Welcome to
RSFF3

Explore the Program

September 21st, 2024

THE EGYPTIAN THEATRE

PRESENTED BY

Topcat Management

CO-PRESENTED BY

Sogbots and American Cinematheque at the historic Egyptian Theatre

We’re so excited to welcome you to LA’s Rich and Successful Film Festival 2024.

We started RSFF in 2021 because we wanted to meet other people in Los Angeles who were doing what we were doing: making independent movies. As the film submissions began rolling in, we quickly realized that there were lots of other filmmakers who wanted the same thing.

As we enter our third year, filmmakers remain front and center. In addition to showcasing their incredible work on the big screen, we’ve worked with our sponsors to provide filmmakers with the resources, opportunities, and industry connections to help them continue on their career journey—and, of course, kind and talented people to grow alongside. Our hope is that RSFF will be a source of support and empowerment that independent filmmakers from around this city will always have.

We’re extremely grateful to the filmmakers who shared their work with us, our friends and family for their unwavering support, our sponsors for investing in our missions, and, finally, all of our guests (you) for coming out and supporting independent films. We can’t wait to share this night with you, and we hope you enjoy the show.

Love,

The RSFF Team

The Program

In order of appearance

Jump to bottom of program

An absurdist comedy about a blind date in a world where everyone brings their baggage to their first date.

Runtime: 13:27

Writers: Tim Hendrix, Mae Catt, Dom Fera

Producers: Zoe Rosenberg, Malcolm Duncan, Conrad Curtis

Cinematographers: Powell Robinson, Hiram Borges

Key Cast: Horace Gold, Michelle Ortiz, Allen Marsh, Skarlett Redd, James Tang

@baggage.shortfilm

@tomothyhondrox

BAGGAGE

Directed by TIM HENDRIX

VOCÊ MEANS YOU

Directed by MAHYAR MANDEGAR

A boy has resigned himself to thinking his skatepark crush is unrequited, only to discover he might be wrong.

Runtime: 3:18

Writers: Mahyar Mandegar, Luísa Dalé Silva

Producers: Joting Hsu, Corrine Dye

Cinematographer: Luísa Dalé Silva

Key Cast: Shawn Hall, Mikey Dubz

@luisadale

@man_mahyar

CONFESSIONS

Directed by STEPHANIE KAZNOCHA

After the death of a friend, two nuns in their golden years contemplate what their future holds. One confession leads to another and before they know it, they're embarking on an adventure.

Runtime: 11:07

Writer: Stephanie Kaznocha

Producers: Stephanie Kaznocha, Chase Horton, Caroline Huber

Cinematographer: Sarah Pierpont

Key Cast: Carol Herman, Eve Sigall

stephaniekaznocha.com

RSFF Digital Assets_film still placeholder.jpg

THE JENNIFER MEYERS STORY

Directed by CAROLINE SYMONS

A mock true-crime episode covers the 1988 disappearance of a fictional teenager named Jennifer Meyers, but the reenactments are acted out with crudely-made mini models. As the episode progresses, we learn more about the woman constructing and operating the reenactment mini models and the danger lurking in her one bedroom apartment.

Runtime: 12:21

Writer: Caroline Symons

Producers: Jack Roebuck

Cinematographer: Fletcher Wolfe

Key Cast: Thomas Michael Harding, Caroline Symons, Ken Moretti

carolinesymons.com

ORDER FOR PICKUP

Directed by JACKIE! ZHOU

Trapped in a cycle of work and self-isolation, burnt out Kelsey’s reality starts to blur until an irregular order for pickup disrupts everything.

Runtime: 12:30

Writer: Jackie! Zhou

Producer: Reef Oldberg

Cinematographer: Tehillah De Castro

Key Cast: River Song Hiro

jackie.world

RECESSES

Directed by DYLAN TRUPIANO

Special Preview

Set within a frozen midwestern atmosphere, an elementary school secretary waits with a student to be picked up by his father after being disciplined for an “inappropriate” drawing.

Runtime: 15:39

Writer: Dylan Trupiano

Producers: Dylan Trupiano, Page Brady, Talia Light Rake, Noah Morse, Nir Liebenthal, Jeremy Roth-Rose

Cinematographer: Cece Chan

Key Cast: Solia Cates, Charles John Wilson

dylantrupiano.com

@sogbots

@recessesfilm

STILL LIFE

Directed by CONNER GRIFFITH

We live in a world of objects and a world of objects lives within us.

Runtime: 6:52

connergriffith.com

@conner.griffith

PEAS

Directed by MAKY RUPERT

World Premiere

A young girl watches her mother go on a date for the first time since her father's death.

Runtime: 12:06

Writer: Maky Rupert

Producers: Maky Rupert, Kaela Francesca, Dominique Grund, Emmett Kowalski

Cinematographer: Lucia Rinaldi

Key Cast: Lexie Foley, Cristina Spina

makyrupert.com

RAT!

Directed by NEAL SURESH MULANI

When a disgruntled music journalist accuses a global pop star of queerbaiting, the singer’s devoted fans descend on his remote cabin to seek retribution.

Runtime: 16:45

Writer: Neal Suresh Mulani

Producers: Neal Suresh Mulani, Lottie Abrahams

Cinematographer: Emerson Duggan

Key Cast: Neal Suresh Mulani, Tyler Joseph Ellis, Charles Gould, Caitlin Reilly

@neal.mulani

@hottiebaberahams

@rubbertape

HALF-LIGHT

Directed by LAUREN JEVNIKAR

A couple debates having unprotected car sex late at night.

