By Jim Lichacz / LA Film Fest Guest Blogger

One of the joys of attending a film festival is finding the next big thing before it gets packaged by the industry and over-evaluated by the press. One hopes to find the great project that rises to the top based on the mature talent of its creators, the cast they have assembled and the ultimate execution of the idea. The world premiere screening of Goodbye World at the 2013 Los Angeles Film Festival was such an occasion for me.

Following the screening, director Denis Henry Hennelly shared that he and his writing partner, Sarah Adina Smith, wanted to make an apocalyptic-styled film that took place just after the collapse of civil order, but before things started to get dangerous. They believed the choices the characters would make in that interlude would determine how they ultimately acted when people were casting off their principles in order to survive.

The film tells the tale of seven college friends as they assemble at a remote Northern California house in the woods that has been set up as an apocalyptic refuge. Their past connections are gradually revealed as the story moves forward at a lively pace. Along the way internal and external forces personally test them. I was on the edge of my seat not knowing where this thing was going, but loving the group dynamics taking place on screen.

In addition to co-writing the film, Denis Henry Hennelly directed and Sarah Adina Smith acted as a producer. This was truly their baby and they have nourished it and cared for it so that they have a lot to be proud of. The experience of seeing the film left me with a sense of “This has got to be one of the best creative experiences a person can have – to make something that so captures the human spirit and do it with artistic freedom.” They are two very talented filmmakers that, based on their film credits, have worked very hard to develop their artistic visions. Their investors were smart to bank on them.

Along with a key producer, a few cast members including Adrian Grenier, Gaby Hoffman and Kid Cudi were also available following the screening for a Q & A with the audience. It was great to hear about Denis and Sarah’s writing process, the on-set experiences of the actors, war stories from production, financing and an alternate ending. This film had the kind of team that combines all of their talents and makes something greater than they could have originally imagined.