Two men with guns, dressed in tactical gear. One man has a serious expression, and the other has a smirk.
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Starting Quarterback

Action/Comedy • 2025 • 20m

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Starting Quarterback is an action-comedy short film that tackles crime, chaos, and chemistry, on and off the field. When two washed-up high school quarterbacks are unexpectedly thrown back into each other’s lives, they find themselves facing their toughest opponent yet: a violent drug cartel. Now low-level CIA operatives, the duo must fumble their way through a dangerous mission with little tactical experience, too much testosterone, and a shared history of petty rivalry. Explosions, banter, and bad decisions collide in this fast-paced, laugh-out-loud ride about unlikely heroes, government incompetence, and second chances.

DIRECTED BY

parker viale

WRITTEN BY

David Vorderstrasse

PRODUCED BY

PARKER VIALE

David Vorderstrasse

STARRING

David Vorderstrasse

Kai’o Davis

Stephen Davie

Lainy Larsen

Max Wulf

Jazmin Sandoval

Sheryl Sharma

Ryan Calhoon

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Videos

Starting Quarterback - Streaming November 7

Starting Quarterback | Official Trailer

Starting Quarterback - Crowdfunding Campaign

Awards

  • OFFICIAL SELECTION

    SacTown Film Festival Website

  • NOMINATION - Best Comedy

    NOMINATION - Best Director (Parker Viale)

    NOMINATION - Best Cinematography (Parker Viale)

    NOMINATION - Best Production Design

    OFFICIAL SELECTION

    Butte Film Festival Website

  • WINNER - Best In Festival

    WINNER - Audience Choice

    WINNER - Best Director (Parker Viale)

    WINNER - Best Original Score (Ryan Calhoon & Ryan Leonard)

    WINNER - Best Sound Design (Parker Viale)

    OFFICIAL SELECTION

  • WINNER - Best Editing (Parker Viale)

    OFFICIAL SELECTION

    SacFilm Challenge Website

Soundtrack

Posters

Poster of a comedy film titled 'Starting Quarterback' featuring two men in black tactical vests holding handguns, with a bright yellow background and black text.
A football player on a field is in a starting stance, holding a gun in one hand and a brick of cocaine in the other. The text says "There can only be 1 starting quarterback."
A man with a mustache and goatee aiming a handgun directly at the camera. He is dressed in black, with a serious expression, against a dark background. The text above reads "David Vorderstrasse is Dave Krugle," and at the bottom, it says "Starting Qu
Poster featuring a man with a bald head and mustache holding a handgun to his temple. The text reads "KAI'O DAVIS IS MATT ANDERSON" at the top and "STARTING QUARTERBACK AUGUST 15" at the bottom.

Behind the Scenes

A man wearing a black cap and gray hoodie operating a professional camera rig on a steadycam at night.
Film crew filming a high school football team on a field during daytime, with autumn trees in the background.
Close-up of a director's clapboard with handwritten details for a film scene, held by an individual during production.
Three men with filming equipment discuss during a shoot with background of large window and plant.
A man with a gun pointed at another man in an office setting, with a computer, documents, and an American flag visible in the background.
A man with dark hair and a beard stands at night, leaning against a black sports car with a sleek design, illuminated by nearby streetlights.
Filmmaker filming a scene with a camera and monitor showing a man with dark hair and beard, sitting in a dark room with a laptop in front of him.
Two men having a serious conversation in an office, with a window featuring decorative ironwork and a desk with documents and a computer.

Credits

KEY CREW

Written by David Vorderstrasse

Directed by Parker Viale

Produced by Parker Viale & David Vorderstrasse

Executive Producer Parker Viale, David Vorderstrasse, Emerald Muecke, Jill Nissen, Danny DeLeon, Melinda Vander-Veen

CAST

Dave Krugle David Vorderstrasse

Matt Anderson Kai’o Davis

Anthony Kendrick Stephen Davie

Janine Wilson Lainy Larsen

Claude Roselli Max Wulf

Jazmin Sandoval Jazmin Sandoval

Stephanie Sandoval Sheryl Sharma

Football Coach Ryan Calhoon

Sicario #1 / Football Player #1 Ryan Leonard

Sicario #2 / Sicario #5 DJ Uyehara

Sicario #3 Ian Manhart

Sicario #4 Tylan Hasten

Sicario #6 Alex Rodriguez

Football Player #2 Hunter Wetmore

Football Player #3 Dino Viale