Robert R. Smith ’76 wins Independent Film Festival Award

The Rev. Robert Russell Smith, Class of 1976, has won the award for Best Full Length Feature Film at the Cecil County Independent Film Festival in North East, Maryland. Live theatrical production of his new play “Angels in Gangland” had to be halted due to the pandemic, and was transformed into a Zoom production, subsequently entered into the Film Festival.

“Angels in Gangland” is a supernatural gangster comedy-drama that follows the spirit of Lou Tasca – a slain mobster – on his quest to redeem himself of his life of crime by persuading his killer to leave the mob. In three episodes, we join Lou and his spirit guide, Rabbi Solomon Levinsky who also seeks to get his gangster son to enter Witness Protection. Theirs is a juggernaut among Mafiosi, a Russian crime kingpin, strippers, and others. “Angels in Gangland” is a story of crime, danger, and despair, yet it is told with humor throughout. Ultimately, “Angels in Gangland” is a take of redemption and hope.

Smith told us "I never knew that the best sermon I would ever write would be a Gangster story that can be briefly described as "The Sopranos" meets "It's a Wonderful Life" - with a Jewish twist.”  While at General, Smith – who was also an observer at the Actors’ Studio – wrote and produced the one act play "Paul an Apostle". All through his ministry he has written and performed chancel dramas and comedy sketches as sermons.

The Cecil County Independent Film Festival is a yearly celebration for filmmakers and film lovers alike in the greater Mid-Atlantic area. Click here for more information.