Runtime: 12:18

Writer: Lauren Jevnikar

Producers: Christina Alba, Darrin James, Nicklaus von Nolde

Cinematographer: Elias David Ginsberg

Key Cast: Tallulah Jones, Nick Flaig

@halflightshortfilm

@lrnjv

laurenjevnikar.com

THE SWIMMER

Directed by MÁTÉ BOEGI

Los Angeles Premiere

When a sound-recordist brings his girlfriend on a trip to the Danish west coast to record atmospheres, he picks up a disturbing sound that begins to torment his conscience.

Runtime: 16:17

Writer: Máté Boegi

Producers: Máté Boegi, Magnus Nygaard Albertsen, Melanie Grams, Kristof Boegi

Cinematographer: Márton Kis

Key Cast: Alexander Krumhausen, Theresa Carlsen

THRU THE WIRE

Directed by AN NGUYEN

North American Premiere

A chronically online and socially inept teenager takes a leap of faith to meet up with her online bestie for the first time.

Runtime: 15:52

Writer: An Nguyen

Producers: Hoà Pham, Max Retik

Cinematographer: Max Retik

Key Cast: Thao Hien, Cong Tri, Kim Chuc, Bao Han, Cong Thanh

madebyjune

@annguyen176

CREATING THINGS

Directed by BRYAN & TAYLOR SIMPSON

Two brothers use interview fragments, pieces of art, and various family mementos to explore the legacy of their father and what he left behind.

Runtime: 10:20

Producers: Bryan Simpson, Taylor Simpson

creatingthingsfilm.com

@bryanmonroe

@t_a_y_l_o_r_s_i_m_p_s_o_n

TENNIS, ORANGES

Directed by SEAN PECKNOLD

A robotic vacuum suffering from burnout quits its job at a hospital and sets out to find community and a greater purpose on a quiet street where two lonely rabbits are stuck in perpetual loops.

Runtime: 10:53

Writer: Sean Pecknold

Producer: Sean Pecknold

Animators: Alfonso Estrada, Eileen Kohlhepp, Sarah De Gaudemar

Production Designer: Adi Goodrich

Key Cast: Kent Chen

tennis-oranges.com

MAHYAR MANDEGAR | He/Him | Dir. VOCÊ MEANS YOU

Mahyar Mandegar is an Iranian writer, director, and editor based in Los Angeles. His short film WHITE WINGED HORSE premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in 2020 and was an official selection at EnergaCAMERIMAGE. Mahyar holds a BA in film from the Art University of Tehran and an MFA in directing from the AFI Conservatory. His recent short IM FINSTERN is the first AFI Visual Essay to win the ASC Student Heritage Award.

STEPHANIE KAZNOCHA | She/Her | Dir. CONFESSIONS

Stephanie Kaznocha has been working as a film and television editor for the past decade. Her recent editing work includes Comedy Central's Awkwafina is Nora From Queens, the Duplass Brothers' Room 104 on HBO, and Roshan Sethi's 7 Days, which won Best First Feature at the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards. Her latest editing project, A Nice Indian Boy, starring Karan Soni and Jonathan Groff, world premiered at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival.

CAROLINE SYMONS | She/Her | Dir. THE JENNIFER MEYERS STORY

Caroline lives in Los Angeles, where she directs and produces non-scripted television and experimental short films. Her work has appeared on PBS, Max, TLC, Investigation Discovery, The Travel Channel, Discovery+, Freeform, Condé Nast Entertainment, and Vice Media. She is in development on the feature length version of The Jennifer Meyers Story, which focuses on the artifice of the true crime genre.

JACKIE! ZHOU | All Pronouns | Dir. ORDER FOR PICKUP

Jackie! Zhou is non-binary and ageless. They are a Los Angeles-based multidisciplinary artist, director, and sound designer who is keen on blurring the lines between formats and disciplines. Their recent work includes the short "Order for Pickup," the music video for Chappell Roan's "HOT TO GO!", and developing their first feature, "Rumspringa" as a 2024 TAAF | Sundance Collab scholar. Above all, they believe good listeners make great storytellers.

DYLAN TRUPIANO | He/Him | Dir. RECESSES

Dylan Trupiano is one of the co-founders of Sogbots and has served as director, writer and editor on numerous award-winning short films including BYE BYE BUDDY, (Official Selection of the Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival) TRANSFERENCE (Official Selection of Oak Cliff Film Festival and New/Next Film Festival) and as a writer and producer on MATTRESS EXPRESS (Official Selection of HollyShorts Film Festival). In 2022, he was one of 50 directors from around the world selected for Playlab Films' Creators Lab, taught by Palme d'Or winner Apichatpong Weerasethakul.

MAKY RUPERT | He/Him | Dir. PEAS

Maky is a filmmaker originally from New Jersey. He has directed, edited and produced commercials, music videos and documentaries for clients such as Mastercard and Focus Features, and is a volunteer mentor in the Young Storytellers program. He started his career at ICM Partners before assisting Emmy-nominated producer Gavin Polone, and is currently the development coordinator at Echo Lake Entertainment.

NEAL SURESH MULANI | He/Him | Dir. RAT!

