for one grandfather, when everything is lost, there’s nothing left to lose…
with Rick Edwards & Greg Sestero
Watch the Official Trailer for THE FOUNDER EFFECT…
Read the Radio Times Exclusive interview on The Founder Effect, featuring director Justin MacGregor and producer Kristopher MacGregor—PLUS, watch the Official Trailer! CLICK HERE…
amber alert
A perfect family getaway is suddenly upended when a policeman’s grandson disappears. Jack Rooney (RICK EDWARDS) has already lost a son. He’s not about to lose his grandson, too. Forced to reckon with family history, he sets out to rescue the boy from the shadows… a journey of conscience rippled by the voice of a visiting missing persons expert (GREG SESTERO), whose haunting tales of the vanished illuminate the mysterious phenomena that seem to be in Jack’s way. In a town called Hope, can redemption be found?
Watch the Global News profile piece on the MacGregor Brothers, touching on their storytelling craft, partnership, and their latest feature film, The Founder Effect! CLICK HERE…
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“A wonderfully eerie film—British Columbia has never looked simultaneously so beautiful and so potentially haunting. Rick Edwards' performance is a revelation.”
TIMON SINGH
Director, Forbidden Worlds Film Festival -
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“Haunting—in the very best way. It will stay with you. Who needs monsters with villains like these?”
KEVIN BERNHARDT
Screenwriter -
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"A powerful meditation on grief, loss, and familial love that is anchored by the brilliant performance of its leading man. Edwards is devastatingly good in this film."
SARAH BUDDERY
SarahSawAMovie.com /
Co-Host, “Let’s Jaws For a Minute” -
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"A blend of mystery, drama, and sci-fi that will leave you speechless."
LUSCA FANTASTIC FILM FEST
San Juan, Puerto Rico -
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Director Justin MacGregor gets a brilliant performance from Rick Edwards. Both a thriller and a meditation on grief, ‘The Founder Effect’ delivers an emotional punch and action with equal aplomb."
DECLAN LYNCH
Head of Programming,
Kerry International Film Festival -
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“It so beautifully encapsulates the heart of independent filmmaking through the message of the film, as well as its production journey.”
CLAPHAM INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Clapham, United Kingdom -
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“It's a really good film.”
BROCK DRURY
Director, Jesup Film Festival -
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"The Founder Effect looks beautiful... Stunning locations.
JIM MORAZZINI
Voices From the Balcony -
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“A twisting rabbit hole… a tense, unnerving mystery.”
TAMPA BAY UNDERGROUND FILM FESTIVAL
Tampa Bay, Florida -
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"Philosophically, psychologically, and emotionally affecting visuals. Moving tension and thrills. A memorable experience."
PETRI PUROAHO
Composer & Filmmaker -
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"One of a kind thriller. It's so, so, good!!! A wonderful piece of cinema."
BLOOMINGTON INDIANA FILM FESTIVAL
Bloomington, Indiana -
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"The Founder Effect is a quietly ominous and mysterious drama... Rick Edwards leads the way with a sympathetic and relatable performance."
REBECCA CHERRY
Film Carnage -
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"I have to say, there were a lot of the female crowd came out blushing! They all wanted to meet Rick Edwards! Great film, exceptionally executed!"
JERRY DALTON
Director, Myrtle Beach International Film Festival -
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"The Founder Effect is a somber and slow-burning movie. [...] A character-driven drama with a touch of mystery. [...] Edwards brings subtlety and emotional depth."
JOSIAH TEAL
Film Threat
75+ film festivals • 27 countries • 22 awards • 60+ nominations
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CAPRI SPECIAL CONTEST
Capri, Italy
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BEST FEATURE SCREENPLAY
Tampa Bay, Florida
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TRIFF SPECIAL THANK YOU AWARD
Tryon, North Carolina
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Montréal, Québec
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Vancouver, British Columbia
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SILVER MEDAL • HONOURABLE MENTION
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Dundalk, Ireland
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BEST FEATURE FILM • HONOURABLE MENTION
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Washington, United States
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BEST FEATURE FILM
Luleå, Sweden
rick edwards
A policeman on the brink of retirement, Jack Rooney (played by RICK EDWARDS) has lived a life of service, but that hasn't protected him from a life burdened by guilt and hardship. Having already lost his son, he'll do anything to bring his grandson home.
greg sestero
A missing persons expert, Declan Bakker (played by GREG SESTERO) visits Hope while touring his new book 100 Vanished. His insights into the patterns of disappearance burrow into the subconscious of his followers... and the townspeople of Hope are no different.
time doesn’t wait… for the heart to catch up
from a place you cannot see… comes a sound you will not hear
a tale remastered
In 2015, we produced a short film called THE FOUNDER EFFECT. It was a silent film, relying on its visuals and instrumental backdrop to navigate the viewer through the moments immediately after a child goes missing. That story lived on in our hearts and minds. During the pandemic, Justin MacGregor decided to revisit that short, adapting it a spoken-word, feature length production.
making of
Production of THE FOUNDER EFFECT took place between summer, 2021, and spring, 2022, spanning approximately twenty-five non-consecutive days. Shooting occurred throughout Vancouver and its surrounding Lower Mainland region (notably in the isolated wilds of the Upper Pitt River), as well as in the Okanagan Valley. The overall team (cast and crew) comprised over fifty members.
Filming was carried out in partnership between Roguescots and All In One Productions. Both companies had worked together on commercial videography and narrative cinema projects beforehand, including the award-winning short film ISOLATION (2020). Additional production services were provided by Okanagan-based Two Six Films.
upcoming screenings
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iver, united kingdom
OCT 28 - NOV 10 • Official Selection at the Lift-Off Filmmaker Sessions by Lift-Off Global Network.
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mentone, california
NOVEMBER 8 - 10 • Official Selection at the Mentone Film Festival.
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dewas, india
TBA • Official Selection the Kalakari Film Festival.
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siracusa, italy
MAY 25 - 31 (2025) • Official Selection at the Post-Cinema Film Festival.
media + festival inquiries
For more information, promotional materials, press, or festival interest, please use the form below. We’ll be happy to discuss further.
