“Ping Pong Summer,” a film written and directed by Mount Airy’s Michael Tully, will be screened by the Carroll Arts Council on Thursday, June 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Arranged by independent cinema distributor, Gravitas Ventures, the screening will be a special benefit sneak preview before the film has its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and opens in theaters and on Video on Demand Friday, June 6.
Tickets are $15 per person. VIP tickets are available for $30 and include premiere seating. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the CCAC Box Office, online at www.CarrollCountyArtsCouncil.org, or by calling 410-848-7272 with a major credit card.
All proceeds will be donated to charities designated by Michael’s grandmother-in-law, Priscilla Gray Teeter, a former board member of the Carroll Arts Council and a patron of many Carroll County non profit organizations.
The film is co-produced by Teeter’s granddaughter, Holly Herrick, a Westminster native who is associate artistic director of the Austin Film Society.
Filmed in Ocean City, “Ping Pong Summer” is a deeply personal coming-of-age 80s comedy about summer family vacations “down the ocean.”
Michael Tully made his directorial debut in “Cocaine Angel,’ which had its world premiere at the 2006 International Film Festival in Rotterdam. He was named one of Filmmaker magazine’s “25 New Faces of Independent Film.” His follow-up film, “Silver Jew,” had its world premiere at the 2007 SXSW Film Festival. In 2011, he wrote, directed, and acted in “Septien,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Since 2008, he has been the head writer/editor of HammerToNail.com, a website devoted to championing ambitious cinema.
In “Ping Pong Summer,” Newcomer Marcello Conte plays the film’s protagonist, Rad Miracle, with John Hannah and Lea Thompson starring as Mr. and Mrs. Miracle. The film also stars Susan Sarandon as Randi Jammer, and Amy Sedaris as Aunt Peggy. Running time is 92 minutes, and the film is not rated but it is a family-friendly viewing experience.
