Experiencing Interruptions?

Bonding

A solitary figure at an empty bar, CIA clinical and forensic psychologist, Dr. John Flemington, is planning to visit his girlfriend in Mexico when he is pressured by mysterious underground operatives to join them on a secret mission. He really doesn't have a choice.

A film in the drama/thriller/suspense spy genre, with esoteric origins.

  • Luke Rex
    Director
  • Luke Rex
    Writer
  • Steven Lancaster
    Executive Producers
  • Luke Rex Psy.D.
    Executive Producers
  • Jannica Olin
    Key Cast
    "Anastasia Mansfield"
  • Luke Rex
    Key Cast
    "Dr. John Flemington"
  • Darren Lipari
    Key Cast
    "Bo"
  • Ryan Stroud
    Key Cast
    "Darius Lucas"
  • Laura Jansen
    Director of Photography
  • Pete Szijarto
    Post EP, Edit & Color
  • Daniel Teo
    Sound Design/Mix/Music Producer/Composer/Arranger
  • Luke Rex Psy.D.
    Producer
  • Jean Bernard Rutagarama
    Associate Producers
  • Christian “Tico” Herrera
    Associate Producers
  • Jaime Saginor
    Associate Producers
  • Jean Bernard Rutagarama
    Aerial Cinematography
  • Doria Anselmo
    1st AD
  • Nick Kubeck
    1st AC
  • Cooper Finn
    Gaffer
  • Ryan Jones
    Key Grip
  • Daniel Bonilla
    Boom operator/Sound mixer (prod)
  • Jaime Saginor
    Script Supervisor
  • Claire Perrault Psy.D.
    Production Assistant
  • Daniel Teo
    Composers
  • Greg Beaton
    Composers
  • Luke Rex
    Composers
  • Jeff Turmes
    Musician (sax)
  • Gabbi Coenen
    Music Consultant
  • Ingrid Weeks
    Make up Artist
  • Elizabeth Janns (ceramicist)
    Art Department
  • Kevin Nordstrom (illustrator/logo creation and design)
    Art Department
  • Gael Molina
    Location Manager
  • Eddie Simonian
    Special Thanks
  • David E. Woodley
    Thanks
  • Caroline Rex
    Thanks
  • Tatiana Zaza
    Thanks
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Thriller
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 21 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 9, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    15,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English, Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    Arri Alexa mini
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • St Kilda Film Festival
    Port Phillip, VICTORIA
    Australia
    June 4, 2023
    World Premiere
    Official Selection (Academy Award Qualifying Event)
  • LA Shorts International Film Festival
    Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA
    United States
    July 21, 2023
    U.S. Premiere
    Official Selection (Academy Award/BAFTA Qualifying Event)
  • Pitch to Screen® Film Festival
    New York, NEW YORK
    United States
    October 20, 2023
    New York & East Coast Premiere
    WINNER: Outstanding Proof of Concept | Excellence In Cinematography | NOMINATED: Excellence In Editing | Outstanding Lead Actress | Outstanding Lead Actor |
  • Polish International Film Festival
    Wierzbowa, WARSAW
    Poland
    December 4, 2023
    POLISH Premiere
    FINALIST: Best International Short Film
  • MirMiraBan UK Film Awards
    London
    United Kingdom
    November 26, 2023
    UK Premiere
    FINALIST: Best International Short
  • Berlin International Art Film Festival
    Berlin
    Germany
    German Premiere
    WINNER: Best Actor
  • Lebanese Independent Film Festival - LIFF
    Beirut
    Lebanon
    September 21, 2023
    International Premiere
    Official Selection
  • The South African Independent Film Festival
    The Bioscope, JOHANNESBURG
    South Africa
    November 23, 2023
    South Africa Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Ocean Coast Film Festival
    Lavra, Matosinhos
    Portugal
    November 18, 2023
    Portuguese Premiere
    NOMINATED: Best Short Film
  • Vienna International Film Awards
    Vienna
    Austria
    Austrian Premiere
    NOMINATED: Best Cinematography | Finalist
  • Australia Independent Film Festival
    Brisbane, QUEENSLAND
    Australia
    October 27, 2023
    Queensland (AUS) Premiere
    FINALIST | OFFICIAL SELECTION
  • Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema 2024
    Idyllwild, CALIFORNIA
    United States
    7 Nominations including 'Best Short Film'
  • Garden State Film Festival 2024
    Asbury Park, NEW JERSEY
    United States
    New Jersey Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival
    Fort Lauderdale, FLORIDA
    United States
    November 4, 2023
    Florida Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Cannes World Film Festival (December 2023)
    Cannes, FRENCH RIVIERA
    France
    WINNER: Best Film Noir
  • Prison City Film Festival
    Huntsville, TEXAS
    United States
    March 1, 2024
    6 Nominations including Best US Narrative
  • FirstGlance Film Festival
    Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA
    United States
    March 17, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Simi Film Fest
    Simi Valley, CALIFORNIA
    United States
    September 17, 2023
    WINNER: Best Actor (Luke Rex); Best Supporting Actor (Darren Lipari). NOMINATIONS: Best Thriller/Horror | Best Director | Best Writing |Best Supporting Actress | Best Cinematography | Best Editor | Best Set Design
  • Southern Awards Film Festival
    Roswell, GEORGIA
    United States
    February 23, 2024
    WINNER: Best Picture | Best Sound Design | Best Mystery/Thriller | Best Cinematography | Best Editing | NOMINATED: Best Production Design | Best Music | Best Director | Best Actress
  • Los Angeles Film Awards (LAFA)
    Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA
    United States
    WINNER: Best Film Noir
  • Hollywood Independent Filmmaker Awards & Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    GOLD Award (Best Narrative Short, Drama)
  • RED Movie Awards (Reims Excellence Director)
    Reims
    France
    WINNER (Summer Edition): Best 1st Time Director (Luke Rex)
  • California International Shorts Festival
    Sherman Oaks, CALIFORNIA
    United States
    September 17, 2023
    Winner Best Narrative Short (FALL)
  • Santa Barbara Indie Film Festival
    Santa Barbara, CALIFORNIA
    United States
    August 26, 2023
    WINNER: Jury Award of Excellence
  • The British Short Film Awards
    London
    United Kingdom
    Best Actor (Luke Rex) Longlist 2023
  • Youngstown Film Festival
    Youngstown, OHIO
    United States
    October 22, 2023
    WINNER: Best Trailer | Best Cinematography | NOMINATIONS: Best Narrative Short | Best Director
  • Green Jack International Film Festival
    Big Bear Lake, CALIFORNIA
    United States
    September 9, 2023
    WINNER: Best Supporting Actor (Darren Lipari) | Best Supporting Actress (Jannica Olin) | Official Selection
  • Hollywood Just4Shorts Competition
    Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA
    United States
    WINNER: Best Short Film (September)
