Eyeballs for a Mouth Productions, in association with The Cohort of Disembodied Artists and Oneiric Ltd, presents The Hemingway—a bold, deeply personal documentary short now making an impression across the international festival circuit. The film is currently under consideration for Best Documentary Short, following a wave of festival selections and several notable wins.
Celebrated Across Worldwide Film Festivals
In 2025, The Hemingway has screened at prestigious festivals around the globe, earning widespread recognition for its emotional depth, unique perspective, and inventive storytelling. Its achievements include:
Slamdance (2025)
London Independent Film Awards (2025) – Winner, Best Short Film
Seattle Film Festival (2025) – Finalist
San Francisco Film Festival (2025) – Golden Gate Award Winner
WSXA Barcelona Film Festival (2025) – Winner, Most Inspiring Short Film
Venice Beach Film Festival (2025)
CREDO 23 Film Festival (2025)
This impressive festival run has cemented the film as one of the year’s standout documentary shorts.
Watch the Trailer
A Story Told From the Inside Out
At the center of The Hemingway is Patrick, a man living with ALS who confronts extraordinary physical limitations in his daily life. While his body no longer responds to the commands of his mind, his inner voice remains sharp, witty, and unfiltered.
The film gives viewers direct access to Patrick’s internal monologue—an ongoing stream of reflections on the absurdities, frustrations, and private humiliations of living with a neurodegenerative disease. With raw honesty and dark humor, The Hemingway explores the emotional landscape of relationships, identity, and dignity when a once-responsive body stops cooperating.
The result is a film that is both heartbreaking and unexpectedly funny, revealing a side of ALS rarely seen on screen.
Cast & Creative Team
The Hemingway stars:
Patrick Sean O’Brien
J.R. Reed
Scott Murphy
Rose Julien
Paula Mackael
The film was written by Patrick Sean O’Brien, with a screenplay by Evan Mathis.
It is co-directed by Patrick Sean O’Brien and Evan Mathis, with editing by Doug Pray.
Executive Producers include Evan Mathis, Patrick Sean O’Brien, and Michele Dupree.
With a runtime of 9 minutes and 4 seconds, the film delivers a compact yet deeply affecting experience. It will not be rated by the MPAA.
About the Filmmakers
Patrick Sean O’Brien – Director
Patrick O’Brien is a daring storyteller whose filmmaking is shaped by his decades-long journey with ALS. A film school graduate with a naturally boundary-pushing style, he continued to create even after complete paralysis. His acclaimed feature documentary TransFatty Lives showcased his resilience and artistic drive. With The Hemingway, Patrick channels his personal experience into a film that is raw, humorous, and emotionally profound.
Evan Mathis – Director
Evan Mathis is a three-time Emmy-winning director and creative, known for visually arresting and emotionally resonant work. His contributions have been recognized by One Show, Clios, Promax BDA, and the Television Academy. He has served as a judge for Promax BDA, SXSW Interactive, and The Television Academy. His work has been featured in Adweek, Ad Age, Variety, and Sports Illustrated.
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