Horror Short Film (Award Winning)

The Grit of It All

Logline

In 1980s Arizona, a guilt-ridden detective investigates a murder in Las Sombras, an abandoned Western show town, where a cryptic cassette tape turns the case into a confrontation with his own darkest mistake.

FILM CURRENTLY IN FESTIVAL RUN - RELEASE COMING SOON.

A psychological thriller about grief and memory, shot in a Western show town. Quiet camera movement, natural light, and muted palette to foreground performance.

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CREDITS

Director
Alek Mendez

Prod. Company
Sombra Pictures LLC

Writers
Alek Mendez

Director of Photography
Alek Mendez

1st AC
Luc Leyton

Gaffer
Alex Leyton

Colorist
Alek Mendez

CAST

John Anthony Aguirre - Detective James

Sofia Galina Garcia - Ada

SPECS

Camera: Sony FX3 Cinema Line

Lenses: Blazar Remus 1.5x Lens Kit

Format: ProRes 4444 XQ

Aspect: 2.39:1

FESTIVALS & PRESS

  • University of Arizona’s “I Dream in Widescreen 25’”

  • NATAS’ 2025 - National Student Production Awards (Best College Photographer)