Bully (alternatively titled Bully: The Musical) is a 2017 musical featurette written and directed by Aaron Alon and produced by Thunderclap Productions. Bully is a dramatic musical about Sam Bradley, a young man who kills himself after being repeatedly bullied in school because others suspect he is gay. The story follows Sam in the days leading up to his death and the lives of those around him in the days following his suicide.[1]
Bully premiered in the United States on September 24, 2017, at Alamo Drafthouse – Mason Park in Houston, Texas.[2][3] The film had its film festival premiere in the 2018 Rainier Independent Film Festival in Ashford, Washington, on May 20, 2018.[4]
The film tells the story of Sam Bradley, a young man who commits suicide after being bullied in school.[5][6]
Bully premiered in the United States on September 24, 2017, at Alamo Drafthouse – Mason Park in Houston.[2][3] The second screening occurred April 10, 2018, at the University of Houston.[10] The film had its film festival premiere in the 2018 Rainier Independent Film Festival in Ashford, Washington on May 20, 2018.[4]
Bully has been selected for screening at the following festivals and events:[11]
Year | Award[11] | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | AltFF Alternative Film Festival[32] | Best Feature Drama | Bully | Won |
Best Actor | Edward Henrickson | Nominated | ||
Best Cinematography | Orlando Briones | Nominated | ||
2018 | Cinema Diverse | Festival Favorite[33] | Bully | Won |
2018 | Depth of Field International Film Festival | Best of Show[34] | Bully | Won |
2018 | Eurasia International Monthly Film Festival | Best Director[35] | Aaron Alon | Won |
2018 | Five Continents International Film Festival[17] | Best Fiction Half-Length Film | Bully | Won |
Best Original Music | Aaron Alon | Won | ||
Best Young Actor in a Feature Film | Edward Henrickson | Won | ||
Best Poster | Bully | Nominated | ||
2018 | Fort Worth Indie Film Showcase | Best Overall Domestic Featurette[36] | Bully | Won |
Genre Award: Domestic Awareness[37] | Bully | Nominated | ||
2018 | The IndieFEST Film Awards | Award of Merit, LGBT[38] | Bully | Won |
2018 | International Independent Film Awards | Gold Winner: Best Song[39] | "Hollow House" | Won |
2018 | Lake View International Film Festival | Best LGBT Film of the Month (June)[40] | Bully | Won |
2018 | Los Angeles Underground Film Forum[22] | Best Picture | Bully | Won |
Best First Feature | Bully | Won | ||
Best Narrative Feature | Bully | Won | ||
Best LGBT Film | Bully | Won | ||
Best Underground Feature | Bully | Won | ||
2018 | Next International Film Festival - NIFF Houston | Best of Houston[41] | Bully | Won |
2018 | Out of the Can Film Festival | Best Comedy or Musical[42] | Bully | Runner-Up |
Best First Time Director[43] | Aaron Alon | Nominee |
The film received grants from the Houston Art Alliance, the John Steven Kellett Foundation, the City of Houston, and donations from over fifty individuals.[44][45]