Staff Report

 

Oxford writer Michael Farris Smith will soon see his work come to life on screen again, as his short film “Chasing Rabbits“ will premiere at the Oxford Film Festival on opening night on February 27. 

Smith partnered with producer Anthony Thaxton of Thaxton Studios and the Institute of Southern Storytelling to produce the film, which is based on Smith’s award-winning short story of the same name.

“Chasing Rabbits” is Smith’s directorial debut. Two of his novels have made it to the big screen as feature films, “Desperation Road” and “The Fighter” both released in 2023. Smith and Thaxton collaborated to create “Chasing Rabbits” in the summer of 2024 and the film was shot in November in Clinton.

“Anthony did a wonderful job not only producing, but shooting and editing this story,” Smith said. “It was a great experience to collaborate with him and the Institute for Southern Storytelling. I’ve had the itch to direct since being on set for my previous adaptations and we are thrilled with how this worked out.”

The story centers around Rachel, a truck stop waitress who, who after having her home vandalized in the middle of the night, makes a striking, irreversible decision to change the course of her life. 

The cast includes Oxford residents McGhee Monteith, Davis Coen, and Stephen Garrett of Memphis.

“The cast showed up ready to play, the crew was enthusiastic, and we’re excited to premiere at the Oxford Film Festival,” Smith said.

“Chasing Rabbits” shows at Malco Oxford Commons on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 6:30 p.m. More information is available at ox-film.com.