  • Beyond the Curve International Film Festival (no live screening)
    Paris, Île-de-France
    France
    WINNER: Best Short Film | Nominee BCIFF AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
  • Creation International Film Festival (no live screening)
    Los Angeles
    United States
    WINNER: Best Cinematography (Laura Jansen) | Best Lighting (Cooper Finn)
  • European Short Awards
    Brno
    Czech Republic
    WINNER: Best Indie Short Film
  • Siren by the Sea (no live screening)
    Florida
    United States
    WINNER: Best Film (Spring 2023)
  • Arizona Underground Film Festival
    Tucson, ARIZONA
    United States
    September 23, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Mindfield Film Festival - Albuquerque
    Albuquerque, NEW MEXICO
    United States
    August 26, 2023
    WINNER: Best Short Film (Platinum Award) - June/July 2023 | Official Selection LIVE
  • Best Shorts Competition
    Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA
    United States
    WINNER: Award of Excellence: Directing | Award of Excellence: Short Film
  • No Coast Film Festival
    Emporia, KANSAS
    United States
    August 27, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Arthouse Festival of Beverly Hills (September 2023)
    Los Angeles
    United States
    WINNER: Best Crime Short
  • South Dakota Film Festival
    Aberdeen, SOUTH DAKOTA
    United States
    September 16, 2023
    Official Selection
  • SAFILM - San Antonio Film Festival
    San Antonio, TEXAS
    United States
    August 5, 2023
    Official Selection
  • San Pedro International Film Festival
    San Pedro, CALIFORNIA
    United States
    November 4, 2023
    Official Selection
  • International Film Arts and Hearts Film Festival
    Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA
    United States
    September 28, 2023
    NOMINATED: Best Short Film
  • Indie X Film Festival (November 2023)
    Los Angeles
    United States
    WINNER: Outstanding Achievement Award (Best Crime Short and Best 1st time male director) | NOMINATED: Best Cinematography | Best EnsembleCast
  • Indie Short Fest (November 2023)
    Los Angeles
    United States
    WINNER: Outstanding Achievement Award (Best Crime Short)
  • Top Shorts (November 2023)
    Los Angeles
    United States
    WINNER: Honorable Mention Narrative Film | Director
  • Panorama International Indie Film Festival
    Porto
    Portugal
    1st Semi-Final Official Selection
  • Studio City Film Festival
    Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA
    United States
    September 1, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Arpa International Film Festival (Arpa IFF)
    Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA
    United States
    October 29, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Vancouver International Movie Awards (no live screening)
    Vancouver, BC
    Canada
    Quarter-finalist
  • San Francisco International New Concept Film Festival (SFNCFF)
    San Francisco, CALIFORNIA
    United States
    Official Selection
  • Silicon Beach Film Festival
    Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA
    United States
    Official Selection
  • Louisville's International Festival of Film
    Louisville, KENTUCKY
    United States
    Official Selection
  • Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival (no live screening)
    Providence, RHODE ISLAND
    United States
    Semi-Finalist
  • Barcelona Indie Awards (no live screening)
    Barcelona, CATALONIA
    Spain
    Spain Premiere
    Official Selection Summer Edition 2023
  • Bright International Film Festival (no live screening as yet)
    London
    United Kingdom
    Finalist
  • Paris Awards
    Paris
    France
    Official Selection
  • Venice Shorts
    Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA
    United States
    Official Selection
  • Buenos Aires International Film Festival
    Buenos Aires
    Argentina
    Official Selection
  • International Film Festival the Hague
    The Hague
    Netherlands
    Official Selection
  • Lift-Off LA (no live screening)
    Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA
    United States
    Official Selection July/August
  • Las Vegas International Film & Screenwriting Festival
    Las Vegas, NEVADA
    United States
    October 29, 2023
    Official Selection
  • 2023 Directors Circle Festival of Shorts
    Erie, PENNSYLVANIA
    United States
    Official Selection
  • Tampa Film Festival
    Tampa, FLORIDA
    United States
    December 2, 2023
    Official Selection (Best International Short)
  • Los Angeles Crime & Horror Film Festival
    Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA
    United States
    November 25, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Follow the Arrow International Film Festival
    Budapest
    Hungary
    Quarter Finalist across multiple categories (further awards pending)
  • Budapest Movie Awards (Summer Edition)
    Budapest
    Hungary
    Official Selection
  • CARE Awards
    West Virgina
    United States
    FINALIST: Best Dramatic Short
  • Chicago Indie Film Awards
    Chicago
    United States
    WINNER: Best Actor
  • AltFF Alternative Film Festival
    Toronto, ONTARIO
    Canada
    December 27, 2023
    WINNER: Best Actor of the Festival
  • Vegas Shorts
    Las Vegas, NEVADA
    United States
    WINNER: Best Director
  • Sacramento Independent Film Festival
    Sacramento, CALIFORNIA
    United States
    WINNER: Best Sound Design
  • Cal Film Festival (December)
    Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA
    United States
    WINNER: Honorable Mention (Best Thriller) | NOMINATED: Best Ensemble Cast
  • Poppy Jasper International Film Festival
    Gilroy, CA
    United States
    April 11, 2024
    Official Selection
  • 8 & Halfilm Awards
    Rome
    Italy
    WINNER: Best Thriller | Best International Song
  • LWIFF | Lonely Wolf 9 (Winter 2023)
    Worldwide Virtual Platform
    HONROABLE MENTION: Best Short Film | Best Thriller | SEMi-FINALISTS: cinematography, original screenplay & directing.
  • Canada Shorts - Canadian & International Short Film Fest.
    Vancouver, BC
    Canada
    AWARD OF DISTINCTION: Best International Short
  • Changing Face International Film Festival
    Sydney, NSW
    Australia
    2023 HONORABLE MENTION: Best Drama Short Film
  • Independent Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    WINNER: Bronze Award (Best Film Noir)
  • Luleå International FIlm Festival
    Luleå, Norrbotten
    Sweden
    Official Selection
  • Venice Under the Stars – International Film Festival
    Venice
    Italy
    WINNER: Star of Venice 2024
  • IndieFest Film Awards (November)
    Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA
    United States
    WINNER: Award of Excellence (Best Short FIlm)
  • Planet Cinema (Winter 2023)

