★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“You know a film is good when you hate that it ended at all. I need MORE”
-McKenna Munden (review from Letterboxd)
SYNOPSIS
Autumn struggles with her mental health–and an overbearing mother. Entering group therapy gives her life clarity and hope, but her peers in the group harbor a dark secret.
a long-form, psychological horror/drama short
RELEASED: 2025
“Bloom” is a Cinema Shields/Slop Shop Productions joint about the struggles of self-isolation, the vulnerabilities of mental health, and searching for belonging in all the wrong places. The film was written primarily in Billings and Missoula, MT by director Chris Shields and the remainder of the pre-production, production, and post-production process took place in Missoula.
From the beginning, the goal was to capture the experience of the Autumn season in Missoula. Shields placed high value on choosing recognizable Missoula locations that locals pass by everyday and seeking local actors that people in the Missoula community may recognize from the street.
Many of these actors even use their real names in the film to emphasize the fact events like this could be taking place right next door to the viewer. It was also crucial for Shields to film during the exact right moments in October of 2024 when the city was in the peak of the colorful change in season.
“Bloom” takes a surrealist approach to exploring the dangers of falling in with the wrong crowd during vulnerable times in our lives. The film was conceived during a time of acceptance, change, and grief for Shields, which he put in the script to help cope with this dark time in his life.
WE ARE HERE
PRE PRODUCTION
The planning phase where the foundation of the film is built. This includes script development, budgeting, casting, location scouting, scheduling, building the team, etc.
PRODUCTION
Cast and crew assemble on set to bring what has been planned to life.
POST PRODUCTION
The film is assembled, refined and colored. Footage is cut, sound design and mix, music added, color corrected transforming raw footage into the final product.
FESTIVAL CIRCUIT
The film makes is submitted and screened at film festivals across the country and beyond. Festivals bring opportunity for industry recognition, awards and press coverage.
PUBLIC RELEASE
The film is now available to a wider audience which can include streaming platforms, digital rentals and more.
Film Festivals
We are pleased to announce that BLOOM has been selected for each of the following festivals.
The Great Beyond Film Festival
OFFICIAL 2026 SELECTION
A BRAND NEW film festival coming to Great Falls, MT at the Mansfield Center for the Performing Arts. “A celebration of cinema that dares to explore the unexplained.”
February 5-7 2026
GREAT FALLS, MT
Fireweed International Snoozefest
OFFICIAL 2025 SELECTION
We are THIRD YEAR alum at Snoozefest - a “mini film festival of apocalyptic proportions” in Missoula, MT. Held at the ZACC downtown
November 5 2025
MISSOULA, MT
Montana Film Festival
OFFICIAL 2025 SELECTION
Showcasing independent narrative films from around the world and highlighting emergent independent talents with “special attention paid narrative fiction cinema, animation and Montana’s flourishing film industry.
October 23-26 2025
MISSOULA, MT
IndieX Film Festival
OFFICIAL 2025 SELECTION
International short film festival based in Los Angeles, CA
{RECEIVED NOMINATION FOR BEST STUDENT MALE DIRECTOR}
2025
LOS ANGELES, CA
Montana International Film Festival (MINT)
OFFICIAL 2025 SELECTION
One of the fastest-growing film festivals in the state made by filmmakers for filmmakers. The 8th annual festival will be screened at Art House Cinema & Pub. ”
September 18-21 2025
BILLINGS, MT
Covellite International Film Festival
OFFICIAL 2026 SELECTION
A film festival built around honesty, resilience and the “everyman experience”. “Forged in fire, built in solidarity—The Covellite International Film Festival is a place to come as you are and leave a little changed. No gatekeepers, just grit, goodwill, and A Vein of Truth.
{RECEIVED NOMINATIONS FOR FOUR AWARDS AND TOOK HOME THE ALMA HIGGINS AWARD FOR “QUIET IMPACT”}
April 9-12 2026
BUTTE, MT
“Another weird trip from Chris Shields (...) This is all the therapy I need.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
— Five Stars from Josh Moyar on Letterboxd
“Well done Christopher. The real cult are the friends you make along the way.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
— Five Stars from Vaughn Sexton on Letterboxd
Meet the CAST
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MADYSON RIEDINGER
as Autumn
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ZUZU WEINGART
as Crystal
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LYNN SOLOMON
as Laura
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JESSE BALLARD
as Heather
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SARAH FULBRIGHT
as Rachel
Meet the CREW
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CHRIS SHIELDS
Writer, Director, Producer, Director of Photography, First Camera Op, Gaffer, Editor, Colorist, Prop Design
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ISAIAH HESFORD
Executive Producer
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GRAHAM SCHIJF
Assistant Director, Second Camera Op, Post Sound Mixer, Composer, Producer
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NATHANIEL SPILKER
Production Sound
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JAKE HOWELL
Script Supervisor
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MARK HARVEY
Art Director, Prop Design, Second Camera Op
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JULIEN DOUSSET
Gaffer
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VAUGHN SEXTON
Practical Effects Artist, Costumer, Makeup/Hair Stylist, Second AC, Boom Op
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LUCAS JARRETT
1st AC, Second Camera Op
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MAX LENIK
Production Assistant, Second AC
