Experiencing Interruptions?

Best Kept Shut

A young woman discovers a hidden, locked door in the house where her father has gone missing.

  • Gabriel Lopez
    Director
  • Gabriel Lopez
    Writer
  • Milena Montero
    Producer
  • Mandy Mills
    Key Cast
    "Annalisa"
  • Jordan Woods-Robinson
    Key Cast
    "John"
  • Jim Edwards
    Key Cast
    "Ralph"
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Horror, Thriller
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 10 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 15, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    3,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Ringling College of Art and Design
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Popcorn Frights Film Festival
    Fort Lauderdale, FL
    United States
    August 11, 2024
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Tampa Bay Screams
    Tampa, FL
    United States
    June 28, 2024
    Private
  • Chicago Horror Film Festival
    Chicago, IL
    United States
    September 27, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Atlanta Horror Film Festival
    Atlanta, GA
    United States
    October 4, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Halloweenapalooza
    Ottumwa, IA
    United States
    October 11, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival
    Melbourne, FL
    United States
    October 17, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Fargo Fantastic Film Festival
    Fargo, ND
    United States
    October 17, 2024
    Official Selection
  • HorrorHaus Film Festival
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    October 25, 2024
    Official Selection
  • FilmGate Miami
    Miami, FL
    United States
    October 30, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Hot Springs International Horror Film Festival
    Hot Springs, AR
    United States
    November 10, 2024
    Best Student Film
  • Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival
    Tampa, FL
    United States
    December 5, 2024
    Official Selection
  • FIXION Fest, Fantastic & Horror Film Festival
    Santiago
    Chile
    January 9, 2025
    South American Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Central Florida Film Festival
    Mount Dora, FL
    United States
    January 24, 2025
    Official Selection
  • Dam Short Film Festival
    Boulder City, NV
    United States
    February 13, 2025
    Nevada Premiere
    Official Selection
  • FLOW (Florida Leaders Opening Worlds) Film Festival
    Sunrise, FL
    United States
    February 27, 2025
    Best Low-Budget Short Film
    Best First-Time Filmmaker / Best Sound Design
  • Gasparilla International Film Festival
    Tampa, FL
    United States
    March 25, 2025
    Official Selection
  • Poppy Jasper International Film Festival
    Morgan Hill, CA
    United States
    April 9, 2025
    Official Selection
  • Trinity Film Festival
    Hartford, CT
    United States
    May 3, 2025
    Connecticut Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Fort Myers Film Festival
    Fort Myers, FL
    United States
    May 15, 2025
    Official Selection
  • Mometu College Film Festival
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    July 26, 2025
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Gabriel Lopez

Gabriel Lopez is a screenwriter and director born and raised in South Florida. His upbringing as a Hispanic-American brought him a unique blend of perspectives that he brings into his work, which uses and blends genres to explore personal and universal themes. A storyteller all his life, Gabriel began writing stories when he was six and evolved that practice over time into screenwriting in high school and, eventually, Ringling College of Art and Design’s Film program, where he wrote and directed multiple projects.

Having graduated with a BFA in May 2024, Gabriel also holds a minor in Creative Writing. He has received several accolades for his work, including the 2023 Sarasota Film Society Scholarship and the 2024 Excellence in Experiential Learning Scholarship. As he embarks on his filmmaking career, Gabriel seeks to engage and spark conversation through his work, all while entertaining through different genres.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

What if the people and places you held closest were hiding something all along?

This is the question that drove the core of “Best Kept Shut” after introspection on my relationships with others. Every person and thing surrounding us is a mystery, and as we evolve, our understanding of them changes. Just as the elements and characters in this film reveal hidden layers, there is a side to everything in life that we can never fully understand and must accept.

I believe genre filmmaking is a powerful conduit to exploring universal themes and experiences. Navigating a genre as rich and cinematically potent as horror was a journey that excited me at every turn. These characters and this concept lived in my mind for over a year, so to be able to share their emotions and actions with the world is a dream brought to life.