Richmond Film Network Concludes Season 2 of RFN Indie Fest

The Richmond Film Network concluded Season 2 of RFN Indie Fest with the fourth and final installment of this year’s series celebrating independent cinema from around the world. It showcased 71 films representing 8 U.S. states and 12 countries. Nearly half—35 titles—were created by Virginia filmmakers, affirming that bold, visionary cinema continues to flourish in the Commonwealth.

“Season 2 of RFN Indie Fest reflects exactly what we set out to champion: daring independent
work, regional voices in conversation with global perspectives, and a vibrant, engaged film
community,” said the RFN Founder and Festival Director Lisa Giles. “We are honored to
provide a platform where filmmakers, writers, and audiences can meet, discover one another,
and build lasting creative relationships.”

RFN Indie Fest proudly recognized the following artists and their outstanding achievements:

• Best Actor – Semyon Litvinov, “The Path to Enigma” – Russia
• Best Actress – Tracie Bennett, “End of Story” – New York
• Best Screenplay – Adam Mackie & Adam Bertocci, “End of Story” – New York
• Best Production Design – Alexey Samokhin, “The Path to Enigma” – Russia
• Best Score – Harvey Davis, “End of Story” – New York
• Best Editing – Andrew Chi Nguyen, “The Woman with a Name or Two” – Richmond
• Best Cinematography – Maya Rios, “The Scene” – Richmond
• Rising Star – Andrew Chi Nguyen, “The Woman with a Name or Two” – Richmond
• Best Directing – Anthony Rojas, “Papi Chulo” – New York
• Best International Film – John Christopher, “The Axe Forgets” – Ireland
• Best Film – Timothy Parsons, “Memory Project” – Alexandria

Richmond-based director Séyla Hossaini earned her second Audience Choice Award of the
season for “We’ll Still Be Here,” a bold, genre-bending film that traces the volatile reunion of
two cousins—one struggling with substance use, the other embracing a transformative new
identity as a vampire.

Three of the evening’s most celebrated works—“Memory Project”, “The Axe Forgets” and “The Path to Enigma” —stood out as powerful dramas rooted in real events, reflecting socially resonant storytelling.

Best Film – “Memory Project”

Directed by Timothy Parsons (Alexandria VA), “Memory Project” is a 19:59 historical drama set against the backdrop of a 1962 Yale University experiment. As volunteer subjects participate in what appears to be a simple exercise, the unsettling study exposes disturbing truths deeply embedded in human behavior. The film, which had its Richmond Premiere at RFN Indie Fest, also earned nominations for Best Directing (Timothy Parsons) and Best Cinematography (James Michael Douglas), and Best Production Design (Autumn Swartz), highlighting its exceptional craft across the board.

Best International Film – “The Axe Forgets”

Written and directed by John Christopher (Ireland), “The Axe Forgets” is an 18:35 period drama inspired by a true story. Set in 1888, the film follows James S. Jameson, heir to the Jameson Whiskey dynasty, as he returns to Ireland after a year-long expedition to the Congo. As he attempts to resume a normal life, the psychological and moral toll of his experiences begins to unravel.

Presented as a Virginia Premiere, “The Axe Forgets” was one of the festival’s most widely recognized titles, with nominations for Best Film, Best Directing (John Christopher), Best International Film, Best Cinematography (Naoise Kettle), Best Score (Ben J. Connolly), and Best Production Design (Victoria Alexandra Carney), before ultimately winning Best International Film.

“The Path to Enigma” (Russia) – A visually striking and thematically intricate work that follows a man living with a rare mental disorder compelling him toward violent impulses. Written, directed, and co-produced by Max Gladkov, the film blends psychological horror with genre-driven thriller elements. It appeared to be the most nominated at the festival and in addition to its wins received multiple nominations that appeared across Best Film, Best International Film, Best Directing (Max Gladkov), Best Cinematography (Innokentiy Vakhrin), Best Score (Anastasia Listopadova), Best Production Design (Alexey Samokhin), and Best Actor (Semyon Litvinov).

“The Path to Enigma” secured wins for Best Actor and Best Production Design.

This year also marked the debut of the RFN Screenwriting Showdown, sponsored by ImmerseCon, which drew submissions from writers aged 18 to 65+ from Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina. Forty percent of submissions were dramas, and an impressive eighty percent were written by women—an inspiring testament to the depth and diversity of voices shaping the region’s storytelling landscape.

“The response to our first Screenwriting Showdown exceeded all expectations,” said Giles.
“The volume, range, and quality of submissions — especially from women writers — speaks to
a thriving creative ecosystem in the Mid-Atlantic and the South. We are excited to continue
nurturing these voices in future seasons.”

Continuing the Celebration Online

To explore the full list of nominees in each category and view trailers from all Official Selections,
audiences are encouraged to visit the RFN Indie Fest website.
For those interested in a deeper look into the creative processes behind these films, the Richmond Film Network also offers a growing library of filmmaker podcasts, featuring behind- the-scenes insights, artistic journeys, and candid conversations about craft.

About RFN Indie Fest
RFN Indie Fest is an independent film showcase produced by the Richmond Film Network,
dedicated to amplifying distinctive voices in cinema and fostering a collaborative, inclusive film
community in Virginia and beyond. By bringing together filmmakers, writers, performers, and
audiences across multiple states and countries, RFN Indie Fest serves as a hub for discovery,
dialogue, and artistic risk-taking.