NEWS
Nefarium and Horned win big at the 13Horror.Com Film & Screenplay Fest!
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May 15th, 2025
The 13Horror.Com Film & Screenplay Contest named Jeff Zook and Jerrod Brito's Nefarium as a Feature Screenplay winner this week. The contest's director, Andrew Hannon, said: "Nefarium is a compelling horror screenplay with strong gothic elements, a chilling atmosphere, and layered storytelling." In addition, Sharpspoon Pictures' Horned was also honored, taking home the contest's Best Short Film award. Regarding Horned, the contest's director, Andrew Hannon, said: "Horned is short, sharp, sexy and shocking. You've packed more humor, horror and social commentary into a four minute film than most films three or four times its length." Congratulations to Zook, Brito, and the cast and crew of Horned for their exciting wins! |
#Nefarium #filmfestival #indiefilm #indiehorror #horrormovies #officialselection #screenwriters #screenwriting #screenplays #blumhouse #neon #A24 #atomicmonster #13horrorcom #ghoststory #theconjuring #ruralhorror #Horned #filmfestival #indiefilm #indiehorror #horrormovies #laurels #DanSavage #HUMPFilmFestival #nefarium #1stplace
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Something 'Nefarious' Comes to Ohio in 2025...
January 13th, 2025
In a great start to the new year, the Jeff M. Zook and Jerrod D. Brito ghost story thriller, Nefarium, has been named a finalist in the HorrorHound Spring 2025 Script Comptetition! This year, HorrorHound Weekend takes place at the Sharonville Convention Center, in Cincinnati, Ohio, on March 21-23. Stay tuned for future updates!
In a great start to the new year, the Jeff M. Zook and Jerrod D. Brito ghost story thriller, Nefarium, has been named a finalist in the HorrorHound Spring 2025 Script Comptetition! This year, HorrorHound Weekend takes place at the Sharonville Convention Center, in Cincinnati, Ohio, on March 21-23. Stay tuned for future updates!
#Nefarium #filmfestival #indiefilm #indiehorror #horrormovies #officialselection #screenwriters #screenwriting #screenplays #blumhouse #neon #A24 #atomicmonster #HorrorHound #horrorhoundfilmfestival #ghoststory #theconjuring #ruralhorror
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Open Doors haunts the Latino Filmmakers Network
December 31st, 2024
Just as things wind down after a successful 2024 festival season, Open Doors gets one more nod –– as a Finalist –– in the Latino Filmmakers Network Screenwriting Contest. Though Open Doors has seemingly gone under the radar this year, screenwriter Jerrod D. Brito believes his script may have finally found its audience in an organization that celebrates and promotes the Latin culture and material based around it. Logline: When a Latina takes her kids to Southern Colorado to escape an abusive relationship, she inadvertently reignites a bloodline curse in her ailing hermit grandmother’s house, causing vengeful spirits to feed on their trauma and come for their souls. Written in the style of The Conjuring and Poltergeist, Open Doors is a ghost story taking place in Southern Colorado, and features various cultural folklores, LGBT themes, and strong female Latina protagonists over 30. #opendoors #filmfestival #indiefilm #indiehorror #horrormovies #officialselection #finalist #screenwriters #screenwriting #screenplays #blumhouse #neon #A24 #atomicmonster #screencraft #horrorscreenplay #guillermodeltoro #lgbtq #lesbian #latina #lallorona #filmincolorado #filminnewmexico #basedonatruestory #ghoststory #ghosts #poltergeist #theconjuring #Latinofilmmakersnetwork |
Nefarium: Quarter-Finalist in ScreenCraft's Horror Screenplay Competition
November 29th, 2024
Screenwriters Jeff M. Zook and Jerrod D. Brito have something new to be thankful for this Thanksgiving! On November 27th, ScreenCraft announced their Quarter-Finalists for their 2025 Horror Screenplay Competition, and Zook's & Brito's haunted house feature, Nefarium, was listed among them! Stay tuned for more updates regarding the spooky screenplay and its grateful writers!
