WRITER | DIRECTOR | PRODUCER

ALOHA SURF HOTEL is a comedy developed and produced with Jon Stern of Abominable Pictures (WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER, CHILDRENS HOSPITAL). Stars include Augie T, Taiana Tully, Daniella Monet (VICTORIOUS), Branscombe Richmond (FINDING ‘OHANA), Matt Corboy (DESCENDANTS), Shawn Mokuahi Garnett (HAWAII 5-0), Kealani Warner (KULEANA/MAUI) and Alex Farnham (ONE MILLION DOLLA).

The film centers on Tai Alonzo, an ex surf pro forced to take a job at a beachfront hotel teaching obnoxious tourists how to surf. Soon he's the tennis pro, the yoga instructor, the handyman… he might even be key to saving this family-run hotel from getting shut down by a corrupt county inspector and unscrupulous mainland developer.

PRESS

”Consistently hilarious… this locally made independent film, beautifully shot on Maui, is an underdog comedy with a warm center.”

"Inevitably, this will be compared to the kind of zany, character-driven comedies that Adam Sandler still makes (when he’s not starring in prestige dramas) and the comparison is complimentary.”

— Barry Wurst II, Hawai’i Film Critics Society writing:

“One of the funniest movies to emerge from what was an overall sucky year… a local gem.”

— Aron Medieros, MauiWatch

FESTIVALS & AWARDS

— 2020 Hawai’i Int’l Film Festival | World Premiere, Nominated for “Best Made-In-Hawaii” Feature Film

— 2021 Best Hawai’i Film Nomination, Hawai’i Film Critics Society

WRITER | DIRECTOR | PRODUCER

Feature documentary on Poet Laureate and environmental activist W.S. Merwin. The film screened widely at film festivals and was broadcast nationally on PBS.

The full film - and many extras - can be viewed HERE. 

PRESS: 

"A wonderful film about life, language, and the natural world we all share."  Jeffrey Brown, PBS News Hour

"Superb... the story unfolds naturally, giving a thoughtful view of the man that reaches behind the externals. Schaefer and his team have crafted a thoroughly professional piece to present to the world.” Huffington Post 

FESTIVAL SCREENINGS: 

- Maui Film Festival 

- Hawai'i Int'l Film Festival 

- Seattle Int'l Film Festival 

- Environmental Film Festival 

- DOXA Documentary Film Festival 

- Buddhist Film Festival 

WRITER | DIRECTOR | PRODUCER

Indie feature starring Nicole Beharie (SLEEPY HOLLOW, SHAME, 42), Ken Duken (INGLORIOUS BASTARDS, MAX MANUS), Marlene Forte and Reg E. Cathey. The film screened widely at film festivals, had a theatrical release with AMC Independent, was broadcast on UpTV, and sold to many international territories. It can be found on Netflix, Amazon, or direct from the filmmakers HERE.

PRESS: 

"Full of delightful surprises... a refreshing spin on love, attraction and chance." IndieWire 

"Pure poetry!" Blinkpunkt Film (leading German film magazine) 

SELECT FESTIVALS & AWARDS: 

- Brooklyn Int'l Film Festival - Winner, Best Producer Award

- Black Reel Award - Winner, Best Independent Feature Film 

- Heartland Film Festival, Official Selection

- Hawai'i Int'l Film Festival, Official Selection

- Atlanta Int'l Film Festival, Official Selection

- Oldenburg Int'l Film Festival, Official Selection

- Sedona Film Festival, Official Selection

- Langston Hughes African American Film Festival

WRITER | CO-DIRECTOR | PRODUCER

Indie feature starring Zoe Lister Jones, Francis Benhamou, Daniel London, Laith Nakli, Alysia Reiner, Arian Moayed and Marcia Jean Kurtz. Inspired by a true story, the film centers on a friendship between a young Orthodox women and a Muslim woman who are both first-year teachers at a New York City public school. The film premiered at SxSW, won awards at many festivals, and is distributed by Film Movement and Visit Films. It has had theatrical and TV releases in over 60 countries and screened at hundreds of schools and universities, often as part of inter-faith workshops. 

PRESS: 

"A gem of a film, beautifully shot and perfectly cast." Filmmaker Magazine 

"A pure pleasure... splendidly natural performances." Variety  

"A surprisingly winning indie drama." New York Magazine 

FESTIVAL SCREENINGS & AWARDS: 

- South by Southwest - World Premiere, Official Selection 

- Brooklyn Film Festival - Grand Prize Winner, Best Narrative Feature 

- Skip City Digital, Japan - Grand Prize Winner, 100k prize from Sony

- Berkshire Int'l - Winner, Audience Award 

- Washington Jewish Film Festival - Winner, Audience Award 

- Jerusalem Jewish Film Festival, Official Selection 

- London Jewish Film Festival, Official Selection 

- Caracas Jewish Film Festival, Official Selection 

- Lone Star Film Festival 

A short film inspired by the Naomi Shihab Nye poem "So Much Happiness".

Commissioned by the 2021 Sun Valley Writers’ Conference.