TO THE HILT
Watch the Trailers
A Short Film About the Cost of Peace After War
To The Hilt follows a battle-worn knight returning home, only to find that peace demands a loyalty he no longer knows how to give.
This short film explores identity, duty, and what happens when war ends. But the battle doesn’t.
BECOME A SPONSOR
To The Hilt is scheduled for a four-day principal photography shoot. The production includes secured locations, required insurance coverage, a professional cast, and a working crew to execute the film at a high level.
Sponsorship plays a direct role in the execution of this production.
Meet the Team
The minds and hands behind the film
Producer/ Writer/ Director
Ben fenton
Ben Fenton is an independent filmmaker, writer, and producer whose work centers on grounded, character-driven stories. His films include Terminal, Take Me to Hawkins, Texas, Beauty for Ashes, and Drawing a Blank. He frequently works across disciplines, bringing experience in directing, editing, sound, and music into his projects. To the Hilt continues his interest in stories that explore identity, purpose, and the psychological cost of conflict.
Producer/ Writer/ Director of Photography
Stephan Farina
Stephan Farina is a producer and director of photography with a focus on visually grounded, emotionally resonant storytelling. His work includes Take Me to Hawkins, Texas, Reconquest, Terminal, and many other independent narrative projects.
A military veteran, Stephan brings lived experience to To the Hilt, particularly in its exploration of life after conflict and the difficulty of transitioning from chaos to stillness. His visual approach emphasizes realism, performances and story over spectacle while still delivering cinematic impact.
Lead Actor / Producer
Laken Gage
Laken Gage is the lead actor and a co-producer of To the Hilt, bringing both performance and substantial production resources to the project. He is a principal performer with a large regional medieval dinner theater production (Medieval Times), where he regularly performs armored combat for live audiences.
Through his work in medieval theater and historical performance, Laken has deep connections within the medieval performance, armored combat, and LARP communities. His involvement provides the production with access to authentic armor, weapons, props, and skilled performers—assets that are central to the realism and physical credibility of the film. His dual role as actor and producer makes him a key creative and logistical force behind To the Hilt.
Sponsors
