The MPI Original short film Grind, written, directed, and produced by MPI filmmaker Mark Apicella, has been chosen as an official selection of the 2025 San Pedro International Film Festival, where it will screen on November 7 at 6:00 p.m. Known for highlighting independent voices and showcasing emerging filmmakers alongside industry veterans, the festival is one of Southern California’s longest-running celebrations of cinema. Learn more and get tickets here.

Set in East LA, Grind follows John, an aspiring sneaker designer who lands the opportunity of a lifetime to be featured in his idol’s pop-up shop—only to have his best friend and business partner threaten to derail everything by promising John’s design to a gang with their own agenda.

Originally developed in the 2022 MPI Short Film Lab, Grind was acquired in 2024 for co-production as an MPI Original through the Production Lab. Watch the trailer below and see Grind on the big screen.