Academy Award Nominee Abigail Breslin Presents

As Easy as closing your eyes

A grieving mother battles her addiction to a black-market drug that gives her life-like dreams about the son she lost.

Trailer

SYNOPSIS

On the eve of her late son’s birthday, LILA attends a group meeting for people addicted to Amesten, a new blackmarket drug that gives its users life-like dreams about the ones they've lost. Though the drug has exacted a terrible toll on her, her sobriety still only hangs by a thread. As she prepares to celebrate BODIE’s birthday with her brother KIERAN, the temptation to see Bodie again begins to overwhelm her and she must choose whether to finally let go of an impossible dream or follow the light of her life into darkness.

Screener

As Easy As Closing Your Eyes - Lila & Bodie

As Easy As Closing Your Eyes - Dancing Man

SOUNDTRACK

Industry Downloads

EPK

Film Stills

POSTER

PRESS

REVIEWS

“Eye opening, heartbreaking, and breathtaking.”
–Marc Ciafardini, Go See Talk

“Croft and Golden create an exquisite, chilling mini-drama.”
– Margot Harrison, Seven Days

“Coover’s performance as Lila is downright devastating.”
– Mark Lakatos, Take 2 Indie Review

“A hauntingly beautiful journey.”
– Victor Hong, VHBerries

“This short hit me so hard.”
– Henry Pham, Movies365

“An emotional tour-de-force.”
– S. Kruger, Cryptic ENC: The Haunted Pamlico Podcast

“It’s not a movie you can just walk away from and not think about… it sticks with you”
– Austin and Andy, Spoiler Free Movie Review

INTERVIEWS

An Inside Look at AS EASY AS CLOSING YOUR EYES
– Aubrey Mozino, We Make Movies

‘As Easy as Closing Your Eyes’ features high-profile actors and producers
– Lauren Dorsey, The Vermont Standard

Interview with director / co-writer Parker Croft
– Victor Hong, VHBerries

Interview with producer / co-writer Aaron Golden
– Victor Hong, VHBerries

What About... Building a House with Parker Croft
– Danny Nucci and Jason M. Burns, The What About Podcast

Aaron Golden and Laura Coover stop by The Grue Rume Show
– Rocco Cross, Grue Rume Show

Exploring Creativity: A Conversation with Parker Croft on 'As Easy As Closing Your Eyes' and Filmmaking Innovation
– DZOFILM

Interview with director / co-writer Parker Croft
– Mark Lakatos, Take 2 Indie Review

Interview with Laura Coover and Sean Marquette
– S. Kruger, Cryptic ENC: The Haunted Pamlico Podcast

“‘As Easy As Closing Your Eyes’ seeks continued acclaim at South Dakota Film Festival”
– Shannon Marvel, Aberdeen Insider

NEWS

“Laura Coover took home Best Actress for her performance in As Easy As Closing Your Eyes, a poignant narrative written by Aaron Golden and its director Parker Croft.”
– Film Threat Staff, Film Threat

LA’s Micheaux Film Festival Locks 2024 Edition With Projects Featuring Viola Davis, Michael Ealy, Morris Chestnut & Michael Gandolfini
–Zac Ntim, Deadline

Bleeding Tree Film Festival takes root in Cranbrook
–Gillian Francis, Cranbrook Townsman

Junktown Film Festival celebrates art, storytelling
–James Burky, The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel

124 AWARDS

Best Narrative Short - Albuquerque Film & Music Experience (2024)
Best Cinematography - Albuquerque Film & Music Experience (2024)
Best Actress - Albuquerque Film & Music Experience (2024)
2nd Prize Winner - Alexandre Trauner ART/Film Festival (2024)
Best Sci-Fi Short - Atlanta Sci-fi Film Festival (2024)
Best Short Film - Bedford International Film Festival (2024)
Best Actress - The Big Sandy Film Festival (2024)
Best Director - Bleeding Tree International Film Festival (2024)
Best Script - Bleeding Tree International Film Festival (2024)
Best Sci-Fi Short - Berlin Sci-fi Filmfest (2024)
Best Actress Long Short - Brightside Film Festival (2024)
Festival Treasure - Catalina Film Festival (2024)
Award of Excellence Best U.S. Short - Catalina Film Festival (2024)
Best of Fest Best Director - Catalina Film Festival (2024)
Award of Excellence Best Actress - Catalina Film Festival (2024)
Best Actress - Chatham-Kent International Film Festival (2024)
Best Short Drama- Commffest Global Community Film Festival (2024)
Best Film - Crossings International Film Festival (2024)
Best Theme - Crossings International Film Festival (2024)
Best Actress - Crossings International Film Festival (2024)
Best Cinematography - Crossings International Film Festival (2024)
Best Screenplay - Crossings International Film Festival (2024)
Film of the Month - Curiosa Shorts (July 2024)
Best Short Film - DC After Dark International Film Festival (2024)
Best Drama - DC After Dark International Film Festival (2024)
Best Director- DC After Dark International Film Festival (2024)
Best Cinematography - DC After Dark International Film Festival (2024)
Best Narrative Short Film - Driftless Film Festival (2024)
Best Impact Short - Ethos Film Awards (2024)
Best Director - Euboea International Short Film Festival (2024)
Best Narrative Short Film - Fargo Film Festival (2025)
Best Editing - Francigena Film Festival (2024)
Best Short Film - Festival de Sorocaba (2024)
Best Director - Festival de Sorocaba (2024)
Best Actor - Festival de Sorocaba (2024)
Best Actress - Festival de Sorocaba (2024)
Audience Choice Award - Forest City Film Festival (2024)
Top Geek Film of 2024 - Geekapalooza Film Festival (2024)
Best Direction - Geekapalooza Film Festival (2024)
Best Cinematography - Geekapalooza Film Festival (2024)
Best Drama Short - Giddy Island Film Festival (2024)
Best Short - Gloucester Independent Film Festival (2024)
Best of Fest - Global Drama Project Short Film Festival (2024)
Best of Fest - Golden Isles Film Festival (2024)
Best Narritive Short - Indigo Moon Film Fest (2024)
Best Sci-Fi Short Film - International Film Festival of Tàrrega i Ponent - Galacticat (2024)
Best Actress - International Halicarnassus Film Festival (Session 33 2024)
Best Narrative Short - International Guadalajara Film Awards (May 2024)
Best Actress - International Guadalajara Film Awards (May 2024)
Best Narrative Short - Iris Global Health Film Festival (2024)
Best Picture - Junktown Film Festival (2024)
Best Actress - Junktown Film Festival (2024)
Best Drama - Katonah Classic Stage Film Festival (2024)
Best Narrative Short - Lake County Film Festival (2024)
Best Director - Lytham International Film Festival (2024)
Best Narrative - Miami Short Film Festival (2024)
Best Science Fiction Short - Navarra International Film Festival (2024)
Best Sci-Fi Film - New Zealand Independent Film Festival (2024)
Best Dramatic Short - Offshore Art & Film Festival (2024)
Best Director - Off The Reel Film Festival (2024)
Best Short Film - Off The Reel Film Festival (2024)
Best Actress - On The Beach International Film Festival (2024)
Best Sci-Fi / Fantasy - Oxford Shorts (2024)
