Private Project

Couch

After Dallas’ relationship with her girlfriend Avery takes a turn for the worse, she discovers something living beneath the cushions of her newly thrifted couch.

  • Ross Chavez
    Director
  • Ross Chavez
    Writer
  • Ellie Jackson
    Producer
  • Emily Marcheschi
    Key Cast
    "Dallas"
  • Connar Brown
    Key Cast
    "Avery"
  • Aden Bickler
    Key Cast
    "The Couch"
  • Dillon Orth
    Key Cast
    "Jared"
  • Xinyi Mo
    Director of Photography
  • Erika Janasz
    Gaffer
  • Bella Luna Fulk
    Art Direction and Wardrobe
  • Felix Serverino
    Special Effects
  • Cora Bunten
    Editor and Colorist
  • Yulin Chen
    Sound Mixer
  • Kaela McVicker
    Sound Mixer
  • Ian Kang
    Sound Designer and Post Sound Mixer
  • Justin Graff
    Music Composer
  • Knife Girl
    Song: 'Eat You Alive'
  • Lola Bllue
    Song: 'Carlisle'
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Horror, Drama
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 22 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 10, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    9,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    64:27
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - School of the Art Institute of Chicago
  • 2024 FVNMA Fest
    Chicago, Illinois
    United States
    May 10, 2024
    World Premiere
    SAIC Graduate Exhibition
  • Atlanta Underground Film Festival
    Atlanta, Georgia
    United States
    August 18, 2024
    Georgia Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival
    Tampa, Florida
    United States
    December 6, 2024
    Florida Premiere
    Escapism Award Nominee
  • Denver Underground Film Festival
    Denver, Colorado
    United States
    November 22, 2024
    Colorado Premiere
    Best Narrative Short Screenplay & Best LGBTQ+ Narrative Short
  • Tulsa Underground Film Festival
    Tulsa, Oklahoma
    United States
    March 1, 2025
    Oklahoma Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Chicago Horror Film Festival
    Chicago, IL
    United States
    May 15, 2025
    Best Horror Actress - Chicago Nominee, Best Student Horror Film - Chicago Nominee, & Best LGBTQ+ Film
  • American Horror Film Festival
    London, England
    United Kingdom
    July 4, 2025
    European Premiere
    Best Student Film
Director Biography - Ross Chavez

Ross Chavez is a filmmaker from Texas currently based in Chicago. His work blends horror and comedy through a queer lens. His recent short, Couch, has screened in cities across North America and abroad earning multiple awards and nominations. Including Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, and London. Outside of writing and directing, Chavez has curated and produced screenings, events and exhibitions, always with a focus on building community through film. Chavez graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2024 with a BFA in Film, Video, and New Media.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Underneath the absurdity of a personified couch, I was looking at the couch as a symbol of sanctuary and exile. Getting kicked out of bed after a fight with a romantic partner can suck, but sleeping on the couch might present one with some peace of mind. This idea is layered with the concept of losing things beneath the cushions and how it would be nice if the things lost in the couch would better our lives. I felt the best way to depict this concept on screen was to center the film around an unraveling relationship.

A few of my friends, and friends of friends, found themselves in messy living arrangements because they would move in with their significant others early on in their relationship or they would start sleeping with their roommates.

Couch is inspired by these domestic tragedies that are destined for disaster by a leasing agreement.