A Very Prosperous Win at Screamfest - 2025
This October, the horror community gathered once again under the lights of Hollywood Boulevard for Screamfest 2025, the long-running film festival known for discovering new voices in the Horror genre. Screamfest has long been known as a launchpad for emerging filmmakers and groundbreaking horror voices (it’s where Paranormal Activity first got noticed!). The TCL Chinese Theatre played host to a week of premieres with curated late-night screenings. It brought a shared energy it seems only the horror genre generates. Among the standout films was Very Prosperous Men. The film went on to win the Short Film Audience Award, edging out nearly one hundred other entries from around the world.
Trapezoid Studios handled the sound design for the project, collaborating closely with director Josiah Walker, to help shape its world and tone. Seeing the film recognized in this environment was a rewarding moment for everyone involved. The audience’s response spoke volumes and reactions were unfiltered. When the credits rolled, there was a sense that the film had connected in a way. That connection is what independent festivals like Screamfest are all about.
For those who haven’t attended, Screamfest isn’t just another stop on the horror festival circuit. It’s a landmark event in Los Angeles film culture, held annually at one of Hollywood’s most storied venues. The Chinese Theatre has witnessed decades of premieres, yet each October it once again transforms into a haven for filmmakers who approach fear as an art form. The energy in the lobby, the costumes, the decoration, the anticipation before the lights dim—these are the elements that make the festival what it is. Very Prosperous Men fits squarely within that spirit. It’s a noir thriller with elements of the supernatural. When it’s over, it leaves an eerie impression that sticks with you. We’re proud to have contributed to a project that resonated so strongly with the audience and to see its producers recognized on such a visible stage. Festivals like Screamfest remind us of why this work matters. Not just for awards but for the shared experience of cinema itself.
Screamfest Horror Film Festival is described as the “largest and longest-running horror film festival in the United States.” Held annually in Los Angeles each October, it has become a key platform for filmmakers and more specifically, those working in the horror and thriller genres.
Continue below for a list of Screamfest past winners!
Official Poster for Very Prosperous Men
Screamfest Horror Film Festival: Recent Winners
Over two decades, Screamfest has honored some of the most inventive voices in horror cinema. Below is a snapshot of recent winners, highlighting the festival’s ongoing influence in discovering new talent.
| Year | Category | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Best Picture (Feature) | Don’t Leave The Kids Alone — Dir. Emilio Portes |
| 2025 | Short Film Audience Award | Very Prosperous Men — Dir. Josiah Walker |
| 2025 | Best Short Film (Juried) | The Last Snow — Dir. Rodolphe Bouquet-Populus |
| 2025 | Best Animated Short | Franken Struck — Dir. Sommar Boulware |
| 2025 | Best Student Short | Terroir — Dir. Casey Rogerson |
| 2024 | Best Picture (Feature) | Else — Dir. Thibault Emin |
| 2024 | Audience Award (Feature) | Berta — Dir. Lucía Forner Segarra |
| 2024 | Best Short Film | Be Right Back — Dirs. Lucas Paulino & Gabe Ibáñez |
| 2024 | Best Animated Short | Dagon — Dir. Paolo Gaudio |
| 2024 | Best Student Short | Leaving Yellowstone — Dir. Kayla Arend |
| 2023 | Best Picture (Feature) | The Deep Dark — Dir. Mathieu Turi |
| 2023 | Short Film Audience Choice | Red Velvet — Dir. Blake Simon |
| 2023 | Best Short Film | The Looming — Dir. Masha Ko |
