THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2026 Page 7 Local filmmaker’s ‘CALVIN’ brings Chelsea story to the big screen F Special to Th e Advocate or Massachusetts filmmaker Altavius “Five” Andrews, “CALVIN” is more than a short fi lm. It represents eight months of hard work, personal sacrifi ce and a belief that independent fi lmmakers can create meaningful stories without a major studio behind them. Andrews, founder of YIC Productions and Louisiana Five Film, originally grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana, before moving to Massachusetts to pursue his passion for fi lmmaking. His latest project, “CALVIN,” became a deeply personal creative journey that brought together local talent and locations throughout the Boston area. Approximately 90 percent of “CALVIN” was fi lmed in Chelsea, Massachusetts, making the city an important part of the fi lm’s identity. Rather than simply using Chelsea as a backdrop, Andrews wanted the environment and atmosphere of the community to help tell the story. The film is an emotional drama centered around family, violence, loss and the lasting eff ects of trauma. At the heart of the story is Calvin, whose life and circumstances have a profound impact Behind the scenes with lead cinematographer Daniel Vera and director Altavius Andrews on the set of the short fi lm “CALVIN” in Boston (Photos courtesy of Altavius Andrews) on the people around him. Characters including Mama Rosa, Maleek and Cathy help tell a larger story about family, survival and the emotional consequences that can follow tragedy. Getting the fi lm completed was not easy. Andrews balanced production with his responsibilities as a working father while investing his own time and resources in bringing the project together. From fi lming and locations to promotional materials and other production expenses, much of the process required him to make personal sacrifices. Still, he continued pushing forward. That determination reached a major milestone on August 30, 2026, when “CALVIN” premiered at the Capitol Theatre in Arlington, Massachusetts. The premiere featured a red-carpet experience, photo opportunities, a performance connected to the fi lm’s soundtrack, a question-andanswer session with the cast and crew, and the theatrical screening of the fi lm. The response from the community was signifi cant. The “CALVIN” premiere sold out twice, giving Andrews and his team an opportunity to celebrate the project with an audience that had followed its journey. But Andrews sees the premiere as the beginning of the next chapter rather than the end. He is now working to The marquee at the Capitol Theatre in Arlington announces the August 2026 premiere of “CALVIN.” bring “CALVIN” to additional theaters, fi lm festivals and audiences while seeking opportunities for media coverage and community partnerships. He has already begun sharing the story behind the fi lm through interviews, including an appearance on CCTV with the Bounce Back Podcast. The larger goal extends beyond “CALVIN.” Through YIC Productions, Andrews hopes to build a platform that gives independent artists and fi lmmakers opportunities to tell stories, collaborate and create something lasting. His philosophy is simple: “We’re not just premiering a fi lm. We’re building a platform where storytelling creates opportunity, starts conversations, and helps communities see themselves in a diff erent light.” For Andrews, “CALVIN” is proof that a story can start with one person, grow through a community and eventually make its way to the big screen. Director Altavius Andrews (holding umbrella) with Reese Write, Siraaj, Flash Lato, Dae Heat and Navi on the set of “CALVIN” in Chelsea Cast and crew at the August 2026 premiere of “CALVIN” at the Capitol Theatre in Arlington
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