2026 Film: 9-Ball

9-Ball by Justin Graham
Wisconsin (Wisconsin Premiere)

Running Time: 14 minutes

Drama/Sports

September 

Avalon Atmospheric Theater

2473 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207

A notorious pool shark, Earl, plays multiple games against a string of opponents, raking up cash. Upon goading the hall for another opponent, a young man, Max, steps up and places a bet. Earl accepts and they begin to play.

Through flashbacks spanning months and culminating just hours before the match, we discover Earl’s banishment from the sport, his taking Max on as an apprentice, the pupil’s improvement, the mentor’s growing jealousy, and the incident that drove them apart.

Back in the present, Max baits Earl into a dangerous bet involving the now numerous onlookers. As the game reaches its climax, the hustler faces an impossible choice: let his protégé suffer the wrath of the fully invested crowd or pass the torch and accept losing his beloved sport.

9-Ball is a highly stylized exploration on the addictive pull of a passion, mentorship, and the sacrifices required to help others surpass us.

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Directors Bio:

Justin is a filmmaker from Wisconsin and a recent 2026 graduate of Columbia College Chicago’s Directing BFA program. His passion for film and directing was sparked by assignments given out in high school. This quickly transformed into an avid hobby he shared with friends during their breaks and holidays. He most recently completed work on his senior thesis film, 9-Ball. Their ultimate goal is to have his stories seen by people of all backgrounds and to find a place within the larger industry, particularly in development within the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area.

Director's Statement:

The project began the way many of my films do: with a video assignment and the search for a visual gimmick. Thinking back to subjects I had enjoyed, I remembered watching pool and snooker highlights in high school. Players such as Ronnie O’Sullivan, Efren Reyes, and Earl Strickland consistently captured my attention and showed up on my age-restricted school YouTube feed. Combined with the final Russian roulette scene from Michael Cimino's The Deer Hunter, I found my visual device: a high-stakes duel over billiards.

My initial pitch focused on two apprentices facing off years after their teacher’s death. My instructor automatically retorted with, "You're pitching a feature.” Back to the drawing board. A few weeks later, my grandfather passed away. One of the hardest-working people I’ve ever known, he continued volunteering and tending a 400-plant rose garden long after retirement. This made me think to explore a question from the perspective of old age: when is it time to let go of the ambitions and passions that have defined your life?

To tell that story, I reunited with Jerome R. Marzullo, whose performance, along with those of Channing and Georges, both brought depth and nuance that elevated the film as well as provided me with one of the most educational experiences as a director. The project ultimately spanned roughly eighteen months, with 5000 Years Carom Billiards and Studio 63 serving as key locations. Their owners, employees, and players generously helped us capture the world of the game authentically.

While it was by far the most difficult project I've ever completed, with hurdles at nearly every single point of the process, I'm proud of the end product. I literally could not have done it without my surrounding crew, actors, and support system. Their tenacity and willingness to approach whatever constant random challenges popped up were what the film was built on.