Trundle and the Lost Borscht of Atlantis

Even though Trundle makes the best borscht in the city, Mr. Murray says he is too hideous to work the counter. But when a Regular wants to thank the chef, Trundle takes matters into his own hands.

Produced by first-time writer Zachary Smolar and first-time director Laura Lee, and shot by award-winning Director of Photography Charlotte Hornsby (HAIR WOLF).

  • Laura Lee
    Director
  • Zachary Smolar
    Writer
  • Laura Lee
    Producer
    Magic Hour (feature), Whalebone (short)
  • Zachary Smolar
    Producer
  • Ariel Dreicer
    Producer
  • Sariel Friedman
    Producer
  • Daniel Simonsen
    Key Cast
    "Trundle"
    The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
  • Patrick Breen
    Key Cast
    "Mr. Murray"
    Galaxy Quest, Series of Unfortunate Events (TV series)Sex in the City
  • Marceline Hugot
    Key Cast
    "The Regular"
    30 Rock, The Leftovers, Better Call Saul
  • Joel Figueroa
    Editorial
    No Sudden Move, White Noise
  • Ariel Dreicer
    Editorial
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Comedy, romance, fantasy, dark comedy
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    January 18, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    30,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Santa Barbara International Film Festival
    Santa Barbara
    United States
    February 15, 2023
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Festival de Cannes Short Film Corner
    Cannes
    France
    May 24, 2023
  • Woods Hole Film Festival
    Woods Hole, Massachusetts
    United States
    August 5, 2023
    New England Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Short Com - Film and Animation Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    September 2, 2023
    European Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Silicon Beach Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    September 10, 2023
    Los Angeles Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Independent Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    September 16, 2023
    Best Short - May 2023 // Special Guest Screening
  • Bridge Fest
    Vancouver
    Canada
    Best Comedy Short 2023
  • Wasteland Film Festival
    Edwards, CA
    United States
    September 30, 2023
    Official Selection
  • New York Shorts International Film Festival
    New York City
    United States
    October 14, 2023
    New York Premiere
    Official Selection
  • San Diego International Film Festival
    San Diego
    United States
    October 21, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Izmir International Short Film Festival
    Izmir
    Turkey
    November 19, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Scottish International Fantastic Arts Festival
    Edinburgh, Scotland
    United Kingdom
    November 25, 2023
    Scottish Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Waterford International Film Festival
    Waterford
    Ireland
    November 26, 2023
    Irish Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Vail Film Festival
    Vail, Colorado
    United States
    December 9, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Dubai International Film Festival
    Dubai
    United Arab Emirates
    January 5, 2024
    Middle East Premiere
    Official Selection / Honorable Mention
  • Santa Monica Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    February 3, 2024
    Winner -- Best Comedy
  • Utah Film Festival
    Vineyard, Utah
    United States
    February 15, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Buenos Aires International Film Festival
    Buenos Aires
    Argentina
    February 21, 2024
    South American Premiere
    Official Selection // Winner: Best Screenplay
  • Amsterdam World Cinema Film Festival
    Amsterdam
    Netherlands
    March 1, 2024
    Dutch Premiere
    Official Selection // Best Dark Comedy
  • Cinequest Film Festival
    San Jose, CA
    United States
    March 9, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Vero Beach Film Festival
    Vero Beach Florida
    United States
    April 13, 2024
    Florida Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Cinema Columbus
    Columbus, Ohio
    United States
    April 27, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Malibu Film Festival
    Malibu, CA
    United States
    May 26, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Pittsburgh Independent Film Festival
    Pittsburgh, PA
    United States
    June 29, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Planet Cinema

    Best Newcomer Award
Director Biography - Laura Lee

Laura Lee is a filmmaker based in Brooklyn. As a producer she has produced films, commercial content, and theater, and loves to will art into existence. She is also the artistic director of Access Theater in Tribeca, and the co-producer of the upcoming feature film Magic Hour starring Miriam Shor. Trundle is her directorial debut.

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