A woman, desperate for freedom, lures her vengeful ex into a final, violent showdown with the ruthless kingpin who destroyed their lives. But she’s not the only one playing a dangerous game, and no one is guaranteed to make it out alive.
ABOUT THE FILM
Up In Flames | Narrative Short Film | 21 minutes
Up In Flames – Synopsis
Candy has spent years under the thumb of Dre, a kingpin who rules through fear and obsession. When her ex, Jaxon, is released from prison, she sees an opportunity to break free—but she knows he won’t walk away from the past. Fueled by vengeance over his brother’s death, Jaxon is hellbent on settling the score with Dre.
Candy plays a dangerous game, using Jaxon’s thirst for revenge to set a deadly trap. But she isn’t the only one looking for a way out. Kelly, a survivor of Dre’s brutality, is caught in the crossfire—silently navigating her own escape, with her own secrets to keep.
As old flames reignite and loyalties blur, the lines between love, manipulation, and survival begin to vanish. When the final showdown erupts in gunfire, one question remains—who, if anyone, will make it out alive?
Christopher Botvidson
Director, Writer, Executive Producer
Director’s Statement
Filmmaking is a deeply collaborative art, and Up In Flames is a testament to that process. My goal was to craft a neo-noir thriller that blends revenge, love, and betrayal with unexpected twists. I wanted to immerse audiences in a world where power shifts unpredictably, and no character is ever fully in control of their fate.
When writing the screenplay, I deliberately left character ethnicities open, allowing me to cast based purely on performance. This resulted in a diverse ensemble that brings fresh perspectives to the genre, proving that representation happens most naturally when driven by talent and authenticity.
Visually, I was inspired by the stark contrasts of classic noir—shadow and neon, intimacy and danger, love and betrayal. Every cinematic choice was made to reinforce the psychological tension of the story, creating a film that feels both timeless and urgent.
At its core, Up In Flames is a character-driven thriller about survival, manipulation, and the cost of freedom. It is a film that is raw, unpredictable, and deeply human—brought to life by an incredible cast and crew whose passion and dedication made this vision possible.
CAST & CREW
Christopher Botvidson
Director, Writer, Executive Producer, Editor
Christopher Botvidson is a writer, director, and producer with a passion for bold, character-driven storytelling. As the founder of Fuel & Spark Media, a thriving video production company in Fort Worth, TX, he has spent years crafting compelling commercial and branded content. His transition into narrative filmmaking was a natural evolution, blending his keen visual sensibilities with his love for storytelling.
Chris began writing feature-length and short screenplays while honing his skills as a commercial filmmaker. Up In Flames marks his debut as a writer-director in the narrative space—a neo-noir thriller that showcases his ability to build tension, craft dynamic characters, and deliver visually striking cinema. With a strong foundation in directing talent and leading creative teams, Chris is committed to pushing his storytelling to new heights in independent film and beyond.
CAST
Joshua Osman
Jaxon
Glory Rodriguez
Candy
Jaydah Blaze
Kelly
Benjamin David Dennis
Dre
Diron Jones
Reggie
CREW
Lee Schneider
Director of Photography
Tyler Crelia
Assistant Director
Shaun jackson
First Assistant Camera
Ashton Norris
Second Assistant Camera
Austin Crum
Audio Field Mixer
Monchele Thompson
Hair & Makeup Artist
Coral Farris
Special Effects Makeup Artist
Princess Ogunbanwo
Hair & Makeup Artist
Zalika Thomas
Producer
Fabienne Roc
Producer
OTHER CONTRIBUTERS
Scott Cornelius
BTS Photographer
Adam Locy
VFX Editor
Carter Stewart
Sound Design
Nicole Miller
VFX Editor
Kenn Scott
Combat Training
Dr. Justin Pierce
Original Music
Lou Charle$
Original Music
Arenda Light
Original Music