GOUVERNEUR — Local film company Dawning Film Productions, with support from the St. Lawrence County Arts Council, has produced a short comedic film, Murray Triumphs!, which follow the downtrodden Arthur Murray on his journey of self-actualization. There will be a public screening of the film at the Gouverneur Community Center, 4673 State Hwy 58, on Aug. 28 at 6 p.m.

Through the often pushy encouragement of a self-help CD, Murray looks for courage to stand up to the office bully and to (hopefully) take back his life.

Murray Triumphs! is the brainchild of Dawning Film Productions’ founder Megan MacDonald.

During her undergrad program at SUNY Potsdam, Megan had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Derrick Gidden, whom she recruited as assistant director for the project, and Andy Metz, who plays the titular role of Arthur Murray.

MacDonald also recruited Cassandra Weed, director of photography, and Arik Hopson, sound engineer, her coworkers at WWNY-TV Channel 7.

Prior to working at Channel 7, MacDonald spent several years managing the arts program at The Arc Jefferson-St. Lawrence where she met Andrew Gemmill who plays Donald Wilson in the film.

Also joining the crew is film composer Andrew Morris, a student at St. Lawrence University.

The premiere will feature the films of other local filmmakers, with a Q&A to follow. Refreshments will be available before and after the screening, free of charge.

The cast and crew aim to benefit the community by bringing attention to local filmmakers and by increasing diversity in front of and behind the camera.

The goal of this film experience is to increase visibility of performers and filmmakers with disabilities, to encourage diversity within the film community, and to provide opportunities to local artists - particularly those of varying races, genders, sexual identity, and ability, said a press release from the production company.

For more information follow @DawningFilmProductions on Instagram and Facebook, or email DawningFilmProductions@gmail.com .

This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, and administered by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council.

Dawning Film Productions’ mission is to help create and support a network of local filmmakers and to become a more visible resource for local visual artists in Northern New York.