http://www.litmstudios.com/new-cover-page daily 1.0 2026-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498732481421-20TSAJD6W5FN4GTNZOFI/NEW+LITM+BG_shutterstock_204652408.jpg New Cover Page http://www.litmstudios.com/services daily 0.75 2016-09-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1474547853676-WJ0CFERIW8M6AISKWL5D/image-asset.png Services https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1474548491787-2GI4YZ8P474VWGZ4NSUC/image-asset.png Services https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1474547659431-O8S6SJU2OR3CKXDMCFEX/image-asset.png Services http://www.litmstudios.com/contact daily 0.75 2017-06-30 http://www.litmstudios.com/about daily 0.75 2026-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1497938664683-UAE63DMVM23WDKMQQCLY/image-asset.png About - Lotus In The Mud Studios is A narrative FILM and content strategy studio based in Seattle. The studio was established in 2012 with a two-tiered mission. First, we write, film, and produce stories that explore the deeper truth of humanity. Second, we develop creative written and video content that communicates the essence of a company’s brand to tell its story and engage the audience. The studio was founded by Monish Gangwani, a former marketing leader at Microsoft’s global headquarters in Redmond and it’s India subsidiary. He holds a Masters degree in Management and has trained in screenwriting under Academy Award nominee – late Stewart Stern and in Film Directing and Acting under the legendary Tom Skerritt, and Freehold Theater’s Artistic Director Robin Smith. IMDB | LinkedIn http://www.litmstudios.com/films daily 0.75 2026-10-17 http://www.litmstudios.com/press-coverage-the-roar daily 0.75 2017-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1497687465556-6162IV9PW5A3HW6UIJ8Q/Main+image+for+appice.jpg Press Coverage - The Roar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498189018797-JSL5JHPC3GKSVF9Z46L4/image-asset.png Press Coverage - The Roar "Inventive Filmmaking... A touching piece of art." - Mike Haberfelner, (re)Searchmytrash.com read review "The concept is simple, magnificent and magical — as are the characters, cinematography, music, and silence, just where it should be." — Amy R. Sandler, FilmThreat.com "This film is probably one of the most technically sound and well thought out film I have seen submitted to the festival. The images are poignant & work well with the dialogue." — NYC INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL "THE ROAR is an impressive accomplishment for someone who has never studied nor made a film before. The short boasts bold visuals and the assured voice of a promising artist. THE ROAR’s message is universal, it’s call to action, hard to resist." — Warren Etheredge, The Warren Report http://www.litmstudios.com/synopsis-the-roar daily 0.75 2017-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1497687465556-6162IV9PW5A3HW6UIJ8Q/Main+image+for+appice.jpg Synopsis - The Roar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498128722580-X45E2N1W3A87M3NUDUWD/BLACK+BG.png Synopsis - The Roar L O G L I N E In this lyrically haunting piece, a young man vacillates between success and self-destruction until he faces the truth of who he really is and claims his destiny. S Y N O P S I S "It is the privilege of a lifetime," said Carl Jung, "to become who you truly are." This emotionally provocative film chronicles the steps and missteps of a young man who loves art, music, and poetry but who, due to familial and societal expectations, gives up his dreams to pursue "success" as others see it. Try as he might to walk the path laid out for him, he hearkens to his Muse, and the more he resists, the more he suffers. Bowing under the strain, he finally picks up his violin.   http://www.litmstudios.com/theroar daily 0.75 2017-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1497687465556-6162IV9PW5A3HW6UIJ8Q/Main+image+for+appice.jpg The Roar (2014) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498051570339-4EXBZ5SA36MWSJV4040J/image-asset.png The Roar (2014) - 25 FESTIVALS 1 AWARD 1 NOMINATION "The Roar's message is universal; it's call to action, hard to resist." - THE WARREN REPORT "Simple, Magnificient... Magical!" - FILMTHREAT "The most technically sound & well-thought out film." - NYC INDIE FILM FEST http://www.litmstudios.com/trailer-the-roar daily 0.75 2017-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1497687465556-6162IV9PW5A3HW6UIJ8Q/Main+image+for+appice.jpg