    NOMINATED: Best Short Film
  • Los Angeles Int'l Underground Film Festival
    Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA
    United States
    December 10, 2023
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Luke Rex

**Luke Rex: Psychologist, Filmmaker, and Actor**

Luke Rex is a multi-talented individual with a diverse background in psychology, filmmaking, and acting. Born in Sydney, Australia in 1975, he later moved to the USA to pursue his passion for acting. Despite initially aiming for an acting career, Luke transitioned to psychology, earning his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University in 2022 after completing his studies at UCLA and Pepperdine. Alongside his academic achievements, Luke is also a certified Reiki Master & Teacher.

In the film industry, Luke has made significant contributions as a director, writer, and actor. His cinematic directorial debut is marked by the film "Bonding," where he showcased his talent across various roles. This film continues to garner numerous awards and selections at prestigious film festivals worldwide, recognizing Luke's exceptional skills and creativity.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Luke is known for his proficiency as a Spanish/Classical guitarist and has played a crucial role in the music score of "Bonding." His journey exemplifies a fusion of psychology and filmmaking, driven by a profound sense of purpose and passion.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

It was with an extreme amount of enthusiasm that I undertook the task to write/direct/produce/act and have a role as composer on this short film over the summer of 2022. My intention was to create the best film I could with the resources that I had, maintain a vision whilst synthesizing the visions of others that jumped on board this project with me. The film then became an intelligent entity of its own, and interestingly involved many synchronicities along the way - always a sure sign we were on the right path!

A big thank you to DP Laura Jansen who captured the short beautifully on the day of the shoot, and Pete Szijarto who served as the film's EP in Post and was instrumental with Daniel Teo in taking the project to another level. Cheers!

Having a creative vision feels special. Sharing and implementing that vision is memorable. Widening that vision to include the voices of all the creative minds one works with on a film is what makes a good film great.

I hope you enjoy this short film, and ultimately, if we've done our job right, you should be left wanting more!