Supernatural Thriller THE SOUL TRADER Continues Festival Journey with Three Festivals in September WHAT: THE SOUL TRADER, a new supernatural thriller from director/producer Susan Dynner and her production company Aberration Films, will have three screenings around the country in September, beginning with a Labor Day screening at LA’s Rock the Shorts Film Festival. That’s followed by the DC Shorts Film Festival and the Calabasas Film Festival, with more to come. The film’s gathered fans, accolades and media attention since its preview screenings at the American Pavilion at Cannes, the Manhattan Film Festival and others. THE SOUL TRADER is a proof-of-concept for a feature or TV series that follows the story of Coral Chase (newcomer Shauna Grace)—an occult hitwoman who has the power to steal life-extending souls. She then sells them to vain, wealthy elites like Erica Claessen (Donna Mills), who clings to the crumbs of youth. She’s flanked by stoic bodyguard Damien (Shane West), who ultimately emerges from the shadows as her rival when she’s about to carry out a money-spinning hit at a target’s home and realizes she’s not the only one with murder in mind. WHO: The Soul Trader is directed and produced by Dynner, written by newcomer Mike Underwood, photographed by Matthias Schubert (The Door Man, Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, Shelter in Solitude), produced by Lauren Bancroft (The Making of Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles, Wild Bitch, Bite Size Halloween), edited by David Hopper (God Bless America, In Between Songs, Rust Creek), and executive produced by Shauna Grace, with music composed by Jeff Russo (Fargo, Ripley, Star Trek: Discovery). The film has been produced by Dynner’s Los Angeles-based production company Aberration Films as both festival fare as well as proof of concept for a feature or TV series. Susan Dynner says, “THE SOUL TRADER introduces a new breed of complex heroine to our screens. On one hand, she’s a devoted single mom trying to make ends meet for her ten-year-old son. On the other, she’s a cold, contract killer with occult powers and now rivals want to learn her secrets. It’s a sexy and provocative short with a killer twist, but I think this is only the beginning. Our short is a proof of concept for something much bigger and we can’t wait to let Coral loose on the world. We were so lucky to pull together an incredibly talented team of actors and crew who brought so much to the shoot and the production.” Shane West adds, “Working on THE SOUL TRADER was great fun. It’s good to flex your Machiavellian muscles every now and again and I got to do that playing Damien. It’s a short that packs a big punch and has huge potential.” WHEN: ▪ Rock the Shorts Monday, September 2 at 8:00PM PDT ▪ DC Shorts Film Festival, Friday, September 6, at 12:00PM PDT (DC Premiere) ▪ Calabasas Film Festival, Saturday, September 1, TBD WHERE: ▪ Rock The Shorts: Lumiere Cinema at the Music Hall 9036 Wilshire Bl.,Beverly Hills, CA 90211 ▪ DC Shorts Film Festival Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 630 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002 / (202) 558-4341 ▪ Calabasas Film Festival, Regency Theatres, The Commons at Calabasas ▪ 4767 Commons Way, Calabasas, CA 91302 (818) 225-8020 MORE: Dynner and Grace are in person at each of the screenings. They are headed to The American Film Convention in Los Angeles and AFM in Las Vegas in October. Can’t make it? Request review/preview screener here. THE SOUL TRADER An Aberration Films Production Running Time: 12 minutes Language: English Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Director/Producer: Susan Dynner Writer: Mike Underwood Producer: Lauren Bancroft Executive Producer: Shauna Grace Cinematographer: Mathias Schubert Editor: David Hopper Music by Jeff Russo Cast: Shane West, Shauna Grace, Dexter Hobert, Gabriela Kostadinova, and Shyheim Parker, with Donna Mills