomatic.

Pilotgroove Pictures received 12 award nominations for
Get Your Hands Dirty (*winner):

• Best Use of Line
• Best Use of Character*
• Best Use of Genre*
• Best Special Effects
• Best Titles
• Best Soundtrack
• Best Sound*
• Best Editing*
• Best Script*
• Best Acting (Ben Peirce / John MacAskill)
• Best Directing
• Best Film

As always, Pilotgroove Pictures would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to our crew, to the judges and producers behind 48 Hour Film Project Boston, and to everyone who came out to the theater, viewed from home, or otherwise took time out of their life to watch our film.