The SAG-AFTRA Production Stars Shawn Roundtree Jr. (Emperor of Ocean Park), Whitney Masters, D’Andra Laneé, and Chris Anthony; and Features Special Cameo Appearance by Horror Icon Heather Langenkamp (A Nightmare on Elm Street)
Chicago-based Swym Good Films’ latest production, the horror short The Girl in the Street, directed by the innovative and talented Black filmmaking duo Chris & Miles (Chris Paicely and Miles August), and written by Paicely, has embarked on its festival run, marking the occasion by the unveiling of the film’s official trailer and poster.
Official Trailer: The Girl in the Street (Short Film) – Trailer on Vimeo
The SAG-AFTRA production stars Shawn Roundtree Jr. (Emperor of Ocean Park), Whitney Masters, D’Andra Laneé, and Chris Anthony, and features a vocal cameo by horror legend Heather Langenkamp (A Nightmare on Elm Street).
“Having Heather Langenkamp lend her iconic voice to our short was a dream come true,” says Paicely. “As lifelong horror fans, we never imagined having the chance to collaborate with someone who literally helped to define the genre. Her moment in the film is a turning point in the story, and she was the perfect person to represent that turn.”
In the film, after receiving a once-in-a-lifetime job opportunity, Malachi (Roundtree Jr.) leaves his dying younger sister (Laneé) behind to move to a remote small town. Upon arrival, he has a strange encounter with the moving truck driver (Anthony) that causes him to question his morality. As Malachi unpacks inside his new house, a bloody and scarred woman in a strange mask appears on the dirt road outside the house, screeching. Malachi faces a moral quandary, whether to help the woman or stay safely inside his home. The film dares to ask whether being “good” is enough when survival is on the line. The film also tears into the dark underbelly of suburban “goodness” — exposing the cult-like loyalty and moral decay simmering under small-town smiles.
August comments: “In The Girl in the Street, horror doesn’t lurk in the shadows; it stands exposed in the light of day. When Malachi moves to a quiet town hoping for a fresh start, he’s faced with a haunting question, ‘What is one willing to sacrifice to be a good person?’”
Director’s Statement: The Girl in the Street is a story about morality—specifically, the thin and often painful line between being a “good person” and doing what’s simply convenient. At its heart, this film confronts the haunting consequences of selfishness and complicity. It asks: What are we willing to ignore to preserve our own comfort? What happens when we choose ourselves at the expense of others? We were drawn to this story because it taps into something deeply human—the quiet guilt we carry when we turn away from someone in need—and pushes that tension to a horrifying extreme.
The film also explores the insidious power of conformity and indoctrination within suburban spaces. Inspired by films like Get Out and The Wicker Man, The Girl in the Street is set in a world that feels familiar on the surface but quickly reveals a twisted, ritualistic undercurrent. Like those films, we wanted to explore how place and community can act as both sanctuary and snare. Through Malachi’s journey—from his urban home to a quiet small town with dark traditions—we challenge the audience to consider how morality can be weaponized, redefined, and enforced under the guise of goodness. This is horror that tests character. This is horror that dares to ask: What does it cost to be a good person? – Chris & Miles
Touting a phenomenal cast and cinematographer Lana Mattice, an experienced narrative and commercial filmmaker, the film is polished by top-tier teams from Fotokem (Disney, Strange Darling) and Esho Sound (Anora), and scored by Pablo Fuu (When Evil Lurks).
In 2022, Chris & Miles wrote and directed the award-winning sci-fi short ALUS, about a broken relationship and the power of artificial intelligence in our day-to day lives, and in 2023, they directed the psychological horror short BOUND, about a former dancer being pursued deeper and deeper into her home.
Chris Paicely – Writer / Co-Director / Producer – Chris Paicely is a lifelong storyteller whose journey spans from songwriting with friends in Indianapolis to journalism for outlets such as Patch, The Huffington Post, and Uproxx. After earning his Master of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University in 2010, he relocated to Illinois to cover education and politics in the Chicagoland area, subsequently transitioning into public relations and marketing. Over six years at the Surge Institute, Chris rose to the position of Vice President of Marketing, where he led major campaigns, directed video productions (including the documentary short Shades of Leadership, featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda), crafted brand narratives, and oversaw annual reports, website refreshes, and live-stream series, such as Shades of Impact.
In 2020, Chris channeled his passion for visual storytelling into founding StoryPaced, a national, Black‑owned video production company that creates marketing, documentary, promo, event, and sizzle-reel content aimed at helping clients tell their most authentic stories. In 2022, he stepped deeper into filmmaking by co-founding Swym Good Films with Miles August, producing the award-winning sci-fi short ALUS, and collaborating with the creative team on narrative projects. Along the way, he’s co-hosted podcasts including Your Favorite Movie Is Racist and Survivor’s ED, and supports storytelling and cultural expression in the South Suburbs of Chicago—as Board Vice Chair of alt_ Chicago—while proudly balancing roles as a husband and father to three sons.
Miles August – Co-Director / Producer – Miles August is a multifaceted filmmaker, visual artist, and composer based in the Chicago area. With over a decade of experience crafting music—initially for himself and fellow artists—he eventually shifted his creative focus to visual storytelling. While studying graphic design at the Illinois Institute of Art, he developed a passion for photography and videography, creating a distinctive visual aesthetic that merges his artistic sensibilities with narrative impact. His background in digital advertising has provided a strong foundation in professional production workflows, allowing him to seamlessly balance commercial projects while maintaining his deep roots in music and personal artistic practice.
In 2023, Miles founded Notra Films, a video production company dedicated to producing short-form documentaries and storytelling-driven video content for a diverse range of clients. As co-founder of Swym Good Films alongside Chris Paicely, he has already contributed to compelling narrative work, demonstrating his ability to integrate his visual artistry and musical instincts into cinematic storytelling. Whether directing, shooting, or composing, Miles brings a holistic approach to filmmaking—fusing image, sound, and design to create immersive, emotionally resonant visual experiences.
Miles August, Chris Paicely
Photos/Video Courtesy of Swym Good Films.