Neal Suresh Mulani is a queer filmmaker and actor whose genre-bending work explores themes of self-perception, masculinity, and identity in the digital age. A graduate of USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, Mulani’s shorts include psychological thriller FISH TANK (2018) and comedy-thriller TELL ME SOMETHING I DON’T KNOW (2022) which starred Mulani and reached festivals such as Outfest and Nashville Film Festival before premiering on Short of the Week, where he received praise as "a compelling rising voice, both in front of and behind the screen."

LAUREN JEVNIKAR | They/Them | Dir. HALF-LIGHT

Lauren Jevnikar is an LA-based director & editor interested in intimacy, vulnerability, and relationship dynamics. Their work has screened internationally in over 7 countries; their last short “Half-Light” won Best Directing at NFFTY in 2023 and went on to screen at HollyShorts ’23 & additional festivals. As an editor, they’ve cut work for clients such as: Snoop Dogg, the NFL, Target, Coachella, Lowes, and more, and had projects screen in multiple Oscar-qualifiers.

MÁTÉ BOEGI | He/Him | Dir. THE SWIMMER

In 2015 Máté wrote and directed the short film Wake, which got him accepted to New York Univeristy, Tisch School of the Arts in 2015/2016, where he graduated with an MFA in 2019. Shortly after his MFA, Máté moved from New York to Los Angeles to work as an Assistant Visual Designer at David Fincher's production company RESET. Máté moved home to Copenhagen in the summer of 2020, and since August he has been working for Bacon Production, developing his own projects including a feature film.

SEAN PECKNOLD | He/Him | Dir. TENNIS, ORANGES

Sean Pecknold is an independent animator, music video and film director from Seattle, Washington based in Los Angeles, CA. His body of work includes award-winning films and animations for Fleet Foxes, John Legend, Netflix, Dreamworks, Dirty Projectors, Google, Sony, The New York Times, and the BBC. He runs Sing-Sing studio in Los Angeles with his partner Adi Goodrich and is preparing to direct his first feature length film.

MAHYAR MANDEGAR | He/Him | Dir. VOCÊ MEANS YOU

Mahyar Mandegar is an Iranian writer, director, and editor based in Los Angeles. His short film WHITE WINGED HORSE premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in 2020 and was an official selection at EnergaCAMERIMAGE. Mahyar holds a BA in film from the Art University of Tehran and an MFA in directing from the AFI Conservatory. His recent short IM FINSTERN is the first AFI Visual Essay to win the ASC Student Heritage Award.

STEPHANIE KAZNOCHA | She/Her | Dir. CONFESSIONS

Stephanie Kaznocha has been working as a film and television editor for the past decade. Her recent editing work includes Comedy Central's Awkwafina is Nora From Queens, the Duplass Brothers' Room 104 on HBO, and Roshan Sethi's 7 Days, which won Best First Feature at the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards. Her latest editing project, A Nice Indian Boy, starring Karan Soni and Jonathan Groff, world premiered at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival.

CAROLINE SYMONS | She/Her | Dir. THE JENNIFER MEYERS STORY

Caroline lives in Los Angeles, where she directs and produces non-scripted television and experimental short films. Her work has appeared on PBS, Max, TLC, Investigation Discovery, The Travel Channel, Discovery+, Freeform, Condé Nast Entertainment, and Vice Media. She is in development on the feature length version of The Jennifer Meyers Story, which focuses on the artifice of the true crime genre.

JACKIE! ZHOU | All Pronouns | Dir. ORDER FOR PICKUP

Jackie! Zhou is non-binary and ageless. They are a Los Angeles-based multidisciplinary artist, director, and sound designer who is keen on blurring the lines between formats and disciplines. Their recent work includes the short "Order for Pickup," the music video for Chappell Roan's "HOT TO GO!", and developing their first feature, "Rumspringa" as a 2024 TAAF | Sundance Collab scholar. Above all, they believe good listeners make great storytellers.

DYLAN TRUPIANO | He/Him | Dir. RECESSES

Dylan Trupiano is one of the co-founders of Sogbots and has served as director, writer and editor on numerous award-winning short films including BYE BYE BUDDY, (Official Selection of the Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival) TRANSFERENCE (Official Selection of Oak Cliff Film Festival and New/Next Film Festival) and as a writer and producer on MATTRESS EXPRESS (Official Selection of HollyShorts Film Festival). In 2022, he was one of 50 directors from around the world selected for Playlab Films' Creators Lab, taught by Palme d'Or winner Apichatpong Weerasethakul.

MAKY RUPERT | He/Him | Dir. PEAS

Maky is a filmmaker originally from New Jersey. He has directed, edited and produced commercials, music videos and documentaries for clients such as Mastercard and Focus Features, and is a volunteer mentor in the Young Storytellers program. He started his career at ICM Partners before assisting Emmy-nominated producer Gavin Polone, and is currently the development coordinator at Echo Lake Entertainment.

NEAL SURESH MULANI | He/Him | Dir. RAT!

Neal Suresh Mulani is a queer filmmaker and actor whose genre-bending work explores themes of self-perception, masculinity, and identity in the digital age. A graduate of USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, Mulani’s shorts include psychological thriller FISH TANK (2018) and comedy-thriller TELL ME SOMETHING I DON’T KNOW (2022) which starred Mulani and reached festivals such as Outfest and Nashville Film Festival before premiering on Short of the Week, where he received praise as "a compelling rising voice, both in front of and behind the screen."

