Independent Film Producer - Hollywood, Ca: Crest

December 22, 2025 starting at 5:30 PM, something remarkable is happening in Fresno at the Historic Crest Theatre— and it’s completely free to the public.

6735 N.Millburn Ave. Ste 100

Fresno, CA 93722

(559) 836-9213

On the surface, Military Movies on Mondays is a powerful evening of international short films and documentaries centered on military themes, culminating in a 52-minute screening block from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM. But step back for a moment, and you’ll see this event is quietly doing work that larger institutions often talk about, but rarely deliver on.

FREE tickets on FilmFreeway

https://filmfreeway.com/FinLitFilmFest/tickets

This isn’t just a film screening. It’s a group of real humans supporting each other, next level innovation, veteran advocacy, and global collaboration — all organized by a small team in Fresno, led by founder, George Ohan.

Here’s what’s really happening:

1. Real Support for Small Businesses
While many talk about helping local entrepreneurs, this event walks the walk. Small businesses are invited to set up and promote their services **with zero booth fees**. No sponsorship tiers, no hidden costs — just an open door to connect directly with the community. This is the kind of hands-on economic boost the Small Business Administration talks about providing, but here it’s being executed by local organizers who actually show up. Blue Collar Youth in Trades for young people learning more about the future workforce has been made possible by Fresno Ag.

2. Technology Built for Veterans
In one corner of the venue, a **vibe coding hackathon** is underway. Participants — including some of our contestants — are actively building apps designed to improve services at VA hospitals and for veterans using the Replit vibe-coding platform. This isn’t theoretical innovation; it’s forward-thinking problem-solving happening in real time, in Fresno, aimed at making life better for veterans. Few events in the area bring this level of tech-meets-purpose energy. Take a look at what one veteran built with Replit: https://www.veterantimeline.com/ A new tool to help veterans transition from active duty to civilian life.

3. Amplifying Veteran Resources — Live
Two military veterans will be live-streaming throughout the event, reading directly from VA hospital pamphlets and breaking down programs that many veterans don’t even know exist. This isn’t polished PR — it’s raw, honest conversation meant to cut through bureaucracy and get critical information into the ears of those who need it most.

Sponsored by American Legion Vanguard Post 1337

Join now

https://alpost1337.org/

4. Gaming, Creativity, and Access
Thanks to American Legion Gaming, there’s a full gaming zone with on-site console competitions — a fun, low-pressure space for connection. And in a rare opportunity, KP Phagnasay, an actor from the Netflix series Dahmer is offering a free acting workshop and entertainment business class. These elements make the event welcoming and multi-dimensional, especially for younger veterans, aspiring creatives, and families.

https://americanlegion.gg/american-legion-gaming/

5. Six films, from five countries
From 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM

- For My Brothers (USA) – A moving portrait of Medal of Honor recipient Sammy L. Davis

Genre: Documentary

Runtime: 13 minutes 38 seconds

The Tetreault Brothers present A Day in the Life with Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Sammy Lee Davis, who shares how he earned the nation’s highest military honor, what it means to him, and how he continues to carry its legacy today.

Writer: Todd Tetreault

Director: Nathan Tetreault

Learn more now:

https://youtu.be/LIl51M70CLU?si=BpaNGhCiDwx2jFOs

- Strings (India) – An animated exploration of authority and endurance

Genre: Animation / Experimental

Runtime: 1 minute 53 seconds

Strings follows the story of an ordinary worker navigating the daily life of an office job. Through metaphor and movement, the film explores endurance, fatigue, and fear under the pressure of authority.

- Legacy (Ukraine) – A haunting experimental journey into the psychology of power

Genre: Experimental Short Film

Runtime: 5 minutes 53 seconds

A powerful dictator contemplates launching a nuclear strike, haunted by memories of his daughter’s innocence and joy. Torn between duty and conscience, he descends into a nightmarish psychological journey through war, cruelty, and mass suffering.

