Pilotgroove Pictures took top honors at the Boston 48 Hour Film Project Best Of & Awards, winning 4 categories including Best Film, for Life with the Dead. The mockumentary short was nominated 12 times and was also a winner for Best Editing, Best Script and Best Directing.

The Boston 48 Hour Film Project Best Of & Awards were held virtually on Saturday, June 19 and featured encore screenings of 16 of the top films from this year’s event. Following the screening, over 20 category awards and special honors were handed out. The night also included the first Boston 48HrFP Hall of Fame Inductions (honoring Obnots and Wax Idiotical), and featured celebrity cameos from Gilbert Gottfried, George Wendt and John Ratzenberger—who delivered the nominees for Best Film.

The first win of the night was for Best Editing. Life with the Dead was nominated alongside The Deja Vu Paradox (Extra Medium) and Man’s Best Friend (Unclear Advantage). This is the first Editing award for Ben Peirce—editor on all 12 films from Pilotgroove Pictures—with post-production assistance from Jennifer Peirce and P.J. Huot.

The writing team of P.J. Huot and Ben Peirce were winners for Best Script, but share the honor with contributing writers, Jay Syrene, Greg Giorgio, John MacAskill, Tim Peirce, and Christopher Shannis. Life with the Dead beat out The Deja Vu Paradox, The Background (Medly of Fresh Vegitables) and The Next Big Thing (Moose Films) for the title of Best Script. This was the 2nd win in this category for Pilotgroove Pictures—winners in 2017, for Don Is the New Death.

The award for Best Directing was another first for Pilotgroove Pictures. Life with the Dead is the 7th directorial collaboration for P.J. Huot and Ben Peirce. The pair were honored as “Best Regional Filmmakers” at the 2011 SNOB Film Festival, for Just Remember that They’re Dead—the prequel to this year’s film. Other nominees for Best Directing were The Deja Vu Paradox, Man’s Best Friend, The Next Big Thing and Flush (John Mark Mac).

The nominees for Best Film were The Deja Vu Paradox, Flush, The Background, The Next Big Thing and Life with the Dead. The win not only gives Pilotgroove Pictures their first title for Best Film, but also a slot at Filmapalooza 2022 in Washinton DC (date TBD). Filmapalooza features the 48 Hour Film Project winners from over 160 cities in 48 countries around the world. The winner of Filmapalooza receives an entry into the Cannes Film Festival.

The judges for the Boston 48 Hr. Film Project awards were Joyce Kulhawik (President of the Boston Theater Critics Association and Film Critic for joyceschoices.com), Tom Meek (WBUR, Boston Society of Film Critics) Martin Thomas (Film-Critic and Podcast Host at doubletoasted.com), Cassidy Olsen (Film Critic for the Boston Globe) and Alecia Orsini (President of Women in Film & Video New England)

Pilotgroove Pictures would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the judges, to our fellow nominees, to our amazing cast and crew, to Boston Producer, Andrew Osborne and everyone else who helped make 48HrFP Boston happen. And finally, we’d like to thank everyone who attended the online screenings and supported independent film through this unprecedented era.

Life with the Dead is garnering some critical acclaim with a selection to 48 Hour Film Project Boston 2021 Best Of & Awards — screening digitally on Saturday, June 19. The Best Of & Awards features 16 of the top films from the 2021 Boston 48 Hour Film Project, in which featured 42 total films. Awards-winners will be announced in a number of categories, including Best Film*—which includes a screening at Filmapalooza 2022 and a shot a the Cannes Film Festival.

This weekend, the judges announced nominees in 16 award categories. Life with the Dead leads the field with 11 nominations, including:

• Best Use of Genre
• Best Costumes
• Best Special Effects
• Best Sound
• Best Song (Dead, Dead by Bitter Pill)
• Best Acting (P.J. Huot)
• Best Acting (Aaron Compagna)
• Best Editing
• Best Script
• Best Cinematography
• Best Directing

* Nominees for Best Film will be announced live, at the awards ceremony

The 48 Hour Film Project Boston 2021 Best Of & Awards will take place in a ticketed online screening on Saturday, June 19. To see the full lineup of nominated films, and purchase tickets, visit: 2021boston48hourfilmproject.com/best-of. Your ticket also includes a vote for Best Poster. The At 6:00 PM, there will be a screening of three films representing Boston in the Global Film Challenge. The Digital Red Carpet opens at 6:30 PM, and the Best Of & Awards kicks off at 7:00 PM.

On the heels of its live online premiere, Pilotgroove Pictures is proud to present our newest 48 Hour Film Project – Life with the Dead.

“Life with the Dead: a Decade of Stories from the Zombie Inconvenience”
48 Hour Film Project Boston, 2021 (Genre: Mockumentary)

It’s been 10 years since the first of the dead appeared. Zombies are accepted as a permanent and persistent part of life. Radio host-turned Zombie expert, Simon Wright (P.J. Huot) has fled the spotlight to a life of semi-reclusion, but documentary filmmaker, Kirk Roberts (Aaron Compagna) is determined to bring him out of hiding to host a 10-year retrospective on the Zombie Inconvenience. Will he convince Wright to rejoin the land of the living and tell the stories of life among the dead?

