We are delighted to raise the curtain on the 2009 Festival with the World Premiere of Drawing with Chalk, an entertaining, funny and wise ‘mid-life coming-of age tale’.

The stunning debut feature from writer / director Todd Giglio and producer / co-writer Christopher Springer is a perfect example of intelligent, character-driven, technically polished indie filmmaking. The talented (and busy) co-stars, bought the camera, wrote, directed, starred-in, edited, scored the music, and self-financed their vision with waiter gigs and ever-increasing credit card debt.

Jay (Todd Giglio) is a husband, father and perpetually struggling musician. Missing a chance at success in the big city, he and his best friend and band mate Matt (Christopher Springer) find themselves back in their working class hometown. Five years later and Jay’s turning 40: the pair decides to give music one more shot.

Shortly after starting the process of writing and recording, Jay begins struggling between his childhood dreams of success and his adult responsibilities to his wife Jasmin (Pooja Kumar)and 5 year old son Bryan (Brennan Giglio). Matt has his own demons as he battles depression and a fear of being too old for an industry that thrives on youth. When Jay is laid off at the factory, his fierce commitment to his music threatens to tear his family apart. Success rarely comes easily.

Drawing with Chalk is unforgettable D.I.Y. indie filmmaking at its finest. Rising-star Pooja Kumar heads the solid cast. Currently seen in IFC's Bollywood Hero with Chris Kattan, Ms. Kumar is the recipient of the Screen Actors Guild Emerging Actor Award, a television hostess and Miss India USA.