Cherry Blossoms in March

ABOUT THE FILM

In this mother-daughter story, a young woman explores her own mortality through art and poetry as her terminal illness holds her back from a normal life.

WRITTEN/DIRECTED/PRODUCED BY:

Riley Rheyan

STORY BY:

Monique Tirshman, Jessica Tirshman

EDITED/PRODUCED BY:

Thomas Emann

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY:

Ryan Luth

PRODUCTION DESIGNER:

Jennifer LeCaine

POSTER DESIGN:

Connor Meegan

2022 – 17:47 mins – CAN

TRAILER

BASED ON A TRUE STORY

Cherry Blossoms in March is based on a true story about the life of Jessica Tirshman and her experience of Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic lung disease with no cure and a short life expectancy. The film takes inspiration from a poem Jessica wrote entitled "Spontaneous Combustion" about her near death experience and double lung transplant. Written and directed by Jessica's sister Riley Rheyan, the film explores Jessica's art and poetry by bringing them to life through animation. Jessica passed away in March of 2014, she is dearly missed. We hope her story will make a positive impact in the world and spread awareness of Cystic Fibrosis.

CONTRIBUTE

155.87

CBiM Film Inc. is a registered non-profit short film in B.C, Canada. All profits from the film's screenings, festival wins, merchandise sales, and donations will be given to Cystic Fibrosis Canada and Claire’s Place Foundation with the goal of raising $24,000. This film was made to raise awareness about Cystic Fibrosis and shine a light on one girl close to our hearts.

Many thanks, The CBiM Family

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If you would like to make a donation directly to these charities please see below, and be sure to mention CBiM when you donate! Thank you for your contribution, every bit helps.

Claire’s Place Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing support to children and families affected by cystic fibrosis (CF). Claire’s Place Foundation is named in honor of Claire Wineland who lived with CF her entire life and passed away at the age of 21. Claire was an activist, author, TEDx Speaker, social media star and received numerous awards. Claire’s foundation was a way for her to assure that others living with CF enjoyed the same hope, strength and joy that she enjoyed. Recipient of Los Angeles Business Journal’s “Small Nonprofit of the Year,” the foundation provides grants to families affected by CF, offering both emotional and financial support. Today, Claire’s Place Foundation continues to carry on Claire’s legacy. For more information and to make a donation, please visit www.clairesplacefoundation.org.

Cystic Fibrosis Canada has dramatically changed the cystic fibrosis story. We have advanced research and care that has more than doubled life expectancy. Since being founded by parents in 1960, Cystic Fibrosis Canada has grown into a leading organization with a central role engaging people living with cystic fibrosis, parents and caregivers, volunteers, researchers and healthcare professionals, government and donors. We work together to change lives for the more than 4,300 Canadian children and adults living with cystic fibrosis through treatments, research, information and support. Despite our remarkable progress together, we are not yet done. Not when half of the Canadians with cystic fibrosis who died in the past five years were under the age of 37. We will keep pushing, keep going further until all people with cystic fibrosis can and do experience – and enjoy - everything life has to offer. For more information and to make a donation, please visit www.cysticfibrosis.ca

PRESS

Script Accolades

OFFICIAL SELECTION in the Spring 2018 Screencraft Film Fund in the Short Film SCRIPT Category.

OFFICIAL SELECTION in the Winter 2018 California Women's Film Festival in the Short Film SCRIPT Category.

OFFICIAL SELECTION in the Script Summit Screenplay Competition 2019 in the Short Film SCRIPT Category.

FINALIST in the Creative World Awards Screenwriting Competition 2019 in the Short Film SCRIPT Category.

FINALIST in the Circus Road Screenplay Competition 2018 in the Short Film SCRIPT Category.

FINALIST in the Winter 2018 California Women's Film Festival in the Short Film SCRIPT Category.

SEMI-FINALIST in the Diverse Voices Screenplay Competition 2018 by WeScreenplay in the Short Film SCRIPT Category.

SEMI-FINALIST in the Spring 2018 Screencraft Film Fund in the Short Film SCRIPT Category.

SEMI-FINALIST in the 21st San Francisco Screenplay Competition in the Short Film SCRIPT Category.

SEMI-FINALIST in the Circus Road Screenplay Competition 2018 in the Short Film SCRIPT Category.

QUARTER-FINALIST in the Fresh Voices Screenplay Competition 2018-19 in the Short Film SCRIPT Category.

This script is strongly visual, emotional, and stylish with a gripping parent-child drama holding it together, told in a unique way that must be seen to be experienced. And yet, the script is so well-written and lean that we can see it clearly in our heads, understand all the transitions, and connect with the characters. At one point, it was believed that Jessica may live when she fights back with every bit of resolve and optimism she had when she lay dying, when she began physical therapy and, finally, began her life. The visual, emotional way the writer wrote those scenes are absorbing and produce anticipation over the final cut of the film that will eventually come. Then, when she does die, our heart sinks, especially from the well-done transitions between moments from the past and present, beginning and end from the plants and pay-offs. Overall, the story is solid and the presentation is creative and stylish with a full understanding of the screenwriting and film mediums, leading to an emotional tragic mother-daughter story. - New York International Screenplay Awards (2019)