ALSO Sisters Recognized at Film Festivals

Assistant Professors Miriam Albert-Sobrino and Sonia Albert-Sobrino, known as the ALSO Sisters, have had significant success at film festivals this autumn.

First, their short film “The Unbearing” will have its world premiere at the SCREAMFEST Horror Film Festival this October in Los Angeles. The festival is well-known in the industry, especially within the horror sphere, and has earned the moniker “the Sundance of Horror.” The festival’s 2024 event will be held at the prestigious TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood, CA.

“The Unbearing” follows a pest control worker who, after an illegal abortion, must eliminate the sinister presence growing inside her before it takes control of her body and life. The film was directed, photographed, and edited by the ALSO Sisters, and written, executive produced, and starred in by Katerina Eichenberger. Additionally, two University of Utah F&MAD alumni served on the crew: Terri Zitong Diao (BA ‘24) served as First Assistant Camera for the second unit in Salt Lake City, and Lana Ballenot (BA ‘24) contributed extensive VFX and compositing to a complex shot, earning the credit of “additional VFX artist.” The film will be distributed by Freak Agency.

In addition to “The Unbearing,” the ALSO Sisters have also had significant success with their horror screenplay titled “No Man is an Island.” It was a finalist in Imagine This Women’s International Film Festival 2024, a Quarterfinalist in the Slamdance Film Festival 2024 Screenplay Competition, a Quarterfinalist in the ScreenCraft Film Fund for Fall 2024, a Quarterfinalist in season 9 of the Filmmatic Drama Screenplay Awards, an Official Selection at HorrorOrigins 2024 Film Festival, and has landed in the top 9% of all short film projects on Coverfly.