LAUREN JEVNIKAR | They/Them | Dir. HALF-LIGHT

Lauren Jevnikar is an LA-based director & editor interested in intimacy, vulnerability, and relationship dynamics. Their work has screened internationally in over 7 countries; their last short “Half-Light” won Best Directing at NFFTY in 2023 and went on to screen at HollyShorts ’23 & additional festivals. As an editor, they’ve cut work for clients such as: Snoop Dogg, the NFL, Target, Coachella, Lowes, and more, and had projects screen in multiple Oscar-qualifiers.

MÁTÉ BOEGI | He/Him | Dir. THE SWIMMER

In 2015 Máté wrote and directed the short film Wake, which got him accepted to New York Univeristy, Tisch School of the Arts in 2015/2016, where he graduated with an MFA in 2019. Shortly after his MFA, Máté moved from New York to Los Angeles to work as an Assistant Visual Designer at David Fincher's production company RESET. Máté moved home to Copenhagen in the summer of 2020, and since August he has been working for Bacon Production, developing his own projects including a feature film.

SEAN PECKNOLD | He/Him | Dir. TENNIS, ORANGES

Sean Pecknold is an independent animator, music video and film director from Seattle, Washington based in Los Angeles, CA. His body of work includes award-winning films and animations for Fleet Foxes, John Legend, Netflix, Dreamworks, Dirty Projectors, Google, Sony, The New York Times, and the BBC. He runs Sing-Sing studio in Los Angeles with his partner Adi Goodrich and is preparing to direct his first feature length film.

MAHYAR MANDEGAR | He/Him | Dir. VOCÊ MEANS YOU

Mahyar Mandegar is an Iranian writer, director, and editor based in Los Angeles. His short film WHITE WINGED HORSE premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in 2020 and was an official selection at EnergaCAMERIMAGE. Mahyar holds a BA in film from the Art University of Tehran and an MFA in directing from the AFI Conservatory. His recent short IM FINSTERN is the first AFI Visual Essay to win the ASC Student Heritage Award.

STEPHANIE KAZNOCHA | She/Her | Dir. CONFESSIONS

Stephanie Kaznocha has been working as a film and television editor for the past decade. Her recent editing work includes Comedy Central's Awkwafina is Nora From Queens, the Duplass Brothers' Room 104 on HBO, and Roshan Sethi's 7 Days, which won Best First Feature at the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards. Her latest editing project, A Nice Indian Boy, starring Karan Soni and Jonathan Groff, world premiered at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival.

CAROLINE SYMONS | She/Her | Dir. THE JENNIFER MEYERS STORY

Caroline lives in Los Angeles, where she directs and produces non-scripted television and experimental short films. Her work has appeared on PBS, Max, TLC, Investigation Discovery, The Travel Channel, Discovery+, Freeform, Condé Nast Entertainment, and Vice Media. She is in development on the feature length version of The Jennifer Meyers Story, which focuses on the artifice of the true crime genre.

JACKIE! ZHOU | All Pronouns | Dir. ORDER FOR PICKUP

Jackie! Zhou is non-binary and ageless. They are a Los Angeles-based multidisciplinary artist, director, and sound designer who is keen on blurring the lines between formats and disciplines. Their recent work includes the short "Order for Pickup," the music video for Chappell Roan's "HOT TO GO!", and developing their first feature, "Rumspringa" as a 2024 TAAF | Sundance Collab scholar. Above all, they believe good listeners make great storytellers.

DYLAN TRUPIANO | He/Him | Dir. RECESSES

Dylan Trupiano is one of the co-founders of Sogbots and has served as director, writer and editor on numerous award-winning short films including BYE BYE BUDDY, (Official Selection of the Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival) TRANSFERENCE (Official Selection of Oak Cliff Film Festival and New/Next Film Festival) and as a writer and producer on MATTRESS EXPRESS (Official Selection of HollyShorts Film Festival). In 2022, he was one of 50 directors from around the world selected for Playlab Films' Creators Lab, taught by Palme d'Or winner Apichatpong Weerasethakul.

MAKY RUPERT | He/Him | Dir. PEAS

Maky is a filmmaker originally from New Jersey. He has directed, edited and produced commercials, music videos and documentaries for clients such as Mastercard and Focus Features, and is a volunteer mentor in the Young Storytellers program. He started his career at ICM Partners before assisting Emmy-nominated producer Gavin Polone, and is currently the development coordinator at Echo Lake Entertainment.

NEAL SURESH MULANI | He/Him | Dir. RAT!

Neal Suresh Mulani is a queer filmmaker and actor whose genre-bending work explores themes of self-perception, masculinity, and identity in the digital age. A graduate of USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, Mulani’s shorts include psychological thriller FISH TANK (2018) and comedy-thriller TELL ME SOMETHING I DON’T KNOW (2022) which starred Mulani and reached festivals such as Outfest and Nashville Film Festival before premiering on Short of the Week, where he received praise as "a compelling rising voice, both in front of and behind the screen."

