Hey friends, fellow artists, Gainesville locals, and everyone who believes in the power of raw, honest storytelling, I’m Tom Miller (@millerworks), and the momentum is building. Fresh off a major awards sweep at the Puerto Aventuras International Film Festival in Mexico — where my feature Audience (made with a tight Gainesville team) dominated with five top prizes plus Best Feature — I’m diving straight into the next chapter with full commitment. These aren’t distant dreams; they’re projects already in motion, ready to hit stages and screens. Right now I’m teaming up with the legendary Shamrock McShane to adapt and develop Edward Albee’s Zoo Story into a tight, intimate two-man touring play launching in May. We’re keeping it lean, powerful, and built for real venues where people actually feel the story. I’m also gearing up to direct a sharp short film version of Israel Horovitz’s Line — securing rights, handling royalties, and pulling together a focused shooting budget to make it land right. On deck after that: turning my screenplay Roach Buddy first into a play, then into a feature film. And on the Hollywood front, Elmer’s Saucer continues moving forward in packaging with real attachments and star interest. This is what a working, results-driven artist looks like: steady progress, new collaborations, and projects that strengthen the local arts scene in Gainesville while pushing independent voices that matter.Great art has always been a village effort. From the Mexico festival wins to these upcoming productions, every step forward has been lifted by people who get it — people who want to see theater and film thrive, who value freedom of speech through bold storytelling, and who know culture needs champions now more than ever as the world tightens up. Whether you’re already part of this journey or discovering it for the first time, consider this your open invitation. If you love supporting independent creators who deliver — local Gainesville artists building touring plays, short films, and features that spark conversation and community — this is a chance to be part of something tangible and exciting. Any amount helps fuel rights, rehearsals, locations, gear, and the day-to-day grind so we can keep the work rolling and share the wins with everyone. I’ll post regular updates here: rehearsal shots from Zoo Story, progress on Line, behind-the-scenes from Roach Buddy, and every milestone along the way. You’ll see exactly how the support translates into art that reaches people. Previous Wins That Show What’s Possible With Community Support: Rainbow Spirits (2018): Organized a major community art fundraiser with 22+ local artists transforming retired Macy’s mannequins into vibrant installations. It raised thousands of dollars for the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida (supporting HIV testing, transgender and youth services, and the annual Pride events). The project earned strong local recognition, including ties to the Spirit of Gainesville Awards for arts impact. → Read the story: https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/local/2018/07/19/art-for-prides-sake-mannequins-become-rainbow-spirits/11437609007/ Mexico Film Festival Success (2026): Led a Gainesville team to a historic sweep at the Puerto Aventuras International Film Festival with the feature Audience — five top awards plus Early Bird Best Feature. → Coverage: https://www.gainesville.com/story/entertainment/2026/04/02/gainesville-film-shines-at-puerto-aventuras-international-film-festival/89438413007/ Award-Winning Shorts & Experimental Work: Films like Nothing (invisible sculpture concept that gained international attention, including praise from Stephen Colbert) and The Seven Sides of Shakespeare (shot on an iPad with minimal budget) have won multiple festival awards, including Best Short, Visionary Director, and Best Experimental Short. Hollywood Momentum: Screenplay Elmer’s Saucer is in active development with attachments and star interest after winning recognition through programs like Final Draft Big Break and CoverFly. Theater Credits: Directed Sunset Village Off-Broadway at the 14th Street Y, plus ongoing collaborations that bring powerful stories to life on tight budgets. These projects prove that with a village behind us, we can create real impact for Gainesville’s arts scene and beyond — championing bold storytelling and cultural freedom.This is about keeping independent work alive and growing. If that resonates with you, jump in. The village is stronger when more voices join. Let’s make the next round of projects something we can all point to with pride. — Tom Miller @millerworks