82 mins/ Narrative Feature
“Everything is about sex, except sex, which is about power.”
– Oscar Wilde
Part psychological horror, part realist drama, TEST PATTERN is set against the backdrop of our national discussion about an inequitable health system, #metoo, and race relations in America— specifically in Austin, TX, after package bombs were found on the doorsteps of black homes.
We follow an interracial couple whose relationship is put to the test after the girlfriend is sexually assaulted and the boyfriend drives her from hospital to hospital in search of a rape kit.
*BlackStar Film Festival - Lionsgate/Starz Producing Award
*New Orleans Film Festival - Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature
*DeadCenter Film Festival - Special Jury Award Best Narrative Feature
*St. Louis International Film Festival - Essy Award for Best Narrative Feature
*The Gotham Award - Outstanding Lead Performance, Breakthrough Director, Best Picture Nominations
*Independent Spirit Award - Best First Feature, Best First Feature, Best Female Lead, Producer Award Nominations
PRESS
Indiewire - ‘Test Pattern’ Trailer: Shatara Michelle Ford’s Complex #MeToo Drama Is a Must-See Gem
Deadline - Kino Lorber Buys Indie Pic ‘Test Pattern’
Variety - Horror-drama ‘Test Pattern’ Bought by Kino Lorber
The New Yorker - Best Movies of 2021
Rolling Stone - Top 25 movies of 2021
The Los Angeles Times - Best 25 movies of 2021
94 mins/ Narrative Feature/
Paper Tiger follows immigrant mother Lily, who after the death of her husband is left alone to care for Edward, her teenaged son. At school Edward is bullied, his grades plummet, he hallucinates his dead father – and is diagnosed with a mental illness. Matters escalate after Lily learns she has cancer and Edward stops taking his medicine, causing him to manifest a video game character who urges him to shoot up his school. As Lily and Edward’s conditions spiral, the film builds to a shocking, indelible climax.
*Austin Film Festival - Audience Award Best Narrative Feature, Jury Award Special Mention
*Fargo Film Festival - Jury Award Best Narrative Feature
PRESS
Deadline - Austin Film Festival Unveils Full Slate Of Programming – Update
Austin Film Festival - AFF 2020 WINNERS ANNOUNCED
currently playing in Future of Film is Female THREE FILMS, FIVE CITIES series
SCREENINGS
April 11 - Roxy Cinema NYC, New York, NY
May 13 - Vidiots, Los Angeles, CA
May 14 - Cleveland Cinematheque, Cleveland, OH
May 17 - Whitsell Auditorium, Portland Art Museum, Portland, OR
May 28 - River Oaks Theater, Houston, TX
coming soon in theaters Summer 2026
Written and directed by SHATARA MICHELLE FORD
Starring: Denée Benton, Mars Storm Rucker, Dezi Bing, Sasha Compère
Three black queer femmes in their mid 30s take a road trip across the Midwestern U.S. in search of their friend who has seemingly disappeared off the grid. With their sophomore feature, DREAMS IN NIGHTMARES, Ford (TEST PATTERN) puts their singular stamp on the American road movie.
PRESS
VARIETY
Positive Review
By Murtada Elfadl
https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/dreams-in-nightmares-review-1236094025/
INDIEWIRE
Positive Review (Critic's Pick, Grade: A-)
By Kate Erbland
THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
Mixed-Positive Review
By Lovia Gyarkye
THE FILM STAGE
By Jourdain Searles
https://thefilmstage.com/tag/dreams-in-nightmares/
FILMMAKER MAGAZINE
Interview with Shatara Michelle Ford
By Natalia Keogan
SCREEN DAILY
‘Dreams In Nightmares’: Queer black femmes shine in confident reframing of the road trip movie
By Nikki Baughan
https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/dreams-in-nightmares-queer-black-femmes-shine-in-confident-reframing-of-the-road-trip-movie/5200540.article
INDIEWIRE
"Every Production Could Learn from This New Set of Community Guidelines"
By Kate Erbland
CRITERION
"Notes on BlackStar, San Sebastián, and Venice"
By David Hudson
https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/8556-notes-on-blackstar-san-sebastian-and-venice
DESIGN BOOM
"'let me do some healing for everybody': blackstar film festival previews at neuehouse cinema"
By Kate Barandy
ESSENCE
Interview with Shatara Michelle Ford, Mikhaela Zabalerio, and Denée Benton
By Killian Wright-Jackson
https://www.essence.com/fashion/dreams-in-nightmares-interview/
