Featured film 'Imbalance' reunites cast, highlights Lowcountry's growing film presence

The film explores power dynamics in the wake of the Me Too movement and raises questions about Title IX and accountability in schools.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The film 'Imbalance,' with ties to the Lowcountry's growing film community, is among the featured screenings at the Beaufort International Film Festival. The film reunites lead actors Sharon Lawrence and Nicholas Gonzalez, who first performed their roles in the original stage production 20 years ago. Writer, director and executive producer Dale Griffiths Stamos adapted the story from her original play, marking her first feature-length film.

Why it matters

The Beaufort International Film Festival is marking its 20th anniversary this year, continuing its tradition of connecting filmmakers with audiences across the Lowcountry. The festival provides a platform for meaningful stories and sophisticated filmmaking, highlighting the region's growing importance as a hub for the film industry.

The details

Fresh off its world premiere, 'Imbalance' is now screening as part of the annual Beaufort International Film Festival at the University of South Carolina Beaufort Center for the Arts. The film explores themes of power dynamics, ethics and accountability in the wake of the #MeToo movement, focusing on a relationship between a professor and her teaching assistant as universities face increased scrutiny under Title IX policies.

  • The Beaufort International Film Festival is marking its 20th anniversary this year.
  • 'Imbalance' is scheduled to screen at 7:30 p.m. Thursday as part of the Beaufort International Film Festival.

The players

Sharon Lawrence

Lead actress in 'Imbalance' who first performed the role in the original stage production 20 years ago.

Nicholas Gonzalez

Lead actor in 'Imbalance' who first performed the role in the original stage production 20 years ago.

Dale Griffiths Stamos

Writer, director and executive producer of 'Imbalance' who adapted the story from her original play, marking her first feature-length film.

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What they’re saying

“With all the knowledge we had with this play and now to do the film has been one of the most exciting things about it.”

— Nicholas Gonzalez (wjcl.com)

“It's for sophisticated audiences. It has layers. It has intellect, and it has heart. So I think that the folks here in Beaufort have all of those things.”

— Dale Griffiths Stamos, Writer, director and executive producer (wjcl.com)

“Savannah has also become such a place for filmmaking.”

— Nicholas Gonzalez (wjcl.com)

What’s next

The film 'Imbalance' is scheduled to screen at 7:30 p.m. Thursday as part of the Beaufort International Film Festival.

The takeaway

The Beaufort International Film Festival continues to provide a platform for meaningful, sophisticated filmmaking that resonates with local audiences, highlighting the Lowcountry's growing importance as a hub for the film industry.