Trailer - The Roar http://www.litmstudios.com/always daily 0.75 2017-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1497687465556-6162IV9PW5A3HW6UIJ8Q/Main+image+for+appice.jpg Always (2016) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498216144243-CG50A1VCU0M2Y0KS6KMJ/image-asset.png Always (2016) “A very touching drama... subtle, intimate directorial effort... ...compelling performances.” - Mike Haberfelner http://www.litmstudios.com/the-roar-2014 daily 0.75 2017-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1497687465556-6162IV9PW5A3HW6UIJ8Q/Main+image+for+appice.jpg Festivals - The Roar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498186352135-X8NZ5N8M97HM4OU9DK47/image-asset.png Festivals - The Roar HONORABLE MENTION - BEST ART FILM Asians On Film Festival, Los Angeles OFFICIAL NOMINEE - BEST ART FILM West Chester Film Festival 2015, PA OFFICIAL SELECTION NYC Indie Film Festival 2014 Eugene Intl Film Festival 2015 Rainier Indie Film Festival 2014 Seattle True Indie Film Festival 2015 Seattle South Asian Film Festival 2014 Chicago South Asian Film Festival 2015 Kahbang Arts Film Festival 2014 LA Reel Recovery Film Festival 2014 Moondance Intl Film Festival 2014 Columbia Gorge Intl Film Festival 2014 The Other Venice Film Festival 2014 Magikal Charm Expt Film Festival 2015 Mouskaka Indie Film Festival 2014 Taoz Shortz Film Festival 2015 Goa Short Film Festival 2015 Big Mini Media Film Festival 2014 Glovebox Short Film Festival 2014 Gig Harbor Indie Film Festival 2014 Renton Best Fest Film Festival 2014 Bogata Expt Film Festival 2015 http://www.litmstudios.com/press-coverage-always daily 0.75 2017-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1497687465556-6162IV9PW5A3HW6UIJ8Q/Main+image+for+appice.jpg Press Coverage - Always https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498213549583-ZSE3EG2D0SFE2ZCSGGB7/image-asset.png Press Coverage - Always A very touching drama that is brought to life via a subtle yet intimate directorial effort and via compelling performances that manage to say much with very little dialogue, but via facial expressions, little gestures and the like. And all this turns the rather straight-forward plot of the film into a multi-leveled narrative. Again, not the most uplifting of films, but definitely worth your time. — Mike Haberfelner, (re)Searchmytrash.com read review http://www.litmstudios.com/cast-the-roar daily 0.75 2017-08-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1497687465556-6162IV9PW5A3HW6UIJ8Q/Main+image+for+appice.jpg Cast - The Roar http://www.litmstudios.com/trailer-always daily 0.75 2017-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1497687465556-6162IV9PW5A3HW6UIJ8Q/Main+image+for+appice.jpg Trailer - Always http://www.litmstudios.com/stills-always daily 0.75 2017-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1497687465556-6162IV9PW5A3HW6UIJ8Q/Main+image+for+appice.jpg Stills - Always https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498212703347-T1G9NTEMVYJYU3LQYBT5/_Screen%2BShot%2B2015-11-03%2Bat%2B2.54.58%2BPM.png Stills - Always https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498212713537-O4R48IFWMMIBWSLD6S40/_Screen%2BShot%2B2015-11-03%2Bat%2B3.08.49%2BPM.png Stills - Always https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498212748819-N8GARSZXUZPC2SOSNY0I/_Screen%2BShot%2B2015-11-03%2Bat%2B3.09.51%2BPM.png Stills - Always https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498212746858-01A3Z8W5RBQ6G54SMC8M/_Screen%2BShot%2B2015-11-03%2Bat%2B3.09.59%2BPM.png Stills - Always https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498212783466-FNZ7ZB3SV0K3X3UDAJ8B/_Screen%2BShot%2B2015-11-03%2Bat%2B3.10.40%2BPM.png Stills - Always https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498212770787-V3UYXS48NTNZA9X8CUK5/_Screen%2BShot%2B2015-11-03%2Bat%2B3.32.09%2BPM.png Stills - Always https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498212814211-X4MYPXPQNOEL31A0E0E3/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-11-03%2Bat%2B3.06.00%2BPM.png Stills - Always https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498212825278-4D1OOYC52UW52XXW522A/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-11-03%2Bat%2B3.06.47%2BPM.png Stills - Always http://www.litmstudios.com/cast-always daily 0.75 2017-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1497687465556-6162IV9PW5A3HW6UIJ8Q/Main+image+for+appice.jpg