Screenwriters Jeff M. Zook and Jerrod D. Brito have something new to be thankful for this Thanksgiving! On November 27th, ScreenCraft announced their Quarter-Finalists for their 2025 Horror Screenplay Competition, and Zook's & Brito's haunted house feature, Nefarium, was listed among them! Stay tuned for more updates regarding the spooky screenplay and its grateful writers!
#nefarium #filmfestival #indiefilm #indiehorror #horrormovies #officialselection #quarterfinalist #screenwriters #screenwriting #screenplays #blumhouse #neon #A24 #atomicmonster #screencraft #horrorscreenplay
'Diabolical' news for Nefarium and Horned!November 11th, 2024
It's official! The Diabolical Horror Film Festival has named "Nefarium" a winner of a Carnage Award for Best Feature Script 2024! In addition, "Horned" received a nomination for Best Short 2024. As "Horned" wraps up its successful festival run, "Nefarium" seems to be just getting started! Congratulations to Jeff M. Zook and Jerrod D. Brito for their big Diabolical win, and to the cast and crew of "Horned" for their Diabolical nomination to cap their successful festival run! #Horned #filmfestival #indiefilm #indiehorror #horrormovies #officialselection #screenwriters #screenwriting #screenplays #blumhouse #neon #A24 #atomicmonster #DiabolicalHorrorFilmFestival #CarnageAwards |
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Horned, Nefarium, and Keep Scrolling dominate spooky season
October 28th, 2024
In addition to joining screenplays Nefarium and Keep Scrolling as Official Selections in the Diabolical Horror Film Festival 2024, Horned also played for a packed Toronto house in the WILDsound Horror Festival 2024 and won the award for Best New Media Film! Congratulations to the cast and crew of Horned, and to Nefarium screenwritiers Jeff M. Zook and Jerrod D. Brito! #IndependentHorrorMovieAwards #Horned #filmfestival #indiefilm #indiehorror #horrormovies #laurels #officialselection #screenwriters #screenwriting #screenplays #blumhouse #neon #A24 #atomicmonster #DiabolicalHorrorFilmFestival #WILDsoundHorrorFestival |
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"Horned" 'satisfies' Denver... and much, much more!
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October 4th, 2024
After making two Denver audiences laugh, scream, and groan, Sharpspoon Pictures' "Horned" was awarded HUMP! Film Festival's honors of "Best Humor" and "Best in Show"! In addition, "Horned" was recognized as an Austin After Dark Film Festival "Best Micro Horror Film Award Finalist" and coming up, "Horned" will also screen in the WILDsound Horror Shorts Festival on October 24th in downtown Toronto. Congratulations to the entire "Horned" team! #IndependentHorrorMovieAwards #Horned #filmfestival #indiefilm #indiehorror #horrormovies #laurels #officialselection #nominee #screenwriters #screenwriting #screenplays #blumhouse #neon #A24 #atomicmonster #AustinAfterDark #AustinAfterDarkFilmFestival #HappenstanceHorrorFest #DanSavage #HUMPFilmFestival |
Screamfest selects "Nefarium" as a 2024 Quarter-Finalist
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October 1st, 2024
The Screamfest Horror Screenplay Competition has named Jeff M. Zook's and Jerrod D. Brito's ghost story collaboration, Nefarium, a quarter-finalists in its 2024 program! The grateful screenwriters hope their script will continue to build momentum through the rest of the year. #IndependentHorrorMovieAwards #Nefarium#filmfestival #indiefilm #indiehorror #horrormovies #laurels #officialselection #nominee #screenwriters #screenwriting #screenplays #blumhouse #neon #A24 #atomicmonster |
"Horned" does America ... and other countries, too!
