BOS
A man believes he is the last person in a post-apocalyptic world, until he stumbles upon a voiceless woman. Soon he learns that she is being chased by a group of bandits, who wants to capture her for her magical abilities. The film is originally in Afrikaans and English, but there is a dubbed English version as well.
Breakup Season
When a young man brings his girlfriend to his rural Oregon hometown to meet his family for Christmas, things do not go as planned.
Hailey's Game
When Carter McDowell lost her best friend in a car accident their senior year of high school, she never expected that five years later she'd still be haunted by visions of Hailey. Desperate to get closure, Carter recruits a zany bookstore clerk named Billy, and Hailey's old boyfriend, Tanner to conduct a seance that will allow her to say goodbye. But when unexpected complications arise, Carter and Tanner will have to face the demons they've been running from since high school.
MONSTERS WITHIN
Life brings Luke Wolf, a war veteran, back to his hometown where his sister is, who has Down Syndrome. Things are different, or maybe it's just that now he's different. Luke meets Lily, who is running from her own problems. Together, they must face their monsters.
Thank You,
Amelia Earhart
Health issues are finally forcing the elderly Myrtle out of her house. She's foul-mouthed and bigoted to everyone, including Season, her latest fresh-out-of-school caregiver. The truths the two women learn from each other leave both forever changed.
"Thank You, Amelia Earhart" is an unflinching look at a woman whose heart takes her on a dark and conflicted journey which ultimately teaches her that love never dies."
- WorldFest Houston international jury, April, 2023
"Between the dynamic filmmaking team of Al and Brandi Mertens, the deeply personal nature of the material, along with Al’s genuine artistic vision and willingness to take risks, ‘Thank You, Amelia Earhart’ succeeds in doing what few films do: it leaves a lasting impression.”
- Hollywood Weekly Magazine cover story, June, 2023 https://issuu.com/hollywood/docs/al_mertens_print