Rich Varville is a writer and director with a sharp eye for cinematic storytelling and a voice rooted in psychological realism, mystery, and emotional depth. He has written and directed two feature films, edited and sound-designed several others, and created more than 40 short films and narrative music videos - many of which blend genre with personal, character-driven themes.

He began his creative career in music - performing live, producing records, and running a recording studio - before transitioning to visual storytelling. A self-made music video for his band evolved into a narrative short film and sparked a second career in filmmaking. He quickly became known for his cinematic, story-first approach to directing.

In 2025, Rich wrote and directed the televised San Diego Film Awards, and currently serves as a producer and 2nd Unit Director on the upcoming feature Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence, slated for theatrical release in October 2025.

His next film, DEATHBED, is a psychological horror feature based on his original screenplay. The project is actively making the industry rounds and is under review by multiple studios for production and distribution. With a completed script, visual pitch materials, and early casting interest, DEATHBED is poised for production in late 2025.

Rich also has several original feature screenplays in active development, spanning psychological thriller, elevated horror, and character-driven mystery. In the past year, he has also served as a script doctor on five feature films, bringing structural and emotional clarity to scripts across a range of genres. His writing often explores the space between trauma and identity, filtered through genre frameworks that favor tension, atmosphere, and human complexity.

His work has earned honors including Best Film, Best Filmmaker of the Year, Best Music Video, Best Cinematography, and finalist recognition from the Producers Guild of America's Make Your Mark contest. But for Rich, the real reward is creative authorship:

"I love building stories from the ground up - writing them, shaping them, and bringing them to life on screen."

That passion traces back to the moment it all began:

"I was ten years old when I saw Star Wars alone in a theater on an Air Force base in Denver. No parents. Just me and the story. It blew my mind. That's when I realized - imagination can be a career. And I've been chasing that feeling ever since."

Rich lives and works in Southern California, where he develops independent films through RSVP FILMS, his personal creative label for narrative work.

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Nicole Clifford, Justin Michael Terry, Geri Courtney-Austein, Harley Bronwyn, and Alison Iles in Glass Casa (2024)

Rich Varville

Rich Varville

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