One of eight student films selected for the 39th Cleveland International Film Festival's "First Time Film-maker's" Division, Writer/Director Kyra Gardner was the youngest participant at age 16.
Accepted to the 2015 Chicago CIMMfest Student Film Competition, "Past Presence" was one of the top ten shorts that made up "Breaking Through - Best Shorts by the Next Generation."
"Past Presence" was selected to be part of the 2015 Lake Erie Arts & Film Festival.
"Past Presence" received a Global Accolade Award of Merit for Director Kyra Gardner in 2015, naming her a Woman Filmmaker of Merit.
"Past Presence" is dedicated to the director's uncle, Tony Coyle. His life experience inspired Kyra to write the script for the film, which led to her producing and directing it at age 16 while participating in a summer program at USC's School of Cinematic Arts.