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September 19th, 2024
Dan Savage's HUMP! Film Festival is in full swing, penetrating America, Amsterdam, Germany, and other locations around the world––and "Horned" is going along for the ride! Creators and Crew Members of "Horned" attended the Denver leg of the HUMP! tour and were greeted with a warm reception from their home city; the audience laughed and cheered making the night special for the film's collaborators in attendance. In addition to HUMP!, the creepy, sexy little horror film was also chosen as an Official Selection by Austin After Dark Film Festival (Fall 2024) and presented as an Honorable Mention by the Happenstance Horror Fest (2024). Congrats to the cast and crew of "Horned" for a successful Fall Festival season so far! #IndependentHorrorMovieAwards #Horned #filmfestival #indiefilm #indiehorror #horrormovies #laurels #officialselection #nominee #screenwriters #screenwriting #screenplays #blumhouse #neon #A24 #atomicmonster #AustinAfterDark #AustinAfterDarkFilmFestival #HappenstanceHorrorFest #DanSavage #HUMPFilmFestival |
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Jeff M. Zook's & Jerrod D. Brito's "Nefarium" earns first festival nod
September 11, 2024
"Nefarium," a ghost story feature horror screenplay, celebrates its first nomination today, having received recognition in its very first entry in the festival circuit. Though this is their first writing collaboration, Zook and Brito have high hopes for the script and believe the Independent Horror Movie Awards 2024 nomination is only the beginning. More details to come! #IndependentHorrorMovieAwards #Nefarium#filmfestival #indiefilm #indiehorror #horrormovies #laurels #officialselection #nominee #screenwriters #screenwriting #screenplays #blumhouse #neon #A24 #atomicmonster |
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Cinema Scares selects "Horned" for its 2024 Program
August 6th, 2024
Just a month before beginning it's tour as part of Dan Savage's HUMP Film Festival, "Horned" has been accepted into another horror showcase! Congratulations to the "Horned" cast and crew for joining other talented filmmakers in this year's Cinema Scares fest! #CinemaScares #Horned #filmfestival #indiefilm #indiehorror #horrormovies #laurels #officialselection |
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"Patient" – an all new horror graphic novel – is on the way!
July 23, 2024
It's official! Horror writer, Jerrod D. Brito, is teaming up with NN Comics' talented artist, Martin Gimenez, to give life to "Patient" #1, the first in a 6-part graphic novel. "Patient" follows Dogan Brown, a depressed, anxiety-ridden stoner who becomes confined to a clinic with a sardonic receptionist with no communication to the outside world while a deadly virus spreads around them. The unlikely team must learn to work through their personal issues––and the issues they have with each another––if they are going to find the will and means to survive. #horrorcomics #horror #horrormovies #comicbooks #zombies #skateboarding #virus #viral #receptionist #clinic #medical #comics #horrorwriter #screenplay #image #images #visualstorytelling |
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"Slices" and "Horned" are TROMA!
July 8, 2024 Cult classic horror studio, TROMA, is the latest to acknowledge "Slices" and "Horned" in their prestigious film festival! It's an honor to be part of the legendary company's history. Congratulations to the cast and crew involved with both films! #Tromadance #Troma #Horned #filmfestival #indiefilm #indiehorror #horrormovies #laurels #officialselection |
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FIRST TEN ZEN: "MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE"
May 31st, 2024
The importance of hooking a reader with your first ten script pages, as observed in three screenplay drafts of the hit film "Mission: Impossible"! Click HERE to read! |
