North Hollywood, CA – The Valley Film Festival (VFF) is celebrating its 25th Anniversary of thought-provoking storytelling with a showcase of 50 films from around the world, as well as the (818), September 17-21 at the Laemmle NoHo 7 theatre in North Hollywood.
From the twisted mind of Chad Ferrin, Dorothea opens the five-day festival with its World Premiere. Shot in the Valley, and based on true events, the infamous serial killer Dorothea Puente faces her final moments behind bars—but not before revealing the grotesque secrets of her past that turned her home into a graveyard. Featuring Susan Priver, Ginger Lynn, Lew Temple, Cyril O’Reilly, Brenda James, Robert Miano, Pat McNeely, and Ezra Buzzington.
The Prospect directed by Robert Schultz and Dana Donnelly closes out the festival with its West Coast Premiere. The comedy, another feature shot in the (818), follows high school senior Jerry Vanetti (Rishi Mahesh), desperate to escape small-town obscurity, as he masterminds an outrageous scam to pose as a star baseball recruit despite never having played the game.
The Los Angeles Premiere of Motherland, featuring a powerhouse cast that includes Miriam Silverman (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), legendary Emmy-winning actress Holland Taylor (The Morning Show, Hollywood), Emmy award winner Néstor Carbonell (Shōgun, The Morning Show), Emily Arancio and Molly Hager, takes the coveted Centerpiece Screening slot. Directed by Evan Matthews, this 1984-esque sci-fi thriller is set in the Motherland, a state-run center that raises all citizens, ensuring a fair upbringing and freeing parents from child-rearing burdens. In this alternate present society, a rule enforcer learns a shocking truth that sparks her rebellion.
This year’s festival also marks the end of The Valley Film Festival, as a traditional festival. The non-profit arts organization, a project of Community Partners, will transition into residencies and retreats for filmmakers in 2026. “When I founded The Valley Film Festival in 2000, Los Angeles had a handful of film festivals, and none supported the San Fernando Valley,” stated Tracey Adlai, the Festival’s Founder, Executive Director, and Valley native. “25 years later there are literarily hundreds of films festivals in LA filling the need now. After listening to our community of filmmakers, over the last few years, they are craving for an experience beyond a film festival and that’s where we are shifting our focus.”
VFF’s foreign selections include the Los Angeles Premieres of The Lone Killer (Denmark) directed by Danny Thykær and Maratona di New York/The Marathon (Italy) directed by Luca Franco. Ahead of its theatrical release in Denmark The Lone Killer, a thriller, explores ambition, legacy, and the moral price of survival in a fractured Europe in the aftermath of two terrorist attacks in Copenhagen, while The Marathon, a drama framed by long-distance running and Italian sunsets, delves into the humor and heartbreak of friendship tested by ambition—until the race leaves room for only one winner. Fresh from its theatrical run in Peru, Mistura, a drama directed by Ricardo de Montreuil, follows a privileged French Peruvian woman whose world crumbles after her husband’s betrayal casts her out of Lima’s elite social circles. Forced to confront the people and traditions she was taught to disdain, she discovers solidarity, strength, and a daring new identity through a culinary venture that celebrates Peru’s extraordinary diversity.
Balancing out the narrative films, VFF’s documentary program includes the West Coast Premiere of Daniel Ho: Life as an Audition (Anne Davis O’Neal). Ukulele virtuoso Daniel Ho takes audiences on an intimate journey through triumph and adversity. From growing up in Hawaii, to winning GRAMMY awards and facing questions over his identity, Ho’s story is one of resilience, independence, and the power of music to both preserve heritage and transcend borders. Similarly, Shannon Lee Allbright’s 2500 Miles, follows a dedicated sewing teacher on an extraordinary motorcycle ride from Los Angeles to her hometown of Selma, Alabama. Returning to the very school where she first learned to read and write, she shares her craft with the next generation—stitching together past and present in a moving story of empowerment and return.
Rounding out the feature film program is a collection of films shot in the (818), proving that the San Fernando Valley is LA’s very own studio backlot: Clown-n-Out (in Valley Village), a dark comedy directed by Mark Hensley, Lovebug, a 1980s retro comedy directed by Blake Kaiser, featuring Logan Pepper (American Housewife), and Rufus, a horror film directed by Mars Roberge.
“It’s been a sincere pleasure to provide a discovery platform for films, and filmmakers, based on merit, from across the world as well as from around the corner for 25 years,” reflects Adlai. “From our first year at Pacific Theatres, at the icnonic Sherman Oaks Galleria, to our longstanding partnership with Laemmle Theatres, true champions of independent and foreign film. While it may be the end of our traditional festival, we will continue to foster community and culture among filmmakers in the (818).”
