What happens when even the ghosts get priced-out of their haunts?

“Beverly Hills Exorcist” is a short film currently making the festival rounds that was written by local filmmaker Rem Scobell. It stars Amanda McCants and Gregg Martin, as well as Eileen Dietz, of The Exorcist fame.

Scobell, 38, describes the film as a “feel-good horror comedy” that tells the story of “the astronomical price of real estate, and how even ghosts, spirits, and demons can’t afford to live here.”

At around 12 minutes, it features over 150 visual effects; a ratio greater than Marvel Studios’ 2019 Avengers: Endgame, Scobell says.

“My goal with it was to create something that could compel audiences from beginning to end,” said Scobell. “So, when you’re watching it, you are liberated from your own consciousness. You’re not thinking about your life anymore, you’re like ‘Oh, well what’s going to happen next?’ Getting that excited curiosity all the way to the end, to me, that’s an outstanding film.

“If you can liberate, if you can lose yourself for 10 minutes without drugs, that’s an outstanding thing.”

Beverly Hills Exorcist has already earned some recognition, including:

- an official selection at the Burbank International Film Festival 2024

- winner of Best Lead Actress in a Short Film (Amanda McCants) at Barebones Film Fest 2024

-  a European premiere at Grossmann Fantastic Film and Wine Festival 2024,

- selected to open the international shorts program (top 1% of 350 submissions)

- one of only four American films chosen for the 14-short international category at Grossmann

- finalist at USA Film Festival 2024

- and being rated 9/10 by filmthreat.com (Michael Talbot-Haynes)

Scobell, who grew up in Downey, always had a fascination with film making.

“My two favorite things: going to the movies with my family and going to Disneyland,” said Scobell. “I would try merge the two; I would take a little camera to Disneyland and film the rides. Now, of course, that’s a cool thing to do. You go on YouTube and people have the HD rides, but I was doing that before it was cool.”

Despite pursuing his passion, he admits that he got “sucked into advertising” before eventually realizing it would be up to him to make his dream a reality.

“I decided, ‘Look, the calvary’s not coming.’ If I’m going to make a film, I’m just going to have to do it,” said Scobell. “So, my short film is my first serious push and foray into filmmaking. It represents what I stand for, my audience-first mentality of making things that bring people together and give people a great time, just like I had a great time at those big Disneyland rides, and I loved those big special effects movies like Jumanji and The Mask. I love movie magic, and that’s what brought me here.”

“Beverly Hills Exorcist” will have a screening at the AMC Theater in Burbank on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 9:30 pm.