“Life with the Dead” is the 12th 48 Hour Film Project from Pilotgroove Pictures. It was conceived, written, shot, and edited between May 7-9, 2021, as part of the Boston 48 Hour Film Project.

Copyright © 2021, Pilotgroove Pictures

In 2011, Pilotgroove Pictures made a mockumentary short called, Just Remember That They’re Dead. The film won several awards and put our fledgling film crew on the map. Ten years later—in our 12th 48 hour film, and first sequel—we’re taking you back to the world of the Zombie Inconvenience in Life with the Dead.

The film will debut with a live online screening Saturday—Group B: May 15, 2021 @ 7pm

It’s been 10 years since the first of the dead appeared. Zombies are accepted as a permanent and persistent part of life. Radio host-turned Zombie aficionado, Simon Wright (P.J. Huot) has fled the spotlight to a life of semi-reclusion, but documentary filmmaker, Kirk Roberts (Aaron Compagna) is determined to bring him out of hiding to host a 10-year retrospective on the Zombie Inconvenience. Will he convince Wright to rejoin the land of the living and tell the stories of life among the dead? How has life changed after a decade among the the living dead? Find out on May 15!

Life with the Dead (a Decade of Stories from the Zombie Inconvenience) was, written, shot, and edited between May 7-9, 2021, as part of the Boston 48 Hour Film Project. Writer director, Ben Peirce talked about the excitement of returning to this world.

We’ve always talked about doing a sequel. We’ve always wanted to return to the world of Just Remember that They’re Dead. Drawing mockumentary again—exactly 10 years later—felt like a sign we couldn’t ignore. There’s something special about this world we created a decade ago. The time we’ve spent there, has been some of the most fun we’ve had as filmmakers.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

See Life with the Dead (and 14 other 48 hour films) at the Boston 48 Hour Film Project (Group B) screening – Saturday, May 15 at 7:00pm. Tickets can be purchased online or for $6. Ticket purchases include access to a live Q&A with filmmakers and the ability to vote for the coveted Audience Choice Award.

Fresh off its live online premiere, Pilotgroove Pictures is proud to present our newest 48 Hour Film Project – The Heroics: Return to the Hall of Heroism.

“The Heroics: Return to the Hall of Heroism”
48 Hour Film Project Boston, 2020 (Genre: Superhero Film)

Five of earth’s most heroic heroes reassemble in the Hall of Heroism to discuss heroing in a brave and bold new world. Meet the The Heroics — Superion (Ben Peirce), The Goddess (Jennifer Peirce), Knightwatch (Aaron Compagna), Zoomer (P.J. Huot) and Gill (John MacAskill). Super-egos clash over politics, protocol and pan-dimensional conspiracy theories in this satirical short, written & directed by P.J. Huot and Ben Peirce

“The Heroics: Return to the Hall of Heroism” is the 11th 48 Hour Film Project from Pilotgroove Pictures. It was conceived, written, shot, and edited between August 14-16, 2020, as part of the Boston 48 Hour Film Project. It premiered with a live online screening, presented by The Somerville Theater on August 26, 2020.

Copyright © 2020, Pilotgroove Pictures

In their latest 48 Hour Film project, Pilotgroove Pictures is tackling the Superhero genre with
The Heroics: Return to the Hall of Heroism. The film will debut in a live, online screening on Aug. 26 at 7:00 PM, presented by the Somerville Theater.

The Heroics: Return to the Hall of Heroism is the 11th 48 hour film from Pilotgroove Pictures. In this satirical short, written and directed by P.J. Huot and Ben Peirce, The Heroics re-assemble to discuss heroing in a brave and bold new world. The Film stars an ensemble cast of Pilotgroove Pictures regulars, including Peirce (as Superion), Huot (Zoomer) and Aaron Compagna (Knightwatch). 2019 “Women of the 48” award-winner, Jennifer Peirce steps in-front of the camera and into the spotlight (as The Goddess) and John MacAskill dives into his first speaking role (as Gill).

Created as part of the 2020 Boston 48 Hour Film Project, The Heroics was conceived, written, shot, and edited between August 14-16, 2020, as part of the Boston 48 Hour Film Project. It was produced following Safe Sets™ protocol, in keeping with the message of the film. Peirce calls it a film about everyday heroism:

In a decade, or a millennia from now, when we (hopefully) look back on this, what will the story be? Did we all die… or fall apart, and descend into chaos? Or did we get beaten back into our houses, strap on some masks, and rise back up in whatever way we knew how?

It’s easy, to be scared, and frustrated and angry, right now—our survival probably depends on us continuing to do so—but we can also be brave! I love our stupid little Superhero movie for being about that.”

