“The Curse Of Moll Dyer” Preview Draws Sold-Out Crowd And Community Participation At TechPort

CALIFORNIA, Md. — Community members, filmmakers and local officials gathered Friday evening inside TechPort at St. Mary’s County Airport as Paul Awad and Kathryn O’Sullivan introduced local audiences to a preview screening of “The Curse of Moll Dyer,” an independent film inspired by one of Southern Maryland’s most enduring legends.

For Awad and O’Sullivan, the event marked an unusual milestone. A preview screening is typically held closer to a film’s release, but local interest prompted the filmmakers to share an early preview. That enthusiasm was seen at the event, with several community members arriving in period dress and participating in additional filming during the evening.

“We’ve never had anything like this,” Awad said. “Usually, we make a project and show it later. But there’s been so much enthusiasm all along the way. Not only is it a wonderful event, but we’re also getting extras. The film is constantly being shot, so this is just wonderful for us.”

O’Sullivan, who co-wrote the screenplay with Awad, said the story evolved organically as filming progressed, blending historical elements with a contemporary narrative.

“We kind of came up with the idea of having a contemporary story interwoven with the historical story,” O’Sullivan said. “And we’ve been writing it as we go. When opportunities arose — like filming at Social Coffeehouse — we adjusted the script. We haven’t turned down any opportunities that have come our way.”

Lead actor Jordan Hundley portrays both Moll Dyer and Morgan, a contemporary character who experiences echoes of Moll Dyer’s isolation and tragedy in a modern setting. The dual narrative allows the film to explore how themes of fear, loss and community judgment reverberate across time.

Hundley described the screening as a uniquely personal experience. The preview marked the first time she watched one of her own performances alongside a live audience seeing it for the first time. She said it was especially meaningful to see local residents react to familiar settings on screen, including scenes filmed at Social Coffeehouse and Woodlawn.

“Watching locals see themselves and their town on screen was so fun,” Hundley said. “When the scene at Social came up, you could feel people reacting.”

She emphasized that beyond the supernatural elements, the film carries a message about empathy and kindness. These themes align with St. Mary’s County’s own modern interpretation of the Moll Dyer story.

“We really wanted the story to emphasize kindness and empathy,” Hundley said. “You never know what someone is going through, and there’s never a reason to treat anyone with harm or prejudice.”

An Interactive Screening Experience

The preview drew a strong turnout, with residents, business owners and county officials in attendance. Several guests arrived dressed in colonial-era attire, responding to the filmmakers’ encouragement to wear period clothing.

“When we pulled up and saw people adjusting their costumes as they walked in, it was just very exciting,” Awad said. “When you pick Moll Dyer as a topic, she generates her own interest.”

Following the screening, Awad set up a green screen and filmed costumed attendees for potential inclusion in the final cut of the movie — turning the preview into an interactive extension of the production itself.

O’Sullivan said filming in St. Mary’s County has felt, at times, unexpectedly aligned with the story’s atmosphere.

“I know this sounds like a little bit of ‘woo-woo,’” O’Sullivan said. “But there were moments while filming — sudden fog, strange calm during windy days — where it just felt like everything lined up for us.”

Lauren Zimmerman, who portrays the ghost of Moll Dyer and has previously embodied the character during Leonardtown’s Moll Dyer Day commemorations, said watching the preview with a local audience was especially meaningful.

“It was really fun to watch the reactions,” Zimmerman said. “You could see the honesty in people’s faces. At one point, we even had goosebumps.”

Zimmerman said the scenes depicting townspeople confronting Moll Dyer and setting her cabin ablaze resonated strongly with the crowd. She added that she hopes audiences walk away with a more compassionate view of the historical figure.

“There was just an eeriness in the air,” Zimmerman said. “I hope people realize Moll was a person, not necessarily a witch. Maybe they can sympathize with her instead of immediately seeing her as the villain.”

Officials See Cultural And Tourism Impact

County officials also attended the event, including St. Mary’s County Commissioner President Randy Guy and Commissioner Mike Alderson.

Guy described the film as an exciting cultural development for the county and said that while the preview represented a work in progress, he believed the finished film would resonate with audiences.

