ESCAPE is Kennedy's semi-autobiographical short film (as writer-director and credits animator), which garnered multiple student festival awards and over 100,000 views on YouTube, launching Kennedy's career as an independent filmmaker, and paving the way for its feature-length adaptation, Princess in Another Castle.
WINNER - STUDENT SHOWCASE: ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL OF DALLAS 2012
WINNER - BEST SOUND: BLACK WARRIOR FILM FESTIVAL 2014
WINNER - RUNNER UP: TEXAS UNION FILM FESTIVAL 2013
"Gets to the heart of gaming" - IGN
"With an emotive performance from the lead actress, Bella Porter, this is a high-quality short film that's worth watching." - Nintendo Life
"Only watch this short film... if you’re prepared for an emotional gutpunch." - The Mary Sue
"The Greatest Zelda Fan Film Ever" - Zelda Informer/Zelda Dungeon
"It's an extraordinarily powerful piece of work, and one, we suspect, that many will feel deeply." - CNET
Danni makes bad grades, has no friends, and lives in a broken home. Her only choice is to escape into her video game.
Written & Directed by Kennedy J. Baruch
Starring Bella Porter as Danni
Edited by Alex Moore
Director of Photography Rubel Brisolla
Original Score by Bryce Biffle
Gaffer Aaron Berecka
Additional Photography Marshall Copous
First A.C. David Lopez
Creature Design & Makeup by Miguel Coronado III
Costumes from Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds