“Red Blooded,” a provocative, award-winning short film about school board intrigue, bullying and self-reflection — ripped right from the climate of recent political and social conflicts — will screen during San Diego Film Week on Nov. 9 after winning three trophies at the 2024 San Diego Film Awards.
The film won Best Original Screenplay (Roman S. Koenig), Best Supporting Actress (Laura Bohlin) and Best Ensemble Cast out of five nominations at the San Diego Film Awards, presented by Film Consortium San Diego, which also presents San Diego Film Week in November. Nominations were for Best Narrative Short Film and Best Lead Actress (Denice Riddle).
In addition, “Red Blooded” was the Summer 2024 Best of Fest Short Film from the San Diego Movie Awards, which also gave the film Awards of Excellence to Roman S. Koenig for Best Director, Denice Riddle for Best Actress, Best Ensemble Cast and Best Drama Short.
Written, directed and executive produced by Encinitas-based filmmaker Roman S. Koenig, “Red Blooded” tells the story of school board president Lois Green (played by Denice Riddle), a woman who has little tolerance for immigrants, students of color and others but gets the tables turned on her when she learns that her son is a member of the kinds of groups that she and her husband target. Her son’s pain leads Lois to her own lesson in acceptance.
“A timely and evocative tale, this film reminds us of the profound impact of self-reflection and the importance of unity in divisive times,” German festival FilmHaus writes in its review of the film.
Lois’ worldview is challenged when a senior student journalist named Simon (played by Michael Li) — whose parents are undocumented immigrants, with the support of his teacher, Kate Baumann (played by Laura Bohlin) — publishes stories in the campus newspaper about Lois’ tactics on the board and those of a shadowy “civil protection” group called Fourth Freedom, of which her husband, Don (played by Sean Dillingham), is a leading member. In pushing back against Simon, Lois inadvertently reveals the truth about her son, Benjamin (played by Cayden Dillingham).
“‘Red Blooded’ was a risky film to make in some respects,” Koenig says. “It tackles my concerns about today’s political and educational climate in a way that’s as in-your-face as some of the players on our local and national stages. And that was the point. To provoke thought. To reflect on how we treat each other and ourselves.”
Koenig used his backgrounds in journalism and education as a springboard for telling this story.
“With the San Diego Film Week screening taking place after the Nov. 5 election, it should be interesting to see audience reactions no matter what their political leanings are,” Koenig added. “Above all, this film is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on our recent challenges.”
In addition to his San Diego media work, Koenig is an adjunct professor in Palomar College’s media programs. During his time as a Palomar student, Koenig served as editor-in-chief of The Telescope student newspaper and studied journalism, theater and film/television production. He went on to receive his master’s degree from San Diego State University in Television, Film and New Media Production. He now teaches in SDSU’s Journalism and Media Studies program.
“Koenig’s direction is a testament to his journalistic roots, presenting the narrative with a stark realism that is both compelling and thought-provoking,” Adrian Perez, organizer of the London-based Lonely Wolf Film Festival, writes in his review of the film.
Since its completion in 2023, “Red Blooded” has earned 50 awards and 10 nominations from national and international competitions and festivals, including an Honorable Mention Humanitarian Award from the Accolade Global Film Competition.
The film utilizes San Diego locations such as Palomar College in San Marcos, San Diego City College and Ascend Coffee Roasters (formerly Old California Coffeehouse in San Marcos).
The film’s trailer can be viewed at vimeo.com/861067383. The “Red Blooded” website, mercurycinema.com/red-blooded, will provide updates on a future release as the film wraps up its film festival run.
“Red Blooded” is a Mercury Cinema film produced by Koenig, Jennie Olson Six and Rhianna Basore. The film’s director of photography is Palomar College film alumnus Garrett Glassell, with music composed and supervised by Rob Gironda. Glassell’s first feature film, “Kade,” is available to view through Amazon Prime.
San Diego Film Week runs Nov. 9-17 at the Digital Gym Cinema in downtown San Diego. “Red Blooded” will be presented as part of the Drama Shorts Screening Block on Nov. 9. at 6 p.m. Tickets are $16 and can be reserved through the Film Consortium’s event page.