2011 Official Selections

The 2011 PWFF Selection Committee is proud to announce the official selections for our 15th Annual Playhouse West Film Festival. We have selected 44 films (2 features & 42 shorts), more than we’ve ever screened before, and are extremely excited about the festival we have planned.

We had a high number of submissions this year, making it one of the most competitive ever, and there were many deserving films we wish we could screen. We thank everyone for your entries, and want to encourage your continued contributions to filmmaking and the art of cinema.  Click on Films to read more about them.

Feature Films

American Bully

SATURDAY 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Feature Film

American Bully

(82m, crime drama/thriller)

Dir: Dave Rodgriguez Prod: George M. Kostuch, Matt Keith, Dave Rodriguez Screenplay: Dave Rodriguez, Zak Meyers Cast: Matt O’Leary, Marshall Allman, Jonathan Halyalkar, Sam Murphy, Ross Britz, Brooke Johnson, Meghan Stansfield, Paul Ben-Victor, Dan Wells, John Savage, Natasha Henstridge

A middle-American teenage boy who is affected by 9/11, terrorism, and the war in Iraq becomes involved in an isolated high school altercation that escalates into a hate crime that shocks the entire nation.

Winner, Best Feature, Charleston International Film Festival
Winner, Best Screenplay, Long Island International Film Festival
Winner, Excellence in Filmmaking, Method Fest Film Festival

Post

FRIDAY 7:15 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Feature Film

Post
(90m, drama, World Premiere)

Dir: Jim Parrack
Prod: Jim Parrack
Screenplay: Jim Parrack
Cast: Ciera Parrack, Heather Morris, Katie Ryan, Olivia Dudek, Katherine Boecher, Lexy Hume, Tony Savant, Mark Pellegrino, Scott Haze, Lukas Behnken, Jim Jarrett, Kim Savant, Holly Gagnier, Tracy Aziz, Laura Steigers, Mario Degasperi, Michelle Coyle, Jeffrey Oliphant, Melissa Thompson Esaia, Matthew Militano, Derek Halverson, Victoria Park, Matthew McGee

After repeated attempts to avoid reality have alienated her from herself, her friends, and her art, a dancer must confront a simple but terrifying problem: die, or face the most horrific truths about her life with the hope that freedom, joy and healing will bring her back to life.

 

Post is the directorial debut of Jim Parrack (“True Blood”, Battle Los Angeles) and the inaugural movie for his 120 Productions, Inc. It was shot without a crew and without a single lighting set up, and is exclusively acted by either non-actors or members of Playhouse West.

Short Films

127 Seconds

(4m, comedy/spoof)

Dir: Sean Crampton Prod: Harris Markson, Sean Crampton Screenplay: Harris Markson Cast: Harris Markson

A look at what happens when James gets his favorite shirt caught in his front door!

127 Minutes

(5m, comedy/spoof)

Dir: Chris Buongiorno Prod: Chris Buongiorno Screenplay: Chris Buongiorno and Lak Rana Cast: Lak Rana, Emily Dickens

A parody of the recent film, 127 Hours, where a guy gets his hand stuck in a car door, and knows only one way to get it out.

A Long Vacation

(10m, drama)

Dir: Tony Repinski Prod: Tony Repinski Screenplay: Tony Repinski Cast: Ric Maddox, Brianne La Flair

A young soldier fresh from Iraq is confronted daily with thoughts and images of the war and the only thing keeping him sane is in his medication

A Sense of Humor

(13m, comedy)

Dir: Nathan Larkin-Connolly Prod: Ari Costa Screenplay: Nathan Larkin-Connolly Cast: Heather Morris, John Weselcouch

Laura was born without the ability to laugh, but when she meets and falls for Charlie, a struggling stand-up comedian, he makes it his life purpose to help Laura crack up.

Agent 6

(9m, drama/action)

Dir: Jason Kent Carpenter Prod: Jason Kent Carpenter, Jahmar Griffin Screenplay: Jason Kent Carpenter, Nicola Pizzi Cast: Julien Wojta, Katie Wee, David Gunther, Jeff Brohnson, Marco Pantoliano

After completing a secret mission for his agency, an agent must make the decision between delivering the enemy device to home base or to go back and save the girl he left behind.

Anything

(38m, drama)

Dir: Patrick Bautista Prod: Patrick Bautista Screenplay: Patrick Bautista Cast: Patrick Bautista, Drae Williamson, Rhett Swanson, Sam Dobbins, Kim Beavers, Sara Johnston, Joel Slabo

A naive young couple go to Hollywood to leave their abusive lives only to run into a tragic nightmare.

A.W.O.L.

(14m, drama)

Dir: Alex Bulat, Stephen McCain Prod: Aditya Oza, Alex Bulat, Stephen McCain Screenplay: Alex Bulat Cast: Stephen McCain, Alex Bulat, Amanda Ashley, Wolfgang Bodison, Jerome Smith, Holly Gagnier

The death of his best friend in Iraq forces Johnny to come to terms with a dark secret.

Baby of Mine

(22, drama)

Dir: Adam Hodge Prod: Gia Franzia, Gwendolyn Dolske Screenplay: Adam Hodge, Gia Franzia, Anna derBoghossian, Gwendolyn Dolske Cast: Gia Franzia, Karen Peterson, Andrea Helene, Gwendolyn Dolske

As she struggles with her family, Jessica, an unwed mother, also fights her inner demons searching for the balance that has always been missing in her life.

Backseat

(15m, comedy)

Dir: Christopher Jordan Woodring Prod: Chance Propps Screenplay: Christopher Jordan Woodring Cast: Annie McCain Engman, Nick Cimiluca

When a couple’s inability to get pregnant threatens to tear apart their marriage, the wife takes it upon herself to reignite their lost passion.

The Barista

(5m, comedy/webisode)

Dir: Andrew Abrahamson Prod: Lacy McClory Screenplay: Lacy McClory Cast: Rocky Benoit, Brian Lally, Holly Gagnier

A Barista looks for love in all the wrong places.

Bitchin' Camaro

(8m, comedy)

Dir: John David Moffat Prod: Christopher Holloway Screenplay: John David Moffat Cast: Troy Jones, Deborah Venegas

A couple of bored young punks take on a dangerous bet in hopes of winning the hearts and bodies of their unexpected visitors.

The Boyfriend

(30m, drama/thriller)

Dir: Alan Weischedel Prod: Alan Weischedel Screenplay: Alan Weischedel Cast: Alan Weischedel, Julianna Piechovski, Frederick Ponzlov, Alexa James, Amanda Ashley, Tony Dang, Stephen McCain, Kristin Ige, Jonathan Holborn, Lynda Berg, Greg Hutto

He loves you… but you don’t know he exists.

Brandon's Revenge

(6m, comedy/action)

Dir: Nicholas Acosta Prod: Eliver Ling, Brandon Clarke, William Mull Screenplay: Nicholas Acosta, Brandon Clarke, Eliver Ling, William Mull Cast: Nicholas Acosta, Brandon Clarke, Dave Fordham, Eliver Ling, William Mull

Don’t make fun of people’s shirts especially when they’re worn by homicidal geeks.

Busy Doing Nothing

(24m, comedy)

Dir: Aaron Fradkin Prod: Jonathon Closson Screenplay: Aaron Fradkin Cast: Benjamin Faigus, Ashley Bornancin, Michael Sweeney, Sam Brittan, Todd Gaebe, Taja Perkins, Richardson Chery, Sally Prowd

A look at the unusual everyday experiences of an odd couple of roommates living in Los Angeles.

Desmond's Dead

(11m, comedy)

Dir: Ingrid Clay Prod: Gabriel Grier, Lindsay May Heathcote, Veronica Mendoza Screenplay: Veronica Mendoza, Lindsay May Heathcote Cast: Lindsay May Heathcote, Veronica Mendoza, Jerome Smith

A deadly triple mixture of the world’s oldest profession, a little bottle of blue pills, and a series of uninvited guests puts the friendship and freedom of two women to the ultimate test.

Dreams of Solace

(19m, drama/romance)

Dir: Philip Johnson Prod: Philip Johnson Screenplay: Philip Johnson Cast: Philip Johnson, Sarah Elizabeth Johnston, Amanda Adrienne, Brian Lally, Eric Aten, Tamar Feinkind

Through random encounters and dreams, two lonely people mourning the loss of loved ones find consolation in each other.

