New York, NY — Puppet artistry performs a pivotal function within the new indie net sequence Forked, making its world premiere at New York CineFest (April twenty sixth at 4:30pm ET) with a three-episode screening that features a standout fantasy sequence that includes a custom-built dragon puppet, dropped at life by two acclaimed artists within the puppetry world: designer/builder Chris Palmieri and puppeteer Nick Lehane.
The sequence, created by and starring Sarah Goeke and directed by Julia Sears, is an intimate and irreverent story about sobriety, disgrace, and self-discovery—advised by means of the lens of a lady narrating fantasy erotica from her childhood bed room. However in a single surreal sequence, the story escapes the confines of that room and soars into full fantasy, due to the presence of a mesmerizing dragon puppet.
Palmieri, recognized for his work on Disney’s Winnie the Pooh, Discipline Station: Dinosaurs, and Cosy’s Home (NBCUniversal), designed and constructed the puppet particularly for the Forked sequence. With a profession spanning high-profile theatrical productions, nationwide excursions, and industrial puppetry design, Palmieri crafted a creature that captures each whimsy and emotional weight.
“We needed the dragon to really feel grounded on this planet of fantasy erotica however nonetheless emotionally related to our major character’s inside journey,” stated Palmieri. “It needed to be horny, but additionally honest.”
To deliver the creature to life, the crew introduced in Nick Lehane, a world-renowned puppeteer celebrated for his authentic solo puppet piece Chimpanzee, in addition to his work with Battle Horse and Avenue Q. Lehane’s potential to imbue breath and emotion into all his characters made him the best performer to embody the symbolic, dreamlike episode in Forked.
“The dragon represents what’s beneath the floor,” stated director Julia Sears. “She is engaging, playful, and just a little excessive. Nick instantly introduced Chris’s creation to life which actualized a magical second of self acceptance within the sequence.”
The sequence exemplifies what Forked does greatest: mixing grounded emotional storytelling with shocking, theatrical visuals. The dragon turns into an emblem of want, escape, and fantasy—an embodiment of the present’s central stress between repression and freedom.
Shot over six days in Pittsburgh with a 16-person crew, Forked exemplifies the artistry and inventiveness of unbiased filmmaking. Whereas three episodes will display screen at CineFest—together with the fantasy dragon sequence—the total seven-episode season is at the moment starting its movie competition run.
For puppet fans, sensible results lovers, and followers of character-driven fantasy, it is a uncommon probability to see skilled hand puppetry featured in a deeply human story.
🎬 World Premiere of Forked
📍 New York CineFest
🗓️ April 26, 2025 @ 4:30pm Block 17 – Shorts
🎟️ Tickets & Information: www.newyorkcinefest.com/tickets
📲 Comply with @ForkedWebSeries on Instagram for launch updates, competition information, and behind-the-scenes tales from the making of the sequence.
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