Official Selections: 35th LA Comedy Film Festivals
Congratulations to our accepted filmmakers!
Films are listed in alphabetical order, index to the left.
Scroll Down to learn more about each film.
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Short
An outsider must navigate a watch party for a popular show he's never seen.
Director: Hunter Hopewell
Producer: Hunter Hopewell
Writers: Hunter Hopewell, Perry Bruno
Cast: Perry Bruno, Hunter Hopewell, Tristan Turner, Shanta Davis, Joanna Hobbie
Cinematographer: Sean Singer
Editor: Hunter Hopewell
Website: http://hunterhopewell.com
Instagram: @hunterhopewell
Spirit Quest
TV Pilot
World Premiere
Two best friends and one ex-girlfriend discover themselves on ‘Spirit Quest’, the open-ended road trip of a lifetime.
Director: Carson Bokenfohr
Producer: Carson Bokenfohr, Wai Sun Cheng, Bryce McLaughlin
Writer: Carson Bokenfohr, Jake Sheardown
Cast: Carson Bokenfohr, Jake Sheardown, Briana Skye, Cody Kearsley, Alan Pavlakovic
Cinematographer: Sammy Su
Editor: Cameron Sadler, Michael George
Instagram: @spiritquest.series
My whole life comedy has been a point of contact to others. Laughter has always just made sense. Whether I used it to end an argument at the dinner table, make an introduction to a friend’s spouse or lift the spirits at my grandfather's memorial, I recognized early on that creating laughter is something people needed, and looked forward to. Growing up I learned that comedy was one of the few things I could rely on. And I loved it.
I owe my skills for writing and creating comedy to years of performing improv and live comedy shows. That’s where I met Jake and we started collaborating and came up with the budding ideas that would become Spirit Quest. This may have been our first kick at the can, but already I started noticing some abilities in myself, a desire for unchallengeable power, sure, but more so a genuine knack for leadership and directing not just crew, or talent, but a whole living microcosm of creativity, and looking back I realized (or was not so gently reminded); this is not something everyone can do. In saying that, it must be recognized that I did not do this alone. The brilliant team behind Spirit Quest, from top to bottom, was an incredible group that each had something to add and bring every word on the page to life. The amount I learned, from pre- to post production, down to enhancing or ruining a single comedic moment, has been invaluable.
From conception to being accepted in the 35th LA Comedy Film Festival, this pilot has been a quest of it’s own, with so, so much story left to tell. ~Carson Bokenfohr
Sugar Honey
Short
World Premiere
After her scholarship abruptly falls through, an inexperienced college student attempts to become a sugar baby.
Director: Amanda Gordon
Producer: Amanda Gordon, Holly Wagner
Writer: Amanda Gordon
Cast: Zöe Tyler, Denis Lambert, Obinne Onyeador, Liz Days
Cinematographer: Emily Kordovich
Editor: Celine Clarke
Tales From a Neighborhood Pot Shop
TV Pilot
World Premiere
The early 2010s marked the dawn of a green gold rush with the legalization of recreational marijuana. It was the wild west for the cannabis industry—a time of bold risks, uncharted territories, and high-stakes ventures. Tales from a Neighborhood Pot Shop is the story of a trailblazing pot shop in over their heads.
Directors: JJ Krehbiel, Tom Djokaj
Producers: JJ Krehbiel, Jon Krehbiel
Writer: JJ Krehbiel, Jon Krehbiel
Cast: Tomi Townsend, Tom Powers, Tom Djokaj, Bill Lynn, Cori Williams, Bob Romeo, Mike Wiley, Nick Nelms, Erin Gillespie
Cinematographer: Tom Djokaj
Editor: JJ Krehbiel
The Bissel
THE HOIST
Short
West Coast Premiere
Local inventor Bill is on a mission to protect the most important thing at the annual bush dance...the supper! But will an uninvited guest ruin everything?
Director: Janneke Williamson
Producer: Eve Donohue and Janneke Williamson
Writer: Emma Morgan
Cast: Rhys Muldoon, Kate Atkinson, Rory Williamson, Keavong, Sheila Oliver
Cinematographer: Miranda Porter
Editor: William Missett
Winner Best in Show and People’s Choice at the Sunny Coast Showdown, Official selection for Flickerfest (Sydney Australia) and also official selection for National Tour of Flickerfest (Australia),Official selection for Shorts Miami International Film Festival.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/the.hoist.film
The Loving Couple
Animated Short
A long-term relationship can seem picture-perfect on the outside, but as this couple celebrates their fortieth anniversary, we see that life isn’t always as rosy as it appears.
