Sonoma Valley resident Kelly Needleman’s student short film, “Wilderness Quest,” is now viewable on UK Film Channel. Needleman, 17, is a senior at Sonoma Academy currently applying to film schools.
Needleman describes “Wilderness Quest” as a teen’s solo journey through a spiritual rite of passage that tragically changes the trajectory of his life.
He said that he hopes the short film, which he wrote, directed and edited, shines a light on the connection between social anxiety and bullying.
“This movie is meant to spread awareness and start a conversation,” he said.
Up next for Needleman is a feature-length film called “Lost Visibility.”
Needleman also appeared on the Sonoma Index-Tribune’s first-ever list of local Instagram influencers in the number three spot, with 136,000 followers.
Watch the short film at sonomanews.com.
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