The new coming-of-age feature Griffin in Summer is already drawing attention for its Tribeca wins and upcoming theatrical release, but for producer Bobby Hoppey, the film carries an extra layer of meaning: it was made in Richmond, a city he’s connected to thanks to his childhood best friend and local entrepreneur Fred Bryant, who also serves as an Executive Producer on the film.
Fred first came to Richmond to attend the University of Richmond, and Hoppey would visit during those years. Later, as Fred lived and worked in RVA as a young professional, the city became a recurring part of Hoppey’s life. That connection deepened when Griffin in Summer began production here in 2023.
Directed and written by Nicholas Colia, Griffin in Summer stars Everett Blunck as an ambitious 14-year-old playwright determined to stage his own divorce drama, Regrets of Autumn. When Griffin strikes up an unlikely friendship with Brad (Directed and written by Nicholas Colia, Griffin in Summer stars Everett Blunck as an ambitious 14-year-old playwright determined to stage his own divorce drama, Regrets of Autumn. When Griffin strikes up an unlikely friendship with Brad (Owen Teague), a 25-year-old performance artist and handyman, the summer becomes one of artistic discovery, awkward crushes, and the messy contradictions of growing up. The film also features Melanie Lynskey, Abby Ryder Fortson, and Kathryn Newton.
The film premiered at last year’s Tribeca Festival, where it won the Founders Award for Best U.S. Narrative Feature, Best Screenplay, and earned a special jury mention for Colia. Griffin in Summer will have its limited release August 29 in Los Angeles, New York, and Florida, with plans to expand to more markets, including a Richmond screening on September 5 at the ICA. An iTunes/Apple TV pre-order link is already live, with producers encouraging fans to support the film digitally as well.
From Writing to Producing
Hoppey originally studied journalism at Elon University in North Carolina before moving to Los Angeles, where he initially wondered if screenwriting might be his path into the industry. Writing had always been his strong suit, and he devoured books on structure, read countless scripts, and thought deeply about how stories work.
“I’ve been a writer in one way or another my whole life,” Hoppey said. “When I pivoted into film, I really considered screenwriting. I never ultimately did it for myself, but learning the craft and immersing myself in it gave me such an appreciation for the process”.
That background has shaped his producing style. “So much of my life since has been working with writers and talented screenwriters. It’s one of my favorite parts of the job, the moment when you read something and just know the potential it has. That’s where everything really starts: on the page,” he said.
With Griffin in Summer, that spark was immediate. “Juliet Berman, one of my fellow producers, said, ‘Just read 10 pages, and you’ll know if you’re in or not.’ And she was right. By page five, I knew it was something totally special. Nicholas [Colia] is just such a singular talent, and it’s a high when you find a script like that. As a producer, that’s what you’re always chasing”.
Why Griffin in Summer Resonates
For Hoppey, what makes Griffin in Summer stand out is the way it takes a familiar genre – the coming-of-age story and twists it into something modern, funny, and heartfelt.
“It’s so funny, and it’s so kind of unhinged, but there’s a lot of sneaky heart,” Hoppey said. “It’s also a love letter to artists and to being a cringy child with very specific interests. And let’s be honest, whether we admit it or not, we all probably have a little bit of Griffin in us”.
Another reason the film feels fresh, Hoppey believes, is the way it treats Griffin’s sexuality. “It’s clear this boy is going to grow up to be a gay man, but that isn’t the focal point of his character. There’s no dramatic coming-out scene, no tragedy. It’s just one of many things about him. That feels very of the moment. It’s not something I think could have existed twenty years ago when I was a kid, but today, it feels right”.
At its core, the story is about an intense summer of self-discovery. “Griffin clings to this identity as an artist, desperately trying to make what he believes is his magnum opus, while also experiencing confusing feelings and an unrequited crush for the first time,” Hoppey said. “In some ways, he’s backwards, he starts as a little adult and has to learn how to be a kid. Those summers of childhood go so fast, and you just want him to take a deep breath and enjoy it”.
The Value of the Short Film
Hoppey believes short films remain one of the best calling cards for emerging filmmakers. Nicholas Colia’s earlier NYU short Alex and the Handyman wasn’t directly tied to the Richmond production, but it was an important proof of concept that showed Colia was ready to take on a feature.
“I think a strong short film can be the best calling card a filmmaker has,” Hoppey said. “Sometimes a short becomes the first fifteen minutes of the feature, or a direct proof of concept. Other times it’s just a way to show your style, your tone, what you can do on a limited budget. Either way, it’s a great tool for building confidence in the people who might invest in your work”.
Across his career, as an independent producer, development executive, and financier, shorts have consistently carried weight. “Seeing a really dynamic, singular short film can tip the scales. It’s not just words on a page anymore, it shows they can execute, even with little money”.
Richmond as a Film Hub
Though Hoppey has spent years visiting Richmond, shooting Griffin in Summer here gave him a new perspective.
“I love Richmond, but what surprised me most was discovering the film community, the talent here is incredible,” he said. “So many of our crew came out of VCU, and I was blown away. I even ended up teaching a short-term faculty stint with VCU Cinema this summer. It’s a relationship I want to keep cultivating. I absolutely want to bring more films to Richmond”.
The film’s primary location, a suburban house in Chesterfield, anchors much of the story, though additional scenes were filmed in schools, coffee shops, and churches across the city. Hoppey recalled the challenges of location scouting, noting how homeowners often warmed to the idea once they realized their house might live forever on screen.
Indie Film in a Tough Market
Making independent films in 2025 comes with unique challenges. Financing has always been tough, but Hoppey says the current landscape makes it even harder for original, character-driven stories to compete.
“The industry is going through an identity crisis,” he said. “Studios want IP, explosions, big names. But I’ll always believe there’s a market for smart, thoughtful, original films. The movies that shaped me as a teenager, Rushmore, Little Miss Sunshine, Election, those films aren’t being made much anymore. I want to help keep them alive”.
That’s part of why Griffin in Summer’s release strategy is built on word of mouth, with a gradual rollout starting August 29. “It feels like the kind of movie people see and immediately want to tell their friends about,” Hoppey said.
Looking Ahead
Hoppey is fresh off wrapping another indie feature in Oregon, but he’s already looking forward to celebrating Griffin in Summer with Virginia audiences. Talks are underway for a Richmond or Virginia premiere, something that would bring the film back to the community that helped make it possible.
“We had the best time filming here, and everyone felt totally welcomed and taken care of,” Hoppey said. “It would mean a lot to bring it back home.”
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