Best of Fest - Picture's Up Film Festival (2024)
Best Director - Picture's Up Film Festival (2024)
Best Actor - Picture's Up Film Festival (2024)
Best Actress - Picture's Up Film Festival (2024)
Best Direction - Pink City International Short Film Festival (2024)
Best Editing - Pink City International Short Film Festival (2024)
Best Science Fiction Short - Pittsburgh Moving Picture Festival (2024)
Best Actress - Pittsburgh Moving Picture Festival (2024)
Best Director - Pittsburgh Moving Picture Festival (2024)
Best Drama - Pottstown Film Festival (2024)
Best Dramatic Short - PrairieFest Film Showcase (2024)
Best Original Story - PrairieFest Film Showcase (2024)
Best Cinematography - PrairieFest Film Showcase (2024)
Best Soundtrack - PrairieFest Film Showcase (2024)
Best Short - PressPlay Cinema Film Festival (2024)
Best Director - PrairieFest Film Showcase (2024)
Best Story - Revolution Me Film Festival (2024)
Best Actress - Revolution Me Film Festival (2024)
Best Editing - Richmond International Screenwriting and Film Festival (2024)
Best Actress - Rock the Shorts Film Festival (2024)
Best Short Film - Roosevelt Island Film Festival (2024)
Best Sci-Fi Short - Roosevelt Island Film Festival (2024)
Best Director - Roosevelt Island Film Festival (2024)
Best Actress - Roosevelt Island Film Festival (2024)
Best Cinematography - SacFilmChallenge Music & Film Festival (2024)
Best Short Film - SamhainBaucogna International Film Festival (June 2024)
Award of Excellence - Best Editing - San Diego Movie Awards ( Summer 2024)
Award of Excellence - Best Original Score - San Diego Movie Awards ( Summer 2024)
Best International Short - Salento International Film Festival (2024)
Best Drama - Salt City Film Fest (2024)
Best Dramatic Short Film - San Francisco Frozen Film Festival (2024)
Best Short Film - Sandy Film Festival (2024)
Best Writers - Santa Paula Film Festival (2024)
Best in Fest - Featurette - Sherman Oaks Film Festival (2024)
Best Featurette - SciFi - Sherman Oaks Film Festival (2024)
Best Director – Featurette - Sherman Oaks Film Festival (2024)
Best Screenplay – Featurette - Sherman Oaks Film Festival (2024)
Best Supporting Performer - Featurette - Sherman Oaks Film Festival (2024)
Best Performance by a Cast – Featurette - Sherman Oaks Film Festival (2024)
Best Cinematography – Featurette - Sherman Oaks Film Festival (2024)
Best Production Design – Featurette - Sherman Oaks Film Festival (2024)
Best Sound Design – Featurette - Sherman Oaks Film Festival (2024)
Best Dramatic Short - Skiptown Playhouse International Film Festival (2024)
Outstanding Actress Performance In A Short Film - Skiptown Playhouse International Film Festival (2024)
Best Director - Sky Arts Film Festival (2024)
Best International Short Over 15 Minutes - Starburst International Film Festival (2024)
Mad As Birds' 'Golden Feather' Award - Starling Film Festival (2024)
Best Short Feature - Starling Film Festival (2024)
Best Sci-Fi Short - Studio City International Film Festival (2024)
Best Screenplay -Swindon Independent Film Festival (2024)
Audience Award for Best of Fest -Temecula Valley Film Festival (2024)
Best Indie Short - Touchstone Independent Film Festival (June 2024)
Best Director - Touchstone Independent Film Festival (June 2024)
Best Actor - Touchstone Independent Film Festival (June 2024)
Best Actress - Touchstone Independent Film Festival (June 2024)
Best Cinematography - Treasure Coast International Film Festival (2024)
Best Short Narrative Film - West Sound Film Festival (2024)
Best Short Film - Yes Film Festival (2024)
Best Actress - Youngstown Film Festival (2024)
Cinematography - Youngstown Film Festival (2024)
Best Poster - Youngstown Film Festival (2024)

