Instagram story viewer> @joelsearls> Tagged

joelsearls

@joelsearls

1.5K

followers

1511

following

Actor/Writer/Creative
LtCol USMCR/OEF Veteran
Commisioned screenwriter and journalist
WATM, Leatherneck, Military.com
https://linktr.ee/JoelSearls

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Drumroll please! Roundabout is…

…a FINALIST at the National Entertainment Awards Academy for Military & Veterans (NEAAMV) 2026 MV Shorts Film Festival - November 7 in Los Angeles, CA! @mvaawards

…a NOMINEE at the @desertwavesfilmmusicfestival in Las Vegas, NV!

…an official selection at the VSP Channel/AVAFest Veteran Military Film Festival - November 6 in Austin, TX! @avafest

… an HONORABLE MENTION recipient from Awareness Festival @awarenessfest in Santa Monica, CA!
Now that the in-person event has concluded, the online portion is LIVE! Here:
https://app.entertainmentoxygen.com/festivals/awarenessfestival

We are highly honored that the Military, Veteran, and mental health awareness communities have received our film so well - especially across multiple entertainment hubs like LA, Austin, and Las Vegas.

We invite our friends and family in these locations to take advantage of the opportunity to see some wonderful films on the big screen and support the festivals that support indie film!

#ptsdawareness #VeteranFilmmakers #SupportVeterans #indiefilmhustle

production house @relentlessfilmworks our director/mentor/coach/great friend @montagzdayjob MUA @madisonrosekmua

31

9

DESERT WAVES - FESTIVAL PROGRAM - 2026

** Swipe to see Day 2**

It's here, spread the word! Tell your friends, your family, the gossipy neighbor, your barber, the random little kid down the street who always has a runny nose. Tell everybody!

We have an amazing program filled with films, events, and live performances each day. There are activations throughout the venue and food trucks outside. Be ready to have fun seeing what projects were made locally and outside of Las Vegas.

This year we have a special collaboration with @desertcactusfilms and we will be showcasing the music videos made during the Music Video Lab on Day 2 (18 Oct). The competition had randomly paired artists with directors to make 10 teams, each making one music video in 30 days!

::FESTIVAL DETAILS::
Dates: October 17th & 18th
Location: StarBase @starbaselv
Music lineup curated by NTDLV @nothingtodolv

::TICKETS::
Link in bio + Desert Waves website + StarBase website

275

33

Roundabout is going to Vegas!

Hot off the heels of our honorable mention award in Santa Monica, we got the fabulous news that we are an official selection at the @desertwavesfilmmusicfestival !

We’re thrilled to show our short in this vibrant and storied city! Huge thanks to @thegranfinali and the entire festival team!

If you’re in/near Las Vegas Oct 17-18, consider checking out some shows at this cool festival! Especially Roundabout - our short about a Veteran and civilian connecting over PTSD.

#desertwavesfilmandmusicfestival #asianactress #veteranactor #filmfestivalseason

75

40

Santa Monica ❤️s Roundabout!

Roundabout was recently honored with a Merit of Awareness award by @awarenessfest in Santa Monica, CA!

A blind date goes sideways when both parties’ PTSD diagnoses collide.

@joelsearls and @rachelklewickifilm co-created this short from the idea that, sometimes, the very things that feel isolating and shameful can be the very things that bring us together.

Joel is a LtCol USMCR/OEF Veteran, while Rachel was diagnosed with PTSD after experiencing a robbery. We hope this film can help promote awareness and empathy for both military and civilian individuals living with these issues.

Thank you again @awarenessfest as well as our production house @relentlessfilmworks our mentor/coach/great friend @montagzdayjob and the lovely MUA @madisonrosekmua

#ptsdawareness #indieshort #veteranactor #asianactress #losangelesactors

41

11

In collaboration with ReelShorts

Baby Trapped by the Billionaire

Desperate to save her younger sister, Katie (@megbush_) accepts billionaire Evan Brandt’s deal to become his surrogate and fake girlfriend. But what begins as a contract quickly becomes far more complicated when real feelings enter the arrangement.

✨ My Thoughts
This taps into classic tropes like billionaire romance, contract relationships, and hidden feelings, but Katie’s motivation gives the story its emotional heart. Everything she does comes from her determination to save her sister.

Meg gives Katie both strength and warmth. Her loyalty to her family makes her easy to root for, while her growing confidence keeps her from simply becoming someone swept up in Evan’s world.

