Local movie ‘Fred Crisman: Cave of the Space Nazis!’ wins Best Comedy Award at Gen Con Film Festival

The new animated TV pilot from local filmmaker and former South King Media intern Bryan Shickley, “Fred Crisman: Space Nazi Cave!” received the award for Best Comedy at the 2022 Gen Con Film Festival.

Like us before reportedShickley’s film debuted last week at Gen Con Film Festival, in conjunction with Gen Con Indy, North America’s largest and longest-running gaming convention.

“You always hope that you will premiere your work and that the public will accept it. Or at least they won’t hate it,” Shickley said. “I love the utter excess that is Fred Lee Crisman, and no matter what you think of his claims, you just can’t spend time with Crisman without having strong feelings about him. Winning Best Comedy – It just makes me smile. I got to meet and work with Crisman’s son and grandson, and I know they’re thrilled!

Shickley’s big learning from Gen Con?

“I’m from Normandy Park,” Shickley said. “I was sure that local paranormal and history buffs would know something about the incredible adventures of Fred Crisman – but I wasn’t sure how our local history would translate to the world. But Gen Con – in Indianapolis – was equally enthusiastic!

Shickley’s innovative and spirited acceptance speech could become a legend on the festival circuit:

Shickley’s Crisman Movie is an animated, sci-fi, and comedy odyssey, inspired by the epic true stories of iconic Tacoma resident Fred Lee Crisman. As part of his efforts to protect our freedoms, Fred Crisman became a frequent flyer in the science fiction magazine industry during the 1940s and 1950s. He claimed involvement in UFO sightings (including The Maury Island Incident), alien encounters and combat during World War II, and conspiracy theories spanning decades, to and beyond the grassy knoll where he was rumored to be when JFK was murdered (!). “Fred Crisman: Cavern of Space Nazis! features the incredible vocal talents of North West legend Pat Cashman (Almost live!) in the title role. Local filmmakers Scott Schaefer and Steve Edmiston, collaborators on The Maury Island Incidentserve on the project as producers.

“I can say with confidence that this is the second best story ever told,” Cashman said in his distinctive voice. “A man as interesting – and as complex – as Fred Crisman is a real privilege to portray.”

Here is a trailer:

“I thought local paranormal buffs would definitely have heard of Fred Crisman’s incredible adventures, but to my surprise, Gen Con was just as enthusiastic,” Shickley added. “In fact, the infamous ‘Deros’ that Crisman encountered in his letters ended up as a real species in Dungeons & Dragons! Isn’t that just weird and a testament to the creativity (or precision) of Fred L. Crisman?

“Although Bryan’s film is intended as a TV pilot for an amazing story-driven comedy sci-fi series, it is certainly a short in its own right,” Schaefer said. “With the film’s homage to historical intrigue, conspiracy and cover-ups, it’s all part of the fun. We plan to have more fun on the festival circuit, but then it’s down to business – Bryan is already underway with a full season of episodes.

Here are some scenes from the next episodes: