WINNER

summer '23

= Academy Award Qualifying Festival

PAST FESTIVALS

= Academy Award Qualifying Festival

JUNE 2 - CONEY ISLAND, NY

PUPPETS COME HOME!

8:30PM 1208 Surf Avenue - $15

June 3 - Seattle, WA

Science Fiction + Fantasy

Short Film Festival (SFFSFF)

3:00PM SIFF Cinema Egyptian - $22

June 10 - Brooklyn, NY

Brooklyn Film Festival & Kid's Film Fest

11:00AM Windmill Studios - $15

JUNE 16/17 - Manchester, TN

BONNAROO Music & Arts Fest

Midnight - 4:00AM

House of Yes - Night Owl Cinema

VIEW THE TRAILER

HAM IS A PUPPET FILM ABOUT THE FIRST CHIMP IN SPACE

INSPIRED BY THE INCREDIBLE TRUE STORY!

WITH VISUALS AND MUSIC INSPIRED BY 1950S CHILDRENS TELEVISION,

HAM IS A WHIRLWIND TALE OF ONE CHIMP'S

JOURNEY TO BEAT THE ODDS.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PRESS KIT!

A NOTE FROM DIRECTOR RUDY MARTINEZ

Thank you for checking out this film! So, what is HAM? For starters, it's a short film based on the story of the real life astro-chimp, Ham. Ham was an underdog. He may not have been the fastest, strongest, or smartest chimp in his class, but he was chosen for his pluck, his zeal, and his overall good nature. He's lauded as a space pioneer but beyond the legend was a real soul whose experience we will never truly know. This film seeks to imagine 'what if Ham could tell us his story in his own words?' I wanted to lend Ham a voice and shine a light on a story that teaches us that in times of uncertainty, we can always find courage and chart a path forward with our hearts. This is a film all audiences will enjoy!

THE CAST OF CHARACTERS

OUR AMAZING PRODUCERS

Executive Produced by

Heather B. Henson

Heather B. Henson is a contemporary puppet artist whose work promotes harmony and healing for the planet through artistic spectacle and discussion. She created IBEX Puppetry, a multi-platform production company. Heather is a Trustee for the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center and sits on the Board of Directors for The International Crane Foundation and The Jim Henson Legacy. In addition to her environmental works, IBEX Puppetry nurtures independent puppet artists creating works for screen, stage, and gallery through direct production efforts, the Handmade Puppet Dreams film festival, and a network of support known as the Puppet Slam Network.

OUR HEROIC TEAM

logline

The year is 1961 and Ham, a chimpanzee, has been chosen to represent earth as the first ape in space, but a malfunction aboard his ship threatens his return home. Inspired by true events.

SYNOPSIS

Inspired by the true story of the first Space Chimp in orbit, HAM is a tale about courage in the face of great danger and how a little bit of pluck can take you to the stars and back. The year is 1961 and Ham has been chosen to lead a mission aboard the Mercury Redstone 1. Ham’s human wranglers prepare him for the stresses of outer space by putting him through a series of training games. They are unsure if he is ready for a flight into the unknown and when launch day arrives all they can do is hope. As Ham’s rocket thunders skyward, a malfunction flings his capsule off course and his training is put to the test as he works to chart a path home. With visuals and a music score inspired by the boundless whimsy of mid-century children’s shows like Gumby and Thunderbirds, HAM takes us on a journey where even the most unlikely hero can become a legend the world will never forget.

Running Time:

Completion Date:

Language:

Ages:

Written & Directed By:

Composed By:

Produced By:

​

Director of Photography:​

film details

8:00

September 7, 2022

English

All ages

​

Rudy Martinez

Adrien Prévost

Heather Henson

Ibex Puppetry​

Alex U. Griffin

MAKE CONTACT WITH US

FilmFreeway

RUDY MARTINEZ

rudymartinezla@gmail.com

rudymartinez.net

IBEX PUPPETRY

info@ibexpuppetry.com

ibexpuppetry.com