Mhairi Kerr - Director
Mhairi Kerr - Writer
Mhairi Kerr - Producer
The Open Door
Short
An all-star cast, high production value and a "must-see" ending drive this incredible adaptation of the famous short story "The Open Window" by H. H. Munro. A short film set in 1918, THE OPEN DOOR tells the story of Framton Nuttel who is sent to the countryside by his physicians in order to calm his nerves. It is there he meets a young girl, Mae, who begins to share the eerie secrets of this small town. Starring DJ Qualls - Ever Love Hope with C. Thomas Howell and Penelope Ann Miller. Runtime 12 minutes
Director: Dean Ronalds
Producer: Jason Hope
Writer: Jason Hope
Cast: Starring DJ Qualls - Ever Love Hope with C. Thomas Howell and Penelope Ann Miller.
Cinematographer: Eunah Lee
Editor: Dean Ronalds
The Second Coming of John Cooper
This Is Me, This Is All Me
Comedy Short
World Premiere
An artist, desperate for his work to be seen, submits his risqué drawings to a contest held by the local library
Director: Matt Adams
Producer: Matt Adams
Writer: Matt Adams
Cast: Mark Jacob Meza, Chris Barry
Cinematographer: Stefan Le
Editor: Anthony Palmerio
Tomorrow’s Bandits
Short
West Coast Premiere
After two rookie criminals recruit a "friend of a friend" for a heist, the three men find themselves stranded, anxiously waiting for their driver to pick them up.
Director: David Ambrose
Producer: Cheyenne Santiago
Writer: Nicholas Sisti & David Ambrose
Cast: Dominick Cost, Darius Lassiter, Nicholas Sisti
Cinematographer: Kerri Sitty
Editor: Sean Lee
UnTrue Crime
Web Series
West Coast Premiere
A parody of a true crime miniseries, in which two woefully incompetent detectives stumble their way through a seemingly straightforward murder investigation.
SYNOPSIS: In this parody of an Australian true crime miniseries, woefully incompetent Detectives Edith Spoink and Maffhew Hoggman, in transparently self-serving fashion, take us through their dysfunctional investigation into a classic murder scenario: Debra Ashell, social media darling and mother of two, is stabbed to death in her own bed.
All signs point to the cheating, bloodstained husband who just avoided a crippling divorce, but the detectives somehow find ways to misinterpret those signs as pointing towards the husband’s mistress, the pool boy, the maladjusted son and the cherubic 4-year-old daughter.
Director: Joe Bauer
Producer: Rita Artmann
Writer: Joe Bauer & Rita Artmann
Cast: Rita Artmann, Joe Bauer, Robert Griffiths, Tracie Filmer, Samantha Fitzgerald, Zoe Trislbach
Cinematographer: Aaron Singfield
Editor: Joe Bauer
WINNER - BEST WEB SERIES
All the Laughs Comedy Awards 2024 (USA)
Unrestricted View Horror Film Festival 2024 (UK)
Instagram: @artspear.entertainment
Twitter: @ArtSpear
Facebook: facebook.com/ArtSpearEntertainment
Why Dogs Howl
Short
After meeting online, a BOY and GIRL are out on their first date. It rapidly devolves into the BOY vomiting out his life in a Howl that ultimately encompasses the entire universe
Director- Sandi Johnson
Producer- Gary Teitelbaum
Writer- Gary Teitelbaum
Cinematographer- Eva Wu
Cast- Gary Teitelbaum, Hayley O’Connor
Awards
Best Actor- Pasadena International Film Festival 2024
(Also nominated for Best Short Film and Best Comedy)Best Actor, Best Comedy Short-Midwest Weirdfest 2024
Best Actor, Best Comedy- Scorpiusfest 2024
Best Picture- Out of the Box- Screaming Ostrich International Film Festival 2024
Best Microshort and Honorable Mentions for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Female Director- South Film and Arts
Academy Festival 2023
Best Monologue- Momohill Film Fair
Best Dark Comedy Short- Semi-Finalist- Indie Short Fest 2023
Best Actor, Best Screenplay- Nominee- Pictures Up! Film Festival
Honorable Mention-Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival 2023
Best Romantic Comedy- Nominee- Oregon Short Film Festival
Best Microshort- Nominee- Austin Revolution Film Festival
website- www.whydogshowl.com
Instagram- @whydogshowlfilm
Sorry
Short
World Premiere
When the wrong dinner arrives 3 hours late, Ava coaches her reluctant best friend Claire through a grueling phone call for a refund. In a fight for the self-respect of women everywhere, Ava’s worldview is challenged as she pushes Claire to stand up for her basic right to the hummus she ordered.
