Trumped (2009 film)

Trumped is a 2009 American thriller short film written and directed by Michael Whitton and starring James James, Matt Kawczynski, and David Whitton. The film follows the spree of a three-man costumed gang bent on scaring people for fun.

Premise
The film is focused around a demented scare game that the desensitized players: Greg (James), Anthony (Kawczynski), and Tommy (Whitton) think is harmless and the random victims believe is real; but when an accident blurs the two, the players are forced to face a consequence that trumps all the rest.

Cast
(in order of appearance)
 * James James as Greg (Blue), a thrill-seeker
 * David Whitton as Tommy (Red), Greg's roommate
 * Matt Kawczynski as Anthony (Green), Greg's friend by default
 * Tamara Gschaider as Mia, young attack victim
 * Kathy Corrigan as Ima, old attack victim
 * Larry Whitton as Gentleman, Ima's husband
 * Jaime Whitton as Girl, a potential attack victim
 * Rodney Amieva as Dude, Girl's friend
 * Ray Chavez, Jr. as Mello, a hoodie gangster
 * Rene Arreola as Once, a hoodie gangster
 * David Fernandez as Keso, a hoodie gangster

Production
Trumped was shot in Super 16mm on location in Los Angeles, California.

Accolades

 * Winner BEST DRAMA at the 2010 Ivy Film Festival
 * Winner BEST SHORT at the 2010 FirstGlance Short Online Contest
 * Winner PREMIERE at the FirstGlance Film Fest Philadelphia TwentyTen (Shorts Too)
 * SEMI-FINALIST at the 2011 Action/Cut Short Film Competition
 * Shortlisted at 2010 Visionfest and the 2011 Independents' Film Festival.