Simsbury teacher’s Connecticut-made film about learning to cope in the world to be shown at Bristol library

On Thursday at the Bristol Public Library, a Bristol resident will be screening a short film he made with community support. The film promises to be the first step in a new after-school program starting this year at a middle school in Simsbury.

The 14-minute long “Butterfield” will be shown Thursday at 6:30 p.m. There will be a live question and answer session with the filmmakers.

Douglas Haddad, the main force behind “Butterfield,” teaches science at Henry James Memorial School in Simsbury. A couple of years ago, with the school undergoing major renovations, he decided he wanted to found a filmmaking club there.

When the COVID pandemic got in the way of his plans, Haddad decided to make a short film anyway to prove what a dedicated after-school film program could accomplish.

He brought together students, fellow teachers, old friends and community members and shot “Butterfield” in August of 2021 at Mills Pond Park in Canton.

“It was super hot and humid,” Haddad says. “I had 25 people for the cast and crew, who didn’t know each other. I literally taught every [crew] member how to do their part,” from the camera operators to the script supervisors.

In preparation for making the short film, Haddad applied for filmmaking grants. He received a grant for a for a year-long intensive program at the Tisch School of the Arts. The training was invaluable, since Haddad found himself serving as the writer, director, cinematographer and producer of “Butterfield.” He also plays the role of Uncle Al in the film.

“Butterfield” stars Teddy Russell as Corbie Butterfield, a teen going through a very difficult time.

“His father has died,” Haddad explains. “His mother is depressed. His father had been his soccer coach, and the new soccer coach isn’t empathetic at all.” Corbie is bullied by classmates, but others in his life engage him with new activities and ideas. “Every encounter he has gives him strength,” Haddad says.

“I wanted to come up with something inspiring and uplifting for all people,” Haddad says about crafting the script. He was influenced by a den of foxes living in his yard to write dialogue about animals being “spirit guides.” Foxes, Haddad says, “appear at times of uncertainty” while butterflies represent flight and freedom.

The filmmaker describes some of the characters who help Corbie in the film as “people from the invisible realm,” yet “Butterfield” is not science fiction or fantasy. It’s a story of learning to cope in the world.

Haddad enlisted an actor friend, Christopher W. Holmes, to play Renard, a free-spirited hippie-like character who counsels Corbie on the existence of spirit guides like the fox and butterfly. (Renard is the French word for fox.) Holmes is also a musician, and “Butterfield” features several of his original songs.

“Butterfield” has only had one public screening before this week’s Bristol event. The short was given a “red carpet movie premiere,” as Haddad describes it, in April at Henry James Memorial School.

“It really went gangbusters,” Haddad says of the premiere. “It was one of the first schoolwide events since COVID. It felt major.”

Another screening has been arranged for fall, this time in an actual movie theater, Oct. 15 at 10 a.m. at Niantic Cinemas in Niantic.

The film has been submitted to several film festivals and has survived the early rounds of judging for the prestigious Los Angeles International Film Festival. Haddad says “Butterfield” has made it to the semifinals and that he will know in a few weeks whether the film will be finalist and get screened at the festival.

With his first effort already a success, Haddad is moving ahead confidently with his plans to begin the school film club, with an ambitious goal to make a new film with the students every year.

“It’s an interesting challenge I put forth,” he says. “This will be so hands-on, kid-driven, with middle school students.”

“Butterfield” screens Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Bristol Public Library, 5 High St., Bristol. Admission is free. Registration at bristollib.com.

Christopher Arnott can be reached at carnott@courant.com.