Director: Alex Getlin & Adam Schaller
Producer: Alex Getlin & Adam Schaller
Writer: Alex Getlin
Cast: Alex Getlin, Kaylee Macknight, Coco Jourdana, Lori Lusted, Josh Levinson
Cinematographer: Henrik A. Meyer
Editor: Alex Getlin & Adam Schaller
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sorrytheshortfilm/
Strikeout
Short
World Premiere
Following a World Series loss, a despondent fan finds temporary solace in another fan—at least, until they really get to know each other.
Director: Jared Greenberg
Producer: Shady Kerko
EP: Jared Greenberg, Tristan Kozul, Angelo Chammah
Writer: Jared Greenberg
Cast: Tristan Kozul, Jared Greenberg, Justine Sierakowski
Cinematographer: Eli Freireich
Editor: Jared Greenberg
Score & Post Sound Mix: Sequoya Waring
HMUW: Mishel Valle
Sound: John Keville, Tim Perdoch
AC: Connor Keep
Instagram: @jagreen1 @moodyboy.prod
Takeout
Short Film
After a bad deal made by his best friend, a Kung Fu fan boy must fight the neighborhood gang in hopes to impress his crush and survive the night.
Director: Gedaly Guberek
Producer: Ryan McCrory
Writer: Ryan McCrory
Cast: Ryan McCrory, Nick Darnell, Kevin Le, Melanie Rains, Jaynelle Lardizabal, Noah Fort, David French, Xiaofei Huo
Cinematographer: Adam Goral
Editor: Ryan McCrory
Filmed at Cinepacks Studios in North Hollywood, CA
Instagram: www.instagram.com/_bluelionpictures
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bluelionpicture
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BlueLionPictures
Thanks, Diabetes!
Stand Up Comedy
LA Premiere
John Yabes, a type two diabetic, Asian-American, Navy veteran, recounts his struggles with diabetes and growing up as an adopted Asian American in his first ever half hour comedy special.
Director: Devon Daniel Green
Producer: Colin Perkins
Writer: John Yabes
Cast: John Yabes
Cinematographer: Jordan Holtane
Editor: James Karhu
Selection Portland Comedy Film Festival
Instagram: @johnyabes_
The Corps
Web Series
Former White House Press Secretary Royce Digby McCallister is on top of the world. He's host of the number one rated conservative podcast and is on the shortlist to be White House Chief of Staff if the upcoming election goes his way. Esteemed journalist Helen Mitchell is back with Royce to explore the evolving conservative media landscape, but she soon discovers that, as usual with Royce, there's much more to the story than meets the eye. Will he win a coveted 'Poddy Award?' Will his rivals once again get the better of him? And who the hell is Riley Lightfoot-Navarreaux?
Director: Tijuana Ricks and Carlos Tesoro
Producer: Some Folks Productions
Writer: Tijuana Ricks and Tony Manna
Cast: Tony Manna, Tijuana Ricks, Chiara Motley, LeRoy McClain, Carlos Tesoro, Brian Claudio Smith, Kue Chang, Jeff Galfer, and Nancy Kim.
Cinematographer: Matthew Hoodhood
Editor: Jon Reitzes
Website: https://thecorpscomedy.com
Instagram: @thecorpscomedy
Facebook: facebook.com/thecorpscomedy
The Keys
Short
Festival premiere
Adam has just taken his girlfriend Maggie for the perfect weekend getaway. All that's left to do is lock up their holiday cottage and head home. What could go wrong?