Director’s Statement:

This film was not made to be watched, but experienced. The audience is placed inside the dictator’s body and psychology—feeling hesitation, fragility, and the potential for cruelty. Dictatorship is presented not as a political condition, but as a human possibility.

- World War II U.S. Army Airborne Tribute (USA)
– A heartfelt documentary salute to the Greatest Generation

Genre: Documentary Short

Runtime: 4 minutes 22 seconds

This tribute was filmed over several years (2016–2019) at Southern California air shows including Wings Over Camarillo, Riverside Air Show, and Planes of Fame.

Director: Tommy Anderson

Director’s Statement:

Please enjoy this short tribute to our Greatest Generation.

- My Little Sentry (Brazil) – A tender story of a mother waiting for her son to return from war

Genre: Short Film

Runtime: 14 minutes 46 seconds

On a remote farm, Dalva waits for the return of her only son, Antônio, sent off to war. When news of the war’s end arrives, memories flood back as past and present blur into a quiet meditation on hope, loss, and motherhood.

- Fathers & Sons (USA) – A raw conversation between Vietnam vets about sending sons to fight

Genre: Short Film

Runtime: 11 minutes 19 seconds

In the early days of the Global War on Terror, two Vietnam veterans discuss the difficulty of sending a son off to war.

Director: Ryan Curtis

Writer: Vernon Mortensen

Producers: Michael Broderick, Ryan Curtis

Cast:

Michael Broderick as Tom
Tim Abell as Del
Tyne Stecklein as Rhonda

Director Bio – Ryan Curtis:

Ryan Curtis grew up outside Boston, attended Fitchburg State University, and served eight years in the U.S. Army with two deployments. He now directs and produces veteran-oriented content for clients including NIKE, Under Armour, Audi, ABC, and Oprah.

Learn More about this film:

https://youtu.be/C22rfT0rkt0?si=piSGrGbcZ1OdI0NH

“You don’t lose, ’

We’ll also recognize international script submissions from writers in the USA, Australia, and Iran — quiet proof that storytelling can connect people across borders faster and more authentically than formal diplomacy often can.

Script Writing Competition Submissions

At Dawns Early Light — Tommy Anderson & Sherry Severs (USA) — 15 pages
Guilt Tripping — Tim Kohn (Australia) — 4 pages
Mr. McMahon Versus The Counsellor — Tim Kohn (Australia) — 5 pages
Bob Dough – Self Proclaimed Sexy Monster — Tim Kohn (Australia) — 9 pages
Two Drums of Thought — Meysam Oghbaei (Islamic Republic of Iran) — 4 pages
The Little Ferret Finds A Mom — Miss NunChucks (USA)

This Is Our Community in Action
None of this is funded by big grants or corporate sponsors. It’s being pulled together by George Ohan and a small, dedicated team who believe Fresno deserves events that lift people up — veterans, small business owners, creators, families, and dreamers alike.

We choose to connect, without barriers. We don't wait, we create. . . . We offer tangible help, not some abstract "support".

If you’re in Fresno, come through. Bring a friend. Support a small business. Watch the hackathon. Join the gaming. Learn from the workshops. Stay for the films.

Because what’s happening here isn’t just an event — it’s a model for what all communities can do when they decide to show up for each other.

Military Movies on Mondays
December 22 | Starts 5:30 PM | Film Screening 7:30–8:30 PM
Free and open to the public

See you there.

*A version of this event was originally inspired by Marcus T. Bovee ll (Marcus Beaufils), founder of VetFlicks. He had an idea called Military Mondays. I hope that a cinema chain works with him to make it a reality!

FREE tickets on FilmFreeway

https://filmfreeway.com/FinLitFilmFest/tickets

Very Respectfully,

George Ohan

U.S. Army veteran

Husband

Father

#georgiejobs the App

Coming Soon

@georgeohan on Instagram

http://www.burntchiliproductions.com/tickets-events

If you are a HORROR movie fan that lives in the Central Valley of California, then I suggest that you go and watch GRIM WEAVER on October 22, 2016!

