About: Production is seeking local talent for HOUSE OF JULY, an independent short film about a mother struggling with PTSD who is forced to confront a devastating truth about herself and her family on the Fourth of July.
Prep Dates: Throughout April (varies by role)
Shoot Dates: May 8 – May 10, 2026
Location: Albuquerque Metro Area (Nob Hill area)
Character Descriptions:
LILA CRANZ
Lead | Female | 30-40
Lila is a gentle and nostalgic individual, floating through her day-to-day life. She is also a loving and caring mother and is very protective about her family. To that end, her family will always come first. Beneath her calm exterior, however, there’s an elusive quality about her, as if part of her is always somewhere else. A veteran of the war in Afghanistan, Lila carries the invisible weight of her service. She startles easily and sometimes seems distant, though she rarely speaks about what she’s endured. She carries herself with a quiet fragility and resilience, like someone carefully holding together pieces of a life she refuses to let break.
JAKE CRANZ
Supporting | Male | 28-35
Jake is a quiet, steady presence. He loves his wife, Lila, deeply, but often finds himself unable to reach the part of her that feels distant since the war. His frustration rarely comes out as anger; instead, it settles into a guarded silence that can make him hard to read. Beneath that restraint is a man driven by a quiet need to hold his family together, even when he doesn’t know how. With his daughter Maria, his warmth doesn’t show easily as he is always on guard to ensure not to trigger Lila.
MARIA CRANZ
Supporting | Female | 8-10
Daughter of Lila and Jake. Maria is a bright, imaginative, and affectionate girl. She adores fireworks and car rides with her parents and is never hesitant in voicing her curiosity with eyes that take in everything. Full of life and very expressive.
Information: ● Preference will be given to Albuquerque-based talent. Prior acting experience is not required.
● Compensation: Small independent production. Compensation details will be shared upon inquiry.
● To Submit:Please send resume, relevant experience, and availability to: houseofjulymovie@gmail.com.
● Submission Deadline: Friday, March 27, 2026
We look forward to hearing from you!