Short Film AFIN 215
BURN OUT
Directed by 
Russell Goldman
AFIN 2024 Nominee · 4 nominations
- 2024
- 13m
-
USA - English
- MA15+
- Horror
- Comedy
- Sci-fi
Stills
1 frame
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Credits
Produced by
Synopsis
An assistant will do anything to get a presentation in front of his boss… even set himself on fire. Starring Everett Osborne (SWEETWATER) and Tommie Earl Jenkins (DEATH STRANDING). Produced by Jamie Lee Curtis and Film Independent. Filmed in the abandoned Quibi offices.
“Bold, singular, and impressive from start to finish. Completely insane. I loved it.” - David Ehrlich, Indiewire
Director's Statement
BURN OUT is a gonzo, high-octane horror story inspired by my experiences with post-concussive syndrome and all-consuming bosses. I wanted to make a film about how we push ourselves in breakneck work environments and make disastrous compromises with our bodies and minds. Nothing is scarier (or more absurd) than what we can do to ourselves.
What makes this one special
- Nominated in 4 AFIN categoriesBest Lead Performance · Best Live Action Short Film · Best Original Score · Best Produced Screenplay
From the Judges
From the Judges
Fast, colorful, and impactful, the cinematography gives this short a real charge, matched by editing that keeps its energy high from the first frame. The writing lands an idea that feels genuinely original while staying grounded in something recognizable, mining the lengths we go to in order to impress the people we work for. Between its inventive premise, its playful sense of the ridiculous, and its evident production value, this is a confident and thoroughly enjoyable piece of work.
Director's Biography
Russell Goldman Director
Russell Goldman is a writer and filmmaker from Virginia, now based in Los Angeles. He wrote and directed the upcoming feature film SENDER, starring Britt Lower, David Dastmalchian, Anna Baryshnikov, and Jamie Lee Curtis. He also wrote MOTHER NATURE for Blumhouse and Titan Comics, a graphic novel inspired by his and Curtis’ screenplay. He has played at over 100 film festivals around the world with his short film work, which includes BURN OUT, CLOSING TIME, and the short that inspired the SENDER feature.
Trailer
Fuller cast & crew
Production Design
- Evan Black
Producer
- Michael A. Fry
Director of Photography
Ali Arminio
Details and imagery from The Movie Database This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.
Official laurels
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Verified by AFIN Nominee · Best Lead Performance Download laurel Download certificate -
Verified by AFIN Nominee · Best Live Action Short Film Download laurel Download certificate -
Verified by AFIN Nominee · Best Original Score Download laurel Download certificate -
Verified by AFIN Nominee · Best Produced Screenplay Download laurel Download certificate
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BURN OUT was an official Nominee for Best Lead Performance, Best Live Action Short Film, Best Original Score and Best Produced Screenplay at the AFIN International Film Festival 2024, a Top 100 Best Reviewed and IMDb-qualifying festival.
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- Open the AFIN International Film Festival event page on IMDb and choose the 2024 edition.
- Choose Edit (contribute), then Awards, and add your film under the category (Best Lead Performance, Best Live Action Short Film, Best Original Score and Best Produced Screenplay) with the outcome shown on your laurels above.
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