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Ryan Mekenian

@ryanmekenian

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writer/director/producer drawn to overlooked stories hiding in plain sight

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Coming soon!

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Pale Shelter is coming back to LA and in good company. Screening at PROOF this November — maybe the most compelling festival I’ve submitted this little film to. Really honored to be in the mix, excited to screen, eager to make new buds.

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Excited to bring some cemetery house hunting jokes to Eastern Oregon!

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Laurels laurels laurels. Air bound to @flickers.riiff — HMU if you’re in attendance!

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Last year, my friend Auden Thornton shared her dream of diving into producing beyond her incredible acting career and floated the idea of a project set in a video store. We brainstormed a bit, and around that time, I learned about Blockbuster Video’s conservative roots—how the company I loved as a kid censored films like Henry and June and filmmakers like John Waters, effectively gatekeeping entire swaths of cinema. That sparked something in me, and for the past year, I’ve been writing a script called American Values (a brilliant title suggested by Auden) about Blockbuster employees running an underground rental ring for the “inappropriate” films the company banned to maintain its family-friendly image.

Then, a stroke of luck: I connected with Sandi Harding, who’s been running the Last Blockbuster in Bend, Oregon, for 24 years. She generously offered her store as a filming location. I recently visited Bend and stepped into the last Blockbuster. Walking those aisles, surrounded by movie posters old and new, felt like stepping back in time. It was surreal, nostalgic, and inspiring. I can’t wait to bring American Values to life in this iconic space! 🎥📼 #AmericanValues #Blockbuster #IndieFilm @audiethorn @blockbusterbend @sandi.harding

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Ryan Mekenian produces game shows, indie films and documentaries. Drawn to overlooked stories hiding in plain sight, he believes a producer's role is not only to bring stories to the screen, but to create the environment where artists can do their best work. Recent credits include FAMILY FEUD FAVORITES as story producer and associate producer.

#newmembermonday #producers

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Pale Shelter will be screening in competition at RIIFF on August 6th at 9pm. I will be there to shake your hand upon entry.

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A night for the books 🎬✨

Opening night of the @wacoindie Film Fest was nothing short of fantastic! From the red carpet to the films and everything in between, it was the perfect way to kick off an exciting weekend celebrating independent film in Waco. 🍿❤️

We also caught up with @ryanmekenian and asked him to describe Waco Indie in just three words. 👀🎥

👉 Tap the link in our bio to read the full Waco Indie Film Guide and see what’s happening throughout the festival!

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🌴 From California to Waco. 🎬

Ahead of his first visit to Texas, screenwriter @ryanmekenian shares the stories behind his two festival-nominated screenplays, what excites him about @wacoindie, and what he's looking forward to exploring while he's in town. 🎥✨

👉 Read the full Q&A at the link in our bio.

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New festival hard launch.

Pale Shelter will have its east coast premiere at the Rhode Island international film festival. Oscar, BAFTA, and Canadian Screen Award qualifying. Can’t wait to attend, then take a small vacation at nearby Widow’s Bay.

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Pale Shelter premiere @chinesetheatres was a banger!
Thank you @write_this.down for the opportunity congrats on your success. I couldn’t have asked for a better scene partner @jonathanjordanmedina pure class. Great premiere @danceswithfilms !
#independent #indiefilm #film #cinema #filmnoir

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Baby’s first red (orange?) carpet.
Thanks @danceswithfilms for an A+ premiere. Great block, great q&a, vibes off the charts. 🫡🫡🫡

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