By Google searching the name Alex J. Ankrom, the first result to pop up will be his IMDb page featuring a biography and listing of films. Two of those films will be shown at The State Theatre this Saturday.
Alex was a 2002 graduate of Boyertown Area Senior High. He then attended Boston University to receive his bachelors and to eventually receive his master’s degree in creative writing from there. In 2011, he graduated with a master’s degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute in California.
His mother, Kim Ankrom, said he’s always expressed an interest in writing ever since the second grade.
“He was a really smart kid, he wrote all through junior high and high school.” She said he originally wanted to be a lawyer and switched tracks at some point while attending BU.
Over the years, Alex completed several short stories and films while was living in California. At one point he was an Academy Nicholl Fellowship semifinalist.
In December of 2015, Alex passed away due to heart complications. Kim believes her son completed six films, in addition to many other works, prior to his death.
On Saturday, June 24, the Ankrom family invites the public to view two of Alex’s short films – “Dead Man’s Hand” and “Jin.” There will be four showings held at 12:10 p.m., 1:10 p.m., 2:10 p.m., and 3:10 p.m. There will be no admission fees. Each feature is about 20 minutes long and they are not rated.
This event is not a memorial or a celebration of life, but instead a way to honor Alex and share his works.
