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Independent filmmaker Ryan Gielen recently screened his first feature film, The Graduates, a coming-of-age comedy about four high school grads and beach week in Ocean City. “It’s a perfect summer film: funny, beachy, uplifting…it’s like Boogie Nights or Superbad set at the beach,” shares Gielen, who shot the film with his brother on a tight budget of $96,000. The pair plans to continue screenings throughout the Northeast and then do the festival circuit in the fall. “Our ideal situation is that a distributor sees the film with an audience, feels the incredible response, scoops it up and puts it in theaters next spring or summer.”

Given the tight budget, Ryan and team had to be creative: “We begged for deals on equipment, we borrowed props and wardrobe, and we stole…a lot. Just kidding, we never stole anything, but we were always able to beg our way into borrowing.” He found that the best way to succeed was to be honest about their vision. “We told people how few resources we had and how badly we wanted to make our project. If you can articulate why you’re so passionate, people will line up to help in whatever way they can, because people genuinely want to help others reach their dreams.”

To get a taste of The Graduates, visit their website to view the trailer; also be sure to check out their feature in the Washington Post.