Writer/director Craig Whitney and producer Stephanie Huettner talk about the making of The Garden and the Wilderness at a question and answer session following a screening of the film at the 11th annual Garden State Film Festival.

The Garden and the Wilderness is a modern-day Western filmed on location in Central Texas. The short film tells the story of Will James, an aging ranch hand who has spent decades caring for a private hunting ranch. When he learns that the decaying estate will be sold to developers following the owner’s death, he must face the prospect of leaving behind a patch of earth he has toiled over for nearly his entire life. The film stars Larry Grant Harbin as Will James.

The Garden and the Wilderness premiered in September 2011 at the Rome International Film Festival. During its festival run, the film has been awarded the prize for Best Editing at the 2012 Beverly Film Festival and was nominated for Best Short Drama at the 2013 Trail Dance Film Festival.

It is Whitney’s second short film following Harvest Home.