On Paper
Having wrapped up our festival run last fall, we are very grateful to have played at, and for the support of, the following festivals:
- California Women's Film Festival: Official Selection - July 7, 2024
- Albany FilmFest: Best Short Film Finalist - Oct 13, 2024
- Weyauwega International Film Festival: Official Selection - Nov. 14, 2024
- Blowup Film Fest: In-Competition/Semi-Finalist, 2024
- HollyShorts Monthly Screening: Official Selection - Dec. 11, 2024
- Borrego Springs Film Festival: Official Selection - Jan. 19, 2025
- Beaufort International Film Festival: Official Selection - Feb. 21, 2025
- The Violette Film Festival: Official Selection - March 29, 2025
- New Hope Film Festival: Official Selection - Aug 23, 2025
- Tryon International Film Festival: Official Selection - Oct 12, 2025
Barbara sits alone at her office retirement party, afraid to open a small gift-wrapped package sitting on the table in front of her. The next day, she tries to forget the gift, but a day hike with her husband Phil conjures up haunting memories. It turns out their marriage has been filled with lies and steps are taken that will change their relationship forever.
2026 Updates
In Pre-Production
I'm gearing up to film one short in the summer, and another early in 2027. The loglines are below. After that, while I have a ton of short screenplays on my hard drive begging to get produced, I plan to film a feature in 2028.
- Feeding Pigeons: When an elderly homeless man tries to reconnect to his family, he has a tense encounter with the police instead of the meaningful reconnection with his estranged daughter that he is longing for.
- Rush: Set during the California gold rush, a young prospector named Joseph falls in love with the learned and mysterious Clara. When her brother Franklin digs up the haul of a lifetime, Joseph and Clara decide to steal Franklin’s gold, run off deep into the forest, and start a new life together, or die trying.
TRIFF Talks
I'm thrilled to be a part of this year's online Tryon International Film Festival TRIFF Talks. I will be presenting "6 Keys to Creating Compelling Dramatic Films" on April 14th at 7pm EST. For more information about my session, as well as TRIFF's other great offerings, click here.
Arthur Helterbran Jr.
"I aim to tell engaging and challenging stories through poetic moving imagery."
Originally from Wisconsin, Arthur received his BA in Radio/TV/Film from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and later earned his MFA in Film Directing from the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). He has traveled the United States and the world teaching film and working in the industry, most notably in Italy, Australia, New York City, and in his current home of Southern California, where Arthur freelances throughout Los Angeles, and resides with his amazing wife and son.