ABOUT THE FILM
POOLSIDE accounts the haunting moments of a 1950's high society woman struggling with keeping her sanity while isolated at her indoor pool. The idealistic background acts as a stark contrast to the dark concepts, swimming through this candid unraveling of a woman alone, trying to understand the voices she hears underwater. Self-doubt, addiction, loss, and fear are just a few of the emotions she struggles with while coming to terms with her unimaginable situation.
Meg Stephens is a 1950's high society housewife who put her dreams aside for her family but is left to fend for herself with the aid of alcohol, Librium and Valium, and her own mental stability in a massive modern home with a golf course view. While swimming in her upscale, indoor pool, she begins to hear voices.
Shot on location in a custom-built mid-century modern home in Oak Cliff, Dallas, Poolside leans into its era with an authentic period soundtrack, purposeful production design, and a slow-burn visual language built on light, reflection, and water. Blending elements of psychological thriller, mystery, and quiet horror, the film sits alongside other art house short films exploring isolation and identity beneath a polished mid-century surface.
"Poolside is a genre short that intends to paraphrase the traditional ghost story from an eccentric angle."
- IndieCinema Film Festival
"Overall really well done.. enticing color palette... Loved how the story progressed. The reveal was shocking!"
- Hollywood Blvd Film Festival
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
As a director, cinematographer, and creative producer, I've always been drawn to stories where the surface and the truth pull in opposite directions. Poolside came out of that pull — a home built for perfection, a woman built to hold everything together, and a pool that starts to feel less like a sanctuary and more like a reflection she can't escape. We built the film's visual language around light through water, the coolness of mid-century design, and the quiet dread of being surrounded by beauty you didn't choose.
This film is also deeply personal. My co-director and writer, Erik Schuessler, poured himself into this story and this house before passing away during post-production. Seeing Poolside go on to earn recognition at festivals across three continents has meant honoring both his vision and mine — and it's part of why finishing this film, and giving it a real life afterward, mattered as much as making it in the first place.
— Alex Kinter, Director / Cinematographer
IN THE PRESS
"...one of the must-see movies of the year."
"I wanted to create a movie that was transcendentally honest and human."
"Poolside is a genre short that intends to paraphrase the traditional ghost story from an eccentric angle."
"Overall really well done.. enticing color palette... Loved how the story progressed. The reveal was shocking!"
CAST / ACTORS
Anne Beyer
Oscar Seung
Jennifer Kristin
Giovannie Cruz
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Awards
Since premiering in early 2021, Poolside has traveled to festivals across the United States, Europe, and South America — earning 18 official selections and more than 20 competitive wins along the way, including a Platinum Remi from Houston WorldFest and Best Cinematographer honors from the European Cinematography Awards. The film has screened everywhere from Los Angeles and New York to Berlin, Rome, Istanbul, and Bogotá, with Alex Kinter earning multiple Best Director and Best Cinematography recognitions for his work behind the camera.
OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
- Indie Shorts Awards Cannes - France
- Global Indie Film Fest - Glasgow, Scotland
- Andromeda Film Festival - Istanbul, Turkey
- Milan Gold Awards - Italy
- Marina Del Rey Film Festival - Los Angeles, CA
- New York Movie Awards - NYC
- Florence Film Awards - France
- FilmHaus - Berlin, Germany
- Indiecinema Film Festival - Roma, Italy
- Florence Cinefest - Florence, Italy
- Hispanic Film Festival - Los Angeles, CA
- Georgia Latino International Film Festival - Norcross, GA
- Vegas Cinefest International Film Festival - Las Vegas, Nevada
- Festival de Cine De Bogota - Bogota, Colombia
- SFT Film Festival - Bogota, Colombia
- Toronto Lift-Off Film Festival - Toronto, Canada
- Cinema Los Angeles - Los Angeles, CA
- Film Miami Fest - Miami, FL
NOMINATIONS - FINALIST
- Indie Short Fest - Best Thriller Short - Los Angeles, CA 1/21 - Won
- Lisbon Film Rendezvous - Finalist - Lisbon, Portugal - Selected/Finalist
- Prague International Monthly Film Festival - Finalist - Prague, Czech Republic - Selected/Finalist
- Vancouver Independent Film Festival - Vancouver, Canada - Selected/Finalist
- Brazil International Monthly Independent Film Festival - Rio De Janeiro, Brazil - Won
- National Short Film Festival - Washington, DC - Selected/Quarter-Finalist
- United States Film Festival - Pennsylvania, USA - Selected/Finalist
- Miami Short Film Festival - Miami, FL - Selected/Quarter-Finalist
- Berlin Shorts Award - Berlin, Germany - Selected/Semi-Finalist
AWARDS - MULTI-AWARD WINNER
- Hollywood Blvd Film Festival - Best Experimental Short Film
- Hollywood Florida Film Fest - Accolade Award Excellence In Filmmaking Short Film
- European Cinematography Awards - Best Cinematographer
- Houston WorldFest 54th - Platinum Remi Award for Best Suspense / Thriller Short
- Art Film Awards - Best Short Film
- Best Indie Film Award - Best Indie Experimental Film (Short)
- BIMIFF - Honorable Mention
- XLNT Film Festival - Honorable Mention
- Z-Shorts International Film Festival - Honorable Mention
- Andromeda Film Festival - Best Short Film
- Milan Gold Awards - Silver Award for Indie Short Film
- New York Movie Awards - Best Indie Short Film
- Florence Film Awards - Honorable Mention for Indie Short Film
- FilmHaus - Honorable Mention
- Best Director Award - Gold Award for Best 1st Time Director of a Short
- Across The Globe Film Festival - Best Short Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Music
- Short Films Matter - Handpicked, Creme de la creme, Pinnacle of Short Film Excellence
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Poolside about?
Poolside is an award-winning art house short film about Meg Stephens, a 1950's high society housewife who begins hearing voices while swimming alone in her indoor pool, as isolation, addiction, and grief close in around her.
Who directed Poolside?
Poolside was co-directed by Alex Kinter and Erik Schuessler. Kinter, an award-winning director and cinematographer, also served as the film's director of photography.
Where can I watch Poolside?
Poolside is currently streaming on Apple TV.
What awards has Poolside won?
Poolside has earned more than 20 awards internationally, including a Platinum Remi Award from Houston WorldFest and a Best Cinematographer honor from the European Cinematography Awards, alongside 18 official festival selections worldwide.
How long is Poolside?
Poolside has a runtime of 17 minutes and 21 seconds.
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