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"The Hairy Twos" – a rom-com sequel to a cryptid horror movie?May 6th, 2024 As questioned in the parody itself, "why on Earth would anyone make a rom-com as a sequel to a crytpid fantasy horror movie that hasn't even come out yet?" For fun and promotion, of course! "The Hairy Twos," written by one half of "The Hairy Ones" writers, Aaron Whitrock pokes fun at the subject matter by implying the aftermath of their upcoming Bigfoot feature. Evicted from his forest, the formerly elusive wild man must assimilate to city life like the rest of us. Will Bigfoot be able to navigate relationships, the housing market, and dangerous pursuers while adjusting to total and utter culture shock? Click on the poster to find out! Stay tuned for "The Hairy Ones," coming soon from Aaron Whitrock, Jerrod D. Brito, and Timothy Navarro! "The Hairy Twos": Bigfoot in the Big City Starring: Aaron Whitrock Josh McFadden Timothy Navarro Glen Gale Jerrod D. Brito with Santa Claus and Bigfoot as himself. |
"Horned" goes underground... |
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May 1st, 2024
Congratulations to the cast and crew of "Horned," who made a short film deemed worthy of official selection by the Horror Underground Film & Screenplay Festival! In addition, stars Ben Johnson, Natalie Szabo, and Lexi Luther were honored by the fest with the prestigious Best Performance Award! An exclusive interview with Jerrod D. Brito can be found here: Filmmaker Jerrod D. Brito (HORNED) Crowd reactions to the film can be found here*: HORROR UNDERGROUND FILM FESTIVAL: "HORNED" * Watch at your own risk; one review contains spoilers! |
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HorrorHound Film Festival selects "Dogged" and "Keep Scrolling"
January 16th, 2024 HorrorHound Film Festival has just named "Dogged" and "Keep Scrolling" as finalists in their Spring 2024 Short Script category competition. "Dogged" is a found footage short about a Pomeranian with an action camera trying to save a baby from a phantom, while "Keep Scrolling" is a horror short about the creepy things that can find their way to your social media feeds in the dead of night. Good luck to all of the selections and finalists! |
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"Horned" edges into 2024!
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January 2nd, 2024
Happy New Year from Sharpspoon Pictures! We're off to a great start: A parody promotional trailer for "The Hairy Ones" has wrapped filming and will be released soon. It's called "The Hairy Twos," and was a fun one to put together. Meanwhile, "Horned" has been accepted into a sixth festival –– Dan Savage's HUMP! Festival. Among 48 other films, "Horned" will be screened in multiple American states, and will also tour abroad in Germany, The Netherlands, Canada, and more! The sexy, spooky short recently received a "Best Original Concept" win and "Best Humor" nomination from the Independent Horror Movie Awards 2023 and continues to 'build up' momentum going into the new year. Stay tuned for breaking news regarding "Horned" and "The Hairy Ones"! |
"Horned" officially pounds its way through the festival circuit
November 7th, 2023
Since October 2023, "Horned" has been named an official selection in THREE festivals so far, including Severed Limbs 14 October 2023 (Official Selection), Ghastly Pumpkin Film Fest 2023 (Official Selection, WINNER: Best Jump Scare, NOMINEE: Best Actor – Ben Johnson, NOMINEE: Best Actress – Natalie Szabo, NOMINEE: Best Monster, NOMINEE: Best Kill, NOMINEE: Best Original Concept, NOMINEE: Best Makeup, NOMINEE: Best Twist, NOMINEE: Best Humor), and Video Nasties Genre Film Festival 2023 (Official Selection, WINNER: Nasty Gore – Megan Urmann and Natalie Szabo, WINNER: Nasty Sex – Ben Johnson and Natalie Szabo). Congrats to the winners, nominees, and the whole Horned team! Stay tuned for future festival news to come! |
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How can we help you?
August 28th, 2023 It's official! FADE IN: to FADE OUT. rolled out a slew of new professional screenwriting and script coverage services today. With talented writers like Twich Collins, Kelsey Opel, Fred Trujillo, Robert Brandsma, Fayth Krause, and Jerrod D. Brito, your scripts are in great hands! Click here for more information! |
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#WGAStrong!: The Guild continues to fight the good fight in L.A.
