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Logline

Carson (33) and Lila (31) are actors ten years deep in Los Angeles but still can’t pay rent or find love. Two parallel stories traverse the odyssey of Hollywood and will ask: how much more rejection and sacrifice can they endure? And is there still time to make dreams and love come true?

Synopsis

After ten long years chasing dreams as actors in L.A., Carson and Lila find themselves burnt out, broke, and emotionally drained. Carson, once full of hope, now juggles bartending gigs and low-paying commercial auditions while coping with letting go of long-term partner Jenn, who’s leaving L.A. for a more stable life. Lila, equally disillusioned, fakes confidence as an actor and influencer while waiting tables and falling apart after her ex, Dylan, casually ends things on her 31st birthday.

The dual story of LOST IN LOS ANGELES alternates between each characters’ parallel journey through Hollywood: Carson grapples with self-worth, creative compromise, and saying goodbye to Jenn, while Lila clings to her Hollywood fantasies and old lovers, only to be hit with a crushing dose of reality when both characters teeter on the verge of not paying rent, and quitting their dreams.

With help from outrageous and loving friends like wild-man Australian Tae, sassy non-binary baddie Cooper, and a philosophical Uber driver named “Jesus” (really an actor named Carl), Carson & Lila begin to see through the facade of self- doubt and aging Hollywood dreams in order to reckon with what they need to learn about themselves. And maybe? One day discover each other.
 

Meet the Filmmakers

Drue Grit — Writer/Director
Drue Grit is an award-winning writer, director, and artist who bridges cinematic storytelling with leadership and emotional exploration. His films and novels traverse love and resilience through conflicted characters in relationship to self, people, and society. Drue’s storytelling merges dramatic improvisation with documentary realism, bending influences and styles to serve the story’s message. His approach emphasizes authentic performances, poetic cinema, and theme-driven storytelling that speak deeply to human experiences. At his core, Drue Grit creates cinema for connection. His films challenge audiences to feel, reflect, and to explore meanings of love and being fully human.

Sierra Nowak — Producer/Lead Actor
Sierra Nowak is an award-winning actress, producer, and USC graduate dedicated to telling authentic, nuanced stories about women. She champions inclusive storytelling and mental health advocacy. Her credits include Lucifer (Netflix), Kidnapped to the Island (Lifetime), and the award-winning short NARC (2021), which she also produced. NARC, directed by Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd, screened at 15+ festivals and earned Best Acting Duo and Best Narrative Short. Upcoming projects include Bitcoin Baby (Apple TV+), OAK (2026), Dead of Night (2026), and Skinemax (2026). She also remains active in theater, committed to storytelling that inspires change for women on screen and beyond.

Pascal Combes Knoke — Director of Photography/Producer
Pascal is an exceptional Director of Photography whose recent work includes an upcoming feature film starring Nicholas Cage, Darkness of Man starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and the soon to be released Bounty with Stephen Dorff and Ron Perlman. A French-American dual citizen and UPenn grad, he left economics to pursue cinema, later studying Film Production at Chapman University. Rising from Steadicam Operator to IATSE Cinematographer, Pascal has shot for artists like Kendrick Lamar, Tyga, Larry June, and Chris Brown. Known for his wit, artistry, and emotional storytelling, he blends French impressionistic naturalism with bold visual energy.

Kieron Moore— Lead Actor
Kieron Moore is a breakthrough actor who has been transporting and surprising audiences since the 2010s. A multimedia poet and former professional boxer, Kieron is seen by many as a thespian with an undeniable gift, echoing Brando, Ledger, and Pattinson. Yet when you see him on screen, there is only one Kieron Moore. Manchester-born and raised, he’s lived the life of a fighter and an artist. His hit Netflix series BOOTS is currently in top 3 streaming, while his feature Blue Film debuted to acclaim. Upcoming projects include a poetry book, video game, and Code of Silence season two.

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Contact

For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.