Arden Pictures

Arden Pictures Step Back, Doors Closing is NOW AVAILABLE to rent or own on cable, satellite, & digital platforms including Apple TV & Prime Video.

Janae Palmer Cruz () is a -AFTRA award-winning actor bringing emotionally grounded, versatile performances to film, tel...
07/18/2026

Janae Palmer Cruz () is a -AFTRA award-winning actor bringing emotionally grounded, versatile performances to film, television, and commercial projects across the East Coast: including NYC, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC.

Drawn to fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and psychologically driven stories, Janae loves exploring complex characters and bringing authenticity, heart, and depth to every role.

In Step Back, Doors Closing, Janae took on the role of Filly from New York: a character she had a blast bringing to life. From dancing on set to creating memorable moments alongside the lead and supporting cast, this role was a fun opportunity to add energy and personality to the story.

Most recently, Janae has been recognized with three Best Actress nominations and two wins for her lead performance in the short film Sip, which is currently making its way through the film festival circuit. The film explores the emotional journey of a young woman navigating motherhood and grief, and Janae is honored to help bring such a powerful and heartfelt story to audiences.

Full-circle moment. 🏆✨ Returning to as an alumnus this year felt incredibly special. It was a true honor to sit on the ...
07/06/2026

Full-circle moment. 🏆✨

Returning to as an alumnus this year felt incredibly special. It was a true honor to sit on the Narrative Feature Jury for the 29th edition at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres ()

Independent film festivals like DWF are vital and provide the ultimate platform for artists to share their stories unapologetically. From June 18-28, my brilliant fellow jurors ( and ) and I immersed ourselves in extraordinary stories, culminating in an unforgettable awards ceremony. It felt incredibly special to give back to the festival that supported our own filmmaking journeys. Watching these films reminded us of the pure magic, resilience, and power of filmmaking.

The talent this year was staggering, but two films rose to the top:

✨ Grand Jury Prize Winner: Bandit
A gripping, brilliantly executed Indonesian thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. With nothing left to lose, two desperate friends steal an abandoned G-Wagon for a quick score, only to find a co**se in the trunk—and the people who put it there.

✨ Honorable Mention: Angeleno
A hilarious, poignant love letter to LA. Angel, a first-generation Latino American navigates his past, present, and future through a series of parties across Los Angeles, discovering that nothing is ever too late in a city built for dreamers.

A massive thank you to Dances With Films for consistently creating a brave space for artists to share their raw, unfiltered voices with the world. Congratulations to the visionary teams behind Bandit and Angeleno. The future of cinema is safe in your hands! Please go support and follow these wonderful films.

When director Carter Ward set out to make Step Back, Doors Closing, the goal was to write a cinematic love letter to Was...
07/04/2026

When director Carter Ward set out to make Step Back, Doors Closing, the goal was to write a cinematic love letter to Washington, D.C.🏛️✨

The District is packed with such rich architecture and stunning landscapes that it practically became a main character in Ryan and Julisa’s story. We lucked out with some of the best views in the city, and capturing these iconic sights made production an unforgettable experience.

Whether you are watching fireworks on the National Mall or relaxing at home across the country, have a safe and happy ! 🎆🎬👉 Step Back, Doors Closing is streaming now on Prime Video, Apple TV, and YouTube! (Link in bio)
kennedycenter

06/25/2026

Moving forward means embracing the unknown. Hear Reilly Walters () discuss the courage it takes to change and how his character, Ryan, navigates the shift into a new chapter.

Step Back, Doors Closing is now available online. Click the link in bio for more information.

Geri Courtney-Austein () is an award-winning actor, producer, director, voiceover artist, and high-femme chaos muppet wo...
06/18/2026

Geri Courtney-Austein () is an award-winning actor, producer, director, voiceover artist, and high-femme chaos muppet working at the intersection of comedy, horror, and character-driven storytelling. Her credits include NCIS, Better Call Saul, Atypical, Scream Queens, and playing Kristen in the romantic comedy Step Back, Doors Closing.

Geri co-hosts The Horrored Girls, a female-led horror podcast and media brand, stars in the Hollywood Fringe sci-fi comedy Exquisite Co**se, and is currently producing and developing several upcoming genre features!

06/17/2026

Can a single song change how you see your entire life?

Listen to Director & Writer of Step Back, Doors Closing, Carter Ward ’s performance of “The Impossible Dream,” which sets Julia’s journey of self-discovery into motion.

06/10/2026

Some people don’t just change your perspective, they change your whole world. 🌎

Step Back, Doors Closing is NOW AVAILABLE to rent or own on cable, satellite, & digital platforms including Apple TV & Prime Video.

06/08/2026

Honestly, we could all use a best friend like this. 😂

06/07/2026

Much like a film’s score or a perfectly framed shot, capturing the emotional palette of a love story through color is essential.

The use of color in this film highlights how a stranger can completely rewrite the visual tone of your entire world in just one day. 🌌❤️

Technically, this shift in color grading acts as an unspoken narrator for their relationship. By transitioning the visual temperature in their shared moments, the color framing visually compresses a lifetime of intimacy into 24 hours.

🎓 Huge congratulations to the Gonzaga () Class of 2026, who officially walked across the stage this past Sunday! 🦅Throwi...
06/06/2026

🎓 Huge congratulations to the Gonzaga () Class of 2026, who officially walked across the stage this past Sunday! 🦅

Throwing it back two years ago, Director Carter Ward visited Mr. Ciaran Freeman’s WZAG TV communications class to talk about his film career and the heart behind Step Back Doors Closing. Fast forward to this past weekend — some of those same students officially graduated! 🎬✨

Storytelling isn’t just about making movies, it’s about passing the torch. It is vital for our youth to feel the power of their own voices, to stay inspired, and to know that their stories matter.

To the Class of 2026: Keep chasing your vision, keep creating, and never stop telling your stories. The future is yours to write. ✨

Address

Los Angeles, CA

Website

,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Arden Pictures posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category