The Elevator

(14m, comedy/romance)

Dir: Heather Morris, Ashley Lendzion Prod: Heather Morris, Ryan Sanson, Garret Sanson Screenplay: Ashley Lendzion, Heather Morris Cast: Nathan Larkin-Connolly, Heather Morris, Ashley Lendzion, Jaclyn Stover, Josh Sussman, Kevin Farley, Garrett Sanson, Lance Kreple, Kelly Perine, Ryan Sanson, Hannah Douglass

Nate always took the stairs, until one day, when he recruits the help of his best friend Louise to help him try to overcome his fear and get this mysterious elevator girl.

Evening News

(7m, thriller/mystery)

Dir: Kentaro Shinagawa Prod: Kentaro Shinagawa, Turi Haim Screenplay: Daniel Parlato Cast: Turi Haim, Masha Zhandalinova

The Evening News may happen closer than you think!

Hector Corp

(14m, comedy/action)

Dir: Gary H. Lee Prod: Luke E. Watson Screenplay: Gary H. Lee Cast: Roger Horn, Preston Smith, Andrea Monier, Stan Haptas, Luke E. Watson

Hector Corporation takes extreme measures to manage their employees with unexpected executioners.

How Paco Ate Taco

(11m, comedy)

Dir: Alex Bulat Prod: Alex Bulat, Brendan Pollecut Screenplay: Alex Bulat Cast: Chelsea Rodriguez, Christian Fresco

A shy young man constantly fantasizing about women while working in his father’s laundromat discovers a mysterious book that may make all his dreams come true.

Intruder

(5m, horror/thriller/spoof)

Dir: Sean Crampton Prod: Kimberly Beavers, Sarah Johnston, Sean Crampton Screenplay: Kimberly Beavers, Sarah Johnston Cast: Kimberly Beavers, Sarah Johnston, Sean Crampton, Gabriel Grier, Harris Markson, Kyle Brady

Four lives are changed forever when two young women hear something coming from the kitchen during their movie night.

Just In Case

(7m, drama/action)

Dir: Ye’ela Rosenfeld Prod: Konstantin Lavysh Screenplay: Ye’ela Rosenfeld Cast: Lilly McDowell, Konstantin Lavysh

A love story between a Russian soldier and an American pianist, which happens entirely on a bus with a suicide bomber on it.

Leonard

(9m, drama)

Dir: John Roney Prod: John Roney, Devin Crittenden Screenplay: Devin Crittenden Cast: Devin Crittenden, Sean Crampton

Leonard meets two young men after they have attended a funeral for someone very close to them; we watch as they deal with conflicting emotions attached to the loss of their friend Leonard.

The Lover

(15m, thriller)

Dir: Sean Crampton Prod: Andrea Dantas Screenplay: Andrea Dantas Cast: Andrea Dantas, Sean Crampton, Veronica Mendoza

Jerry bites off a little more than he can chew when he has an affair with a woman he met online.

Paper Dolls

(18m, drama)

Dir: Eugene Luzong Prod: Eugene Luzong Screenplay: John Savant Cast: Isabella Trangelo, Vance Lanoy

All Rose Gonzalez wants is to pursue her dream of a career in photography, but her stubborn father puts his foot down.

The Refuge

(7m, drama/action/thriller)

Dir: Nicholas Acosta Prod: Don Le, Giordany Orellana, Adrian Zaw, Rhett Swanson Screenplay: Nicholas Acosta Cast: Adrian Zaw, Grace Su, Jo Mani, Sam Puefua

Super Human chase for the the only safe haven they have left.

Red Black Yellow

(19m, drama)

Dir: Andrew Abrahamson, Erik Cardona Prod: Andrew Abrahamson, Erik Cardona, Rhett Swanson Screenplay: Andrew Abrahamson, Erik Cardona Cast: Michael Bortone, Kris Park, Brian Lally, Eric Edwards

Two men are inspired to commit a crime together, both for very different reasons.

Rehearsing

(12m, comedy)

Dir: Cameron Van Hoy Prod: Joshua Denhardt Screenplay: Cameron Van Hoy Cast: Ingrid Clay, Joshua Denhardt, Cameron Van Hoy

A comedy about the hardship of being married to an actor and the jealousy and suspicion that can arise, and the lesson that true love can only flourish with trust and understanding.

Rope

(4m, drama)

Dir: Ian Clay Prod: Ian Clay Screenplay: Ian Clay Cast: Jason Britt

Crushed by the unbearable weight of the way things are, a young man opts for an irrevocable solution.

