The new psychological thriller film Mantis, from Native Texan Producer and Director Justice Hardy and Executive Producer Lindsey Barnes of 941 Productions and starring Ali Stolar and Matthew Pettigrew, Dallas Veteran Actor and Producer Danielle Wheeler and 2020 International Horror Film Awards Best Actor Daniel Van Thomas will screen at the 20th Annual DIFF | Dallas International Film Festival, the Southwest’s largest global Oscar® Qualifying Festival. Writer/producer/director Justice Hardy, executive producer Lindsey Barnes and Dallas actress Danielle Wheeler, who plays Marilyn in the film, as well as additional cast members will attend the screening. The film is scheduled for its world premiere Saturday, April 25 at 7:00 PM at the Texas Theater 2 and additional showing Wednesday, April 29 at 9:30 PM at Cinéopolis 7.
Written and directed by Hardy, who has created a new model for high-speed producing, in conjunction and the music of Lillianna Fischer, the thriller marks the feature film acting debut of Ali Stolar as well as the first full-length feature for actor and indie filmmaker Matthew Pettigrew (It Calls to Me, Degradation) and award-winning actor Daniel Van Thomas. In Mantis, a workaholic Rana (Ali Stolar) in denial of her husband’s sudden passing is forced to use a controversial technology at her latest job that stimulates the waning electrical activity in the human brain after death.
Writer/director Hardy said, “MANTIS explores the tension between control and identity in a way that feels both intimate and unsettling. We wanted to create something that stays with you—something that challenges what you think you’re watching even after it ends. On behalf of the filmmaking team, I want to thank the programmers at DIFF for including Mantis in this year’s 20th Anniversary edition. We are proud to be a part of the Film in Texas movement and DIFF could not be a better place for our world premiere.”
Executive producer Lindsey Barnes of 941 Productions (Fault Lines-Winner 48 Hour Film Festival Dallas and screened at Cannes Film Festival, It Calls to Me-Short) added, “I’m really looking forward to being with the fans for this screening. There is no audience more enthusiastic or supportive than fans of the horror genre in all its facets. Horror, especially, is where filmmakers get to be bold. For me, I’m most drawn to psychological horror, horror grounded in character, and genre-blending work—whether that leans into thriller, mystery, or even dark comedy. I am delighted to be making great stories with great people from Texas in Texas. We were delighted to film in Fort Worth and have such overwhelming support from Film Fort Worth and the Dallas Film Commission. Many thanks to DIFF.”