GRIM WEAVER - RED CARPET FILM PREMIERE A One Night Only Special Event!A Ernest Serrano Film...

Their marriages were perfect....

or so it seemed....

They had beautiful wives, talented children, powerful careers, wealth in abundance.

But, lurking beneath the glossy exteriors of their narcissistic lives was a secret so dark, so dangerous, so deadly in its intent that it sent a spiritual emissary to lay claim to their lives!!

Will they survive this killer ....

from beyond the grave!

Even the hair on her beautiful head may have the power ...to kill your body and steal...

YOUR SOUL!!!

(This Film Has Not Been Rated)

PLEASE BE ADVISED - MUST BE 16+ TO ATTEND THIS FILM PREMIERE

Independent film production is on the rise and there is evidence of it at the theatres all over the world! Please come and support local, Fresno filmmakers Ernest & Michelle Serrano as they prepare to release GRIM WEAVER at the Crest Theatre.

You can purchase tickets online at:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/grim-weaver-red-carpet-film-premiere-one-night-only-special-event-fresno-tickets-27016001588?aff=eac2

Event Description

______________________________________________

JOIN THE DIRECTOR, WRITERS, PRODUCERS, CAST AND CREW FOR THIS SPECIAL RED CARPET MOVIE PREMIERE!

RED CARPET/DOORS 6:00PM - FILM BEGINS AT 7:30PM

*THE DIRECTOR, CAST AND CREW WILL BE HAVING A Q & A FOLLOWING THE FILM

WHEN: Saturday, October 22nd 2016
RED CARPET/DOORS: 6:00PM
FILM BEGINS: 7:00PM

LOCATION: The CREST THEATRE - 1170 BROADWAY PLAZA, FRESNO , CA. (Downtown Fresno)

TICKETS: Only $10 for this Red Carpet Film Premiere! (Portion of Ticket Sales goes to the Crest Theatre Restoration Project)

Contact: 559.268.0044 - EMAIL: Info@TheCrestTheatre.com

(the historic Crest Theatre is Equipped with a HUGE 43 ft. Wide Screen, DOLBY Surround Sound, Stadium and Floor Seating)

- SNACK BAR AVAILABLE (Hot Dogs, Popcorn, Beverages, Candy, Chips, Etc)

PARKING: Located Directly Across the Street from the Crest Theatre on Broadway street.

Additional BLOG:

The tagline for Grim Weaver asks the question “how do you bury a lie…. when you know it’s the truth?” Intriguing question. Intriguing movie.

Grim Weaver is an Ernest Serrano film from Burnt Chili Productions and Falkonquest Productions that stars a top notch cast of actors including Sid Burston, Malika Perkins Blessing, Eric Akeem Bellows and iconic screen actress, Donna Lee Heising. Grim Weaver is directed by Ernest Serrano and Executive Produced by Sid and Betty Burston.

In Grim Weaver, the characters are living their dreams, they have lavish lives, powerful careers and wealth in abundance. Everything seems so perfect on the surface. However, what lies beneath that glossy exterior of perfection is a secret so dark, so terrifyingly dangerous that it has brought forth a beautiful entity to seek them out. One so powerful that even the hair on her head could kill their bodies and steal their souls.

The trailer for Grim Weaver, which is currently in post-production and scheduled to be released in October, is short, but it is filled with powerful and visceral visuals that let you know this is a horror movie and it will scare you. Set to an intense music score written by Cal Reichenbach, the images from the Grim Weaver trailer are a stylish mix color fading in and out to black and white, which sets the dramatic tone of the movie. In a few, very short frames, of film, the trailer manages to convey the tone of the characters and the deadly situations they are in. It makes the viewer want to see more; it made me want to see more of the movie. Check it out for yourself:

YouTube film trailer link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhETI-GtMSk

BLOG CREDIT: http://www.mercwithamovieblog.com/2016/08/trailer-review-grim-weaver.html?m=1