The Housesitters

2022 Official Selection: Short Film – Comedy

Erin and Matt are best friends, underemployed entertainers, and terrible housesitters. And when they find themselves staying at the site of an infamous murder, they begin to wonder if someone is trying to recreate the crime.

Director(s): Graham High
Writer(s): Matt McConkey & Erin Pineda
Producer(s): Brittany High, Graham High, Matt McConkey, Erin Pineda
Key Cast: Matt McConkey, Erin Pineda, Jules Wilcox, Burl Moseley, Ryan Tresser

Go to 2022 Official Selections – Films Page

No one told them it was a murder house

Theatrical Screenings: Held at The Whitefire Theater in Sherman Oaks, (13500 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423)
Screenings for the 2022 festival take place from November 15 to November 20.
Click here to purchase tickets!

Virtual Screenings: The SOFF 2022 Virtual Screenings will begin Friday, November 18. There will be 25 films to watch that are Virtual Exclusives as well as many of the films that screened at the theater.
Click here to visit our Virtual Screenings!

Above the Branches

2022 Official Selection: Short Film – SciFi

An adopted introvert aims to find his biological parents to feel a sense of belonging, but after taking a genealogy test he discovers he may not belong to the human race.

Director(s): Matt Kravitsky
Writer(s): Matt Kravitsky
Producer(s): Matt Kravitsky, Jake Swartz, Gibson Pitts, Tori Martin, Liz Loo, Hussein Hammouda, Jacob Rubin, Rhonda Berchuck, Max Grant, Boris Gluz, Andrew X. Ho, Kimmie Johnson, Joel & Lisa Markowitz, Phyllis & Marvin Noller, Michelle & Bob Pepe
Key Cast: Brian Dole, Jonathan Dingel-El, Bonnie Kathleen Ryan, Marilyn Busch, Jim Fromewick

Go to 2022 Official Selections – Films Page

When the apple falls very far from the tree

Theatrical Screenings: Held at The Whitefire Theater in Sherman Oaks, (13500 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423)
Screenings for the 2022 festival take place from November 15 to November 20.
Click here to purchase tickets!

Virtual Screenings: The SOFF 2022 Virtual Screenings will begin Friday, November 18. There will be 25 films to watch that are Virtual Exclusives as well as many of the films that screened at the theater.
Click here to visit our Virtual Screenings!

Dick Control

2022 Official Selection: Short Film – Comedy

Richard Tye “Trigga” Simmons, a rich, promiscuous, jet-setting rapper, has a one-night stand with a beautiful groupie who happens to be a witch.

Director(s): Shequeta L. Smith
Writer(s): Shequeta L. Smith
Producer(s): Mingzhu Ye
Key Cast: Curtis Hamilton, Anna Maria Morris, Casey Gardner, Kenyon Long, Michael Walton Jr., Myesha Williams, KeNeice Musgrove

Go to 2022 Official Selections – Films Page

Respecting women is not that hard.

Theatrical Screenings: Held at The Whitefire Theater in Sherman Oaks, (13500 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423)
Screenings for the 2022 festival take place from November 15 to November 20.
Click here to purchase tickets!

Virtual Screenings: The SOFF 2022 Virtual Screenings will begin Friday, November 18. There will be 25 films to watch that are Virtual Exclusives as well as many of the films that screened at the theater.
Click here to visit our Virtual Screenings!

Moxie

2022 Official Selection: Short Film – Comedy

An exclusive orgy in Los Angeles doesn’t go as planned.

Director(s): William Venus Means
Writer(s): William Venus Means
Producer(s): Olia Zimarova, Yulia Safonova
Key Cast: Rocky Shay, Timothy Huls, Jessica Lea Risco, Kian Morr, Brayden Dalmazzone, Ryanne Terrazas, Lauren Peterson

Go to 2022 Official Selections – Films Page

You either got it or you don’t

Theatrical Screenings: Held at The Whitefire Theater in Sherman Oaks, (13500 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423)
Screenings for the 2022 festival take place from November 15 to November 20.
Click here to purchase tickets!

Virtual Screenings: The SOFF 2022 Virtual Screenings will begin Friday, November 18. There will be 25 films to watch that are Virtual Exclusives as well as many of the films that screened at the theater.
Click here to visit our Virtual Screenings!

All Eyes

2022 Official Selection: Feature Film – Horror

A disgraced podcast host interviews an eccentric farmer who claims to have a monster living in the woods near his house.

Director(s): Todd Greenlee
Writer(s): Alex Greenlee
Producer(s): Emily Calhoun, Adam Greenlee, Alex Greenlee, Todd Greenlee, Janice Pellam, Laurie Cummings, Tab Pierce, Jeff Greenlee, Lisa Greenlee
Key Cast: Jasper Hammer, Ben Hall, Danielle Evon Ploeger, Nick Ballard, Laurie Cummings

Go to 2022 Official Selections – Films Page

One beast of a story awaits.

Theatrical Screenings: Held at The Whitefire Theater in Sherman Oaks, (13500 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423)
Screenings for the 2022 festival take place from November 15 to November 20.
Click here to purchase tickets!

