Private Project

The Send-Off

When Emmy Award winning actor, Dan Richards, throws an impromptu soirée at his Hollywood home with only his closest friends in attendance, a fun evening devolves into something much darker after Dan makes an unexpected announcement to the group.

  • John-Michael Powell
    Writer/Director
    Dear White People
  • Undine Buka
    Producer
  • Glenn Howerton
    Producer
    It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, AP Bio
  • Vincent Sieber
    Producer
    The Chronicles of Narnia
  • Zachary Ray Sherman
    Key Cast
    "Dan Richards"
    Cuck
  • Lena Drake
    Key Cast
    "Alex Perroni"
    Kidding, Dinner in America
  • Devere Rogers
    Key Cast
    "Niko Spivey"
    Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.
  • Rory Uphold
    Key Cast
    "Tanya Hirsh"
    Bodied
  • Ben York Jones
    Key Cast
    "Arnie Ludlow"
    Like Crazy
  • Michael Rishawn
    Key Cast
    "Craig O'Bannon"
    Mama's Boy
  • Sean Harrison Jones
    Key Cast
    "Clayton Rhodes"
    Shit You Knot
  • Rhian Rees
    Key Cast
    "Mara Tremblay"
    Halloween
  • Teressa Lee
    Key Cast
    "Micky Park"
    I think She Likes You
  • Scott Kuza
    Key Cast
    "Anthony "Jug" Juggerson"
    Barbie's Kenny
  • Damian Gomez
    Key Cast
    "Dean "Deano" Alvarez"
    La La Land
  • Ryan Stone
    Key Cast
    "Rudie Rocket"
    West Virginia Stories
  • Amanda K Thomas
    Key Cast
    "Harriet Gabriel"
    Criminal Minds
  • Brayden Dalmazzone
    Key Cast
    "Lee "Cry Baby" Young"
    Girl Falling
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 28 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    May 31, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    50,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Alexa Amira, Sony Venice
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Cinequest Film & VR Festival
    San Jose, CA
    United States
    April 15, 2022
    Virtual Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Dances with Films
    Los Angeles, California
    United States
    June 17, 2022
    North American Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Calgary international Film Festival
    Calgary
    Canada
    September 25, 2022
    International Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Arkansas Cinema Society - Filmland
    Little Rock
    United States
    October 28, 2022
    Audience Award
  • Barcelona Indie Filmmaker Festival
    Barcelona
    Spain
    Official Selection
  • SIFF - Switzerland International Film Festival
    Aubonne
    Switzerland
    December 12, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Santa Monica Film Festival
    Santa Monica
    United States
    January 22, 2023
    Official Selection
Distribution Information
  • Glen Reynolds - Circus Road Films
    Sales Agent
    Country: United States
Director Biography

John-Michael Powell has helped create award winning feature films, commercials and music videos, many of which have played networks, film festivals and theaters all over the world.

His more notable editorial works include season three of the hit Netflix Series, DEAR WHITE PEOPLE, created by Justin Simien, IT HAPPENED IN L.A., written & directed by Michelle Morgan, OBSELIDIA, winner of the Alfred P. Sloan Prize at Sundance 2010 and nominee of two Independent Spirit Awards, ALL THE WILDERNESS (SXSW '14), starring Kodi-Smit McPhee, Isabelle Fuhrman, Danny Devito and Virginia Madsen, BLEEDING HEART (Tribeca '15). starring Jessica Biel and Zosia Mamet, and THE BRASS TEAPOT (TIFF '12), starring Michael Angarano and Juno Temple.

As a writer/director, John-Michael made the award-winning short comedy SHIT YOU KNOT, starring John Ennis (Dead to Me) and currently has multiple features in various stages of development including, THE SWEET IN BETWEEN (starring Jon Bernthal), THE KILLING KIND (starring Jane Lynch, Iddo Goldberg and David Dastmalchian), a thriller entitled THROUGH DARKNESS set up at Star Thrower Entertainment (The Post) and a music-driven dramady entitled TRUE FOLK set up at Sony Worldwide.

The Send-Off marks John-Michael's feature film debut as writer/director.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Hello!

You may hear stories about how hard it is to get your first feature made. I promise you -- nobody has worked harder than me to get my first film made. It's been a fifteen year long journey to get here. One that has led me through development hell at various studios, big producers making empty promises, getting a project funded by a studio -- only to fall apart a week before principal photography -- to walking away from the studio system entirely to fund this movie myself and make my first film come hell or high water. And if you can believe the second we finished shooting this movie -- I was diagnosed with cancer.

So yeah. It's been a journey. And it's one I'm still plowing ahead on.

But I'm determined to get this movie off the ground and hopefully share it with people. To spark a conversation about Hollywood, our role in the industry and how we, as a microcosmic bubble, play a part in perpetuating toxic masculinity.

I know how stacked the odds are. But more than anything... I just hope our film makes you feel something and gives you a moment to think about Hollywood in a bigger way... even wrapped in a tiny package like The-Send Off.

All the best,

John-Michael Powell
Writer/Director - The Send-Off