NYC-based production company One-Eyed Rabbit announced that its new short psychological horror film, Clifton Park, will celebrate its World Premiere at Screamfest LA in October 2025.
When Mari, a college undergrad and aspiring actress, is invited to join her theater idols, The Ambassadors, for a weekend “method acting” retreat in upstate New York, she seizes the chance to prove her commitment to the craft. But as the troupe develops a new play about a real-life sex cult, the line between reality and performance begins to blur — in deadly ways.
Clifton Park is directed and co-written by Maren Lavelle (Wendy, Keeper, Maya), one of Shoot Online’s New Directors of the Year (2022). Lavelle co-wrote the script with Matt Steiner (The Blacklist, Own Kind), who also stars as Sam. The cast includes Natalie Cabo (Twentysomethings: Austin, American Auto) as Mari and Hayley Griffith (They/Them, Satanic Panic) as Claire.
Produced by One-Eyed Rabbit, Uncultured Swine, and Red Flight Pictures, the film features cinematography by Rick Cook, production design by Beatriz Naranjo, and an original score by Lillie Rebecca McDonough with additional music from Ok Cowgirl.
Director’s Statement (Maren Lavelle):
“This film is a fictional horror inspired by real-life reflection. The events in this story didn’t happen to me (or, at least, they didn’t happen in this way), but they have, and will, happen to others. This is a story about theater, sex cults, and gaslighting. And it’s ultimately a story about resilience.”
The film explores the parallels between coercive communities and auteur directors, questioning how far people are willing to go in pursuit of art. Director Maren Lavelle describes it as “a fictional horror inspired by real-life reflection… a story about theater, sex cults, and gaslighting. And it’s ultimately a story about resilience.”
Following its premiere at Screamfest LA, Clifton Park will continue its festival run through late 2025, with plans for an online release in early 2026. A feature-length version is also in development, with the filmmakers planning to raise a $1M budget for a 2027 production.
Trailer: Watch here
Social Media:
@one_eyedrabbit | @marenlavelle | @unculturedswine.ig | @marvelousmrmatt
