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SEDALIA

In Sedalia, Brandon Pennick delivers a classic gothic horror tale that lingers long after the credits roll. The story follows Helen Rowan, a retired costume designer seeking a fresh start in a quaint Massachusetts farmhouse. What begins as a peaceful retreat quickly descends into suspense as strange and unsettling events disrupt her newfound calm.

As Helen unravels the history of the house, she uncovers a chilling secret buried for decades, casting a dark shadow over her sanctuary. With its moody atmosphere, layered storytelling, and masterful pacing, Sedalia is a haunting exploration of isolation, memory, and the eerie legacy of the past.

  • Brandon Pennick
    Director
  • Brandon Pennick
    Writer
  • Ardelia Allen
    Producer
  • Tori Tolbert
    Producer
  • Darryl Goss
    Producer
  • Brandon Pennick
    Producer
  • Megan Franich
    Key Cast
    "Detective Langley "
    American Horror Story (2012-2013), 30 Days of Night (2007)
  • Lisa Crosthwait
    Key Cast
    "Helen Rowan "
    Red Dots (2019)
  • Chloë Caro
    Key Cast
    " Sedalia Veer"
    Carrion (2020), Reaction (2018)
  • Donna Gafford
    Key Cast
    "Verna Morgan"
    Sons of Thunder (2020), Test Pattern (2020)
  • Toshiyuki Hiraoka
    Composer
    Albums: Waterphone II (2021), Dark Omega (2020), Waterphone (2015)
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Horror, Psychological Thriller, Mystery
  • Runtime:
    18 minutes 12 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 21, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    8,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States, United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.40: 1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Filmocracy Fest
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    December 9, 2021
    Official Selection (2021)
  • San Francisco Indie Short Festival
    San Francisco, CA
    United States
    Winner - Best Horror Short (2021)
  • Battle fOr The Arts Sealy (BOTA Sealy)
    Sealy, TX
    United States
    April 30, 2022
    Winner - Best Horror/Suspense (2022)
  • Battle fOr The Arts Sealy (BOTA Sealy)
    Sealy, TX
    United States
    April 30, 2022
    Winner - Best of Fest Short (2022)
  • Holly Weird Film Festival
    Hollywood, CA
    United States
    July 10, 2022
    Official Selection (2022)
  • Hollywood HorrorFest
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    Finalist (2021)
  • Infinity Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    August 10, 2021
    United Kingdom Premiere
    Official Selection (2021)
  • London Indie Short Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    Winner - Best Director (2022)
  • Dead Northern Horror Film Festival
    North Yorkshire
    United Kingdom
    September 25, 2021
    Official Selection (2021)
  • Ealing Film Festival
    Ealing, London
    United Kingdom
    November 26, 2022
    Official Selection (2022)
  • South Texas International Film Festival
    Edinburg, TX
    United States
    February 15, 2022
    Official Selection (2021)
  • 4th Dimension Independent Film Festival
    Balia
    Indonesia
    Winner - Best Horror Film (2022)
  • Toronto Independent Film Festival of CIFT
    Toronto
    Canada
    Winner - Best Horror Short (2022)
  • Austin International Art Festival
    Austin, TX
    United States
    Finalist (2021)
  • Festival Angaelica
    Pasadena, CA
    United States
    Official Selection (2023)
  • Fire Island Film Festival
    Fire Island, NY
    United States
    Official Selection (2021)
  • Retro Avant Garde Film Festival
    Venice
    Italy
    August 1, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Tucson Terrorfest
    Tucson, Arizona
    United States
    October 23, 2021
    Official Selection (2021)
  • Cult Movies International Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    Winner - Best Short Crime (2021)
  • Breaking TV Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    May 13, 2023
    Official Selection (2023)
  • Nosferatu Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    October 23, 2021
    Official Selection (2021)
  • Shockfest Film Festival
    New York City
    United States
    December 10, 2021
    Official Selection (2021)
  • ATX Short Film Showcase
    Austin, TX
    United States
    Honorable Mention (2021)
  • Freewheeling Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    Winner - Best Filmmaker Short Horror - Spring (2022)
Distribution Information
  • Over-The-Top (OTT) Studio (Venice, CA)
    Distributor
    Country: United States
    Rights: Video on Demand
  • Future Today TV (Menlo Park, CA)
    Distributor
    Country: United States
    Rights: Video on Demand
  • WeShort (Bari, Italy)
    Distributor
    Country: Italy
    Rights: Video on Demand
  • Stash - Thrills And Chills (Virginia Beach, VA)
    Distributor
    Country: United States
    Rights: Video on Demand
Director Biography - Brandon Pennick

Brandon Pennick is a filmmaker, storyteller, and Game Writer whose self-taught journey into the cinematic arts reflects an unrelenting passion for creating meaningful and immersive narratives. Forgoing conventional routes, Brandon honed his craft through hands-on exploration, developing a distinctive style that fuses grounded emotional storytelling with elements of the mysterious and extraordinary.

His breakout film, Sedalia (2021), a Gothic horror steeped in British aesthetics, earned critical acclaim on the festival circuit—particularly in Europe—and continues to captivate audiences on streaming platforms. Building on this success, Brandon filmed Maleum's Crucible in Los Angeles, CA, transforming it into a featurette that explores metaphysics, power, and perception, now in post-production for a 2025 release.

Beyond filmmaking, Brandon has expanded his storytelling into interactive media, developing a narrative-driven action-adventure video game set in Andalusia, Spain. The game weaves fringe science, relics from the Reconquista, and the shadowy machinations of the Spanish Inquisition into an immersive open-world experience. With rogue entities, hybrid technologies, and metaphysical mysteries at its core, the game combines historical intrigue with speculative storytelling, showcasing Brandon’s ability to craft layered, genre-defying narratives.

Looking ahead, Brandon is preparing for his most ambitious work yet: The System of Nature, a feature-length film set to begin production in summer 2025. With a commitment to exploring the unknown and experimenting with emerging technologies, Brandon remains focused on redefining storytelling through innovative approaches that resonate with audiences across film, games, and beyond.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Filming Sedalia was an unforgettable journey of growth and discovery. I am both grateful and humbled by the success and recognition the film has garnered, especially in Europe. My deepest thanks go to everyone who contributed to bringing Sedalia to life, as well as to all who have supported me along the way. Looking ahead, I’m excited for the release of my next film, Maleum’s Crucible, in 2025, and I can’t wait to share this next installment with audiences.