LAUREN JEVNIKAR | They/Them | Dir. HALF-LIGHT

Lauren Jevnikar is an LA-based director & editor interested in intimacy, vulnerability, and relationship dynamics. Their work has screened internationally in over 7 countries; their last short “Half-Light” won Best Directing at NFFTY in 2023 and went on to screen at HollyShorts ’23 & additional festivals. As an editor, they’ve cut work for clients such as: Snoop Dogg, the NFL, Target, Coachella, Lowes, and more, and had projects screen in multiple Oscar-qualifiers.

MÁTÉ BOEGI | He/Him | Dir. THE SWIMMER

In 2015 Máté wrote and directed the short film Wake, which got him accepted to New York Univeristy, Tisch School of the Arts in 2015/2016, where he graduated with an MFA in 2019. Shortly after his MFA, Máté moved from New York to Los Angeles to work as an Assistant Visual Designer at David Fincher's production company RESET. Máté moved home to Copenhagen in the summer of 2020, and since August he has been working for Bacon Production, developing his own projects including a feature film.

SEAN PECKNOLD | He/Him | Dir. TENNIS, ORANGES

Sean Pecknold is an independent animator, music video and film director from Seattle, Washington based in Los Angeles, CA. His body of work includes award-winning films and animations for Fleet Foxes, John Legend, Netflix, Dreamworks, Dirty Projectors, Google, Sony, The New York Times, and the BBC. He runs Sing-Sing studio in Los Angeles with his partner Adi Goodrich and is preparing to direct his first feature length film.

LA'S Rich & Successful Film Festival 2024

RSFF would like to thank our Presenting Sponsor TOPCAT MANAGEMENT

Co-Presented by

Key Sponsors

Attendees receive 30% off at

OLD FAST GLASS

and 20% off at

SHOTDECK

Additional Sponsors

PAGE BRADY | Director of Programming

Page Brady is a producer and executive based in Los Angeles. She currently works on film and television projects at a production company. Previously, she was at Creative Artists Agency in the media finance department where she assisted in securing financing and distribution for independent films. She’s passionate about finding and championing unique new voices in film and media. Page is originally from Battle Creek, MI - famously, cereal capital of the world.

NIR LIEBENTHAL | Director of Strategy & Operations

Nir is a co-founder and director at sogbots and LA's Rich and Successful Film Festival (RSFF), where he runs strategy and operations. His past experiences include working at Netflix, Center for Scholars & Storytellers, and Penta Creative. In the fall of 2024, he is starting his Masters in Social Work at UCLA, with plans to study how to incorporate healthcare resources into the film community that sogbots is building with RSFF. He is a graduate of The George Washington University, and likes to play and watch basketball in his free time.

NOAH MORSE | Creative Director & Director of Development

Noah Morse is a director, writer, and producer from Johnston, RI. He is one of the co-founders of sogbots, a production collective based in Los Angeles, and has directed, written, and produced numerous shorts and music videos including Mattress Express, Recesses, Bye Bye Buddy, and Al Menne’s “Freak Accident”. Noah currently serves as Creative Director and Director of Development for LA's Rich and Successful Film Festival. Annually, he volunteers at the Galaxy Theatre at Telluride Film Festival. Formerly, he worked as assistant to Larry Charles on A24's Dicks: The Musical as well as assistant to the head of the Literary Division at WME. Noah is a recipient of the 2024 Big Sky Film Grant for his upcoming film, Simon’s Ride.

DYLAN TRUPIANO | Director of Media

Dylan Trupiano is a director, writer and editor from the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. He is one of the co-founders of sogbots and has served as director, writer and editor on numerous award-winning short films including BYE BYE BUDDY, (Official Selection of the Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival) TRANSFERENCE (Official Selection of Oak Cliff Film Festival and New/Next Film Festival) and as a writer and producer on MATTRESS EXPRESS (Official Selection of HollyShorts Film Festival). In 2021, he co-founded the LA's Rich & Successful Film Festival. As an editor, he has worked for the Webby award-winning series 60 SECOND DOCS, Cadillac, Universal Studios and Citizen Watch. Recently, he was one of 50 directors from around the world selected for Playlab Films' Creators Lab, taught by Palme d'Or winner Apichatpong Weerasethakul. He recently wrapped post-production on his latest short film, RECESSES, which received the Panavision New Filmmakers Grant and will begin the film festival circuit in early 2025.

JEREMY ROTH-ROSE | Director of Programming

Jeremy Roth-Rose is an actor, writer, producer, and creative strategist originally from southeastern Massachusetts. As an actor, he’s best known for playing Rob Lewis in the Netflix series “The Society,” and the starring role in the forthcoming feature film “F** You Ashley.” On stage, Jeremy is a multi-season performer with the Tony-award winning Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, RI. At sogbots, Jeremy is a creative producer supporting the company’s award-winning short films, as well as co-founding and being Director of Programming for LA's Rich & Successful Film Fest (RSFF), where his work has been featured by Variety and BroadwayWorld. Formerly, Jeremy has advised global clients such as Microsoft, Samsung, and Georgetown’s McCourt Institute on their creative and storytelling strategy. He is a graduate of Brown University, where he studied urban design, theatre, and how to string up a hammock.

TALIA LIGHT RAKE | Line Producer & Unit Production Manager

Born & raised in Los Angeles but based in Brooklyn, TALIA LIGHT RAKE is a writer, director & producer working on projects on both coasts. She has served as the lead producer for multiple media production companies including Are You Happy Media, Puff Media, & Gesundheit. She has produced for Sundance Film Festival, Tribeca Festival, and New York Fashion Week. She is a 2023 Film Independent Fast Track Fellow and 2023 NYU Development Lab Fellow. She launched her own production company, Heavy Shovel Productions, in 2022 working in the social media, creative development, and video production space with a slate of commercial and narrative projects. She just wrapped directing her latest short film starring Missy Yager and Ellen Tamaki.