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August 25th, 2023
The strike for fair wages and better working conditions continued as the WGA and SAG-AFTRA unions, and supporters, gathered in front of NBCU for a special "Musical" picket on Friday. Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) was in attendance, and led the gathering in a few songs. Here's to hoping this strike ends soon so that all hard-working entertainers can get back to work and create the content we love to watch! |
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"Horned" short wraps principal photography! |
August 15th, 2023
Written, directed, edited, and co-executive produced by Jerrod D. Brito, Sharpspoon Pictures' latest project, "Horned," is a horror short with a sexy twist! Though Brito primarily dabbles in darker content, this is the first Sharpspoon production that will be specifically aimed at audiences over the age of 18. "This is a story that not only allows for explicit and gratuitous language, violence, gore, and adult situations, it intentionally calls for it," notes Brito. "And when our fun, willing, talented cast and crew were interested in bringing it to life, I felt like it was something we had to make." Brito is joined by co-E.P. Erin Marie Delaney and a cast of newcomers including Ben Johnson, Natalie Szabo, and Lexi Luther. "Horned" is expected in early 2024, the 25th anniversary of Sharpspoon Pictures. |
An Open Letter to the AMPTP
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From the FADE IN: to FADE OUT. Team, Written by Twich Collins Dear AMPTP and top studio executives, We know you don't know us, and why would you? We're not industry-known writers, even though we count ourselves a part of the community. We are not members of the WGA or any other union. We are just a small group of word nerds who love screenwriting and are doing what we can to break into the Hollywood machine. However, what is going on with the film and TV industry, the strikes, the unrest around labor, it all concerns us. Whatever the outcome is, it will affect our future and the lives of millions of others. Hell, let's throw in the whole world, as the art and stories we create or don't create affects them as well. The intention of this letter is not to place blame or accuse any one person of greed or an abuse of power. All we want to know is why. read more here |
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Why the first ten pages of a script matter so much...
June 22nd, 2023
In the latest "First Ten Zen" analysis, FADE IN: To FADE OUT. breaks down the initial pages of "The Conjuring", as presented in two very different script drafts. See how the story changed –– and whether or not it was the right choice –– in this month's in-depth offering. #theconjuring #horror #horrormovies #screenwriters #screenwriting #screenplays #firsttenzen #fromfadeintofadeout |
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From FADE IN: To FADE OUT. |
"From FADE IN: To FADE OUT." welcomes Jerrod D. Brito
May 5th, 2023
Jerrod D. Brito is now a provider of blogs and articles as a contributing writer for From FADE IN: To FADE OUT., a website devoted to all things screenwriting. Click the photos to visit the site and read Brito's first contribution, "First Ten Zen", |
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The WGA Labor Union Is On Strike!
May 2nd, 2023
As of 12:01 AM on May 2nd, the WGA is striking after failing to reach a mutually beneficial agreement with studios, especially where the expansion of streaming services is concerned. In solidarity and support of the WGA, Jerrod Brito and Sharpspoon Pictures are not conducting business for screenwriting services with union projects or major studios until further notice. Here's to wishing the best for the WGA and all the writers affected. We hope negotiations are resolved soon! |
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"Adalynn" cast & crew walk red carpet for film's theatrical release
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April 16th, 2023
The cast and crew of "Adalynn" gathered on the red carpet at the Angelika Film Center in San Diego, California to present their new movie and greet their audience with a special Q&A session after the film. Those in attendance included Jake Byrd (director), Malati Patil (executive producer), Sydney Carvill ("Adalynn"), Wade Baker ("Bill"), Jerrod D. Brito (screenwriter), and Rich Varville (director of photography/editor). "Adalynn" is now available on Amazon Prime, iTunes, Vudu, Google Play, and DVD! |
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"The Hairy Ones" Teaser Trailer Is Here!
April 1st, 2023
The teaser trailer for "The Hairy Ones," written and directed by Aaron Whitrock & Jerrod D. Brito, has officially been released! Stay tuned for the upcoming crowdfunding campaign and for opportunities to be involved with this unique and exciting new Sharpspoon Pictures production! |
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"Adalynn" is available on streaming platforms everywhere!
March 28th, 2023
Summer Hill Entertainment presents: "Adalynn"
Directed by Jake Byrd, Produced by Malati Patil, and Written by Jerrod D. Brito, "Adalynn" is now available on Amazon Prime, iTunes, Vudu, Google Play, and DVD!
Summer Hill Entertainment presents: "Adalynn"
Directed by Jake Byrd, Produced by Malati Patil, and Written by Jerrod D. Brito, "Adalynn" is now available on Amazon Prime, iTunes, Vudu, Google Play, and DVD!
