"Mama Duck" Set to Begin Production in July 2024

Filmmakers Jack Gorman and Shannon Walsh to Collaborate on Debut Feature with Cast of Rising Stars

[PRESS RELEASE]

LOS ANGELES, CA — May 16, 2024 — The independent film "Mama Duck," a dark comedy written and directed by the award-winning team of Jack Gorman and Shannon Walsh, is set to begin production on July 6, 2024, in the Greater Los Angeles area. Catharine Daddario and Austin Woods are attached to star alongside Walsh, who will take on the lead role of Caeli. 

"Mama Duck" follows Caeli (Walsh), an aspiring animator who moves across the country to escape her overbearing family. Her promising new start is derailed by the reappearance of her college sweetheart Sabrina (Daddario) and the news of her brother Jake's (Woods) cancer diagnosis, forcing her to confront the delicate balance between her personal struggles and the pursuit of her dreams.

The feature-length "Mama Duck" expands on the themes explored in Gorman and Walsh's highly-acclaimed short, "A Dinner” which earned nearly two dozen accolades at notable film festivals and was awarded the top prize for best short film seven times. Gorman and Walsh were named Top 10 Filmmakers to Watch by the Hollywood Times ahead of the 2023 Los Angeles Independent Film Festival.

Catharine Daddario will appear in John Krasinski’s “IF” premiering in theaters May 17, 2024. She has previously appeared in films such as "The Tributaries" (2020), "Lake Artifact" (2019), and "The Tomorrow Job" (2023). 

Austin Woods has appeared in two of Ryan Murphy's projects: "American Horror Story" and its spinoff, “American Horror Stories.” His other credits include “The Rookie,” “SWAT,” and “Animal Kingdom.” He is slated to appear as a lead role in the upcoming 2024 feature film “Average Joe” as well as a supporting role in Izabel Pakzad’s “Find Your Friends.” 

Shannon Walsh, an Australian-American actress, writer, and director born in Hong Kong, graduated with honors from Georgetown University with a Bachelor's degree in Economics. She was cast as Melanie Pratt in Wes Craven's "My Soul to Take" and wrote and directed her first short film in 2017. Walsh is one of only two individuals to achieve consecutive placements in UCLA's esteemed screenwriting and TV writing contests. She is represented by Independent Artists Group and Canopy Media Partners.

Jack Gorman brings a diverse background to the project, having previously worked as a championship-winning executive in the sports world before transitioning to narrative filmmaking. His work has been featured at SXSW and on the broadcasts of major sports events such as the World Cup and Wimbledon. Gorman has directed six short films, and his films and scripts have collectively garnered over 60 awards and screened at more than 50 festivals. He is represented by Elevate Entertainment. 

"We’re taking the themes we explored in our short film 'A Dinner' to a larger scale with ‘Mama Duck’ while keeping the raw, personal approach that has become our trademark," said Walsh. "We want to create a film that says it's ok to laugh through the tears. I'm overjoyed to have Cat and Austin on board—we're honored to have such dedicated and skilled actors join us on this journey, and we know their performances will resonate with audiences."

"When Shannon and I set out to make any film, our first step is to think about how we can make the most honest film possible. With 'Mama Duck,' we aim to create a story that will resonate with audiences through its authenticity and humor, even as it tackles difficult subjects,” said Gorman. “We couldn't be more thrilled with the incredible talent we've assembled. Each member of our cast brings a unique energy and depth to their role, and we can't wait to see them bring these characters to life on screen."

The independent feature will shoot in the Greater Los Angeles area throughout July.