Virtual Screenings: The SOFF 2022 Virtual Screenings will begin Friday, November 18. There will be 25 films to watch that are Virtual Exclusives as well as many of the films that screened at the theater.
Click here to visit our Virtual Screenings!

Ragged Heart

2022 Official Selection: Feature Film – Drama

A rough-hewn, dramatic thriller from the legendary music scene and rural back roads of Athens, GA about a washed-up musician and his attempt to complete the last song his daughter wrote before her death.

Director(s): Evan McNary
Writer(s): Evan McNary, Debrah McNary
Producer(s): Debrah McNary
Key Cast: Patterson Hood, Josh Mikel, Jim White, Kate McManus, Eddie Craddock, Willow Avalon

Go to 2022 Official Selections – Films Page

Her words, his flaws, their song.

Theatrical Screenings: Held at The Whitefire Theater in Sherman Oaks, (13500 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423)
Screenings for the 2022 festival take place from November 15 to November 20.
Click here to purchase tickets!

Virtual Screenings: The SOFF 2022 Virtual Screenings will begin Friday, November 18. There will be 25 films to watch that are Virtual Exclusives as well as many of the films that screened at the theater.
Click here to visit our Virtual Screenings!

Watcher

2022 Official Selection: Short Film – Horror

After a bank heist goes awry, a group of four ex-military thieves find shelter in the woods overnight while en route to the Canadian border. Meanwhile, an invisible malicious spirit begins a hunt…for them.

Director(s): Alan Sanchez
Writer(s): Alan Sanchez
Producer(s): Alan Sanchez, Soren McVay, Gracie Lacey
Key Cast: Soren McVay, Kristian Lugo, Gracie Lacey, Jimilee Allen, Danielle Dallas Roosa

Go to 2022 Official Selections – Films Page

You Will Never See It Coming

Theatrical Screenings: Held at The Whitefire Theater in Sherman Oaks, (13500 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423)
Screenings for the 2022 festival take place from November 15 to November 20.
Click here to purchase tickets!

Virtual Screenings: The SOFF 2022 Virtual Screenings will begin Friday, November 18. There will be 25 films to watch that are Virtual Exclusives as well as many of the films that screened at the theater.
Click here to visit our Virtual Screenings!

Top 100 Best Reviewed Festival

We never get tired of getting the email from FilmFreeway with the subject, “Congrats on your Top 100 status!”

“According to reviews from real FilmFreeway users, your festival ranks in the top 1% of more than 10,000 film festivals and creative contests around the world. No doubt, this ranking is a testament to the countless hours of hard work and care that you and your staff have devoted to creating such a wonderful event.”

Only one deadline remains for 2022, and that is August 15.

SOFF 2021 Awards

Grand Jury Award Winners

Best Feature Film – Arthouse/Experimental – Bitter Taste of Ginger
Best Feature Film – Comedy – Killer Whales
Best Feature Film – Documentary – Like A Woman
Best Feature Film – Drama – Bone Cage
Best Feature Film – SciFi – Midnight Science

Best Short Film – Animation – The Cat
Best Short Film – Arthouse/Experimental – CHIPOKO
Best Short Film – Comedy – Squish (Sprötch)
Best Short Film – Comedy – The Best Orchestra in the World
Best Short Film – Documentary – Tia Gong
Best Short Film – Drama – EXITS
Best Short Film – Drama – Shevolution
Best Short Film – Horror – The Pey
Best Short Film – SciFi – My Roommate the Jedi
Best Music Video – The Sword That Waits
Best Web Series – EP

Best Director, Feature Film – Alek Lev – What?
Best Director, Short Film – Xavier Seron –Squish (Sprötch)
Best Actress in a Lead Role – Kathryne Isabelle Easton – Borrelia Borealis
Best Actress in a Lead Role – Sarah Cugini – Bitter Taste of Ginger
Best Actor in a Lead Role – John Maucere – What?
Best Actor in a Lead Role – Taylor Olson – Bone Cage
Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Aadila Dosani – Fall Back Down
Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Anthony Goes – Borrelia Borealis
Best Performance by a Full Cast – Bone Cage
Best Screenplay – Eric DePriester – Treason
Best Screenplay – Jonathan Anthony – Midnight Science
Best Cinematography, Feature Film – Kevin A. Fraser – Bone Cage
Best Cinematography, Short Film – Matthias Halibrand – The Best Orchestra in the World

Best Screenplay – Feature (Unproduced) – The Passage of Sun by Aaron Braxton
Best Screenplay – Short (Unproduced) – Happy Ending Retirement Home by Kirsty Budding
Best Screenplay – Pilot/Web Series (Unproduced) – Hollywood, Arkansas by Darren Coyle

Audience Award Winners

Feature Film – Documentary – Keeping Inn
Feature Film – Drama – What?
Short Film – Animation – Exceptional Minds Pomo – What Is Your Superpower?
Short Film – Arthouse/Experimental – Lucky
Short Film – Comedy – Guys Weekend
Short Film – Comedy – Lou
Short Film – Documentary – La Cita (The Appointment)
Short Film – Drama – Contact High
Short Film – Drama – Other
Short Film – Horror – Escalation
Short Film – SciFi – My Roommate the Jedi
Music Video – The World’s Gone Nutz
Web Series – EP