Cast - Always https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498212453470-RDNF3B7PWO61F89WEJUL/image-asset.jpeg Cast - Always DEJA SOUFKA Chris Smith Los Angeles based actor, Deja Soufka has played lead and supporting characters in over 15 short films and 2 full features. A stage trained actor in Realism, Shakespeare and Commedia Dell’ Arte, he has brought to life over 40 characters from classical plays by Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams, Eugene O’Neill to contemporary playwrights such as Stephen Adly Guirgis. When not acting, Deja loves to dance, sing, snowboard, and play percussion, all of which are disciplines he has been performing or teaching. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498212474385-6X19ZCF0O2P5WKTA47BT/image-asset.jpeg Cast - Always VANESSA COBBS Cindy Smith Vanessa is a Seattle based actress. Vanessa is a versatile actress, moving seamless between film, television, theatre, and commercials. Vanessa's first film project in Seattle was playing the ships navigator on the fan film Star Trek: Phoenix- the largest film production in the Pacific Northwest. She has trained under award winning actors in Seattle at Freehold Theater and beyond. When not acting, Vanessa enjoys spending time with friends and family, and building/painting model cars. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498212491845-0VNHPL8FR9ZP3W060O0P/image-asset.jpeg Cast - Always MELISSA PANG Anne Melissa Pang is an actor based in Seattle, Washington. After completing her BA in Psychology from the University of Washington, Melissa found herself drawn to acting and the theatrical arts. A graduate of the Meisner Progression Practicum from The Freehold Theater, she has worked and trained extensively with award winning actors and directors. She draws from her education in psychology to essay a wide range of emotions to deliver compelling character performances. . https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498213432658-0QOC6Q8K31ZQO6ZVCYEM/baby+vienna.jpg Cast - Always VIENNA REED Baby Vienna Vienna Reed was very excited for her first film role in ALWAYS. In addition to pre-school, and playing games with her little brother, Vienna loves to sing, dance, color, and play outside. Life is good for this rising star. http://www.litmstudios.com/stills-the-roar daily 0.75 2017-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1497687465556-6162IV9PW5A3HW6UIJ8Q/Main+image+for+appice.jpg Stills - The Roar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498188709333-GM1G7FKLW5F3XY24MZTW/Gallery%2BThe%2BRoar_Still%2B4_200dpi.jpg Stills - The Roar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498188711328-S2KJU7SUFDD2UBPI3K9U/Gallery+The+Roar_Still+1_200dpi.jpg Stills - The Roar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498188706490-TA0PM7R0KEQILIH1MAHE/Gallery%2BThe%2BRoar_Still%2B3_200dpi.jpg Stills - The Roar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498188705361-EPT20FQZVLZNUEQ7W6R0/Gallery%2BThe%2BRoar_Still%2B2_200dpi.jpg Stills - The Roar http://www.litmstudios.com/synopsis-always daily 0.75 2017-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1497687465556-6162IV9PW5A3HW6UIJ8Q/Main+image+for+appice.jpg Synopsis - Always https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498205017924-USKVDS6BYYUP1QDB4U68/image-asset.jpeg Synopsis - Always L O G L I N E Chris Smith is a doting husband and loving father, enjoying a blissful life until tragedy forces him to consider the unthinkable limits of his love. S Y N O P S I S A young man, Chris Smith is deeply in love with his wife Cindy and giddy with joy over their two year-old daughter Vienna. One day as they are enjoying a family picnic, a tragic accident claims Vienna’s life, forever paralyzes Cindy from the neck down, and gruesomely disfigures her face. Cindy has believed that “Chris always knows exactly what to do” in relation to her own desires. Now, to attend to Cindy, Chris hires Anne, a nurse by trade and a dutiful mother to her own daughter. With Anne’s help, Chris believes he can meet Cindy’s needs and help her become happy again; yet deep down inside, in the place no one dares to look, he knows what Cindy really wants. One night, Anne unexpectedly leaves early to care for her sick daughter, leaving Chris to ultimately face the most difficult decision of his life. Will he defy Cindy’s deepest truth and cling to the life he