Director: Chris Spargo
Producer: Maya Wills
Writer: Chris Spargo and Henry Hopkin
Cast: Matt John-Hemmings, Sarah Collins-Walters
Cinematographer: Oscar Garth
Editor: Henry Hopkin
The Midnight Sector Presents: Abra Cadaver & Brother's Grimm
TV Pilot
World Premiere
Two magicians search the assistance of the unorthodox Dr. Luci, in order to help an unfortunate volunteer for a magic trick gone wrong.
Meanwhile, we follow a renowned TV show, The Brother's Grimm, who are no strangers to the paranormal. But these brothers are in over their heads. That is... if they can keep their heads.
Director: Tyler Posey
Producer: Tyler Posey, John Ahle Kellar
Writer: Jesse Posey, Tyler Posey, John Ahle Kellar
Cast: John Ahle Kellar, Noel Savoy, Jesse Posey, Tyler Posey, Andreas Orrego, Billium Gibson, Bret Loehr
Cinematographer: Tyler Posey, John Ahle Kellar, Jeremy Danger
Editor: John Ahle Kellar, Tyler Posey
Hollywood Blood Horror Festival Best Dark Comedy,
Hollywood Blood Horror Festival Best Ensemble
Instagram: @themidnightsector
The Route
Short film
World Premiere
Pablo travels on the road with his girlfriend Belen and his cousin Mauro to his grandmother's wake. But a heavy fog stops them. Pablo's desire to arrive and comply with family mandates, Maxi's fear of continuing and the uncomfortable situation that Belen enters show that problems travel with us.
Director: Geronimo Reig
Producer: Geronimo Reig
Writer: Geronimo reig, Mariel Neira, David Colaicovo
Cast: Geronimo reig, Mariel Neira, David Colaicovo
Cinematographer: Pablo Retamar
Editor: Geronimo Reig, Alvaro Granata
Instagram: @larutacorto
The Von Steins
Short
A horror comedy that follows The Von Steins, a vampire family who welcome their daughter’s new boyfriend into their home. Little does he know that The Von Steins have only one thing on their mind… blood!
Director: Jimmy Gruss
Producer: Riley McMahon
Writers: Jimmy Gruss & Riley McMahon
Cast: Andrew James Ferguson, Alexis Phillips, Eliot, Paulina Brown, Grant Morningstar
Cinematographer: Orion Yorke
Editor: Jimmy Gruss
Additional Details: Jimmy (Writer/Director/Editor) & Riley (Writer/1st AD/Producer) are two childhood best friends who deeply believe in the power of motion pictures. They are focused on paying tribute to and expanding upon the filmmakers who have inspired their love for the silver screen. Under the banner of Tally Mark Productions they plan on continuing to make high concept shorts with bigger aspirations towards feature films.
Website: https://www.youtube.com/@tally.mark.productions
Instagram: @tallymarkproductions
Together Forever (The Musical)
Short
West coast Premier
A newly married couple learns the secret to staying Together Forever
Director: Lauren Butterfield
Producer: Lauren Butterfield
Writer: Lauren Butterfield
Cast: Lauren Butterfield, Steven Fox, Shannon Wright
Cinematographer: Gregory Mohn
Editor: Gregory Mohn
Orlando Independent Filmmakers: Winner of best lead actress (Lauren Butterfield), Best Lead actor (Steven Fox), Best editing (Gregory Mohn), Best Sound Design (David the Day)
Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival: Best Musical Score
Dunedin Film Festival: Best Musical Score, Best Story
Pensecon Film Festival: Best Fantasy Film
Tourist Trap
Short Short
World Premiere
William is having a lovely day as a tourist in LA, until his day is ruined by a robber... or is it?
Director: Josh Block
Producer: Owen Andersen
Writer: Owen Andersen, Maxi Von Welczeck
Cast: Owen Andersen, Maxi Von Welczeck
Cinematographer: Jonathan Lee
Editor:Jonathan Lee
Instagram: Bangsoutofficial
Tourist Trap was conceived from the minds of Owen Andersen and Maxi Von Welczeck, two best friends from college who came to LA to drink beer and make comedy! And we are all out of beer! Not really, but in the past 6 months we have made numerous sketches like Tourist Trap, working towards eventually making a feature film. Our goal is to make films in a similar style to the early 2000s comedies because we miss them. Tourist Trap was filmed and edited by the very talented Jonathan Lee and directed by the also very talented Josh Block.
Wei Baba