Uncle Preston is a 4-minute, 27-second American short film directed and written by Carter Eglitis. Belonging to sports, drama, family and biographical genres, it combines personal history and collective memory through a narrative reconstruction focused on karate, the martial discipline that shaped its protagonist's life.
The film is inspired by the life of Preston F. Carter Sr., one of the first African American men to attain the 10th Dan in karate, the highest rank in the martial-arts world. The story is told in the voice of his granddaughter, “The Matriarch”, played by Terise Lang, which conveys the value of orally transmitting family stories. The role of Grand Master Preston Carter is played by Darrell Brill, in a dramatised portrayal rooted in events that actually occurred.
The film belongs to the context of oral tradition, transformed into images and cinematic storytelling, with the aim of preserving family memory and paying tribute to the legacy of ancestors. Its main message is one of resilience, passion and strength, qualities arising from Preston Carter's sporting and personal commitment and continuing to be an example for later generations.
Uncle Preston was completed on 9 February 2025 in the United States. Shot in 16mm colour, the short film is not a student project but Carter Eglitis's first work as a director, made on an independent budget of about $1,000.
Film Details
Title: Uncle Preston
Original title: Uncle Preston
Director: Carter Eglitis
Production: Carter Eglitis
Country: United States
Language: English
Running time: 4 minutes 27 seconds
Genre: Short film, Sports, Drama, Biopic, Family story
Sport featured: Karate
Protagonist(s): Darrell Brill (“Grand Master Preston F. Carter Sr.”), Terise Lang (“The Matriarch”)
Completion date: 9 February 2025
Premiere: [Not specified]
Distributor: [Not available]
Shooting format: 16mm, colour
Director's first film: Yes
Student project: No