Experiencing Interruptions?

STIFF

When Chris fails to lock up the creepy store mannequin by 8 pm, his graveyard shift takes on a whole new meaning. As strange, unexplainable acts soon reveal, this is no ordinary DVD store.

So grab your multi-tool, stay focused, and most importantly, don't be so... STIFF.

  • Keanu Sousa Mendes
    Director
  • Keanu Sousa Mendes
    Writer
  • Keanu Sousa Mendes
    Producer
  • Keanu Sousa Mendes
    Editor
  • Taurean J.C. du Toit
    Key Cast
    "Chris"
  • Damien Hegter
    Key Cast
    "D"
  • Anthony Heath
    Key Cast
    "Drew (Creepy Kid)"
  • Ismael Dos Ramos
    Executive Producer and Director of Photography
  • Travis B. Williams
    Re-Recording Mixer and Sound Design
  • Katlego Diseko
    Co-Editor and Font Design
  • Kyra Hope Smith
    Music and Composition
  • Matthew Jarjosa
    VFX Artist
  • Nolan Rhys Elias
    Digitial Colorist
  • Charlie Eduardo
    Production Assistants
  • James Buckham
    Production Assistants
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    16 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 11, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    South Africa
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital (Panasonic GH5)
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Keanu Sousa Mendes

Based in SE Michigan, Keanu is a 21-year-old South African-born and raised indie filmmaker with a hunger for original and diverse storytelling.

He strives to push himself with every new project, in both genre and experimental cinematography. Prioritizing performance and editing to create the most rewarding experience for repeat viewings.

Ensuring every film carrying his artistic fingerprint is authentic and relatable on a human level. Keanu enjoys the discovery and challenges each new story evokes.

His dream is to make as long-lasting and captivating films; as the ones that inspired him to pick up a camera and tell a story.

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Director Statement

What started as a fun idea for a "horror short film" from a coworker at my first job, would single-handedly become not only one of my finest works to date but also the launching pin of my film career and simultaneously, my desire to quit filmmaking and become a plumber, all in one.

We shot 'STIFF' in March of 2017, I was 16 at the time and lacked the skills and knowledge to complete the film to the quality you see today.

Accompanied by the pressures of finishing high school and then immigrating to the US, 'STIFF' fell on the back burner till late' 2022. I started to believe no one would ever see the movie.

Luckily for me, I met some very talented people along the way, who saw the film's potential and were kind enough to lend their skills to help push 'STIFF' over the finish line.

It's one of the defining experiences of my film journey thus far. Cementing itself as my number one crowd-pleaser to date, that's for sure.

In closing, I'm grateful for the trials and tribulations, for I walk away from this chapter as a better filmmaker.