Local Filmmakers' Movie Featured In L.A.

Four local filmmakers are basking in the glow of Hollywood with the red carpet premiere of their movie, “Sinners and Saints,” that took place on Wednesday, June 30, in Los Angeles.

Leon Dunn, owner and producer of Carolina Film Works, grew up in Gastonia before moving to Concord, all while pursuing his dream of producing feature films.

Dunn partnered up with Rodney Blair of Rock Hill, Fred Delagarza of north Charlotte, and Jay Stamper of south Charlotte, to start the independent film company, Carolina Film Works about three years ago.

With their passion for filming, the four men followed their dreams and have worked with some of the most creative and talented people in the film industry.

Dunn met movie director Will Kaufman from Dallas, two years ago on Carolina Film Works first film “Shotgun Kiss," which was filmed in Concord and Anderson, S.C.

SLIDESHOW:Local Filmmakers' To Debut Movie In L.A.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:"Sinners and Saints"

YOUTUBE TRAILER:Shotgun Kiss

The production of "Shotgun Kiss" is currently on hold for some reshoots but Dunn hopes the film will be released sometime in 2011.

During the shooting of "Shotgun Kiss", Kaufman approached them about a potential script that he spent six years formulating and revising.

After the guys jumped on board, “Sinners and Saints” became a reality.

Leon and his wife Laura Dunn are co-executive producers for the film “Sinners and Saints.”

The film depicts a beleaguered New Orleans detective, played by Johnny Strong, who tries to cope with the death of his young son and the abandonment of his wife.

The detective is forced to solve a series of murders that have plunged the storm ravaged city into a major gang war before realizing there is something far more sinister going on than he ever imagined.

The film also features actors Sean Patrick Flanery, Tom Berenger and Method Man.

Another Gastonia native, actor Evan Karagias, has a role in “Sinners and Saints” as well as in Dunn's “Shotgun Kiss”. Dunn also appears in the film with a small role as a mercenary.

When asked about the experience on the other end of the lens Dunn said, "It was odd. I never want to be an actor. As long as there was no speaking role I was okay with it. I got to experience the other side and all the emotions and reality that comes with it."

The movie premiers Wednesday in Los Angeles and Dunn could not be more excited about their opportunity. “We truly appreciate how extremely lucky we are to be in the position that our company’s in and understand that hundreds of production companies spend years and still are not in the position that we’re in,” he said.

Dunn told Channel 9 that another project film is in the works and that about 90 percent of that movie will be filmed in the Charlotte area, including Waxhaw and Franklin, N.C.

Watch the "Sinners and Saints" movie trailer below: