We're Winners! American Mary Swede Contest Entry

I had something else lined up for blogging today, but this is too wonderfully exciting to not share it today!

You may remember my post from a couple of weeks ago that detailed what I had been up to over the month that I didn't make any posts. One of those things was making a short film on my birthday that was for a contest hosted by Jen and Sylvia Soska (aka The Twisted Twins). If you haven't read that post, I suggest you go back and read it. Or better, read Mary's blog post about it!

Still from American Mary; Jen & Sylvia Soska as
the Demon Twins of Berlin (in addition to writing
and directing!)

Okay, you're back? Good. Anyway, we learned last week (ironically on Friday... after I had already posted my blog saying that I had no update on the contest) that we were chosen as one of the top twelve finalists, or one of the "best of the best" from the entries! We were beyond excited about even just getting that recognition. All the finalists were posted to the Soskas' personal YouTube Channel, so that was really an honor.

Mary and me as the Demon Twins of Berlin
(clearly we are twins and just as cool as the Soskas! Okay,
they're way cooler than we are!)

See, while we were filming, we never really thought that we would win. Not because we think we suck or anything. But we weren't necessarily even entering to win. The grand prize was going to be a limited edition banner from the film premier of American Mary from four years ago. A huge banner that they sell on their site for $500. So, yeah, a big prize! While it would have been super cool to win that, we really just had the intent to create something based on one of the movies we love and thought it would be amazing to have that film be watched by two of our favorite directors and filmmakers! Just knowing that the Soskas would see us and know who we were was awesome enough. Plus, we knew a ton of very talented people would likely be entering, so our chances were small.

Amazing super rare and expensive American Mary Banner,
prize for grand winners!

But create we did! And had such a fun and amazing time doing it. It really was the best birthday I've had in a long time. And after Mary was done editing our movie... I actually thought it was pretty darn good! Great, actually... but I may be a little biased. Anyway, she submitted our entry and we waited anxiously.

When we found out on Friday that we were a finalist and that our film was posted on their channel, we lost our shit! We were so excited! It's hard to describe the excitement! Everyone on our team started watching all the other entries--the amount of talent and creativity was awesome. Everyone had a different style and unique take on the challenge. Even with all the amazing entries, Noah was very certain that ours was the best and that we would "have a banner coming to us." I appreciated his biased view and opinion, but was hoping that maybe we'd at least get a signed Bluray or something.

Channeling my inner Mary Mason

Well... jump to the Tuesday after that (this past Tuesday) and I am at work and I get a call from Mary. Mary never calls me (we usually just text... a lot), so I was like, "oh shit, what's wrong?" But there was nothing wrong. She had just received an email from the Soskas stating that THEY LOVED OUR SWEDE FILM AND WE WERE WINNERS AND WE WERE GETTING A GRAND PRIZE LIMITED EDITION AMERICAN MARY BANNER!!!!!!!!!!

Wow! I think we were both in shock. And to be honest, I am STILL in a bit of shock. I loved our film and to know that the Soskas themselves also loved it is just like...wow! I don't really have adequate words. We're honored and excited and a million other happy things. It makes me want to get out and start making more films! And if they ever decide to have another swede contest... I beg that it is for Vendetta. Because I want to play Dean Cain being a cop in a Mustang SO BAD. Please, Soskas...make this happen! (Mary and I had the best time watching Vendetta together!)

So without too many further words on my part, here is our WINNING FILM for the 4th Anniversary American Mary "Swede Contest." We hope you also enjoy it, and be sure to check out the other entries/winners as well on their channel. (If you haven't seen the movie American Mary, our film may not make any sense. So, you know, go watch the actual movie too!)

Let us know what you think!