“I thought it was pretty good,” Guy said. “We’re seeing a premiere of something that’s still being put together, but it follows the Moll Dyer story and adds a few elements. I think it’ll be a great movie when it’s finished.”

Guy also mentioned the Moll Dyer rock — displayed near Tudor Hall in Leonardtown — as an existing tourism draw and said a feature film inspired by the legend could further increase interest in local history.

“It draws people here. The rock is already a place people visit in Leonardtown. This just adds more interest to it,” Guy said. “I love it. I’m looking forward to the final version when they get it done. It’ll be great recreation for all of us.”

Alderson said events like the screening helped connect residents, especially younger audiences, to local history with a more accessible format. He also noted that hosting events at TechPort highlighted the county’s investment in the airport campus and its potential as a community venue.

“Something like this can help youth in our area have a better appreciation of history,” Alderson said. “If it’s presented in a medium they can relate to, that’s a good thing.”

Scott Sanders of Tobacco Barn Distillery, who helped coordinate the event locally, said the preview screening exceeded expectations and sold out weeks in advance. He credited Visit St. Mary’s, the St. Mary’s County commissioners, the St. Mary’s Department of Economic Development, the Maryland Department of Commerce, St. Mary’s Liquid Assets and TechPort for helping make the event possible.

“We sold out three weeks ago,” Sanders said. “It honestly got a little bigger than we expected. We were planning for around 50 people, and it just kept growing.”

From a tourism standpoint, Sanders said events like the screening highlight the county’s unique historical identity and position Moll Dyer as part of a broader cultural draw, especially as Maryland approaches its 400th anniversary in 2034.

“It showcases the cool history we have here,” Sanders said. “Life was rough in the early days of St. Mary’s County, and this is one of those stories that brings that history to life.”

Representatives from Maryland’s tourism industry attended as well, signaling a broader regional interest in how local storytelling and filmmaking can intersect with cultural tourism.

Liz Mildenstein, executive director of Visit St. Mary’s, described the preview screening as both a tourism opportunity and a community experience. She said the event highlighted local scenery and businesses while allowing residents to see familiar places reflected on screen.

“I thought the turnout was great,” Mildenstein said. “How often do we get to see a movie preview in St. Mary’s County? It’s exciting to see snippets of our community featured on the big screen.”

Mildenstein noted that events like the screening helped reinforce a sense of place — giving residents the same types of experiences typically marketed to visitors — while also showcasing St. Mary’s County as a welcoming and collaborative destination for filmmakers and entrepreneurs.

“Tourism is about creating positive experiences for people who visit, but that should absolutely extend to our residents as well,” Mildenstein said. “Residents deserve those same opportunities to enjoy where they live.”

The event was supported through the Maryland Alcohol Manufacturers Promotion Fund, a state grant program administered through the Maryland Department of Commerce that helps promote local craft beverage producers and related tourism initiatives.

Ryan Daniels, a St. Mary’s County commissioner candidate for District 4 and a lifelong county resident, described the preview screening as an exciting moment for the county. Daniels said seeing local landmarks featured on screen resonated with him personally.

“It’s pretty cool,” Daniels said. “St. Mary’s County is already a great place, so getting more eyes down here for something like this is exciting.”

Daniels said the film brings additional attention to the longstanding Moll Dyer legend and introduces it to new audiences in a modern format.

“The Curse of Moll Dyer has been around for a while,” Daniels said. “It feels like it’s getting more attention lately, and it’s cool that someone turned that into a film.”

What Comes Next For Moll Dyer

While rooted in local legend, The Curse of Moll Dyer is not positioned as a strict historical retelling. Instead, Awad and O’Sullivan describe it as atmospheric memory and emotional resonance rather than traditional horror.

For many in attendance, Friday night was less about genre and more about a shared experience. Attendees saw familiar landscapes on screen, watched neighbors appear in costume and witnessed a local story take form on the big screen.

Mildenstein mentioned that events like the preview connected local storytelling with current events like Moll Dyer Weekend, which lands on Feb. 20-22 this year in Leonardtown.

“Moll Dyer Weekend celebrates not just the legend, but the idea of being kind,” Mildenstein said. “When productions film here, it gives us the opportunity to showcase how beautiful St. Mary’s County is.”

The full release of The Curse of Moll Dyer is anticipated in October.

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