Experiencing Interruptions?

"Gumdrop", a short horror

A traumatized underground armorer sells weapons through a coded ritual, but as his fractured mind slips further from reality, the violence he supplies gives way to something far more personal — and far more sinister.

The armorer of a criminal — or possibly government — organization struggles with unresolved trauma from his distant past as his clients navigate his dangerous present. Sampson is a meticulous and enigmatic weapons supplier, operating from the shadows and bound to rigid routines.

Haunted by delusions and flashbacks from a violently fractured childhood, Sampson’s psychological instability begins to bleed into his work. As buyers come and go using a coded word — “gumdrop” — it becomes clear that the violence he facilitates is only part of the story.

What first appears to be the portrait of a damaged middleman gradually reveals something far more disturbing. In its final turn, “Gumdrop” descends into a darker truth — one rooted in crimes that once existed beyond fiction.

  • JZ Murdock
    Director
    The Rapping
  • JZ Murdock
    Writer
    The Rapping, The Teenage Bodyguard
  • JZ Murdock
    Producer
    The Rapping
  • Tom Remick
    Key Cast
    "Sampson"
  • Project Type:
    Feature, Short
  • Runtime:
    48 minutes 46 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 8, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    3606200558
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Cult Critic Movie Awards
    Kolkata
    India
    June 29, 2020
    India Premiere
    Outstanding Achievement
  • Indo French International Film Festival
    Pondicherry
    India
    December 21, 2020
    Best Horror Short Film
  • Thinking Hat Fiction Challenge
    Kolkata
    India
    September 14, 2021
    Best Noir Film
  • World Film Carnival - Singapore
    Singapore
    Singapore
    January 31, 2022
    Singapore Premiere
    Best Horror/SciFi/Genre Film
  • Royal Society of Television & Motion Picture Awards
    Kolkata
    India
    October 13, 2022
    Best Horror/Science Fiction/Genre Feature Film
  • Gold Star Movie Awards
    Newark
    United States
    March 24, 2023
    North American Premiere
    Best Thriller Feature
  • Filmatic Filmfare
    London
    United Kingdom
    May 1, 2023
    United Kingdom Piemiere
    Best Horror Film of the Season
  • The Gladiator Film Festival
    Istanbul
    Turkey
    June 30, 2023
    Turkish Premiere
    Winner/Official Selection
  • Death Skull International Film Festival
    Madurai
    India
    July 15, 2023
    Best Thriller Short Film
  • Los Angeles Motion Picture Festival
    Malibu
    United States
    July 25, 2023
    Fritz Lang Award of Distinction Best Picture
  • Golden Wheat Awards
    İstanbul
    Turkey
    July 30, 2023
    Da Vinci Special Section Jury Special Awards
  • Hercules Independent Film Festival
    Sevilla
    Spain
    June 17, 2023
    Spanish Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Tuesday of Horror
    Unna
    Germany
    August 2, 2023
    German Premiere
    Official Selection
  • International Motion Picture Awards
    Brooklin
    Canada
    April 15, 2023
    Canadian Piemiere
    Official Selection
  • New York Istanbul Short Film Festival
    New York City
    United States
    October 7, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Wallachia Int'l Film Festival
    Bucharest
    Romania
    September 30, 2022
    Romanian Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Symbiotic Film Festival
    Kyiv
    Ukraine
    February 24, 2022
    Ukrainian Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Iconic Images Film Festival
    Vilnius
    Lithuania
    March 18, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Golden Bridge İstanbul Short Film Festival Golden Bridge İstanbul Short Film Festival
    Istanbul
    Turkey
    January 30, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Kalakari Film Fest
    DEWAS
    India
    May 1, 2021
    Official Selection
  • First-Time Filmmaker Sessions
    Pinewood Studios
    United Kingdom
    April 26, 2020
    Official Selections
  • Gorst Underground!
    Gorst
    United States
    September 12, 2020
    Official Selection
Director Biography - JZ Murdock

JZ Murdock
Award-winning filmmaker, author, and storyteller, JZ Murdock has a passion for crafting compelling narratives across multiple genres, including drama, horror, science fiction, and speculative fiction. His films and screenplays have earned numerous accolades, with projects like the poetic antiwar documentary "Pvt. Ravel’s Bolero" (63 international awards) and the film noir horror short "Gumdrop" (16 festival laurels) captivating audiences worldwide.

JZ’s true crime drama screenplay, "The Teenage Bodyguard," has won 13 awards and attracted interest from notable producers, including Robert Mitas (frequent collaborator with Michael Douglas). His storytelling expertise is rooted in a diverse background that includes a B.A. in Psychology, years as a Senior Technical Writer, and a lifetime of experiences as a martial artist, parachute rigger, and cybersecurity specialist.

A published author and dedicated filmmaker, JZ combines his love for impactful storytelling with his technical expertise to bring unique and thought-provoking projects to life. Whether through film, literature, or screenwriting, his work continues to inspire and entertain audiences globally.

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Director Statement

Storytelling is the thread that connects every chapter of my life, whether through the written word, the lens of a camera, or the intricate weave of a screenplay. I write to explore the human condition, to challenge perspectives, and to uncover the truths lurking in the shadows. My work often balances on the edge of reality and imagination, blending drama, horror, and speculative fiction with moments of levity and humanity.

With every project, I strive to create stories that linger—narratives that provoke thought, spark emotion, and invite audiences to see the world differently. From the antiwar reflections of "Pvt. Ravel’s Bolero" to the haunting elegance of "Gumdrop" and the gritty realism of "The Teenage Bodyguard," my goal is always the same: to craft something authentic, meaningful, and unforgettable.

As a writer, I am endlessly curious, drawing from a diverse background in psychology, martial arts, technical expertise, and life’s adventures. My stories are grounded in the rich complexities of human experience, shaped by my belief that the best tales challenge us to confront the unknown and emerge changed.