A Los Angeles-based media company is making waves on the international film festival circuit with a music video that challenges conventional expectations about entertainment and education. The production has earned recognition at prestigious festivals across Europe, marking a significant milestone for the independent production house.
At Risk Entertainment, led by filmmaker Larry Solidarity, has secured selections at six film festivals throughout 2025 for their music video “Believe,” performed by their musical group The War Corporation. The production has already claimed two Best Music Video awards at the Alpine International Film Festival in Switzerland and the Silver Screen Film Festival in Prague.
The success represents a convergence of artistic vision and thematic ambition. At its core, the project embodies the philosophy that science and mathematics can be just as entertaining as any other subject matter, with belief serving as the connective thread. This approach distinguishes the work in a crowded festival landscape where music videos compete alongside narrative and documentary films for jury attention.
Solidarity’s background includes participation in Sundance Collab’s Directing: Visual Storytelling program in 2023, an experience that preceded his directorial work on “Believe.” The festival wins demonstrate how independent filmmakers can leverage specialized training programs to refine their craft and achieve competitive success at international venues.
The Alpine International Film Festival, nestled in the Swiss Alps, attracts submissions from filmmakers worldwide and has become known for championing innovative visual storytelling. Similarly, the Silver Screen Film Festival in Prague has established itself as a significant platform for independent cinema in Central Europe. Winning in the Best Music Video category at both festivals signals strong appeal across different judging panels and cultural contexts.
Beyond the award-winning music video, the media production company maintains an active development slate in narrative filmmaking. Two feature-length thrillers are currently in development: “The Bankateers” and “Mom’s Talking Picture.” These projects represent the company’s expansion from music video production into long-form narrative content, a natural progression for many filmmakers who begin their careers in shorter formats.
The War Corporation serves as the musical arm of the company’s entertainment portfolio, with “Believe” representing their breakthrough into festival recognition. Music videos have historically served as proving grounds for directorial talent, offering opportunities to experiment with visual storytelling techniques within compressed timeframes and budgets. The format’s constraints often inspire creative solutions that translate effectively to other media.
Management for Solidarity comes from industry professional Caron Feldman, who guides the filmmaker’s career trajectory as he navigates opportunities in both music video production and feature film development. The relationship between artist and manager becomes particularly crucial when juggling multiple projects across different entertainment sectors.
The festival circuit serves multiple functions for independent creators. Beyond the prestige of awards and selections, festivals provide networking opportunities, distribution possibilities, and validation that can attract future financing. For At Risk Entertainment, the recognition positions the company favorably as it pursues feature film production alongside continued music video work.
The six festival selections in 2025 indicate sustained interest in the work beyond the two venues where jury awards were secured. Festival programmers curate their lineups carefully, with acceptance rates at established festivals often falling below ten percent of submissions. Multiple selections suggest the material resonated with diverse programming committees evaluating thousands of entries.
As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve, independent production companies face both challenges and opportunities. Streaming platforms have created new distribution channels, while festival recognition remains a valuable currency for building reputations and attracting collaborators. The success of “Believe” demonstrates how focused creative vision combined with technical execution can break through in competitive international markets.
The company’s dual focus on film and music production reflects an increasingly common model in independent entertainment, where diversified content streams can support overall operations while individual projects develop. As “The Bankateers” and “Mom’s Talking Picture” move through development, the momentum from festival wins may provide leverage in securing production financing or attracting talent to the projects.
With four additional festival screenings still ahead in 2025, the year continues to unfold as a landmark period for the production company. Each festival appearance offers additional exposure and potential for further recognition, building a track record that extends beyond any single award or selection.
