Summer vacations are usually a time for kids to unwind, but for teenager Griffin Nafly, it’s an opportunity to get serious: producing an ambitious new play blending Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? with American Beauty. However, as his friends’ priorities shift to trivial summer fun, Griffin becomes captivated by Brad, a the 25-year-old handyman working at his house. Falling quickly in love and seeking a kindred spirit in Brad, a failed performance artist who once tried to make it in New York City, Griffin embarks on an unforgettable summer.
Nicholas Colia is one of the most promising voices in contemporary indie cinema. His debut short, Alex and the Handyman (2017), was funded by a student grant from the National Board of Review, while his second, Untitled Short Film About White People (2018), won Best Student Short at the Palm Springs International ShortFest. Unsurprisingly, Griffin in Summer made a remarkable splash at the Tribeca Film Festival, winning three awards (Best Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay) and earning a nomination for the Someone to Watch Award at the Independent Spirit Awards. A heartfelt coming-of-age story, the film balances humor with the bittersweet realities of first love, brought to life by an exceptional cast.
Credits
Year: 2024
Runtime: 90′
Country: USA
Direction: Nicholas Colia
Screenplay: Nicholas Colia
Cast: Everett Blunck, Melanie Lynskey, Owen Teague
Cinematography: Felipe Vara de Rey
Genre: Comedy
Subtitles: Ana Pérez Requejo, Anna López Odina
Contact: Vanishing Angle
Wins & nominations
2024 | Tribeca Film Festival | Best U.S. Narrative Feature, Best Screenplay and Special Jury Mention
2025 | Independent Spirit Awards | Nominated for ‘Someone to Watch’ award