Experiencing Interruptions?

A Trapdoor

Francis comes home after 30 days of rehab for her sister's wedding rehearsal dinner. As the evening unravels, her past continues to haunt her. Francis must confront her demons, the pain of the past and the truth of her father's death.

A Trapdoor is dedicated to Nina DeLand 1979-2021

  • Angela DiMarco
    Director
  • David S. Hogan
    Director
  • James James
    Writer
  • Angela DiMarco
    Producer
  • David S. Hogan
    Producer
  • Kira DeLand
    Producer
  • James James
    Producer
  • Angela DiMarco
    Key Cast
    "Francis"
  • Barbara Deering
    Key Cast
    "Tish"
  • Russell Hodgkinson
    Key Cast
    "Terry"
  • Adara Toop
    Key Cast
    "Thora"
  • David S. Hogan
    Key Cast
    "Derek"
  • Giovanni Accettola
    Key Cast
    "Michael"
  • Gianna DiStefano DiStefano
    Key Cast
    "Young Francis"
  • James James
    Key Cast
    "Ben"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    23 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    December 29, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    40,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • AFMX, Albuqueque Film & Music Experinece
    Albuquerque
    United States
    September 25, 2025
    Best Narrative Short, Best Actress, Best Cinematography
  • Santa Paula Film Festival
    Santa Paula
    United States
    July 26, 2025
    Premiere
    Best Overall Film, Best Director, Best Actress
  • West Sound Film Festival
    Bremerton
    United States
    August 2, 2025
    Best Short Narrative Film
  • Poulsbo Film Festival
    Poulsbo
    United States
    October 11, 2025
    Audience Favorite Narrative Short
  • Issaquah Film Festival
    Issaquah
    United States
    August 10, 2025
    Best Acting
  • Post Alley Film Festival
    Seattle
    United States
    March 21, 2026
Director Biography - Angela DiMarco, David S. Hogan

Angela and David have been partners in all things since 2001. They started Mighty Tripod Productions producing and directing films in 2012. They each have directed several films, Always, It's Hidden Within, The Parish, STAY, Baggage Claim, One Chance and A Trapdoor. Together, Angela and David, help ground the actors in their character and create visual moments that say so much more than words. Angela's Directorial debut, Always, garnered several awards and premiered at SIFF and internationally in CANNES short film corner in 2016.

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Director Statement

A Trapdoor is based on true events with so many layers about addiction, family, loss and trauma. Both directors, our writer and many of the cast and crew have a close relationship with addiction and loss. If you haven't struggled with addiction, you've probably loved somebody who has.

When our writer, James James, contacted us with A Trapdoor it was a feature length script. We pivoted to a short film, with the funding we raised, as we wanted to get some of the story out into the world. With hopes to produce the feature in the future. Over the 3 years that we workshopped the feature and short script, and started pre-production Nina DeLand, who the leading role is based on, overdosed... We all agreed to dedicate this film to Nina.

We are never ready to say goodbye to our loved ones and it is so hard to know how far they have fallen into that Trapdoor of their addiction. We hope this film makes others feel seen and less alone.

A Trapdoor is similar in tone to films such as: August: Osage County, Manchester by the Sea and Krisha.