Nowhere, Arkansas, 1863. A Confederate veteran, haunted by his past, hunts redemption in the form of a famous eagle belonging to the Union Army.

Starring Sam O'Dell

The story of ‘Nowhere Arkansas’ began when I discovered the true story of ‘Old Abe’, a famous bald eagle that was the mascot of the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment in the American Civil War. Indeed, Old Abe was so despised by Confederate troops that they dubbed him the ‘Yankee Buzzard’ and under orders from their officers, numerous attempts were made to kill or capture the eagle. 

This piece of history provided the inspiration for me to write ‘Nowhere Arkansas’ as a fictional imagining taking place in May of 1863, with Old Abe having fled the battle of Vicksburg in Mississippi, and a hunt ensuing throughout the Deep South for his capture, dead or alive. 

The story follows an unnamed, crippled Confederate veteran who lives a life of guilt ridden contemplation with his dog in the isolated woods of Arkansas. He stumbles upon the wanted poster of Old Abe, and uses the eagle’s bounty as his final chance for redemption.  

In early May 2019 we completed principal photography in North West Louisiana with the intent of hopefully being selected for the 2019 Louisiana Film Prize - one of the biggest cash prize festivals in the world for short film. 

If we are lucky enough to be chosen we will be the first Australian led production chosen to participate in the Louisiana Film Prize. Our director of photography Joel Froome ACS, our lead actor Sam O’Dell and myself all hail from Sydney and we would be beyond proud to represent our homeland should we be afforded the honour of selection.

The money for the shoot itself has been raised and spent successfully. All that is required for getting us over the finishing line are some extra funds for us to complete post production and hopefully ready our baby for Shreveport come October, 2019.

Yours in film,

Robert Linsley 

Director and Executive Producer

All funds donated will go towards our final budget for post production. We have shot the film, but we still need to complete the project with things such as visual effects, colour grade and sound design.