Shorts programs and free educational panels fill out the week at the Laemmle NoHo 7 theatres in the NoHo Arts District. Tickets are $15 per program and are on sale now at ValleyFilmFest.org
Contacts for The Valley Film Festival:
David Krouse, Co-Producer, dgtkrouse@gmail.com
Tracey Adlai, Founder/Director, tad@valleyfilmfest.com
SCHEDULE:
Cast and crew to be in attendance for all programs, subject to their availability.
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 5:00pm
Short Films Made by VFF Alumni: The Valley Film Festival proudly welcomes back its alumni for an extraordinary showcase of short films and previews that span continents, genres, and emotional landscapes. From hard-hitting drama to sharp comedy, chilling suspense to heartfelt documentary, this lineup is proof that VFF filmmakers are telling stories that resonate across the globe.
Titles: Come Back (Helen O’Reilly), The Heart of Texas (Gregory JM Kasunich), A Night in Yangon (Shivan Ganesan), Don’t Go Outside (Michael James Hull), Apocalypse Death Party (Russ Emanuel), Starting Whistle (Eve Shanchez), Why Are You Like This? (Nate Hapke), The Breakup (Michael Piscitelli & Gregory Cohen) and Ms. Rossi 3: Ms. Rossi Meets the Mob (Pat Battistini)
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 7:30pm
Opening Night: Dorothea (United States, 2025) Directed by Chad Ferrin (World Premiere)
For 25 years The Valley Film Festival has been supporting films “Made in the (818)” and the tradition continues with our opening night feature program:
In DOROTHEA, the infamous serial killer Dorothea Puente faces her final moments behind bars—but not before revealing the grotesque secrets of her past. From a childhood scarred by abuse and betrayal to the horrors hidden within her Sacramento boarding house, her confessions expose the terrifying path that turned a home into a graveyard. Based on true events.
Paired with the searing short IT’S OVER. THE END., two former friends reunite to return each other’s belongings—only to descend into a final confrontation that’s as brutal as it is unforgettable.
Both films pack shocking twists that will keep audiences guessing until the last frame.
Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 5:00pm
“Made in the (818)” Shorts Program: From grief and healing to love, laughter, and chaos, the ‘“Made in the (818)” short film showcase takes audiences on a journey across every corner of the human experience and the San Fernando Valley.
Titles: The Shadow of Snow (Kylene Wong Harrington), The Experience (Kathy DiStefano), The Runner (Tony Tacheny) featuring Ian Ousley (13 Reasons Why, Avatar: The Last Airbender), Driftin’ on a Memory (Angel Ruvalcaba Jr.), El Bar De Hernando (Andres Felipe Bernal Farias and Maria Gomez), Cast & Brew (Priscilla Zanni Bertran) and Accomplication (Aaron Wayne Hill).
Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 7:30pm
The Lone Killer (Denmark, 2024) Directed by Danny Thykær (Los Angeles Premiere)
The feature thriller THE LONE KILLER plunges into the tense aftermath of two terrorist attacks in Copenhagen. As chaos grips the city, the editor of the struggling Copenhagen Daily News seizes the chance to revive his paper with a headline that could secure its future—only to discover that the cost of chasing relevance can be devastating. A gripping exploration of ambition, legacy, and the moral price of survival in a fractured Europe.
Balancing global crisis with intimate truth, the short dramatic film THE TALK (Hila Cage Coppola in her directorial debut) delivers a searing portrait of one Black parent’s difficult conversation with their child. What begins with tenderness soon reveals the deep scars
of systemic racism, the ache of personal loss, and the ever-present fear carried by families of color.
These films force us to confront the weight of choice, identity, and survival in a world where both headlines and heartlines carry life-altering consequences.
Friday, September 19 at 5:00pm
Dramatic Short Film Program: Eight short films. Eight powerful journeys. From eerie hauntings to heartfelt reckonings, surreal comedy to visionary science fiction, this dramatic shorts program showcases daring voices from around the world who aren’t afraid to explore what it means to be human.
Titles: Kiddo (Maks Nowicki), Given (Marissa Vonn), Entanglement (Darlene Conte), The Last Night (Tivoli Silas), The Knowing: Episode 1 (James Brown Orleans), Tarzana Boy (Tomas Jason Carrasco), Diez Segundos (Gloria Laino), Alarms (Nicolas Panay)
Friday, September 19 at 7:30pm
Clown-N-Out (in Valley Village) (United States, 2025) Directed by Mark Hensley
Step into the shadows with two gripping films from Valley Film Festival alumni that dive deep into crime, survival, and the dark corners of human ambition.