1 Runner up

Best Director - Richmond International Screenwriting and Film Festival (2024)

8 Honorable Mentions

Honorable Mention - Cindependent Film Festival (2024)
Honorable Mention - Festival de Cine Antigua (2024)
Honorable Mention - Francigena Film Festival (2024)
Honorable Mention - Margate Film Festival (2024)
Honorable Mention - Momoxca International Fantastic Film Festival (2024)
Honorable Mention - Riviera Laurence Olivier Vivien Leigh film Award (2024)
Honorable Mention - Pembroke Taparellli Arts and Film Festival (2024)
Honorable Mention - Wild Rover Film Festival (2024)

12 Awards Finalist

Finalist - Alta Marea Festival (2024)
Finalist for Best of Fest - Bleeding Tree International Film Festival (2024)
Finalist - CineFest - Festival de Cinema Ao Ar Livre (2024)
Finalist - Counterpunch Film Festival (2024)
Finalist - GRU International Film Awards (2024)
Finalist - International Film Festival The Hague (2024)
Finalist - Mirda Corta Short Film Festival (2024)
Finalist - Route 66 Film Festival (2024)
Finalist - SamhainBaucogna International Film Festival (2024)
Finalist - Saskatchewan International Film Festival (2024)
Finalist - Southeast Asia International Film Festival (2024)
Finalist - Tony Curtis International Film Festival (2024)

2 Awards Semi-Finalist

Semi Finalist - International Film and Entertainment Festival Awards (2024)
Semi Finalist - Venezia shorts (2024)

65 NOMINATIONs

Nominee for Best Visual Effects - AFIN International Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Drama - The Bridgeport Film Fest (2024)
Nominee for Best Actor - The Bridgeport Film Fest (2024)
Nominee for Achievement in Writing- The Bridgeport Film Fest (2024)
Nominee for Best Editing - The Bridgeport Film Fest (2024)
Nominee for Best Long Short - Brightside Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Director Long Short - Brightside Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Cinematography - Brightside Film Festival (2024)
Nominee - Festival de Cine Antigua (2024)
Nominee for Best Actress - DC After Dark International Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Acting Ensemble - DC After Dark International Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Soundscape - DC After Dark International Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Editing- DC After Dark International Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Art and Design - DC After Dark International Film Festival (2024)
Nominee Best Original Score - International Sound & Film Music Festival (2024)
Nominee - Louth International Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Outstanding Sci-Fi / Fantasy - Micheaux Film Festival (2024)
Nominee - Miami International Science Fiction Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Sci-Fi Short Film - Newark Independent Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Spirit Award - Newark Independent Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Committee’s Choice Award - Newark Independent Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Music / Score - Oxford Shorts (2024)
Nominee for Best Screenplay - Oxford Shorts (2024)
Nominee for Best Actress - Oxford Shorts (2024)
Nominee Best International Film - Richmond International Screenwriting and Film Festival (2024)
Nominee Best Director - Richmond International Screenwriting and Film Festival (2024)
Nominee Best Score - Richmond International Screenwriting and Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Gene Film - Picture's Up Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Screenplay - Picture's Up Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Short - Queen City Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Director - Queen City Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Screenplay - Queen City Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Actress - Queen City Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Cinematography - Queen City Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Narrative Short - Red Rose Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Short - Revolution Me Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Drama - Revolution Me Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Cinematography - Revolution Me Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Actor - Revolution Me Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Director - Revolution Me Film Festival (2024)
Best Sci-Fi Film - South Pacific Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Narrative Long Short - Skiptown Playhouse International Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Ensemble Cast - Skiptown Playhouse International Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best of Fest - Sky Arts Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Narrative Short - Sky Arts Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Actress - Sky Arts Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Actor - Sky Arts Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Sci-Fi - Soho London IndependentFilm Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best International Film - Soho London IndependentFilm Festival (2024)
Nominee for Mad As Bird’s Golden Feather Award for Best Performance - Starling Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Sci-Fi / Fantasy Film - Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival
Nominee for Best Short Film - Treasure Coast International Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Director - Treasure Coast International Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Screenplay - Treasure Coast International Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Editing - Treasure Coast International Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Actor - Treasure Coast International Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Actress - Treasure Coast International Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for the Special International Award of Merit - West Lothian Film Festival (2024)
Nominee for Best Narrative Short - West Kortright Center Film Festival (2024)
Nominee - Wild Rover Film Festival (2024)
Nominee Best Short - Youngstown Film Festival (2024)
Nominee Best Director - Youngstown Film Festival (2024)

