The MPI Original short film Grind, written, directed, and produced by MPI filmmaker Mark Apicella, will screen on Sunday, September 28, at 3:30 p.m. in Reno-Tahoe, Nevada, as an official selection of the Cordillera International Film Festival. Recognized as one of the “Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World” by MovieMaker Magazine, Cordillera draws acclaimed filmmakers and industry leaders from across the globe.

Grind follows the story of John, an aspiring sneaker designer in East Los Angeles, 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. Principal photography wrapped in August 2024 in Los Angeles, with MPI interns gaining on-set experience as production assistants.

Get your tickets and watch the trailer for the film here.