Evan initially appears to be the typical cold, untouchable billionaire, but those walls gradually begin to crack. His growing protectiveness toward Katie reveals a softer side and becomes one of the most compelling parts of his journey.

Their chemistry builds through tension, guarded emotions, and those moments when neither wants to admit what they’re actually feeling. Watching Evan lose some of that icy control while Katie becomes increasingly sure of herself gives the romance a satisfying slow burn.

It’s familiar territory, but sometimes familiar tropes work for a reason. Romance, emotional stakes, and character growth come together in a story that makes it very easy to keep tapping for the next episode.

⭐ Rating: 🗝️🗝️🗝️🗝️/5
📅 Release date: January 9, 2025
🎭 Also featuring: @Richard_Neil_actor • @RachelWoznow • @SarahMolinski • @Richard.Rivera50 • @IsabellaJaimie • @AshlinTeague • @JoelSearls • @MonicaLopez_ & more
📲 Watch the full story on @reelshortapp
Use code 773837
Link: https://reelslink.com/cps/Oh4fj4⁠

#BabyTrappedByTheBillionaire #VerticalSeries #VertiViewsReview #VertiViews #VerticalDrama

21

2

Roundabout is going to Roswell, New Mexico!

Co-written by myself and @joelsearls Roundabout is the story of a blind date that goes sideways when two people clash over mutual PTSD diagnoses. This film also draws from real experiences and is close to our hearts.

Huge thanks to producer, mentor, and friend @montagzdayjob for all the support, coaching, and on-set wrangling. Thanks also to our studio @relentlessfilmworks and @rodrigoreyk for the awesome cameo.

Stay tuned for news on the screening date and time!

#indiefilmhustle #mentalhealthawareness #ptsdisreal #womenscreenwriters #roswellshorts

75

32

What an amazing weekend on set in LA! So grateful to @joelsearls and @montagzdayjob for the opportunity, and to this talented cast and crew for making it such a great experience. There are quite a few awesome people not pictured here that deserve a shout-out too—you all made this project special. I can’t wait to see the finished film and hopefully share another set with you all again soon! ❤️

@rachelklewickifilm @grantnmiller @prattfaller @jaspergrey @samuelameen and many more!!

20

8

Teaser BTS from this weekend’s film in Cali!

I’ll wait for the official production post to share more photos, but I just wanted to express my gratitude to writers @joelsearls @montagzdayjob director @samuelameen and the crew for shooting me out in just one day so I could make another booking. You guys were amazing and I can’t wait to see it cut together!

I’m also so grateful to have met and acted with @kami.v.miles @grantnmiller @thegranfinali and more whom I still need to find on IG!

Follow for updates on this hella cool production!

#episodic #crimeshow #asianactress

65

22

“If You’re Struggling Right Now, You Need to Hear This”

In Episode 78 of Standing Strong with Waylon & Ashley, Joel Searls shares powerful advice on building mental strength, handling stress, and why having a support system matters more than ever. No matter what you’re facing—this message is simple but powerful: don’t quit.

🎥 Watch the full episode now and stay strong. Link in the comments.

@joelsearls @ashleyj.perryandquinn95

14

3

What you put into the world… always finds its way back. In this powerful teaser for Episode 78, our guest Joel Searls shares a raw and thought-provoking message about bullying, accountability, and karma. Too often, those who hurt others think they’ve gotten away with it—but life has a way of balancing the scales.

Joel dives into the idea that actions don’t just disappear. Whether it’s kindness or cruelty, everything circles back. The real danger? Some people don’t even realize what’s at stake when they mistreat others. This episode is a reminder that how you treat people matters more than you think—and that justice doesn’t always come instantly, but it does come.

🎙️ Episode 78 airs tomorrow — May 1st, 2026 at 2 PM EST on our YouTube channel. Don’t miss this deep and meaningful conversation. @joelsearls

#Podcast #Karma #BullyingAwareness #Accountability #LifeLessons StandingStrong

19

4

If anybody were to check Maria Yermolenko’s ( aka @firefox.music ) recent Amazon purchases - they would immediately call the FBI on her : masks , prop guns , gloves , fake money . She is in fact not planning the heist of the century but producing a beautiful film I’m so glad I get to be a part of .

Indie filmmaking at its best . 😍🙌🏻 the whole team was a delight

3

18

Veterans have lived stories worth telling — and now they’re creating them. Proud to lead a movement that is non-partisan, pro-veteran, and committed to changing the narrative. 🇺🇸🎥

#MVAwards #VeteransInMedia #NEAAMV #ChangingTheNarrative #EntertainmentWithPurpose

49

7