199 Official Selections

4 Official Selections Finalist

Bolinas Film Festival (2024)
International Burabay Short Film Festival (2024)
LA’s Rich & Successful Film Festival (2024)
Le Chouette Festival (2024)

Technical information

EXHIBITION FORMATS I DCP , ProRes 4444XQ, ProRes 422HQ, H.264
ASPECT RATIO I 2.39:1
RESOLUTION I 2048 x 858
SOUND I 5.1 CH, STEREO
FRAME RATE I 24 FPS
RUNNING TIME I 21 MIN
COLOR I COLOR
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN I U.S.A.
LANGUAGE I ENGLISH
YEAR I 2024
WORLD PREMIERE I LA SHORTS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

CREDITS

A PAPER HORSE PICTURES PRODUCTION

IN ASSOCIATION WITH LONDON BLUE

DIRECTED BY PARKER CROFT
SCREENPLAY BY AARON GOLDEN, PARKER CROFT
PRODUCERS MAX LOEB, PARKER CROFT, AARON GOLDEN, CHRIS BLIM, LAURA COOVER
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS ABIGAIL BRESLIN, JON MICHAEL HILL, CAREN MCVICKER, JOE MCVICKER
CO-PRODUCERS ROBBIE KAY, ASHLEY OLDS
CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS ERIN DREVER, ERICA ELIAS, NATHAN ELIAS, PETER FRIEDMANN, DANIEL GOLDEN, GAIL GOLDEN, JOSH GOLDEN, PAULA GOLDEN, AMY GOTTLIEB, KEITH JOHNSON, LUCIA JOHNSON, PATRICK TEWS
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY ZAKAREE SANDBERG
PRODUCTION DESIGNER KILBY RODELL
MUSIC BY MANDY HOFFMAN
VISUAL EFFECTS SUPERVISOR TIMOTHY STEVENS-EUSTACE
CASTING DIRECTOR ASHLEY OLDS

CAST (In Order of Appearance)
DEBBIE I SHARON POWERS
LILA I LAURA COOVER
DANCING MAN I DOUG FAGER
KIERAN I SEAN MARQUETTE
BODIE I DAWSON SWEENEY
MATT I HENRY FOSTER BROWN
AM-AN LEADER I BRIAN FOYSTER
CAROL (VOICE) I NANCY LINARI

BACKGROUND
MONIQUE ALDRED, MARK ALLAN, LARRY ANDREWS, KERRI VAN AUKEN, STEVEN BASIL, RAY CECIRE, DEVEON CHAPPLE, MATT GALLAGHER, JOHN IDAKITIS, DRAKE PIERRE, HAYLEY RAAD, JENNIFER SCIBETTA, STEFFANIE TOLLEY,
CHRISTIAN YEAGER

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER NOLAN GOULD
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR MAX LOEB
ART DIRECTOR ANGIE PARRISH
ASSISTANT CAMERA CHRIS BLIM
CHIEF LIGHTING TECHNICIAN RAPHA BOSOMBA
KEY GRIP DIEGO PATINO
GRIP KEITH SHATTLE
SOUND MIXER AARON GOLDEN
HAIR/MAKE-UP AUSTYN CUCCIA
CONTACT LENS PAINTER KEVIN CARTER
ADDITIONAL SET DECORATOR KIA TYRELL MALLON
ILLUSTRATIONS BY KOLTER HODGSON
PROP DESIGNER & BUILDER JEREMY HENDRICKS
PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS XAVIER DUBON, JOHN ALFORD
SET PHOTOGRAPHERS ROBBIE KAY, XAVIER DUBON
SET TEACHERS LAURA GARY, BETTINA RUSSO
LOCATION MANAGER: CINEMA TOWN STUDIOS MANOOSH NABAVI
LOCATION MANAGER: UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF STUDIO CITY CHADIE FAUST
EDITOR PARKER CROFT