KYRA CALAWAY | Executive Producer

Kyra Calaway is a midwest born actor and producer currently based in New York. One of the co-founders of Topcat LLC, Kyra has produced the off-off Broadway show Before the Flood as well as the podcasts Sommer Stories: The Forgotten and Zero Initiative: Curse of Strahd. Recent acting credits include the short film The Captives and the podcast The Town With No Name (currently in post). Kyra is beyond thrilled to come back for RSFF3 and secretly hopes there will be a karaoke machine at the afterparty.

MEL BARNES | Game Show Producer

Mel Barnes is a creative producer based in Los Angeles. She has produced sold-out comedy shows at venues around the world, most recently Trans-It Girls with Nori Reed and Hayden Johnson at Dynasty Typewriter. She has also developed a number of high-concept comedy shows, including The Female Documentarian with Jessy Morner-Ritt and Don’t Break! with David Brown and Danny Catlow. She was previously the Programming Director at The Elysian Theater where she led the artistic team in the curation of the theater’s year-round calendar of nightly comedy shows, bringing a distinct focus on balancing the scale between established performers and up-and-coming talent. She is currently producing the feature film Sour Minnows alongside Smudge Films, and is in pre-production on two shorts.

MIKE De HAAN | Lead Designer & Art Director

Michael De Haan is a Creative Director and Designer based out of Salt Lake City, Utah. His experience and love for the film and the entertainment industry has propelled his design aesthetic toward the cinematic. After running an indie / repertory arthouse in SLC, Michael transitioned to creating visuals. He has worked internationally as a Creative Director for clients such as Universal Pictures, Disney Animation, Nickelodeon, Dreamworks, NEON, and several independent production houses. In May of 2024 he opened the doors to his creative agency - DONE.™ where he works alongside his creative partner Parker Dunn. Michael recently moved back to his home in Utah after living in New York with his wife Jill and their two children.

IMANI DAVIS | Programmer

Imani Davis is a writer, producer, and a film programmer at the American Cinematheque in Los Angeles. A recent LA transplant from Chicago, she is passionate about building community and believes that film has the power to educate and engage the masses.  Davis earned her Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies at The Ohio State University, and a Master’s of Leadership in Creative Enterprises at Northwestern University. She has produced short films, web series, and indie feature films, as well as programmed independent repertory screening series around the city of Chicago and curated a digital platform for local filmmakers.

YUCHI MA | Programmer

Yuchi Ma (马语迟) is an artist, filmmaker, and Parachute Kid from Beijing, China, based in LA. After getting her BFA in Film and TV Production from USC in 2019. Yuchi then studied at UCLA Design Media Arts for her MFA in 2022. Yuchi has screened and exhibited in various US film and art gallery spaces. In 2023, Yuchi’s film RED THREADS won the Grand Jury Prize for Experimental Shorts at the Slamdance Film Festival. Yuchi is interested in meaning-making within intercultural experiences and believes in the manifesting potential of experimental film/video-making in resistance against the lexicon and form of commercialized language, simulation propaganda, and narrative consumption. Yuchi makes videos to close the gap between herself and the world surrounding her, which is also an attempt to return home. Currently, Yuchi is working on a new untitled panda project.

DaMANUEL RICHARDSON | Programmer

DaManuel is a writer, programmer, and creative producer alongside his award-winning partners at Hello Benjamin Films. His sub-rural upbringing and extensive family tree inspire his love for stories that explore loss, identity, and healing generational trauma. Leaving the cow fields of Georgia behind, DaManuel journeyed to Los Angeles, where he attained his MFA from CalArts. He later programmed shorts for the Sundance Film Festival and recently worked as a showrunner's assistant at WBTV. DaManuel now works with the Oscar-winning team behind Everything Everywhere All At Once, producer Jonathan Wang, and directing duo Daniels. Despite traveling far from his southern roots, DaManuel is happy to report his green thumb is still intact, thanks to years of urban farming in LA.

JACK ROTGER | Programmer

Jake Rotger is an American producer and filmmaker based in Los Angeles, California. In addition to a number of short films, Jake Rotger produced Waiting For The Light To Change, which won the Grand Jury Award for Narrative Features at the 2023 Slamdance Film Festival. The film was subsequently sold to Freestyle Digital Media. His second feature as producer, Local Band, will be released in 2024.

JULIA USIAK | Programmer

Julia Usiak is a corporate shill in the name of art originally hailing from Maryland. Across her five years in Los Angeles, her professional experience includes United Talent Agency, the production companies Sugar23 and Pacific Electric, and she currently works at Apple TV+ across Content & Development. Outside of work, you can catch her taking opera lessons because she loves it, running, watching The OC, and piloting Los Angeles's most self-serious book club (3 years, 33 books!).

PAGE BRADY | Director of Programming

Page Brady is a producer and executive based in Los Angeles. She currently works on film and television projects at a production company. Previously, she was at Creative Artists Agency in the media finance department where she assisted in securing financing and distribution for independent films. She’s passionate about finding and championing unique new voices in film and media. Page is originally from Battle Creek, MI - famously, cereal capital of the world.

