Set against the backdrop of Toronto’s vibrant and urban landscape, Butterfly on a Wheel shares a poignant story of a gifted young musician grappling with the invisible struggles of OCD and anxiety.
The film follows Jacen Davis (Curran Walters), a promising jazz student at the prestigious Royal Conservatory of Music, working to build his confidence to perform live at the renowned Koerner Hall. Despite his immense talent, Jacen’s fears and inner battles hold him back, until a chance encounter with Sorrel (Brielle Robillard), sparks a transformative journey. With the unwavering support of his brother Dylan (Michael Provost), Jacen embarks on the difficult but inspiring path to rediscover his most authentic self.
Butterfly on a Wheel marks the directorial and screenwriting debut of Trevor Morris, the two-time Emmy Award-winning TV & Film composer whose work has scored acclaimed series and international blockbusters. In his first narrative film, Morris brings his signature artistry to the screen, fusing music, emotion, and visual storytelling into a heartfelt meditation on resilience, connection, and creative freedom.
“It’s at the heart of the universal human condition, to all want to be seen, seen for who we really are. The human condition is an enduring focus of mine, and with this movie I wanted to explore the theme of how we all manage to “get in our own way”, and what it takes to get past that very thing.” – Morris
The film has already received recognition on the festival circuit, with official selections at Newport Beach, Coronado Island, Night of Shorts, Catalina, and Global Peace 360 Film Festivals. It has also been named a semi-finalist at the Rhode Island International Film Festival and will be featured at the TIFF Market Screening.
Executive producer Susan Cooper is an Emmy winning producer and founding partner of Taublieb Films, where she develops and produces feature films, documentaries, TV, and digital content, as well as projects for Sadiki LLC/Manadoob. She served as Executive Producer on the top-grossing feature The Vow (Sony/MGM), Showtime’s award-winning Enslavement: The True Story of Fanny Kemble, and Netflix’s Unchained: The Untold Story of Freestyle Motocross. Most recently, she directed and produced ABC’s Blood Line: The Life and Times of Brian Deegan.
Executive Jim Seibel is an industry veteran known for blockbuster titles such as The Host, Replicas, Nyad, and The Grey. From 1994–1999, Seibel advanced from the Saban mailroom making his way to the offices of COO, Mel Woods and CEO, Haim Saban as their executive assistant and later Director of TV & Motion Pictures of Saban International. Since 1998, Mr. Seibel has been instrumental in raising nearly $600 million of financing for feature films and television and amassed an impressive filmography as producer or executive producer.
With its rich Toronto setting, soulful performances, and exploration of mental health through the lens of artistry, Butterfly on a Wheel offers a poignant, uplifting, and universally resonant story for audiences everywhere.