thinks he has, or honor what true love dictates? http://www.litmstudios.com/filmmakers-always daily 0.75 2017-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1497687465556-6162IV9PW5A3HW6UIJ8Q/Main+image+for+appice.jpg Filmmakers - Always https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498207724756-CN1P35XXGK0GEL8MEECK/image-asset.png Filmmakers - Always MONISH GANGWANI Writer, Director Monish Gangwani is a filmmaker and technology entrepreneur based in Seattle and Mumbai. In working with international audiences during his marketing career at Microsoft, Gangwani discovered the power of storytelling as the unifying medium that inspires change across audience groups. This along with an innate passion for cinema led him to write and direct his first short – The Roar. He has served as the Marketing Director for the Seattle South Asian Film Festival and been a theater actor in several Seattle based productions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498207795432-6J6OQBUMWTUZYIZPXNQV/image-asset.png Filmmakers - Always MATT DY Editor Matt Dy is a Seattle based actor and editor. Matt went to Film School to study directing and discovered his love for storytelling and acting. He has acted as the lead in over 20 short films, theater productions, and commercials. Having studied acting and editing under award winning industry professionals, Matt nurses a passion for music; he sings and composes music just for the love of it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498207931189-A6HS4ALJD4TYYUVHAKWP/image-asset.jpeg Filmmakers - Always ANDREW JOSLYN Music Composer, Sound Designer Governor of PNW Grammy Recording Academy, Andrew is also the contributing composer of the Grammy award winning album, The Heist. A Seattle-native composer, orchestrator, and violinist, Andrew has been playing violin since he was 5 years old and his formative years were spent studying classical music. Now a seasoned performer, composer, and arranger, he has worked with some of the most iconic Northwest musicians and beyond such as: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, David Bazan, Built To Spill, Mark Lanegan and more. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498208058086-FD8N0G8LXI8M3CFRCQ4Z/image-asset.jpeg Filmmakers - Always MELISSA PANG Associate Producer, Actor Melissa Pang is an actor based in Seattle, Washington. After completing her BA in Psychology from the University of Washington, Melissa found herself drawn to acting and the theatrical arts. A graduate of the Meisner Progression Practicum from The Freehold Theater, she has worked and trained extensively with award winning actors and directors. She draws from her education in psychology to essay a wide range of emotions to deliver compelling character performances. . https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498208122142-C6Z6FPYEVYCF6UJMZV0N/image-asset.jpeg Filmmakers - Always ERIC PENZ Associate Producer Eric Penz is the author of the award-winning novel, Cryptid: The Lost Legacy of Lewis & Clark and the novella, Courage Between. He earned his bachelor of science degree in environmental biology from Eastern Washington University in 1995. His postgraduate work was done at the University of Washington where he completed a two-year literary program in commercial fiction. He is also an alumni of The Film School. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498208152418-ENSPSVCFINUX3GN71402/image-asset.jpeg Filmmakers - Always RANDY STALCUP Director of Photography A former Point Man of the united States Marine Corps, Randy Stalcup has trained and tutored under some of the best cinematography and lighting minds in the Northwest. He has trained in Digital Cinematography at the Art Institute of Seattle where he co-founded the first successful video club with one of the largest clubs by membership (200+) in the history of the institute. As the Point man for an Infantry squad while on a 8 month tour in the Helmand province, Afghanistan, Randy has served the country during an important time in it’s history. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498208219116-4F4KWKAQVCMKCH7Y3A74/image-asset.png Filmmakers - Always JOHN DAVIDSON Colorist Award winning colorist, John Davidson has an extensive history of color grading for a large projects that include television programs/series, commercials, films, music videos, documentaries and corporate branding. His experience as Senior Colorist started at Editel Los Angeles, a division of Columbia Pictures, where he worked for 4 years before migrating to Seattle. In Seattle, John worked as Senior Colorist for Telemation Productions (8 years), Pinnacle Studios (10 years) and Victory Studios (7 years) before creating his own company, John Davidson Color. http://www.litmstudios.com/filmmakers-the-roar daily 0.75 2017-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1497687465556-6162IV9PW5A3HW6UIJ8Q/Main+image+for+appice.jpg Filmmakers - The Roar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498130387689-9RA1P7H40DGKWKDQ59DR/image-asset.png Filmmakers - The Roar MONISH GANGWANI Writer, Director Monish Gangwani is a filmmaker and technology entrepreneur based in Seattle and Mumbai. In working with international audiences during his marketing career at Microsoft, Gangwani discovered the power of storytelling as the unifying medium that inspires change across audience groups. This along with an innate passion for cinema led him to write and direct his first short – The Roar. He has served as the Marketing Director for the Seattle South Asian Film Festival and been a theater actor in several Seattle based productions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498131547931-7O8KHC0RALEDR2DS6VZT/ALAN+CERTEZA.jpeg Filmmakers - The Roar ALAN CERTEZA Director of Photography Alan Certeza, born in Guam, United States is an artist who mainly works in the film industry in the Pacific Northwest and Los Angeles. After spending time at home in Guam working as the Director of Photography on a television show to help restore and educate the island of its beautiful culture, Alan is currently in Los Angeles working with the best in business on music videos and feature films.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498135561453-MRO0XZSD9L7HS4IT1EXZ/GIN+HAMMOND.jpeg Filmmakers - The Roar GIN HAMMOND Associate Producer Gin Hammond is a graduate of Harvard University and the Moscow Art Theatre. She has performed at theaters such as The Guthrie, Arena Stage, Seattle’s ACT, The Pasadena Playhouse, the ART, The Berkshire Theatre Festival and The Studio Theatre in Washington DC, where she won a Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actress for The Syringa Tree. Internationally, she has performed in Russia, Germany, Ireland, Scotland and England, and can be heard on commercials, audiobooks, and video games. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498157444340-KK9ISB8264QX3MBZHZHS/JOHN+DAVIDSON.png Filmmakers - The Roar JOHN DAVIDSON Colorist Award winning colorist, John Davidson has an extensive history of color grading for a large projects that include television programs/series, commercials, films, music videos, documentaries and corporate branding. His experience as Senior Colorist started at Editel Los Angeles, a division of Columbia Pictures, where he worked for 4 years before migrating to Seattle. In Seattle, John worked as Senior Colorist for Telemation Productions (8 years), Pinnacle Studios (10 years) and Victory Studios (7 years) before creating his own company, John Davidson Color. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498132488778-QVQ0JAE1AF008Y7R9GBQ/JASON+VO.jpeg Filmmakers - The Roar JASON VO Editor, Associate Producer Jason Vo is a Seattle based film/video editor from Georgia that has performed many roles in the production and post production of over 20 Washington based narratives. A graduate of the Arts Institute of Seattle, he is currently the finishing editor on a feature titled “Not the Most Careful of Girls” and will be moving onto his next feature under the working title “Depth”. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562761bde4b016a0d78de6b8/1498133224930-4H2U6Z3JW1K289LRG0BP/ANDREW+JOSLYN.jpeg Filmmakers - The Roar ANDREW JOSLYN Music Composer, Sound Designer Governor of PNW Grammy Recording Academy, Andrew is also the contributing composer of the Grammy award winning album, The Heist. A Seattle-native composer, orchestrator, and violinist, Andrew has been playing violin since he was 5 years old and his formative years were spent studying classical music. Now a seasoned performer, composer, and arranger, he has worked with some of the most iconic Northwest musicians and beyond such as: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, David Bazan, Built To Spill, Mark Lanegan and more. http://www.litmstudios.com/brandedcontent daily 0.75 2026-10-17