From Sept. 29 to Oct. 3, my film project “Fortune” will represent Georgia at The Gotham Week Project Market in New York City, the longest-running independent film market in the United States. This invitation-only event connects new narrative and documentary projects in development with industry executives through a meetings-driven forum.
Founded in 1979 as the Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP), The Gotham is the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to independent film and storytelling. Over the past four decades, it has supported more than 10,000 projects and 30,000 filmmakers, including acclaimed creators like Barry Jenkins, Dee Rees, Laura Poitras, Richard Linklater and Ava DuVernay.
Out of more than 1,000 submissions this year, 90 projects were invited to participate. “Fortune” was one of just 19 selected for the U.S. Shorts to Features section, which spotlights proof-of-concept shorts with strong potential for a feature-length adaptation.
Set in rural Georgia during the 2008 financial crisis, “Fortune” is a gritty Southern Gothic thriller about Rodney Tucker, a struggling timber yard foreman who discovers a $61 million dollar lottery ticket. As violent criminals threaten his family, he’s forced to choose between redemption and survival. Rooted in atmosphere, emotional truth and spiritual undercurrents, the film invites audiences to consider not only what they would do if they won the lottery but whether sudden wealth is truly a blessing or a curse.
The feature is in late development following an award-winning festival run for our short film, which introduced Rod’s dilemma and the tone of his world. We’re planning a 23-day shoot in and around Athens, Georgia, in 2026.
The Gotham programming team said “Fortune” resonated with them for its authentic Southern perspective—an underrepresented point of view in contemporary cinema. As an Athens, Georgia native, I’m committed to portraying the South with nuance, avoiding caricature and stereotype in favor of layered, human characters who are complex, flawed and full of grace.
For me, “Fortune” is personal. I grew up around men like Rodney—blue-collar workers carrying invisible burdens. While the film operates as a crime thriller, at its heart it’s a parable about redemption, family and the cost of chasing salvation.
Filming in Georgia offers more than stunning landscapes and competitive tax credits—it provides access to local crews, actors and communities who bring an irreplaceable lived-in authenticity to the story. Our timber yards, pine forests and roadside churches aren’t sets—they’re part of the world we’re depicting.
We’re currently packaging the film, with Georgia-based investors helping assemble financing and conversations underway with sales agents. Co-writer and lead actor Corey Cott, known for Broadway’s “Newsies”, is based in Athens and will star as Rodney Tucker.
With the momentum from Gotham Week and a strong Georgia foundation, we’re building toward production in 2026—and can’t wait to bring this story home!
Film Festival Awards and Official Selections:
- Austin Film Festival (Jury Nominee)
- IFFBoston – Independent Film Festival Boston (Narrative Short Film Grand Jury Prize)
- Dances with Films NY (Jury Award for Best Under 40 Minutes)
- Macon Film Festival (Best Georgia Made Film)
- Rome International Film Festival (Jury & Audience Awards for Best Short)
- Athens Film Festival (Nominee for Best Narrative Short & Best Georgia Film)
- Santa Fe Film Festival
- Fargo Film Festival
- Indy Film Fest
- Julien Dubuque International Film Festival
- Crested Butte Film Festival
