As Easy As Closing Your Eyes

Narrative Short

USA, 21 Minutes

Director Parker Croft

Producers Max Loeb, Parker Croft, Aaron Golden, Chris Blim, Laura Coover

Screenwriter Aaron Golden and Parker Croft

Executive Producers Abigail Breslin, Jon Michael Hill, Caren McVicker, Joe McVicker

Editor Parker Croft

Cinematographer Zakaree Sandberg

Music By Mandy Hoffman, Fames Project, Joseph Brooks Organ

Composer Mandy Hoffman

Cast Laura Coover, Sean Marquette, Dawson Sweeney

Contact Info contact@paperhorsepictures.com

On the eve of her late son’s birthday, Lila attends a group meeting for people addicted to Amesten, a new blackmarket drug that gives its users life-like dreams about the ones they've lost. Though the drug has exacted a terrible toll on her, her sobriety still only hangs by a thread. As she prepares to celebrate Bodie’s birthday with her brother Kieran, the temptation to see Bodie again begins to overwhelm her and she must choose whether to finally let go of an impossible dream or follow the light of her life into darkness.

Festivals & Awards

36 Awards Best Short Film - Bedford International Film Festival (2024) Best Director - Bleeding Tree International Film Festival (2024) Best Script - Bleeding Tree International Film Festival (2024) Best Actress Long Short - Brightside Film Festival (2024) Best Film - Crossings International Film Festival (2024) Best Theme - Crossings International Film Festival (2024) Best Actress - Crossings International Film Festival (2024) Best Cinematography - Crossings International Film Festival (2024) Best Screenplay - Crossings International Film Festival (2024) Film of the Month - Curiosa Shorts (July 2024) Top Geek Film of 2024 - Geekapalooza Film Festival (2024) Best Direction - Geekapalooza Film Festival (2024) Best Cinematography - Geekapalooza Film Festival (2024) Best Sci-Fi Short Film - International Film Festival of Tàrrega i Ponent - Galacticat (2024) Best Actress - International Halicarnassus Film Festival (Session 33 2024) Best Narrative Short - International Guadalajara Film Awards (May 2024) Best Actress - International Guadalajara Film Awards (May 2024) Best Drama - Katonah Classic Stage Film Festival (2024) Best Sci-Fi Film - New Zealand Independent Film Festival (2024) Best Director - Off The Reel Film Festival (2024) Best Short Film - Off The Reel Film Festival (2024) Best Short Film - Roosevelt Island Film Festival (2024) Best Sci-Fi Short - Roosevelt Island Film Festival (2024) Best Director - Roosevelt Island Film Festival (2024) Best Actress - Roosevelt Island Film Festival (2024) Best Short Film - SamhainBaucogna International Film Festival (June 2024) Award of Excellence - Best Editing - San Diego Movie Awards ( Summer 2024) Award of Excellence - Best Original Score - San Diego Movie Awards ( Summer 2024) Best Dramatic Short Film - San Francisco Frozen Film Festival (2024) Best Writers - Santa Paula Film Festival (2024) Best International Short Over 15 Minutes - Starburst International Film Festival (2024) Best Indie Short - Touchstone Independent Film Festival (June 2024) Best Director - Touchstone Independent Film Festival (June 2024) Best Actor - Touchstone Independent Film Festival (June 2024) Best Actress - Touchstone Independent Film Festival (June 2024) Best Short Narrative Film - West Sound Film Festival (2024)

Local Connections

Four members of key cast are University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana graduates with family, friends, and colleagues in the Chicagoland area.