
Festival Run
Winner: Best Crime Film
Outstanding Achievement Award (Producers)
Nominated: Best Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Ensemble
Official Selection, December 2020
Best Crime Film, Platinum Award
Best Acting Ensemble, Gold Award
Best Original Story, Bronze Award
Official Selection, November 2020
Official Selection 2021
Official Selection 2021
Official Selection 2021
Official Selection 2021
Official Selection 2021
Official Selection 2021
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A Note About the Creator
To work with Garett is to engage in an automatic elevation of one’s artistic sensibilities. To say iron sharpens iron would be a disservice to the creative friction that results from such a privileged collaboration. His cinematic tools are forged with philosophical wisdom and artisanal labor of love that are rare in an age of microwave content-creation.
There are career-defining moments in time that we look back on in the twilight of our career with great fondness, able to truly appreciate the trajectory and the course-correction of a single decision. I will never forget the first time I read the script for Rules to Rule. With only minutes to spare, I planned to peek at the opening sequence before I rushed out of the house. I couldn’t put it down. It is an absolute page-turner from start-to-finish – a well-paced, entertaining venture into a world of crime with colorful and conflicted characters guiding the way. I found myself quickly immersed, intrigued, and invested in the fates of this crew. And every time I guessed an outcome, my assumptions were shattered with surprises. I knew immediately that this was a special project. It was an honor to be trusted with a role in breathing life into the idea.
As a first-hand witness for over 13 years of friendship and collaboration, I can attest that Garett possesses an infectious commitment to the craft of filmmaking. It reflects in the performances of a brilliantly curated cast and the professional execution of an inspired crew. When I look at the final Rules to Rule product – this charming blend of crime, thrill, action, and comedy – I see a vision ushered seamlessly into existence with the grace of a seasoned veteran. I see a masterfully woven story that graciously gives breathing room for all the alchemists involved to lend their authentic movie magic. I see meraki – the totality of Garett’s essence infused into the work – with all his love and affection for crime and its stylistic sub-genre blaxploitation on full display. And most significantly, I see an evolving Writer/Director, whose presence and gravity in this industry is undeniable. The film community is fortunate to have Garett and I am grateful to witness his journey up close. On behalf of the cast and crew, thank you for being an exemplary steward of your dreams.
Onward and upward.
– Rennard Westley II, Producer
PRODUCERS
Proudly made in Atlanta with local talent
CAST
EJ Ezeruo as Stylo
Himie Freeman as Hoffa
Collin Shephard as DJ
Laurie Roach as Rome
Jennifer Silverstein as Harriet
Deion Trey as Pink Skully
CREW
G.C. Montgomery, Exec. Producer, Writer/Director
Sean Bartley, Producer, Assistant Director
Rennard Westley II, Producer
Oluwatoyin Salami, Associate Producer
Jamese Young, On-Set Producer
Gibran Kalaf, Editor
John Umanzor, Director of Photography
David Belitz, 1st AC
Jermaine Thomas, Audio Tech
Torrence Wilson, Drone Operator
Peter Denis, Music Director
Dustin Watkins, Music Composer
Ariell Lawrence, Props
Rachel Brooks, Script Supervisor
Danielle Onesto, Makeup
Zyaisha Hackett, Wardrobe
Daniel Hunt, Stunt Coordinator
Jon Scott, BTS Videographer
Jordan Bradley, BTS Photographer
Allie McWhorter, BTS Photographer
Alaina Alcock, Production Assistant
Rafael N., Production Assistant

