Author: Jeff

Our Happy Place

Posted on by Jeff

2025 Official Selection: Feature Film – Horror

Raya, a tormented woman caring for her bedridden husband, is haunted by terrifying nightmares. She wakes up each morning in the forest, falling deeper into freshly dug graves beneath her. As supernatural forces torment her and the line between dream and reality collapses, she unearths a horrifying secret buried within the woods—and herself.

Director(s): Paul Bickel
Writer(s): Paul Bickel
Producer(s): Paul Bickel, Tracie Thoms
Key Cast: Tracie Thoms, Raya Miles, Paul Bickel, Eugene Byrd

Country: United States

The truth won’t stay buried.

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Source: SOFF

Willow and Wu

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2025 Official Selection: Short Film – Drama

On her day off and fresh off a breakup, Willow, a young assistant is assigned to help her high-powered boss’s husband with a bizarre task.

Director(s): Kathy Meng
Writer(s): Kathy Meng, Harry Bacon
Producer(s): Sam Stulin, Jenna You
Key Cast: Aolan Guo, Yves Yan

Country: United States
Los Angeles Premiere

Devil Wears Prada meets Taiwanese New Wave…

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Source: SOFF

Hey HeLP-O! Let’s Go!

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2025 Official Selection: Short Film – Sci-Fi

Talia’s depression keeps her locked in her apartment until she receives a HeLP-O, a paper butler robot that unfolds, cooks, and cleans, but can HeLP-O give Talia the help she really needs?

Director(s): Kevin O’Brien
Writer(s): James Kislingbury
Producer(s): Connor O’Brien, Kevin O’Brien
Key Cast: Quinn Francis, Kevin O’Brien, Caitlin Cutt

Country: United States

How to find eternal beauty in everyday mundane life?

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Source: FILA

604. Joel Benjamin “Max Q”

Posted on by Jeff

A Wonderful Wednesday to You All!

Joel Benjamin created the Immersive Film “Max Q,” one of the highlights of the VR Pavilion at Film Invasion Los Angeles 2025.                                                                                                                                      In fact, Joel took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Immersive Short!

I am always too busy at our festival’s Opening Night Gala to get a chance to watch the Immersive Films up in the VR Pavilion, but thankfully Joel created a “play through” video that gives a non-interactive representation of the work and… holy moly I’m impressed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              It’s a fun, captivating thrill-ride in a cutting edge cinematic format.

You can learn more about Joel at his website https://electricbeard.com/                                                                                                                                                                                                                         and you can follow the Max Q on Instagram at @maxqmovie

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Discover Indie Film Podcast Links
DIF Podcast Website – DIF Instagram – DIF BlueSky

Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Links
DIF Foundation – Sherman Oaks Film Festival – Film Invasion Los Angeles

Source: Discover Film

The Nine

Posted on by Jeff

2025 Official Selection: Short Film – Comedy

A Mother-Daughter duo work to save New Orleans by building a JFK Cult and recruiting more members. Will their savior arrive?

Director(s): Lauren W Bott
Writer(s): Lauren W Bott
Producer(s): George R Bott
Key Cast: Angelena Swords, Mya Lasalle

Country: United States
Los Angeles Premiere

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Source: SOFF