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

See The Heroics: Return to the Hall of Heroism (and 11 other 48 hour films) at the Boston 48 Hour Film Project (Group C) screening – Wednesday, Aug 26 at 7:00pm. Tickets can be purchased online or for $5. Ticket purchases include access to a live Q&A with filmmakers and the ability to vote for the coveted Audience Choice Award.

With the selection of An Explanation of Loneliness, Pilotgroove Pictures is proud to make its 5th appearance at the SNOB Film Festival this November. Our 2018 48 Hour Film Project will make its festival debut with 2 screenings at Red River Theatres in Concord, NH. Featured in the “Mixtape A” block, the film will show alongside 6 other shorts on Friday, Nov. 8 at 6:00 pm and Saturday, Nov. 9 at 5:45 PM.

Pilotgroove films have been well-received at the SNOB Film Festival. In 2011, P.J. Huot and Ben Peirce, won “Best Regional Filmmaker” for Just Remember That They’re Dead. In 2017, Don is the New Death took “Best Short Comedy” honors at both SNOB, and it’s sister-festival, DRAFT Fest.

The admiration is mutual. Over the years, we’ve enjoyed seeing SNOB grow into one of the regions premiere showcases for independent film. Now in its 18th year, SNOB brings close to 50 films—both shorts and features—to Concord, NH’s awesome Red River Theatres. The festival pairs screenings with beer tastings and live events at some of New Hampshire’s best craft breweries. Screenings typically include Q&A sessions with filmmakers and Pilotgroove producers will be in attendance again this year.

“It’s a great event,” says Ben Peirce, “We love being a part of it—both as filmmakers and as audience members!”

The 2019 SNOB Film Festival takes place November 7-11 in Concord, New Hampshire. For more information and links to purchase tickets, follow SNOB Film Festival and Pilotgroove Pictures on Facebook.

An Explanation of Loneneliness was the top vote-getter at its May 14th screening, earning the film an Audience Choice Award and a spot in the 48 Hour Film Project Best-of-Boston screening — Tuesday, June 18, 7pm at the Somerville Theatre.

The Best-of-Boston screening features 16 of the top films from this year’s festival, which had over 40 participating teams. Pilotgroove Pictures will be joined by the three other Audience Choice Award winners, Wax Idiotical Films (The Bank Heist), Slice Cream (Perfect Proposals) and Obnots (Fertility). An awards presentation will follow the screening with nominations and awards, including the coveted title of Best Film.

An Explanation of Loneliness has been nominated for ten awards, including Best Use of Character, Best Use of Genre, Best Use of Line, Best Score (Mike Testa), Best Song (for Wish by The Whatnot), Women in the 48 Award (Jennifer Peirce), Best Acting: Ensemble, Best Acting: Supporting Performance (P.J. Huot) Best Acting: Lead Performance (Aaron Compagna) and Best Editing (Ben Peirce).

The winner of Best Film will represent Boston at Filmapalooza 2020, where they will vie for the title of Best 48HFP Film of 2019 and an entry into the Cannes Film Festival.

To see the full lineup of films and purchase tickets to the Best Of screening, visit: 48hourfilm.com/boston.

On the heels of its premiere screening in Boston, Pilotgroove Pictures is proud to present our latest 48 Hour Film Project – An Explanation of Loneliness.

“An Explanation of Loneliness”
48 Hour Film Project Boston, 2019 (Genre: Silent Film)

This 7-minute silent film examines the lonely life of George Diffely (Aaron Compagna) – an artistic office drone, longing for belonging. It’s a heartbreaking and humorous story about failing to fit in and daring to find acceptance.

An Explanation of Loneliness is the 10th short film in 10 years from Pilotgroove Pictures. It is the 6th film from the award-winning writer/director pairing of P.J. Huot and Ben Peirce (Don is the New Death, Just Remember That They’re Dead). The film was written, shot, edited and scored between May 3 and May 5, 2019, as part of the Boston 48 Hour Film Project. It was screened theatrically at The Somerville Theater on May 14, 2019.

Copyright © 2019, Pilotgroove Pictures

Celebrating 10 years of 48 Hour Filmmaking this month, Pilotgroove Pictures will return to the Somerville Theater on Tuesday for the Boston 48 Hour Film project screening—and the premiere of our latest short, An Explanation of Loneliness.

An Explanation of Loneliness is a 7-minute silent short, written and directed by P.J. Huot and Ben Peirce. It marks their 6th writer/director pairing and the 10th film in 10 years from Pilotgroove Pictures.

Aaron Compagna (Don is the New Death) stars as George Diffely—an artistic office drone, longing to fit in. It’s a story for anyone who’s ever struggled to find acceptance and belonging. It’s a comedy. It’s a heartfelt character study. It’s a silent film. It’s… a lot about Game of Thrones. It’s premiering next Tuesday at the Somerville Theater, and you won’t want to miss it.

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE

Come see An Explanation of Loneliness (and 14 other 48 hour films) at the Boston 48 Hour Film Project (Group C) screening – Tuesday, May 14 at 7pm at the Somerville Theater. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office for $12.