Chicago-based Swym Good Films’ latest production, the horror short The Girl in the Street, has earned official selection at several of North America’s leading genre festivals. Directed by the acclaimed Black filmmaking duo Chris & Miles (Chris Paicely and Miles August) and written by Paicely, the film has been programmed at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, Vancouver Horror Show, and most recently, Atlantic Canada’s Fogfest.
The SAG-AFTRA production stars Shawn Roundtree Jr. (Emperor of Ocean Park), Whitney Blair Masters, D’Andra Laneé, and Chris Anthony; and features special cameo appearance by horror icon Heather Langenkamp (A Nightmare on Elm Street).
“We’re incredibly honored that The Girl in the Street has been selected to screen at such prestigious horror festivals across North America, comments Paicely. “Bringing a piece of Chicago’s creative energy to these stages is a proud moment for Swym Good Films and a testament to the power of diverse voices in horror.”
“Having the film showcased alongside some of the genre’s best is a milestone for our team. We’re grateful to the amazing cast, including horror legend Heather Langenkamp, whose presence, without questions, elevates the film’s spirit,” adds August.
The Girl in the Street is set to premiere at:
Brooklyn Horror Film Festival | Nightmare Fuel Shorts Block (Tickets here) | Oct 25th, 11:15 AM | Dark Sky Films Theater (Nitehawk Cinema Williamsburg Screen #1)
136 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Vancouver Horror Show | Shorts Program IV | Sunday, October 19th, 12:45 PM
Cineplex Cinemas International Village
88 W Pender St 3rd floor, Vancouver, BC
FogFest | St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada | November 7-10, 2025 (schedule tbd) HOME | FOGFEST
Official Trailer:
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.
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.
Additionally, the duo has launched SILK, a surreal, razor-sharp short film, on the festival circuit. The short is an official selection of the upcoming Chicago Horror Film Festival (September 26-28, 2025). Blending late-night infomercial aesthetics with nightmarish satire, the film follows a young woman’s unsettling transformation after a mysterious product promises to change her life. With its hypnotic visuals, uncanny humor, and creeping horror, SILKpulls audiences into a world where desire and dread blur beyond recognition. Shot with bold style and an experimental edge, the film cements Chris and Miles as boundary-pushing directors unafraid to thread beauty through the grotesque. Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St01A2Ca3wU
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.
Featured Photos/Videos: Courtesy of Swym Good Films.
Featured Photo l-r: Chris Paicely, Shawn Roundtree Jr., Miles August