NIR LIEBENTHAL | Director of Strategy & Operations

Nir is a co-founder and director at sogbots and LA's Rich and Successful Film Festival (RSFF), where he runs strategy and operations. His past experiences include working at Netflix, Center for Scholars & Storytellers, and Penta Creative. In the fall of 2024, he is starting his Masters in Social Work at UCLA, with plans to study how to incorporate healthcare resources into the film community that sogbots is building with RSFF. He is a graduate of The George Washington University, and likes to play and watch basketball in his free time.

NOAH MORSE | Creative Director & Director of Development

Noah Morse is a director, writer, and producer from Johnston, RI. He is one of the co-founders of sogbots, a production collective based in Los Angeles, and has directed, written, and produced numerous shorts and music videos including Mattress Express, Recesses, Bye Bye Buddy, and Al Menne’s “Freak Accident”. Noah currently serves as Creative Director and Director of Development for LA's Rich and Successful Film Festival. Annually, he volunteers at the Galaxy Theatre at Telluride Film Festival. Formerly, he worked as assistant to Larry Charles on A24's Dicks: The Musical as well as assistant to the head of the Literary Division at WME. Noah is a recipient of the 2024 Big Sky Film Grant for his upcoming film, Simon’s Ride.

DYLAN TRUPIANO | Director of Media

Dylan Trupiano is a director, writer and editor from the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. He is one of the co-founders of sogbots and has served as director, writer and editor on numerous award-winning short films including BYE BYE BUDDY, (Official Selection of the Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival) TRANSFERENCE (Official Selection of Oak Cliff Film Festival and New/Next Film Festival) and as a writer and producer on MATTRESS EXPRESS (Official Selection of HollyShorts Film Festival). In 2021, he co-founded the LA's Rich & Successful Film Festival. As an editor, he has worked for the Webby award-winning series 60 SECOND DOCS, Cadillac, Universal Studios and Citizen Watch. Recently, he was one of 50 directors from around the world selected for Playlab Films' Creators Lab, taught by Palme d'Or winner Apichatpong Weerasethakul. He recently wrapped post-production on his latest short film, RECESSES, which received the Panavision New Filmmakers Grant and will begin the film festival circuit in early 2025.

JEREMY ROTH-ROSE | Director of Programming

Jeremy Roth-Rose is an actor, writer, producer, and creative strategist originally from southeastern Massachusetts. As an actor, he’s best known for playing Rob Lewis in the Netflix series “The Society,” and the starring role in the forthcoming feature film “F** You Ashley.” On stage, Jeremy is a multi-season performer with the Tony-award winning Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, RI. At sogbots, Jeremy is a creative producer supporting the company’s award-winning short films, as well as co-founding and being Director of Programming for LA's Rich & Successful Film Fest (RSFF), where his work has been featured by Variety and BroadwayWorld. Formerly, Jeremy has advised global clients such as Microsoft, Samsung, and Georgetown’s McCourt Institute on their creative and storytelling strategy. He is a graduate of Brown University, where he studied urban design, theatre, and how to string up a hammock.

TALIA LIGHT RAKE | Line Producer & Unit Production Manager

Born & raised in Los Angeles but based in Brooklyn, TALIA LIGHT RAKE is a writer, director & producer working on projects on both coasts. She has served as the lead producer for multiple media production companies including Are You Happy Media, Puff Media, & Gesundheit. She has produced for Sundance Film Festival, Tribeca Festival, and New York Fashion Week. She is a 2023 Film Independent Fast Track Fellow and 2023 NYU Development Lab Fellow. She launched her own production company, Heavy Shovel Productions, in 2022 working in the social media, creative development, and video production space with a slate of commercial and narrative projects. She just wrapped directing her latest short film starring Missy Yager and Ellen Tamaki.

KYRA CALAWAY | Executive Producer

Kyra Calaway is a midwest born actor and producer currently based in New York. One of the co-founders of Topcat LLC, Kyra has produced the off-off Broadway show Before the Flood as well as the podcasts Sommer Stories: The Forgotten and Zero Initiative: Curse of Strahd. Recent acting credits include the short film The Captives and the podcast The Town With No Name (currently in post). Kyra is beyond thrilled to come back for RSFF3 and secretly hopes there will be a karaoke machine at the afterparty.

MEL BARNES | Game Show Producer

Mel Barnes is a creative producer based in Los Angeles. She has produced sold-out comedy shows at venues around the world, most recently Trans-It Girls with Nori Reed and Hayden Johnson at Dynasty Typewriter. She has also developed a number of high-concept comedy shows, including The Female Documentarian with Jessy Morner-Ritt and Don’t Break! with David Brown and Danny Catlow. She was previously the Programming Director at The Elysian Theater where she led the artistic team in the curation of the theater’s year-round calendar of nightly comedy shows, bringing a distinct focus on balancing the scale between established performers and up-and-coming talent. She is currently producing the feature film Sour Minnows alongside Smudge Films, and is in pre-production on two shorts.

