On July 12, 2026, film fans gathered at Flint Street Theater to watch two short films by Connecticut-based filmmaker Madonna Lewis. The event was part of Elm City Reels, a series that aims to create a space for independent filmmakers to showcase their work and connect with audiences.
Elm City Reels
Trey Moore, creative consultant at Flint Street Theater, hosted the event and led a post-film discussion and Q&A session. Lewis introduced her two films, ‘Scars’ and ‘Flashing Lights,’ which explore themes of family, identity, and human connection.
‘Scars’ is a nine-minute film that tells the story of Rainn, a character struggling with memories of a traumatic event. ‘Flashing Lights’ is a 23-minute film that follows the story of Philly and Leah, a couple navigating a breakup and the complexities of relationships.
Lewis and Moore discussed the filmmaking process, including the challenges of creating a short film and the importance of finding locations to film. Lewis also talked about her influences, ranging from animation to current TV series, and her approach to storytelling.
The Q&A portion of the event allowed audience members to ask questions about the films and the filmmaking process. Lewis encouraged aspiring filmmakers to ‘make something’ and take advantage of the ‘blooming community’ in Connecticut for filmmaking.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
