TORONTO / CARDIFF, WALES — April 9, 2026. Fun Republic Pictures, BAI-LEY and the Canadian Short Screenplay Competition (CSSC) are pleased to announce that Something Pointless, the short drama produced by International Emmy-nominee David Cormican and directed by Asa Bailey, will make its World Premiere as a finalist and official selection of the 56th USA Film Festival in Dallas, Texas. The film will screen on Thursday, April 23rd in the 7:00pm programme block, and will additionally be featured as part of the festival's curated screenings section.

Written by Neil Graham and David Cormican — based on Graham's 2010 Canadian Short Screenplay Competition (CSSC) first-place winning screenplay — Something Pointless follows an intergenerational bond that forms between a lonely, bullied boy and an elderly man whose quiet, pointless daily ritual becomes an unlikely act of defiance against insignificance.

The film stars Leo Harris (The Count of Monte Cristo, Lost Boys & Fairies) as The Boy Who Never Smiles, alongside BAFTA-winner Owen Teale (Game of Thrones, Dream Horse, The Rig), six-time Olivier Award-nominee and winner Sophie Thompson (Gosford Park, EastEnders, Coronation Street), and SAG Award-nominee Sule Rimi (The Day of the Jackal, Andor).

"We are thrilled to bring Something Pointless to Dallas for its world premiere," said producer David Cormican. "This film has been a labour of love — rooted in a remarkable screenplay that has patiently waited nearly fifteen years to reach the screen. We believe audiences are going to feel it deeply."

"Something Pointless is a film that embraces pure, unapologetic sentimentality," said director Asa Bailey. "It's a rare opportunity to portray what it means to be human without frills or fads — just heartfelt storytelling rooted in the textures and truths of a real community. We are so proud of what this extraordinary cast and crew have made, and we can't wait for audiences to experience it."

Following its world premiere in Dallas, the film will travel to the 79th annual Yorkton Film Festival in Saskatchewan — where it has already received its first award nomination for Best Short Film, marking the CSSC's second recognition at Yorkton after the original screenplay took home the festival's Best of Fest Writer's Block Crystal award in 2010.

International screenings include a selection at the International Sound & Film Music Festival in Croatia (May 22), where the film will be presented in an ancient outdoor arena, and where composer Andrea Bellucci is believed to have been shortlisted for an award recognising his original score.

The film has recently been named a quarter-finalist at The Bay International Film Festival (January 29, 2027), signalling continued momentum as the festival campaign rolls forward.

Something Pointless is produced by David Cormican of Fun Republic Pictures and Asa Bailey of BAI-LEY, with executive producers Shawn Christensen and Damon Russell (both Academy Award-winners), Brenden Hubbard (Webby Award-winner), Dwayne Hill (Emmy-nominee), and Zane Lackey. The film features cinematography by BAFTA-winner Keefa Chan, editing by Laurence Cohen, casting by multi-CDG award-nominee Victor Jenkins CDG CSA, and an original score by Andrea Bellucci (Skydance's Behemoth, League of Legends).
Something Pointless was shot on location in Newport, Wales in May 2025.

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ABOUT FUN REPUBLIC PICTURES
Fun Republic Pictures is the production company of International Emmy Award-nominated producer, screenwriter and showrunner David Cormican (Tokyo Trial, Tulipani, Love, Honour & A Bicycle, ShadowHunters).

ABOUT THE CANADIAN SHORT SCREENPLAY COMPETITION (CSSC)
Founded in 2008 by David Cormican, the CSSC is considered Canada's most competitive and prestigious short screenplay competition, produced in partnership with the Yorkton Film Festival. Previous CSSC productions have premiered at the Festival de Cannes, Yorkton Film Festival, and the Worldwide Short Film Festival, among others.