The indie film circuit’s new little movie that could is not a quirky expose that includes a musty yellow VW Bus or a wisecracking pregnant teenager, but instead a harrowing tale that explores the trauma of child abuse through the eyes of a 10-year-old boy.

Little Wings marks the film debut of writer-director Morgan Rhodes, founder of Journey Blue Films, who has previously worked in television, most notably on “Nip/Tuck,” and is co-executive producer on “Bitter Brew,” a spec pilot.

Yet as Little Wings, a Haydenfilms 3.0 Film Festival finalist and official selection for the Cannes 2007 Short Film Corner, continues to gain momentum, Rhodes herself is gaining increasing success in the indie film world. Little Wings was recently picked up by Echelon Studios, Las Vegas, for worldwide distribution and is also being translated and released in Italy.

Little Wings follows a young boy named Thomas, who escapes from his abusive father through his passion for butterflies. After saving a butterfly from a spider’s web, Thomas’ life takes a sudden turn for the better, and the surprises he finds ultimately lead him to his freedom.

Morgan credits the Haydenfilms Online Film Festival as playing a major role in assisting the film to its newfound success. “For me, the hardest part of being a filmmaker is getting the film to a place where people can actually see it,” says Morgan. “The Haydenfilms Film Festival made if easy to upload the film and showcase it.”

This is hardly the end of the journey for both Morgan or Little Wings; Morgan is currently writing the film’s feature version, entitled The Heavy Heart, as well as several other features.

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