The feature CLOWN-N-OUT (IN VALLEY VILLAGE) follows a down-on-his-luck clown whose desperate choices drag him into a brutal criminal underworld. With nods to classic noir and gritty indie filmmaking, the film weaves a tense story of lies, betrayal, and the fight to survive when the joke has gone too far.
Paired with the hard-hitting short THE BAD MAN: The night takes us to Bangkok, where a ruthless hitman returns to his old territory. His mission is simple—get in, kill, get out— but in his world, nothing ever stays simple, and no one stands in his way.
Friday, September 19 at 10:00pm
Rufus (Canada/United States, 2025) Directed by Mars Roberge
Join us for a night of twisted tales, dark humor, and surreal imagination as three films push the boundaries of storytelling.
The feature RUFUS takes center stage, as a man from the hood spins five chilling stories to his family and friends—much to his wife’s dismay. From a mortician working on the wrong night, to a singer discovering the dark side of the entertainment industry, to unsettling visions of adoption, malpractice, and the cost of war, each tale builds a haunting mosaic of corruption, fear, and survival.
Lightening the mood, the short dark comedy CROSS MY HEART follows a woman so determined to craft the perfect relationship that she’ll stop at nothing—even if it means taking matters into her own hands.
Preceding the evening, the trailer for GO DOWN, DILLER teases a bizarre and heartfelt journey: when a middle-aged hotel security officer discovers a talking bear behind the counter of a fast food restaurant, he’s forced to face his anxieties about being a single father to a teenage daughter.
Together, these films promise a night of unsettling thrills, biting comedy, and unforgettable cinematic oddities—perfect for audiences who crave stories that dare to surprise.
Saturday, September 20 at 12:00pm/Noon
Maratona di New York/The Marathon (Italy, 2024) Directed by Luca Franco (Los Angeles Premiere)
Lace up for an evening where running becomes more than a sport—it’s a test of character, resilience, and the bonds that shape us.
In the feature MARATONA DI NEW YORK (The Marathon), Mario and Steve prepare for the New York City Marathon with grueling long-distance training runs framed by breathtaking Italian sunsets. Along the way, their banter, arguments, and reflections reveal both the humor and heartbreak of friendship tested by ambition—until the race leaves room for only one winner.
Paired with the dramatic short STARTING LINE, the night shifts to the intensity of sibling rivalry. When a driven cross-country coach pits brothers Brody and Archie against each other, competition spirals into conflict.
Together, these films capture the exhilaration, strain, and emotional stakes of competition—on the road, on the track, and deep within the human heart.
Saturday, September 20 at 2:30pm
2500 Miles (United States, 2024) Directed by Shannon Lee Albright (Los Angeles Premiere)
Embark on two powerful journeys of courage, tradition, and transformation that celebrate the strength of community and the spirit of resilience.
In 2500 MILES, a dedicated sewing teacher sets off on an extraordinary motorcycle ride from Los Angeles to her hometown of Selma, Alabama. Returning to the very school where she first learned to read and write, she shares her craft with the next generation—stitching together past and present in a moving story of empowerment and return.
BEYOND THE HERD offers an intimate portrait of Mexican-American equestrians Amber and Isidro, whose unbreakable bond with wild mustangs mirrors their own struggles against discrimination. As resources dwindle, their work becomes both an act of survival and a testament to resilience—transforming untamed horses into loyal companions and symbols of strength.
Together, these documentaries weave unforgettable narratives of perseverance and identity, reminding us that journeys of the heart are as transformative as the miles traveled.
Saturday, September 20 at 5:30pm
Centerpiece Screening: Motherland (United States, 2025) Directed by Evan Matthews (Los Angeles Premiere)
Step into a night of striking stories that challenge authority, probe identity, and illuminate the bonds that hold us together.
The feature MOTHERLAND imagines an alternate present where the state raises children so parents are “free” from the burden of family. When a loyal rule enforcer uncovers a harrowing truth, her discovery sparks rebellion in a world where love itself has been outlawed. Featuring a powerhouse cast that includes Miriam Silverman, Nestor Carbonell, Holland Taylor, Emily Arancio, and Molly Hager, the film confronts the cost of control and the courage it takes to fight back.
In the short INDIGO, Amber—a woman caught in a haze of disconnection and regret— wrestles with the longing for change. The film captures her deeply internal journey with raw emotional honesty, pulling us into the quiet battles of self and soul.
