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Phynley Joel

MUGGY

Synopsis

Newly moved to the US from New Zealand, 12 year old Muggy struggles to feel truly at home in a place so different from what she’s always known. She misses the trees, the land, the rugby - everything. Deciding on her own to take some time off of school, unbeknownst to her dad, Muggy sets off into snow-covered small-town USA in search of familiarity and a sense of belonging, finding that home is much closer than she may think.

Screenings & notoriety

We are so grateful that Muggy won Best Short Film in the Nashville Film Festival’s Next Generation Filmmakers Tennessee Shorts category. It also won Best Short Film at the Lipscomb University CEA’s 5 Minute Film Festival in April 2021, as well as a third place tie in the Wheaton Film Festival’s Student Short Category in Nov. 2021.

We are also honored that Muggy has gotten to screen at many other film festivals in 2021 and is lined up to show at several more in 2022.

The Gals

Phynley Joel (Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor)

~Phynley Joel is a university student, director and writer based out of Nashville, Tennessee.~

I was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, raised by a mom from Wichita, KS (Rock Chalk!), and a dad from New Zealand. In 2020, my NZ dual citizenship was finalized on my 20th birthday! 

I am a senior film production major at Lipscomb University in Nashville but I love all things storytelling, so while the last few years have been about filmmaking, I’ve also spent a lot of time songwriting and exploring poetry.

My parents are musicians, thus Nashville, and I also have a deep background in theater (the sweetest years of my life). I have no doubt that both things have been deep influences of my artistic voice!

Esther Jane Pope (Muggy)

~Esther Jane Pope is a 13-year-old actor, singer and dancer from Franklin, Tennessee.~

EJ has 7 siblings and a filmmaker dad, so it almost goes without saying that she is no stranger to short films. She just wrapped starring in her first feature film written and directed by her dad, Greg Pope, called “There’s Something in the Lake.”

Having also been in live theatrical performances for as long as she can remember, EJ now writes her own stageplays, screenplays, stories, songs, etc. She has a love for words and storytelling that spans beyond a single genre or medium and it is exciting to watch and see where her passions and talents will take her!

Muggy Hardie (Voice of Muggy)

~Muggy Hardie is a 13-year-old actor and rugby player based out of Auckland, New Zealand~

Until switching to an all girls school this year, Muggy was the only girl on a rugby team of 14 boys. Badass. 

She lives on Piha beach on the west coast of New Zealand’s north island - one of the most beautiful places existing on earth. She spends her time on the beach, horse back riding and hanging out with friends. 

Muggy is (if you didn’t guess) the namesake and inspiration for the film and was boss enough to spend hours over zoom getting the voiceover just right:) She is truly a talent and a force of nature and the possibilities of what Muggy may do are an endless spectrum!