The 2023 Tribeca Film Festival will be debuting a biographical short called, ‘To My Father,” which depicts Deaf actor Troy Kotsur’s journey to winning an Oscar and his father’s inspiring influence on him, despite a tragic accident. The short runs about 23 minutes and takes you on an emotional journey of faith and the connection one has to their family.
While it’s easy to look at Kotsur and think he was an overnight success after he swept the award season and became the second deaf actor to win an Oscar, this short shows that it took him years to get that role that changed his life. Years and time that he didn’t have, and, throughout it, he struggled personally. Kotsur was working at an agency in a cubicle when he found out he had landed, what would end up being, a life-changing role.
Courtesy of RMG
There are so many things I love about this short film. For starters, almost all of it is told through a confessional-like setting, with Kotsur sitting on a stool reviewing what it was like growing up and what happened to his family, specifically his dad. The film feels very silent as most of it is told using subtitles, and even a clip of him winning the Oscar turns from the roar of a crowd clapping to silence. These tools enhance what the world sounds like to Kotsur and reiterate how much he pushed through to make it. It really is a bittersweet fairytale.
“My dad raised a Deaf child in a time when the roadmap was not as available as it is today, but he navigated it with love. Crafting this film was an emotional journey. These are the stories that are important for us to share, and it is an honor for me to tell the world about my father,” said Kotsur. “I’m the man that I am today because of my dad and this film is a tribute to him. Through this story, I hope to pass along pieces of the inspiration and wisdom that helped me through my most difficult times.”
One producer John Papola added, “‘To My Father,’ is the story of Troy Kotsur overcoming the obstacles that life throws at you to see himself as the hero of his own adventure rather than a victim of circumstance,” said Papola. “You need to look no further than Troy and his father for the best example for how to overcome adversity and take control of your life.”
Courtesy of RMG
The film was produced by Papola, Justin Bergeron, and Troy Kotsur — but at the held was director Sean Schiavolin. Schiavolin who is is an Austin-based film director focused on documentary and scripted storytelling exploring human dignity and cultural landscapes. Sean’s film work has been featured in the New York Times, International Film Festivals and Cultural Events, the Vatican, and more.
‘To My Father’, and Troy’s personal story, are truly inspiring and contain valuable lessons that can help each of us overcome the setbacks and challenges we all inevitably come to face in our own lives. This film will definitely have you re-evaluating what is important to you, and might make you shed a tear or two. It’s well-paced, acted out well, and through smart cinematography and writing choices tells the story without any unnecessary scenes. Honestly, it’s pure perfection and a true love letter from a son who almost gave up to a dad who never did.
Check out the trailer below.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
If you have a chance, please go check out this film. For more details on screenings visit here.
Monica has a BA in Journalism and English from the University of Massachusetts and an MS in Journalism and Communications from Quinnipiac University. Monica has worked as a journalist for over 20 years covering all things entertainment. She has covered everything from San Diego Comic-Con, The SAG Awards, Academy Awards, and more. Monica has been published in Variety, Swagger Magazine, Emmy Magazine, CNN, AP, Hidden Remote, and more. For the past 10 years, she has added PR and marketing to her list of talents as the president of Prime Entertainment Publicity, LLC. Monica is ready for anything and is proudly obsessed with pop culture.