Roshambo Apocalypse

(14m, comedy)

Dir: Samir Salem Prod: Enrique De La Haza Screenplay: Mathew Murphy Cast: Sterling Price, Tom Proctor, Lincoln Hoppe

In order to save his girlfriend, Johnny America must make his way through Mr. Big’s underground lair full of thugs and warriors, culminating in a battle against his arch enemy, The Russian.

Shine

(10m, drama)

Dir: Carla Cid, Hilario Flores Prod: Danielle Loo Screenplay: Carla Cid Cast: Jesse Ruda, Stephen McCain, Kathryn Miller, Patrick McIntyre

Before grief extinguishes Harold’s view of a future, a friend reaches out to make it shine.

Simone

(18m, drama)

Dir: Wolfgang Bodison Prod: Ingrid Clay Screenplay: Ingrid Clay Cast: Ingrid Clay, Jim Parrack, Holly Gagnier, Joe Gerety

A young black woman and her white boyfriend are forced to make important life decisions involving class, race and love.

The Squirrel Trap

(10m, drama/children)

Dir: Lance Delgado Prod: Lance Delgado Screenplay: Amalia Stephenson Cast: Devon Jade, Amalia Stephenson

A young boy in rural Sweden encounters the unexpected when he leaves home with his new squirrel trap.

Sweet Nothing

(9m, drama)

Dir: Blake Hamilton Prod: Keith Hamilton Screenplay: Keith Hamilton Cast: Evan Robert Smith, Deanna Gibson, Nick Coleman, Dominic Fano

A boy buys his first record, The Clash’s ‘Combat Rock’, in an attempt to connect with his dying mother.

Taken

(2m, comedy)

Dir: Kirby Heyborne, Lincoln Hoppe Prod: Lincoln Hoppe Screenplay: Lincoln Hoppe, Kirby Heyborne Cast: Dave Thompson, Kirby Heyborne, Lincoln Hoppe

You should share – but some things are just already taken.

Translation

(8m, comedy)

Dir: Wes Shirley Prod: Luke Royer, Wes Shirley Screenplay: Luke Royer, Wes Shirley Cast: Wes Shirley, Luke Royer, Jackie Becker, James Ball Jr., Mandi Kate Smith

The relationship between the characters is the focus of this ‘episode’; what this is ultimately trying to get to is an expanded idea of the film Inception.

Two Bulls

(12m, drama/suspense)

Dir: Ricardo Ultreras Prod: Wolfgang Bodison Screenplay: Mario DeGasperi, Wolfgang Bodison Cast: Mario DeGasperi, Wolfgang Bodison

Two cops, one room, and a tragic debt to be paid.

The Visitation

(16, drama/thriller)

Dir: Cameron Young Prod: Carter Fisk, Scott and Curt Fleming Screenplay: Cameron Young Cast: Oscar Torre, Wolfgang Bodison, Michael Bailey Smith

Frank Aruca is a multi-millionaire real estate developer fallen on hard times who hires two ‘mechanics’ to help him fake his death so his wife can collect on him, and all goes well – until it doesn’t.

The Warm-Up Guy

(35m, drama)

Dir: Nicholas Weidner Prod: Alan Larsen, Donna Weidner, Marilyn Porayko Screenplay: Jon Stremel, Jeff Hatz, Nicholas Weidner Cast: John Ennis, Chris Devlin, Claire Kirk, Circus Szalewski, Joe Flood, Nick Thune, Marilyn Porayko

An aging stand-up comedian stages a fake robbery at his parent’s successful restaurant only to have a rigatoni dish named after him once discovering his younger brother was honored with a dish before him.

Waves

(2m, drama)

Dir: Thor Gold Prod: Nicholas M. Muccini Screenplay:Thor Gold Cast: Adrianne Palicki, Zack Trotter

A ‘player’ seeks solace at the beach in order to get rid of the pain of unrequited love.

Whiplash

(2m, drama)

Dir: Camille Balsamo Prod: Camille Balsamo Screenplay: Reid Collums Cast: Camille Balsamo, Reid Collums

The beginning… of the end.

Yard Sale

(11m, drama/suspense)

Dir: Anika Poitier Prod: Anika Poitier Screenplay: Anika Poitier, Leandro Pari DiMonrovia Cast: Leandro Pari DiMonriva, Resmine Atis, J. Lewis Element, Jackie Becker, Dave Schlachtenhaufen, Jordan Stone, Stephen McCain, Suwon Weaver, Sydney Tamilia Poitier

Sometimes a yard sale is not just a yard sale…it’s a clever front.