The Ugly Chicken, a short film by Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin, is set to premiere at the Holyshort Film Festival.
The short film stars Felicia Day (Supernatural) and is based on a popular Nebula Award-winning story by Howard Waldrop. Science fiction author Waldrop was a friend of Martin's. He died in 2024. Martin plans to adapt three more short stories by Waldrop into films.
“Howard saw rough cuts of the [“The Ugly Chickens”] “Before he died, he loved the film, which made me very happy. I just wish we could show him the final cut.”
Jennifer Dale (“Coroner”), Natalie Charles (“Suits”) and Mag Roffman (“Alias Grace”) also star in the short film, which was shot on location in Toronto.
“After learning that the extinct dodo may still exist, ornithology professor Paula Linberle sets out on a cross-country expedition to unravel the mystery,” reads the story synopsis.
Mark Raso (“Copenhagen”) is directing the film, from a screenplay by Michael Cassot (“Twilight Zone”).
Mauro Müller and Philip Woodtli produce for Fidelio Films alongside Martin KVK and producers Elias Gallegos and Lenore Gallegos.
Salaud Morisset represents international sales.
“Ugly Chicken” will premiere on the festival's opening night on August 8.
Martin has been busy lately. In addition to adapting Waldrop's short films and working on his own adaptation of the novel “Fire and Blood,” which was brought to the screen in the film “House of the Dragon,” starring Matt Smith and Emma D'Arcy, Martin is also supposed to be finishing up his long-awaited “A Song of Fire and Ice” series.
Watch the trailer for “Ugly Chicken” below:
