Our first big production as a company after wrapping Olympic Proportions, Getting Hit On is Cotton Candy Flavor Media's first short film. Originally having written the script as a one-act play, Elinor Keyes decided to adapt the story for the screen, and thought the film version would be a perfect project for Cotton Candy Flavor to take on. The plot centers around Dirk, a newbie hitman, who has just been tasked with his first big assignment: assassinating a kind and dorky (but reportedly extremely evil) pharmaceutical executive named Kenny under the guise of taking him out on a date. Lauded filmmaker Lilton Stewart III stepped in to direct the piece, offering his valuable expertise to both the project and the other artists in the company in order to create a compelling film with high production value in a short time frame.
WAtch Getting Hit On
After a long and fruitful festival run, Getting Hit On was officially released to the public via YouTube on June 25th, 2024-- one year to the day after its shoot date. Watch the full short film at the link below, then scroll through the rest of this page to see our behind-the-scenes photos, promotional content, award laurels, and more!
Behind-the-scenes gallery
Scroll through the slideshow to see some images from the production team's time together in rehearsals and on set. (Official BTS photo credits to Malik S. Bailey; assorted candid shots by Hannah Cohen-Lawlor, JP Siruno, Matt Christian, Elinor Keyes, and Lilton Stewart III.)
A very early rehearsal with the actors.
The romantic tension was there from the very beginning.
Our final shot of the day. That's a wrap, folks!
A very early rehearsal with the actors.
stills
Now that you've taken a look behind the scenes, check out these screengrabs from the actual film to see how the final product came out!
Quick Tongue is a total micromanager. We've all had that one boss, amirite?
Kenneth Rowley-Hawes, suavest date of all time.
Fun fact about Getting Hit On: there is no point at which you can pause the film where Nicholas Adams' face is not absolutely hilarious. Try it.
Quick Tongue is a total micromanager. We've all had that one boss, amirite?
CAst
Nicholas Adams ---------------------------------------- Quick Tongue
Patrick Brady ---------------------------------------- Dirk
Matt Christian ---------------------------------------- Kenny
Crew
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Lilton Stewart III ---------------------------------------- Director, D.P.
Elinor Keyes ---------------------------------------- Writer, Producer, First A.D.
Malik S. Bailey ---------------------------------------- Production Designer
Rachel Keaton ---------------------------------------- Sound Operator
Mykayla Booth ---------------------------------------- First A.C.
JP Siruno ---------------------------------------- Script Supervisor
Hannah Cohen-Lawlor ---------------------------------------- Production Assistant
Roy Gutierrez ---------------------------------------- Editor
Iulia Brezeanu ---------------------------------------- Weapons Provider
Yasha Rayzberg ---------------------------------------- Weapons Handler
Hrishikesh Vasishth ---------------------------------------- Sound Designer
Francesco Tresca ---------------------------------------- Score Composer
Awards
Getting Hit On earned a number of awards, nominations, and screenings during its time on the festival circuit. Here's a comprehensive list of all its accolades (laurels listed in chronological order by festival notification date).
The Independent Shorts Awards
Finalist, Best Dark Comedy Short
October 2023
Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival
Award Winner, Best Original Script
November 2023
Indie Short Fest
Semi-Finalist, Best Dark Comedy Short
November 2023
IndieX Film Fest
Semi-Finalist, Best Dark Comedy Short
November 2023
Cal Film Festival
Semi-Finalist, Comedy Shorts
November 2023
The IndieFEST Film Awards
Award of Merit Winner, Film Short
November 2023
Medusa Film Festival
Award Winner, Best Short Comedy/Best Short LGBTQ+
November 2023
Spring Time International Film Festival
Award Winner, Best Comedy
December 2023
Direct Monthly Online Film Festival
Official Selection for Online Screening
December 2023
EdiPlay International Film Festival
Award Winner, Best Comedy
December 2023
Accolade Global Film Competition
Award of Merit Winner, Film Short/Script or Writer
December 2023
Elegant International Film Festival
Finalist, Best Comedy
December 2023
Accolade Global Film Competition
Award of Recognition Winner, Ensemble Cast
December 2023
London Indie Film Festival
Official Selection, Short Film
December 2023
ICE CineFest
Award Winner, Best Comedy/Best Writing/Best LGBTQ+
December 2023
London Indie Film Festival
Award Winner, Best Short Script/Best LGBTQ Film
December 2023
Direct Monthly Online Film Festival
Award Winner, Best Short Fiction Film
December 2023
Onyko Films Awards
Award Winner, Best Comedy Short Film
December 2023
Paradise Film Festival
Award Winner, Best Comedy
January 2024
Cooper Awards
Award Winner, Best Comedy Short Film
January 2024
Blackboard International Film Festival
Award Winner, Best Comedy Film
January 2024
Inside Film Festival
Award Winner, Best LGBT Short Film/Best Screenwriter
January 2024
Berlin Shorts Awards
Award Winner, Best Comedy Short
January 2024
Robinson Film Awards
Award Winner, Best Comedy Short
January 2024
BridgeFest
Award Winner, Best Thriller Short Film/Actor (Patrick Brady)
January 2024
Always Late TV and Movie Awards
Official Selection
January 2024
High Tatras Film Festival
Award Winner, Best Comedy
January 2024
Golden State Film Festival
Official Selection for Theatre Screening
February 2024
2 11 17 International Film Festival
Award Winner, Best Comedy Short Film
February 2024
Beyond Border International Film Festival
Award Winner, Best LGBT Film
February 2024
Edinburgh Film Awards
Semi-Finalist, Best Original Screenplay
February 2024
Nashville Independent Filmmakers Festival
Semi-Finalist, Best Comedy Short
February 2024
Paris International Short Festival
Semi-Finalist, Best Script in Short
February 2024
Tokyo Shorts
Semi-Finalist, Best Screenwriting
March 2024
Old Orchard Film Festival
Official Selection
March 2024
Portland Moviemakers Award
Award Winner, Best Short Script
March 2024
APEX Film Festival
Official Selection
March 2024
San Diego International Film Awards
Award Winner, Best Comedy
March 2024
Dublin Movie Awards
Award Winner, Best Comedy
March 2024
Oakland Film Festival
Award Winner, Best Script
April 2024
Beyond Hollywood International Film Festival
Official Selection for Theatre Screening
April 2024
Poor Life Choices Comedy Film Festival
Official Selection for Online Screening
April 2024
Chicago Filmmaker Awards
Semi-Finalist, Best Comedy
April 2024
Art Giraffe International Film Festival
Semi-Finalist, Best Short Film
July 2024
San Francisco Arthouse Short Festival
Semi-Finalist, Best Original Script
May 2024
All The Laughs Comedy Awards
Official Nominee for Theatre Screening
August 2024
Posters
Our official posters from the Getting Hit On press kit, designed by director Lilton Stewart III!
The main official poster for Getting Hit On, used for all of our social media posts and marketing materials.
Quick Tongue individual poster.
Dirk individual poster.
Kenny individual poster.
Cartoon versions of the characters, drawn by Elinor Keyes.
Videos
For some extra insight into how Getting Hit On came together, check out our featurette interview trailers with Elinor Keyes and Lilton Stewart III!