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Coming soon: "Adalynn" streams on Amazon and Apple platforms on March 28th!
March 15th, 2023
“Adalynn” is a disturbing, provocative, and compelling psychological thriller about postpartum depression, mental health, and the nightmares that can fuel the darkest corners of one's mind. “Adalynn” is highly cinematic and visceral, and contains an exciting, engaging original soundtrack. A winner of 16 awards and 6 nominations (so far), “Adalynn” stars Sydney Carvill (FANtastic Horror Film Festival Best Feature Film Actress) as the title character, Wade Baker (Focus International Film Festival Feature Film Platinum Award Winner) as Bill, and is based on a concept by Jake Byrd and a screenplay by Jerrod D. Brito. “ADALYNN” A perfect mother, her perfect nightmare… In order to keep herself and her newborn baby alive, a mother must fight to overcome postpartum depression, grief, inner demons, sinister impulses, and an unseen tormentor until her husband can return home from his business trip to help her. |
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The GASP! Horror Film Festival honors "Slices" and "Sleep Tight"
February 19th, 2023
Congrats to the cast and crew of both horror-tastic shorts for two more nods! |
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WithoutYourHead.com Severed Limbs 12: Our Bloody Valentines honors "Sleep Tight" and "1x1"
February 13th, 2023
"Sleep Tight" (written and directed by Jerrod D. Brito) was awarded The Ben Chapman Award for Best Creature or Monster, and "1x1" (directed by Jake Byrd, written by Jerrod D. Brito) was awarded The Herschell Gordon Lewis Award for Best Kill/Goriest Short. Congrats to the casts and crews of both films! |
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"1 x 1," "Sleep Tight," and "Slices" are Official Dissections in the Severed Limbs 12 Film Fest!
February 6th, 2023
Congrats to the cast and crew of all three terror-ific shorts! Winners will be announced at the event on February 11th, 2023. Best of luck to all talent involved! |
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"The Hairy Ones" roars into production!
November 28th, 2022
The first sequence of "The Hairy Ones" is officially in the can! With the Denver unit completed, the film's all-star team looks forward to shooting the remainder of the film in South Carolina next year. Stay tuned! |
"Sleep Tight" and "Slices" awarded at the Ghastly Pumpkin Fest 2022!
October 31st, 2022
"Sleep Tight" and "Slices" received multiple nominations in the Ghastly Pumpkin Awards Film Festival 2022. Our films won awards in the following categories: "SLEEP TIGHT" – Horror Short – "Child Actor" – Beckett Bauer – Horror Short – "Best Actor" – Fernando San Miguel "SLICES" – Horror Short – "Bad Ass" – Jerrod D. Brito – Horror Short – "Best Twist" – Horror – Best Overall Film – 3rd Place Congratulations to the cast and crew of both films! |
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October 2nd, 2022
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Ghastly Pumpkin Awards Fest 2022 selects "Sleep Tight" and "Slices"!
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Congratulations to the cast and crew of Jake Byrd Productions' "Devotion"!
September 11th, 2022 Last night, the short film "Devotion," written by Jerrod D. Brito and directed by Jake Byrd," was honored at the 48 Film Project – San Diego screening, held at the Reading Cinemas Grossmont Center. Among the nominees were the short's writer, director, and lead actor and actress. Congratulations to the nominees and winners of all the films included in this year's festival! Best Writing Nomination: Jerrod Brito Best Directing Nomination: Jake Byrd Best Actor Nomination: Marc Sylwestrzak Best Actress Nomination: Melissa Blackwood |
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Jacala Pictures' "Adalynn" enters the feature film festival circuit!
September 9th, 2022 Just weeks after completion, the psychological thriller known as "Adalynn" is making waves. So far, the film won the 2022 SDMA Award of Merit, and was named an Official Selection in Focus International Film Festival, 2022 and an Official Selection in the Los Angeles Lift-Off Film Festival 2022. Sydney Carvill and Wade Baker star in "Adalynn," written by Jerrod D. Brito and directed by Jake Byrd. |
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