Opening the program, the music video BABY BRIGHT by acclaimed artist Nadia Reid tells the lyrical story of a mother and daughter escaping their troubled past in search of healing, hope, and each other.
Saturday, September 20 at 8:30pm
Lovebug (United States, 2024) Directed by Blake Kaiser
Step into an evening of bold storytelling where love, ambition, and reinvention collide with humor, grit, and just the right amount of edge.
Set against the neon glow of 1980s Los Angeles, the feature LOVEBUG follows Douglass, a naive young man who tumbles headfirst into the chaotic orbit of Gracie, a hustler with big ideas and no shame. After their first wild night together, she convinces him to step into the adult film industry—with her as his unlikely manager. What begins as an innocent infatuation quickly becomes a coming-of-age tale soaked in sex, hustle, and Hollywood dreams. Featuring Logan Pepper (American Housewife).
The comedy-drama FAIRYTALES ARE FOR LOSERS introduces two best friends from drama school—one Brit, one Yank—who find themselves reeling after their marriages simultaneously collapse. Instead of despair, they hatch a daring plan to rewrite their happily-ever-after, proving that sometimes friendship is the greatest fairytale of all.
Preceding both, satirist Jeff Hilliard’s music video MY FACE takes a wickedly funny look at power, role-play, and the eccentric ways a high-level executive chooses to blow off steam.
Together, these films and music video deliver an evening of satire, sex, heartbreak, and reinvention—a cinematic cocktail that’s as outrageous as it is heartfelt.
Sunday, September 21 at 12:00pm/Noon
Mistura (Peru, 2024) Directed by Ricardo de Montreuil
Experience two powerful stories of reinvention, resilience, and the courage to step beyond society’s expectations.
Set in 1960s Peru, the feature MISTURA follows a privileged French Peruvian woman whose world crumbles after her husband’s betrayal casts her out of Lima’s elite social circles. Forced to confront the people and traditions she was taught to disdain, she discovers solidarity, strength, and a daring new identity through a culinary venture that celebrates Peru’s extraordinary diversity. With food as both battleground and bridge, her journey sparks a cultural awakening that redefines not only her life, but also the meaning of Peru itself.
The short drama THE CALLBACK brings the spotlight to a modern-day struggle. A young actress, juggling the grind of waitressing and the sting of her boss’s abuse, finds the strength to rise above in time for an audition that could change everything.
Together, these films explore the strength it takes to reclaim power, rewrite destiny, and embrace transformation—in the kitchen, on the stage, and within the human spirit.
Sunday, September 21 at 2:30pm
Daniel Ho: Life as an Audition (United States, 2025) Directed by Anne Davis O’Neal (West Coast Premiere)
Explore two extraordinary stories where music becomes both a battleground and a bridge between tradition and innovation.
In DANIEL HO: LIFE AS AN AUDITION, ukulele virtuoso Daniel Ho takes audiences on an intimate journey through triumph and adversity. From growing up in Hawaii— surfboards, slack-key guitar, and the searing loss of his mother—to winning GRAMMY awards and facing questions over his identity, Ho’s story is one of resilience, independence, and the power of music to both preserve heritage and transcend borders. His life redefines Hawaiian music as a language for the world.
In stark contrast, COMPOSER BOT plunges into the digital frontier of creativity. As AI generated songs flood the internet by the millions, a composer responds by coding an app that clones his own musical sensibilities—an audacious experiment that questions the role of authenticity, artistry, and survival in the age of artificial intelligence.
Sunday, September 21 at 5:00pm
Closing Night Program: The Prospect (United States, 2025) Directed by Robert Schultz and Dana Donnelly (Los Angeles Premiere)
Get ready for a night of sharp wit, big dreams, and bigger laughs as three wildly different stories collide on screen.
The feature comedy THE PROSPECT follows high school senior Jerry Vanetti, who’s been rejected from every college he applied to. Desperate to escape small-town obscurity, he masterminds an outrageous scam—posing as a star baseball recruit despite never having played the game. With the AV Club faking highlight reels and the drama department staging a phony exhibition, Jerry will do whatever it takes to hit his shot at the big leagues.
In the romantic comedy MY SO-CALLED IRAQI WEDDING, Iraqi American Samira has finally found true love with Adam—just as she’s nearing 40. But while Samira dreams of her happily-ever-after, her mother dreams bigger: the wedding. Funny, heartfelt, and steeped in cultural expectation, the film explores what it means to find love while balancing family, tradition, and self-discovery.
Kicking off the program, Kyle Goulston’s music video F*CK YOU, BRYCE sets the tone with a bold, satirical punch, blending irreverent humor with biting commentary.