MIKE De HAAN | Lead Designer & Art Director

Michael De Haan is a Creative Director and Designer based out of Salt Lake City, Utah. His experience and love for the film and the entertainment industry has propelled his design aesthetic toward the cinematic. After running an indie / repertory arthouse in SLC, Michael transitioned to creating visuals. He has worked internationally as a Creative Director for clients such as Universal Pictures, Disney Animation, Nickelodeon, Dreamworks, NEON, and several independent production houses. In May of 2024 he opened the doors to his creative agency - DONE.™ where he works alongside his creative partner Parker Dunn. Michael recently moved back to his home in Utah after living in New York with his wife Jill and their two children.

IMANI DAVIS | Programmer

Imani Davis is a writer, producer, and a film programmer at the American Cinematheque in Los Angeles. A recent LA transplant from Chicago, she is passionate about building community and believes that film has the power to educate and engage the masses.  Davis earned her Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies at The Ohio State University, and a Master’s of Leadership in Creative Enterprises at Northwestern University. She has produced short films, web series, and indie feature films, as well as programmed independent repertory screening series around the city of Chicago and curated a digital platform for local filmmakers.

YUCHI MA | Programmer

Yuchi Ma (马语迟) is an artist, filmmaker, and Parachute Kid from Beijing, China, based in LA. After getting her BFA in Film and TV Production from USC in 2019. Yuchi then studied at UCLA Design Media Arts for her MFA in 2022. Yuchi has screened and exhibited in various US film and art gallery spaces. In 2023, Yuchi’s film RED THREADS won the Grand Jury Prize for Experimental Shorts at the Slamdance Film Festival. Yuchi is interested in meaning-making within intercultural experiences and believes in the manifesting potential of experimental film/video-making in resistance against the lexicon and form of commercialized language, simulation propaganda, and narrative consumption. Yuchi makes videos to close the gap between herself and the world surrounding her, which is also an attempt to return home. Currently, Yuchi is working on a new untitled panda project.

DaMANUEL RICHARDSON | Programmer

DaManuel is a writer, programmer, and creative producer alongside his award-winning partners at Hello Benjamin Films. His sub-rural upbringing and extensive family tree inspire his love for stories that explore loss, identity, and healing generational trauma. Leaving the cow fields of Georgia behind, DaManuel journeyed to Los Angeles, where he attained his MFA from CalArts. He later programmed shorts for the Sundance Film Festival and recently worked as a showrunner's assistant at WBTV. DaManuel now works with the Oscar-winning team behind Everything Everywhere All At Once, producer Jonathan Wang, and directing duo Daniels. Despite traveling far from his southern roots, DaManuel is happy to report his green thumb is still intact, thanks to years of urban farming in LA.

JACK ROTGER | Programmer

Jake Rotger is an American producer and filmmaker based in Los Angeles, California. In addition to a number of short films, Jake Rotger produced Waiting For The Light To Change, which won the Grand Jury Award for Narrative Features at the 2023 Slamdance Film Festival. The film was subsequently sold to Freestyle Digital Media. His second feature as producer, Local Band, will be released in 2024.

JULIA USIAK | Programmer

Julia Usiak is a corporate shill in the name of art originally hailing from Maryland. Across her five years in Los Angeles, her professional experience includes United Talent Agency, the production companies Sugar23 and Pacific Electric, and she currently works at Apple TV+ across Content & Development. Outside of work, you can catch her taking opera lessons because she loves it, running, watching The OC, and piloting Los Angeles's most self-serious book club (3 years, 33 books!).

View the list of Festival Finalists

Joanna Blieden
Emanuela Boisbouvier
Dawn & Bob Brady
Tonit Calaway
Paul & Lou Coutant

Ruby Henley
Solia Hoegl
Baz Rogers Liebenthal
Dror Liebenthal
Einat & Ram Liebenthal
Oren Liebenthal
Dom Mackowski
Mark & Maureen Morse
Cassandra Nicholson
Lydia Roberts
Daniel Rose
Shelley Roth
Lawrence Sher
Jesse “Coach” Summers
Sam & Jude Trupiano
Tom & Chris Trupiano

Chloe Trupiano
Alex Wozny
Ethan Young

Love,
The RSFF Team

The RSFF team would like to thank...

Welcome to RSFF3

PRESENTED BY

Topcat Management

CO-PRESENTED BY

Sogbots and American Cinematheque at the historic Egyptian Theatre

The Program

BAGGAGE

Directed by TIM HENDRIX

VOCÊ MEANS YOU

Directed by MAHYAR MANDEGAR

CONFESSIONS

Directed by STEPHANIE KAZNOCHA

THE JENNIFER MEYERS STORY

Directed by CAROLINE SYMONS

ORDER FOR PICKUP

Directed by JACKIE! ZHOU

RECESSES

Directed by DYLAN TRUPIANO

Special Preview

STILL LIFE

Directed by CONNER GRIFFITH

PEAS

Directed by MAKY RUPERT

World Premiere

RAT!

Directed by NEAL SURESH MULANI

HALF-LIGHT

Directed by LAUREN JEVNIKAR

THE SWIMMER

Directed by MÁTÉ BOEGI

Los Angeles Premiere

THRU THE WIRE

Directed by AN NGUYEN

North American Premiere

CREATING THINGS

Directed by BRYAN & TAYLOR SIMPSON

TENNIS, ORANGES

Directed by SEAN PECKNOLD

RSFF would like to thank our Presenting Sponsor TOPCAT MANAGEMENT

Co-Presented by

Key Sponsors

Attendees receive 30% off at

and 20% off at

Additional Sponsors

The RSFF team would like to thank...

Welcome to
RSFF3