UMSL media studies lecturer Jack Snyder wrote, produced, directed and edited the film "Fatal Call," which will be screened in St. Louis July 12. (Movie poster courtesy of Artist View Entertainment and Kalinga Productions)

A movie with ties to the University of Missouri–St. Louis has scored a major coup.

The thriller “Fatal Call,” was recently screened at the Marché du Film, a film market that is part of the Cannes Film Festival in France. Jack Snyder, a lecturer in media studies at UMSL wrote, produced, directed and edited the film. He also makes a cameo in it.

“Even in the world of huge Hollywood blockbusters, there is still room for indie films to get exposure,” Snyder said. ”One of the ways is to screen at Cannes, which is both a festival and a market.”

The movie stars Jason London, Kevin Sorbo and Danielle Harris.

Snyder said it’s no easy feat for a film to get a showing at Cannes. He said it takes a good story, good acting, good production and a good distributor.

“Our distributor has a couple hundred films in their catalog and is only screening one: ours!” Snyder said.

While the screening is an unbelievable honor, there are additional benefits to having the film listed in the Cannes schedule, which is printed in every major film magazine in the world.

“That alone gets your name and your film’s name out there,” he said.

People in the St. Louis area can see “Fatal Call” when it plays at the Tivoli Theatre in University City, Mo., July 12 as part of the St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase.

Snyder also wrote, directed and edited the 2007 movie “Ghost Image.” It aired on Showtime and The Movie Channel.

Click here or below to view the trailer for “Fatal Call.”