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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
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.4:1
  • 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
  • Future Today TV (Menlo Park, CA)
    Distributor
    Country: United States
    Rights: Video on Demand
  • Over-The-Top (OTT) Studio (Venice, CA)
    Distributor
    Country: United States
    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 and storyteller whose self-taught journey into the cinematic arts reflects a deep passion for creating meaningful and immersive narratives. Forgoing conventional routes, Brandon honed his skills through hands-on exploration, blending realism and surrealism to create unforgettable cinematic and interactive experiences.

His breakout film, Sedalia (2021), earned critical acclaim on the festival circuit and continues to engage audiences on streaming platforms. Following this success, Brandon expanded his short film Maleum’s Crucible—filmed in Los Angeles, CA—into a feature-length project, completed in 2024. He is now gearing up to begin production on his ambitious feature, The System of Nature, slated to film in the summer of 2025.

Brandon’s storytelling reaches beyond film as he develops an investigative video game that weaves metaphysical mysteries, cryptid lore, and psychological tension into an immersive, open-world experience. This latest project underscores his ability to explore the unknown, crafting narratives that push the boundaries of genre and medium.

Continuing to experiment with cutting-edge production tools and emerging technologies like AI, Brandon Pennick remains committed to evolving his craft, creating thought-provoking work that resonates with audiences across diverse perspectives and experiences.

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.