Private Project

Valley Fever

On a weekend hiking trip meant to reconnect, a young woman finds herself trapped between her estranged brother, his entitled fiancée, and a growing sense that something is deeply wrong — as jealousy, resentment, and violence quietly take over the group.

  • Antonio Pinheiro
    Director
    Location4
  • Antonio Pinheiro
    Writer
    Location4
  • Blake Jenner
    Key Cast
    "Tristan Rothschild"
  • Brooke Butler
    Key Cast
    "Casey Harrington"
  • Hayden Szeto
    Key Cast
    "Alex Vanwick"
  • Irene Choi
    Key Cast
    "Luna Vanwick"
  • Gabriela Lopez
    Key Cast
    "Ember Clark"
  • Antonio Pinheiro
    Producer
  • Blake Jenner
    Producer
  • Robert J. Ulrich
    Producer
  • Brenden Rodriguez
    Producer
  • Clayton Nix
    Producer
  • Mike Jenner
    Producer
  • Duane Mieliwocki
    Director of Photography
  • Christopher Orne
    Editor
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Horror, Comedy, Thriller
  • Runtime:
    18 minutes 52 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 13, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    14,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Berlin Short Film Awards

    Best Horror/Thriller
  • The Macoproject Film Festival
    New York, NY
    United States
    Honorable Mention
  • Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival
    Athens
    Greece
    Honorable Mention
  • Miami Film Festival
    Miami, FL
    United States
    April 13, 2026
    East Coast Premiere
    Official Selection
  • LA Horror Film Festival
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    May 7, 2026
    Los Angeles Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Antonio Pinheiro

Antonio Pinheiro is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker and writer. A NYU Cinema Studies grad and former stand-up comedian, he made his directorial debut with Location 4 (2023), which played at festivals worldwide. He co-runs Heiro Studios with his brother Acasio, blending dark humor and genre storytelling into bold, character-driven projects.

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Director Statement

I directed VALLEY FEVER to explore how humor and horror can emerge from the same space—discomfort. I wanted viewers to feel both uneasy and amused, laughing at the absurdity while sensing the danger lurking beneath the surface. Inspired by films like Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, I let tone and character behavior drive the storytelling rather than exposition. Working with a cast willing to embrace silence and awkward rhythms, and a crew that turned limitations into creative solutions, made the experience both challenging and rewarding. This film remains special because it taught me to trust instinct, collaboration, and the power of ambiguity—lessons I carry into every future project.