HORSEPOWER (2007)

 

Screenwriter, Director, 

Co-Editor, Actor: Joel Moffett

 

Short film (17 minutes)

 

Producer: Greg Hobson 

 

Synopsis: Horsepower is the story of Murray Meadows, middle-aged, closeted man who hides from his life as a straight-laced professional automobile critic by immersing himself in Internet pornography. This works for Murray until Harold, his eccentric gay boss, tries to help. In rejecting Harold’s advances, Murray triggers a bizarre breakdown in his life and in his precious new car. In the end, when all is lost, Murray discovers help from an unlikely source.

Awards:

 

Best LGBT Short Film

–London Independent Film Festival

 

Best Short Film

–Kent Film Festival

 

Best Faculty Short

–George Lindsey UNA Film Festival

 

Best LGBT Short Film

–Cannes Independent Film Festival

 

Best Short Film/Buster Keaton 

Comedy Award

–Muskegon Film Festival

 

Best LGBT Short Film

–Toronto Independent Film Festival

 

Honorable Mention

–Columbus International Film Festival

 

Festival Screenings:

 

Hawaii International Film Festival 

(World premiere)

 

Muskegon Film Festival 

 

Kent Film Festival

 

George Lindsey UNA Film Festival 

 

Washington D.C. Independent

Film Festival

 

London Independent Film Festival 

 

Kansas City Filmmakers Jubilee 

 

Crossroads Film Festival

 

Open APPerture Short Film Festival

 

Cannes Independent Film Festival 

 

Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner (film market)

 

Jacksonville Film Festival

 

Big Island Film Festival

 

ReelHeART International Film Festival

 

Parabox Montclair International

Film Festival

 

Nickel Independent Film Festival

 

Real to Reel International Film Festival

 

UFVA Conference

 

Toronto Independent Film Festival

 

Moondance International Film Festival

 

Rivers’ Edge International Film Festival 

 

Dragon*Con Independent Film Festival 

 

Port Townsend Film Festival

 

New Orleans Film Festival

 

Columbus International

Film + Video Festival

 

Reviews

 

“Horsepower is a delightful short…. Joel Moffett as Murray is a comic gem, especially as his anxiety mounts to a fever pitch, ending in a hilarious breakdown (reminiscent of Jack Lemmon’s performance in 1970’s The Out of Towners).” 

 

– The Washington Blade

 

––

 

“Horsepower masterfully creates an
Oz-like world that is imaginative and gorgeously made, if extremely perverse” 

 

–The Jackson Press