Private Project

The Golden Cat of Vandalur

“The Maltese Falcon” meets “Don Quixote” with hilarious results. A Detective’s internal monologue constantly interferes with his investigations. It is a noir “whodunit” where nothing gets solved.

  • Daniel Ladislau Horvath
    Director
  • Daniel Ladislau Horvath
    Writer
  • Chris Gomula-Kruzic
    Producer
  • Daniel Ladislau Horvath
    Producer
  • Carin Heidelbach
    Key Cast
    "Francesca Corrotta"
  • Ryan Hollaway
    Key Cast
    "Sebastian S. Hovel"
  • Mary Pieczarka
    Key Cast
    "Marie Fatale"
  • Maribel Torres
    Key Cast
    "Ximena Mercata"
  • Katherine Zagone
    Key Cast
    "Pamela Lane"
  • Katelyn Hawthorne
    Director of Photography
  • Adan Cortes
    Lead Editor
  • Veronica Sexton
    Sound Designer
  • The Project was written and filmed in 48 hours for the 2025 Modesto 48 Hour Film Competition.
    Project Description
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 33 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 16, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    600 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Sacramento International Film Festival 30th Edition
    Sacramento
    United States
    December 13, 2025
    Greater Sacramento Area Premiere
    Official Selection https://californiafilm.net/event/sacramento-film-festival-winter-2025?context=past
  • Killer Valley Comedy Film Festival
    Ashland
    United States
    December 6, 2025
    Official Selection https://beavermedia.ticketspice.com/2025s-killer-valley-comedy-film-festival
  • Short Sweet Film Fest
    Cleveland
    United States
    March 7, 2026
    Official Selection https://shortsweetfilmfest.com/2026-festival-schedule/
Director Biography - Daniel Ladislau Horvath

Daniel Horvath is an emerging, self-taught, writer-director and playwright, working in the Central Valley. An immigrant from Romania, living in California since 2014, Daniel began his artistic journey later in life, in 2024 when, in a moment of temporary artistic insanity, as he had no prior directing experience, declared his intent to participate in a film competition. Three years, one produced play, three films, and four festivals later, here we are.

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Director Statement

“The Golden Cat of Vandalur” is an homage to Film Noir, a playful parody of its tropes, and—as I am satirist at heart—a subtle critique of a society in which people in power spend too much time listening to their own internal monologue.