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TEST DRIVE

In war-torn 2062, a grounded fighter pilot agrees to raise a genetically-modified child, only to discover his precocious daughter's DNA is designed for nefarious purposes.

  • Sam Tahhan
    Director
  • Sam Tahhan
    Writer
  • KT Kent
    Producer
    Solus, Those Who Walk Away, Deadly Crush
  • Nolan Reese
    Producer
    Guardians of the Galaxy, Creed 3
  • Tasos Hernandez
    Key Cast
    "Tomas 'Tom' Volar"
    Better Call Saul, Fast Color
  • Isabella Salazar
    Key Cast
    "Angel Volar"
    Invisible World, Deadly Promises
  • Steven Dudley
    Key Cast
    "Revek"
    The Engagement Plot
  • Jade Holman-Travis
    Key Cast
    "Future Alexa"
    Hair Power: Me and My Afro
  • Sami Martinez
    Key Cast
    "12YO Angel"
    Roadkill
  • Rhianna DeVries
    Key Cast
    "Frankie"
    Life is Strange: Before the Storm
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Sci-Fi, Action
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes 16 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 19, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    42,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:3
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • 20th edition of Venice Shorts (laindiesmagazine.com)
    Venice Beach, CA
    United States
    Winner - Best Sci-Fi
  • Film Invasion Los Angeles
    Los Angeles
    United States
    June 23, 2023
    Programmer's Prize
Director Biography - Sam Tahhan

Sam is a biracial writer/director who specializes in sci-fi and action comedy.

A former "Army Athlete of the Year", Sam studied screenwriting in grad school, comedy writing at The Second City, and improv at Denver's Bovine Theater.

Sam’s work in music production and advertising has been featured during the Olympics, the Super Bowl, at NYC’s Union Square, and named one of Denver’s “The Fifty” (most creative projects of the year).

Sam’s short film TEST DRIVE won best sci-fi at the 20th edition of the Venice Shorts Film Festival.

He recently kicked cancer squarely in the ass.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

TEST DRIVE is a film about the lows to which those in power will stoop in order to maintain control.

On a personal note, TEST DRIVE borrows heavily from a time in my life when I was a single dad: all the good intentions, bad mistakes, and ugly things I'd do to keep my daughter safe.