Wilmington-made short film selected for Los Angeles premiere at Dances With Films

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A short film produced in Wilmington is set to make its world premiere next month at the Dances With Films festival in Los Angeles.

“For Your Future Wife,” created by North Carolina-based production company The Quiet Girl Collective, was selected to screen during the 2026 Dances With Films: LA festival at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

According to organizers, the film was written by Meagan Golden, directed by Megan Petersen and produced by Kiersten Houser and Golden.

The film centers on a young man navigating a new relationship after leaving an aggressive voicemail following a breakup, while his former girlfriend struggles to move forward after an abusive relationship.

Golden, who also portrays the character Amy in the film, said the story was inspired by her own experiences.

“This story was inspired by true events that occurred when I was just nineteen,” Golden said in a statement. “It took me nearly a decade to process and find closure around what happened.”

Director Megan Petersen said the project relied heavily on collaboration among the cast and crew.

“On a piece like this, you have to have complete teamwork, and we did every step of the way,” Petersen said.

Petersen’s film “Drought,” also shot in the Wilmington area, played at the same festival in 2020.

Dances With Films was founded in 1998 and showcases independent filmmakers from around the world. The festival runs for 11 days in Los Angeles.

“For Your Future Wife” is scheduled to screen June 25 at 6 p.m.

Additional information and tickets are available through the Dances With Films website.

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