COLOR SERVICES PROVIDED BY RARE MEDIUM
COLOR PRODUCER HEATH RAYMOND
COLORIST JOSH BOHOSKEY
COLOR ASSISTANT ALEX FRANKLAND

POST SOUND SERVICES PROVIDED BY PINNACLE SOUND
RE-RECORDING MIXER IAN CHASE
SOUND EDITOR IAN CHASE
SOUND DESIGNER JANE FARMER
SOUND EFFECTS EDITOR SHAWN TISCHLER
POST AUDIO COORDINATOR APRIL LAMB
SCORE MIXED BY ROY HENDRICKSON
SCORE PERFORMED BY F.A.M.E.’S ORCHESTRA, MANDY HOFFMAN

SONGS
”BIRTHDAY PAST“
WRITTEN & PREFORMED BY JOSEPH BROOKS ORGAN

INSURANCE SERVICES PROVIDED BY IRENE QUINTERO
MOMENTOUS INSURANCE BROKERAGE, A MARSH MCLENNAN AGENCY COMPANY

CASTING SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDED BY BREAKDOWN SERVICES

FILM EQUIPMENT PROVIDED BY BIRDFACE, GOOD HAMMER, MEALBOX INDUSTRIAL, WOODEN NICKEL

PRODUCED WITH FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM

THE OMIDYAR NETWORK
THROUGH THE SEED&SPARK PATRONS' CIRCLE
AND THEIR FISCAL SPONSOR OPEN COLLECTIVE

AS WELL AS THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTERS:

MARK ALLAN, JOE ANDERSON, EVAN BERNSTEIN, SYLVIA BERNSTEIN, SUSAN BORELLI, LEAH COX, LINDSAY EDELSTEIN, DAVID EISENSTEIN, KATE EISENSTEIN, KRISTINA FLANAGAN, MARK FRIEDMANN, TAZ FUSTOK, RAMZY GALIL, EDDIE GARCIA, GINA GIANI, MIRIAM GOLDEN, NATHAN GOLDEN, KATIN GORSLINE, IVAN KAY, STEPH KAY, MOLLY KIM, JORDAN KOLASINSKI, LUKE KUPERSMITH, BONNIE LOEB,
MICHAEL MARTIN, SONJA MEREU, DREW MICHAEL, CAMILLA KAY MILAN, SAM PRESSMAN, HAYLEY RAAD, MATTHEW REIS, ERIC SAGOTSKY, CHRIS SILCOX, KIM SMITH, KATE WEBB, JONNY WEXLER

THE PRODUCERS WISH TO THANK LEAH BREUER, JONATHAN BUCHANAN, ELISA CROFT, PARKER CROFT JR., KATE DOWD, KATHERINE HUGHES, ELLEN JONES, SETH KUPERSMITH, BEZ MARTINEZ, JULIET MCVICKER, JOSEPH ORGAN, DRAKE PIERRE, JOHN SAYLES, HANNA STEIN, ASHLEY SWEENEY, TREY TERPELUK, MICHAEL TOBIN

DEDICATED TO MICHAEL BRESLIN, MONICA CROFT, PARKER CROFT SR., VIC ELIAS, PAULA GOLDEN, SAM GOLDEN, TOM GUTTERIDGE, PHYLLIS HARTMANN, WALTER HARTMANN, ELI HORTON, HARRIET JOHNSON, CALEB KUPERSMITH, HAMILTON LOEB, JANICERAE OLDS, JOHN THOMAS SANDBERG, GEORGE SAS, MARSHALL WEBB, DAN WEIKSNER

AND EVERYONE ELSE WE LONG TO SEE AGAIN.

Anti-amesten PUblic service Announcements

PATRONS

This film would not have been possible without the support of our patrons. Using the platform Seed & Spark we raised the majority of this film’s budget by offering incentives to our contributors. Below are links to behind the scenes photos and a round table Q&A with the cast and crew that are available exclusively to the patrons of the film.

EXCLUSIVE BTS PHOTOS

EXCLUSIVE Q&A