Ugly Sweater
A coming-of-age feature film about anxiety, ambition, and inner peace.
WATCH THE TEASER:
Determined to study astrophysics at an Ivy League college, high-school senior Ruby faces her anxiety as it appears vividly in her dreams, prompted by a seemingly magical ugly Christmas sweater. Within this tumultuous year, Ruby experiences first love, nostalgia, the power of sisterhood, and a new path to find peace.
FILM FESTIVALS AWARDS:
WINNER Indie Spirit Special Recognition for Features: Boston International Film Festival 2024 (World Premiere)
WINNER Best Feature: Massachusetts Independent Film Festival 2024
WINNER Best use of NASA Footage Gold Remi The Lift Off Award: WorldFest Houston 2024 (juried not screened)
NOMINEE Best Narrative Feature Film, Best Director, and Best Actor: Gig Harbor Film Festival 2024 (Washington Premiere)
FILM FESTIVALS SELECTIONS:
OFFICIAL SELECTION: Pan-African Film Festival 2025 (Los Angeles Premiere)
OFFICIAL SELECTION: Julien Dubuque International Film Festival 2024 (Iowa Premiere)
OFFICIAL SELECTION: Roxbury International Film Festival 2024
OFFICIAL SELECTION: Athens Film Festival 2024 (Georgia Premiere, Opening Night Film)
OFFICIAL SELECTION: Orlando Film Festival 2024 (Florida Premiere)
WE ARE LOOKING FOR DISTRIBUTION! <3
INQUIRIES: UglySweater@purplemagnetproductions.com
INSTAGRAM: @uglysweatermovie















PRESS:
MOVIE REVIEW by Flagpole Magazine in Athens, GA discussing the film and its sold-out screening at Athens Film Festival
Boston’s NPR News Station article discussing Ugly Sweater’s screening at the Roxbury International Film Festival
World Premiere video interview of Lauren (director) and Sara (producer) on the red carpet of the Boston International Film Festival
University of Georgia article about their faculty member (Lauren)’s directorial debut feature film
Video interview of Lauren at Gig Harbor Film Festival
Julien Dubuque International Film Festival group interview with Lauren, Deja (lead), Gemma (co-writer), and Maggie (producer)
Video interview of Lauren and Deja in the JDIFF filmmaker lounge
Video interview of Lauren and Deja at the JDIFF red carpet
Creating Dangerously Podcast - director Lauren Musgrove discusses the personal journey of creating the film (Ugly Sweater segments of the podcast at: 19:05-25:51, 39:22-41:42, and 50:51-52:27)
Lauren Musgrove
Director, Co-Writer, Executive Producer, Producer
8x Southeast Emmy Winner
Founder of Purple Magnet
Emerson College MFA Alumni
Film professor at the University of Georgia Athens
Deja Monique Cruz
Lead Actress, Associate Producer
Disney+ Actress on The Crossover
Netflix star, Christmas With You
Lionsgate actress, Tom Sawyer’s Gold
Maggie Brown
Executive Producer, Producer, Casting
Tribeca feature premiere alumni
Founder of Purple Magnet
Associate Producer, Netflix, The Tutor
Sara Marković
Producer, Locations Manager
Renowned Serbian commercial director
Emerson College MFA Alumni
Documentary film producer
Member of Serbian Association of Filmmakers
Gemma Farquhar
Co-Writer, Lead Costumer
Gen Z writer who attended Yale's elite writing program
Represented by Step Forward Talent & Managed by Robert Blume
Published model & CoverGirl, found on Times Square Billboard
Arnold Aldridge
Producer, Visual Effects Supervisor
The Russo Brothers shadow on Electric State
Visual effects artist for Miranda Veil and Cherry
Rayana Rasamee
Director of Photography
AFI Alumni
SOC Member
Selected for Issa Rae’s ColorCreative inaugural Find Your People cohort
Mike Canale
Investor, Chief Lighting Technician
Founder of Ugly Sweater’s in Association Company, TEGMENTAL
Award winning independent filmmaker
Elisa Garcia
Investor, 2nd Unit Director of Photography
Founder of Ugly Sweater’s in Association Company, EndlessFilms
Award winning independent filmmaker
Mya-Breyana Morton
Supporting Actress, Associate Producer
SCAD Alumni
Founder of The Production Circle ATL
Forbes 30 Under 30 Local and National
Award winning independent filmmaker
Marshall Granger
Editor
AFI Alumni
Editor of We Burn Like This (Santa Barbara Premiere)
Editor of Aporia (Fantasia Premiere)
Sequoia Sherriff
Lead Animator
NYU Alumni
Winner of National YoungArts award for Cinema Arts
Rising Star award winner at Fusion Film Festival