Logline

Bound by blood, broken by the system: two brothers are torn apart when one is arrested for a severe crime.

Where the Hounds Sleep is a gritty, emotionally charged short film that explores the fracture of brotherhood under the weight of systematic failure. This film is a meditation on family, survival, and the cost of being born in a system that was never built to protect you.

Mission Statement

In a time when mass incarceration devastates families and communities across the country, we need stories that speak truth to power - stories that humanize the people we're told to forget. This story comes from a deeply personal place and we have a team that is more than ready to bring it to life!

The Team

Jacob McKellar is a filmmaker and storyteller from Arkansas, where his love for film began with an old camcorder and a younger brother willing to act out whatever script was on hand. Drawing inspiration from the realities of his upbringing, Jacob’s work explores themes of family, survival, and systemic injustice. Where the Hounds Sleep is a deeply personal project rooted in his own experiences and environment—a film that aims to give voice to those often left behind. With a background in both narrative storytelling and lifelong love for cinema, Jacob brings both heart and grit to his vision behind the camera.

Jacob's most recent project, Three-Ball, was awarded Best Narrative Film, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Best Score at the University of Central Arkansas Film Festival.

Frankie Adams is the passionate producer for Where the Hounds Sleep with a focus on character-driven stories that challenge the status quo. Having worked on many projects at UCA, Frankie is ready to bring his strong work ethic onto the project. He loves films that provoke change, start conversations, and build empathy—especially in stories like Where the Hounds Sleep, which hold a mirror up to systems that too often fail the people they were meant to protect.

Brianna Lewis is the dedicated Production Designer and Location Scout for Where the Hounds Sleep. Bringing a keen eye for detail and a passion for crafting immersive worlds, Brianna is instrumental in establishing the unique visual identity and atmosphere of the film. Brianna’s commitment to filmmaking is rooted in a lifelong fascination with movies, driven by the desire to create fantastic worlds and stores that captivate audiences

With a proven ability to manage both the creative vision and the logistical demands of filmmaking, and a deep-seated passion for all things creative, Brianna is ready to transform the script of Where the Hounds Sleep into a compelling and visually captivating world.

Tone

The main themes of this story are love, family, loneliness, and escapism. We all have been at a point where we feel like we’re stuck and can’t leave, but we can’t bring ourselves down completely for the sake of others, no matter how much we love them.

The mood and emotions brought out through this film are very somber and cold. With this, the film will be using cool colors and grays to match, where the heightened emotions of the brothers really bring the warmth of this movie.

Movie Inspiration

Where the Hounds Sleep blends the quiet grief of Manchester by the Sea with the raw, restless energy of Good Time. The main inspiration, Oasis (2022, Short), captures the unspoken tragedy between two brothers that slowly fall apart with age. Our film has a moody, atmospheric realism that echoes The Place Beyond the Pines and a dark look at the justice system handling juveniles, drawing from Pixote, while exploring complex relationships such as in The Last Picture Show.

Budget Breakdown

Shooting Dates: February 6-8th, 2026

30% Locations

20% Production Design

20% Actors

30% Post Production

Thank You!

You can stay up to date with us by following us here and on Instagram at @wherethehoundssleep. On our Instagram, we have regular updates along with cast and crew announcements and behind the scenes footage!