Ben’s Sister, directed and written  by Emma Weinswig,  took home the 2025 SXSW Audience Award in the Narrative Shorts Competition at SXSW. The 18-minute short, which will screen at the 56th Nashville Film Festival on September 20th, depicts a group of teen-aged boys who are attempting to win Senior Scavenger award. To win, the boys must do  a series of things that seem cool to senior boys, some sexual, some illegal, and post them to social media.

SENIOR SCAVENGER HUNT TASKS

Make a half-court basketball shot: 30 points.  Swallow a goldfish: 100 points.  Kidnap a freshman:  500 points.  Get Rachel M. to flash you.  Get Sebastian’s mom to kiss you: 500 points. Defecate on the Redwood home plate: 500 points. Ding dong ditch. Get Lea to meet Ben at the swimming pool to swim. Last but not least, hook up with a freshman girl for 2,000 points.

I may be slightly off on the points to be earned for each task, but the last task causes friction within this group of testosterone-fueled friends. Ben learns that Chase (Michael Gandolfini), hit on his young freshman sister, Emma. It opens Ben’s mind  regarding the double standard  he lives in regards to male/female relationships. It’s okay to behave like a predatory male when it’s somebody else’s sister. But when Ben thinks his friend Chase hit on his own sister: not cool.

MICHAEL GANDOLFINI

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 10: Michael Gandolfini attends HBO’s “The Sopranos” 25th anniversary celebration on January 10, 2024 at Da Nico Ristorante in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/WireImage)

The role of Ben’s friend Chase is played by 26-year-old Michael Gandolfini, son of James Gandolfini (Tony Soprano). I’ve been following the young Gandolfini since his appearance in 2021’s “The Many Saints of Newark” and  the hilarious 2024 short “Tea.” In “Tea” the young Gandolfini portrayed a Circuit City employee who is stung in the throat by a hornet. That 12-minute Blake Rice-directed short co-starred Olivia Nikkanen and was just as absurd as it sounds. When Gandolfini began acting in 2011 he was only 12 years old.

Michael Gandolfini today.

Now 26 years old,  Michael Gandolfini has amassed 21 credits, many of them shorts. It is only a matter of time until we see another Gandolfini dominating feature films, hopefully with the same talent as his father. In his youth, Michael did not look that much like his legendary father. Because he has matured and filled out, he resembles his famous dad  more and more. He is on target to build an equally impressive career.

EMMA & BEN WEINSWIG

Ben and Emma Weinswig at 2025’s SXSW film festival.

The lead in “Ben’s Sister,” Ben Weinswig, is the real-life brother of Emma Weinswig, who wrote, directed and stars as Emma. The music (April Harper Gray), cinematography (Shane Bagwell), and editing (Will Noyce and William Lancaster) were excellent. All performers were totally believable, including the use of current teen-aged slang.

MAIN CAST

The Seniors in Millville, California’s class include Ben Weinswig (lower left) as Ben, Brian Niles as Sebastian, and, lower right, Michael Gandolfini as Chase.

The main cast members in “Ben’s Sister” are Ben Weinswig as Ben, Michael Gandolfini as Chase, Brian Niles as Sebastian “Sebi”;  Sam Rechner as Ryder; and Charlie Brady as Jasper.The female main cast were:Emma Weinswig (also Writer/Director/Star) as Emma (Ben’s Sister); Alex Costello as Lia; Siena Werber as Stella; Alexis G. Lall as Lizzy; Natalie Rousseau as Ava; and Emma Kuhlman as Tallulah.

Other members of the Mill Valley, California T-High class were Sophia Grace Macy as Alyssa, Miles Elliot as Jack, Steve Weinswig as Mr. Pavolick, Madeliene Smith as Rachel M, Rachel Turner as Celeste, Lindsay Nelson as Emily and Luke Yellen as Turtle.