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Butterfly Caught

Three aspiring actresses set out to break into the cut-throat world of acting in Los Angeles. Naomi is on the verge of stardom, Joe struggles to keep her head above water and Elsa is a fresh face on the scene. As each young woman is forced to face her deepest fears and insecurities, they all discover the lengths to which they will go to fight against failure. The promise of Hollywood is tempting, but what will they do when that promise is broken? How will they cope when pushed to their breaking points? Butterfly Caught offers a peek into the darker side of Hollywood's bright facade, exposes the seduction of fame and captures the thirst for relevance in a city that cycles through talent and destroys ambitions.

  • Manny Rodriguez, Jr.
    Director
  • Manny Rodriguez, Jr.
    Writer
  • Lisa Rodriguez
    Producer
  • Manny Rodriguez, Jr.
    Producer
  • Will Wallace
    Producer
    The Appearing, Red Wing
  • Mandana FarmanFarmaian
    Producer
  • Grant Liffmann
    Producer
  • Alex Sgambati
    Key Cast
    Sleepy Hollow, The Originals
  • Jess Jacobs
    Key Cast
    Freeheld
  • Abigail Klein
    Key Cast
    Transformers
  • Tony Plana
    Key Cast
    Three Amigos, Primal Fear, Ugly Betty, Madam Secretary
  • Johnathon Schaech
    Key Cast
    That Thing You Do!, Ray Donovan, Hush, Takers, Texas Rising, Jonah Hex
  • Grant Liffmann
    Key Cast
  • Adam Ambruso
    Key Cast
  • Jake Olson
    Key Cast
  • Dominic Bogart
    Key Cast
    The Glass Castle
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 47 minutes 13 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 15, 2017
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    4K Sony F65
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • IndieFEST Film Awards

    United States
    WINNER - "Best of Show" 2017, WINNER- "Award of Excellence" 2017
  • San Diego International Film Festival
    San Diego
    United States
    October 6, 2017
    World Premiere
    WINNER - Best Ensemble Film, & WINNER-Chris Brinker Award - Best New Director
  • Twin Cities Film Fest
    Minneapolis
    United States
    October 23, 2017
    Midwest Premiere
    FINALIST- Best Performance nomination (Jess Jacobs)
  • Laughlin International Film Festival
    Laughlin, NV
    United States
    October 13, 2017
    Nevada Premiere
    WINNER - Best U.S. Narrative Feature Film
  • Durango Independent Film Festival
    Durango, CO
    United States
    March 1, 2018
    Colorado Premiere
    WINNER: Audience Choice- Best Feature Film, WINNER- Jury Award- Best Feature Film
  • Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema
    Idyllwild, CA
    United States
    March 8, 2018
    WINNER- Best of Festival, Festival Director's Choice Award
  • Los Angeles Women's International Film Festival
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    March 24, 2018
    Los Angeles
Director Biography - Manny Rodriguez, Jr.

Writer, Producer and Director Manny Rodriguez Jr makes his film debut with BUTTERFLY CAUGHT. After receiving a film degree from Cal State University Northridge, and over 15 years of work in the studio system, Rodriguez grew tired of his opportunity to arise and wanted a new challenge. He made the decision to write, produce and direct his own feature film independently. To achieve this goal, Manny (with his wife Lisa) took time off from the studio and moved abroad to Costa Rica with intentions of placing his full concentration on his passion for filmmaking. During this time, he found the inspiration to write five feature length screenplays, the first being - BUTTERFLY CAUGHT. With this particular story he felt the need to expose the frustrations of the artistic process. “Whether you're an actor, musician, or filmmaker, the path to success can be so uncertain and frequently unfair.” Manny returned to Los Angeles with a plan and a blueprint to bring the film to life. He quickly established Heckfire Films, consolidated his filmmaking resources, and began production on his film. Rodriguez has achieved great recognition and accolades for his work. He was the recipient for the “Chris Brinker Award” for Best New Filmmaker at Variety’s Night of the Stars Tribute at SDiFF.

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Director Statement

The philosophy behind Butterfly Caught is to attack our "creative" audience through its realism. It carries a simple message of "survival" - by capturing the struggle to be relevant (especially as a woman) in the world of entertainment.  Los Angeles is full of talented and deserving people that never get their shot. Butterfly Caught exposes this world and its desperation, intensity, passion, and hope - while it's edgy and fast-pace feel will most certainly keep audiences tied to their seats.