Filmmakers Award Winners

Outstanding Short Film – Animation – The Forgotten Floss
Outstanding Short Film – Animation – The Passerby
Outstanding Director – Animation – Mary Apick –  The Cat
Outstanding Screenplay – Animation – Pieter Coudyzer – The Passerby

Outstanding Short Film – Arthouse/Experimental – C A • D E N C E
Outstanding Short Film – Arthouse/Experimental – How To End A Conversation
Outstanding Short Film – Arthouse/Experimental – Lonely Night
Outstanding Director – Arthouse/Experimental – Tafadzwa R Nemarundwe – CHIPOKO
Outstanding Screenplay – Arthouse/Experimental – Sarah Lyddan – Lonely Night
Outstanding Performance, Individual – Arthouse/Experimental – Syd Skidmore – CHIPOKO
Outstanding Performance, Cast – Arthouse/Experimental – Skylar Adams, Sarah Lyddan, Lonely Night

Outstanding Short Film – Comedy – Litany for Mister President
Outstanding Short Film – Comedy – My Friends The Plants
Outstanding Short Film – Comedy – yellow
Outstanding Director – Comedy – Henning Backhaus – The Best Orchestra in the World
Outstanding Screenplay – Comedy – Xavier Seron – Squish (Sprötch)
Outstanding Performance, Cast – Comedy – Guys Weekend
Outstanding Performance, Individual – Comedy – Jean Le Peltier – Squish (Sprötch)

Outstanding Short Film – Documentary – The Depths of Ningaloo
Outstanding Short Film – Documentary – The Forgotten Floss
Outstanding Director – Documentary – Lee Jing Xin Enkainia – Tia Gong
Outstanding Performance, Individual – Documentary – Frederick Taylor – Pre-Existing Freedom

Outstanding Short Film – Drama – HELPER
Outstanding Short Film – Drama – The 5th of April
Outstanding Short Film – Drama – Waves
Outstanding Director – Drama – Seidy Lopez – Shevolution
Outstanding Screenplay – Drama – Minerva Vier – Shevolution
Outstanding Performance, Cast – Drama – Kelly Lou Dennis, Jae Kim, EXITS
Outstanding Performance, Individual – Drama – Elinor McKenzie – The 5th of April

Outstanding Short Film – Horror – A Face on the Ceiling
Outstanding Short Film – Horror – Sink
Outstanding Short Film – Horror – Thank You For Staying
Outstanding Director – Horror – Andrew Marks – Electromagnetic
Outstanding Screenplay – Horror – Ty Clancey – Thank You For Staying
Outstanding Performance, Cast – Horror – Colton Little, Nick Osborne – Phases
Outstanding Performance, Individual – Horror – José Zúñiga – Electromagnetic

Outstanding Short Film – SciFi – Soundproof
Outstanding Short Film – SciFi – Space Quest
Outstanding Director – SciFi – Byrne Owens – My Roommate the Jedi
Outstanding Screenplay – SciFi – Byrne Owens – My Roommate the Jedi
Outstanding Performance, Cast – SciFi – My Roommate the Jedi
Outstanding Performance, Individual – SciFi – Mikiel Crosby – Soundproof

Outstanding Music Video – Doll Klaw – You Said
Outstanding Director – Music Video – Eric Foss, Doll Klaw – You Said
Outstanding Performance – Music Video – Billy William Keohavong, Doll Klaw – You SaidBroken (The Video)
Outstanding Screenplay – Music Video – Daniel Robert Cohn, The World’s Gone Nutz

Outstanding Web Series – Passport Chronicles
Outstanding Web Series – The Odyssey Book 9
Outstanding Director – Web Series – Pat Campo – EP
Outstanding Screenplay – Web Series – Pat Campo – EP
Outstanding Performance, Cast – Web Series – EP
Outstanding Performance, Individual – Web Series – Chevy Dant’e Douglas – Passport Chronicles

Outstanding Performance, Puppetry & Voice – Ingbert Socke (Puppetry – ?, Henning Backhaus – Voice) – The Best Orchestra in the World
Outstanding Performance, Inanimate Object – Rubber Duck The Actor (David Agustín – Voice) –  yellow

Programmer’s Prize

Uniquely Original Filmmaking That Must Be Acknowledged:
Freak Grounds, Jeff Can’t Swim. Me Is You, More Than He Knows, My Own, Pathei Mathos, Those People, & What Happened.

Prize Definitions/Explanations

Grand Jury Awards – determined by the festival’s official selection committee.
Audience Awards – determined by highly scientific instruments placed throughout the theater to determine audience satisfaction.
Filmmakers Awards – given only to short films, these are determined by a panel of filmmakers whose films have been Official Selections previous years.
Programmer’s Prize – given to film(s) that festival programmer Jeff Howard cannot bear to see go without an award. These films are generally off the beaten path and break conventions of format and genre.