A Penalty Original is content that showcases the unique voices of the American West, produced and distributed in-house.

STORIES WITH IMPACT.

independent to the core.

We don’t make movies to play it safe , and we definitely don’t wait for permission. As independent filmmakers, we build from the ground up, driven by vision, not by trends. Every project is a risk. Every story is personal. Every frame is ours.

From raw indie dramas to boundary-pushing documentaries and experimental narratives, our films are made with heart, grit, and total creative freedom.

  • Narrative Films
    We’ve produced and distributed over 15 narrative titles — including several award-winning films recognized on the indie festival circuit. Our work is rooted in character, tension, and place — often drawing from the stark beauty and complexity of the American West. From Contingency (2021), a prison drama that earned international acclaim, to At Noon (2020), a modern reimagining of the American Western, our films explore the spaces between silence and conflict. These are stories that don’t resolve easily, that linger in the mind, and that prioritize truth over trend.

  • Our documentaries bring real, urgent stories to life with honesty and heart. Titles like A Brave Heart and To See and To Be Seen explore themes of resilience, identity, and human connection — shining a light on voices often unheard. Through intimate storytelling and bold perspectives, these films embody our commitment to independent, socially conscious cinema.

  • At Penalty Productions, storytelling doesn’t stop at the screen. We also develop and publish original literary works that embody our independent spirit and bold narratives.

    One standout project is Michael Bannon: A Novel — a gripping Western saga co-authored by Logan Mansberger. The book captures the same raw, frontier grit and emotional depth found in our films, bringing to life a story of resilience, justice, and unexpected alliances in the untamed American West.

    Publishing original books like Michael Bannon allows us to extend our storytelling beyond film, creating new pathways to explore the themes and worlds that define Penalty Productions.

Charlotte is smart, clever, and wants to be independent but her caretaker Samuel is overprotective after her parents death. Her mental disability is her only connection to being free.
A simple crime turns into an increasingly complicated path to freedom. An escaped convict, Luke Evans becomes caught between a methodical killer, inscrutable woman, and the law.
Donnie Yates is brutal, cunning, and above all deceptive but his plans are derailed when his bank heist is ruined by a businessman stalking his every move.
Notorious bank robber Silas Smith hides away on a private island away from any recognition from the law while simultaneously being haunted by his past.
Donnie successfully steals a large amount of money from a local bank in broad daylight. Soon to realize he was being watched and followed; he uses all capabilities to ensure the money is kept safe from all perpetrators.
Book cover titled 'Contingency' by Logan Mansberger, featuring a profile of a man wearing a gray knit beanie and a dark jacket against a textured gray background.
A film poster for 'The Alibi' featuring a red brick corner building with a lit neon sign that says 'ALIBI BAR'. The building has white window frames and an air conditioning unit on the side. The street scene includes a bicycle parked nearby and a par
John and Cindy are deeply in love while they are in college. Their relationship becomes conflicted when Cindy suddenly disappears and John is blamed for her absence.
A car mechanic's life becomes conflicted when he finds out that his well being is dependent on a meeting at noon from a anonymous message from his past.
Two men confront each other in a forrest, later realizing the death of a brother. They began to lash out violently against one another.
Black and white photo of a city street with parked cars along the sides, tall buildings in the background, and the title 'To See And To Be Seen' by Logan Mansberger at the top. Penalty Productions logo at the bottom.
Promotional poster for the album 'Contingency' by Alexandria Isola, featuring a woman with long dark hair wearing a black outfit, holding a golf club, standing against a textured gray background.

Featured FILM

Director

Logan Mansberger

Writer

ETHAN Kaiser and Logan Mansberger

AWARDS

13 Wins & 4 Nominations

PLOT

A simple crime turns into an increasingly complicated path to freedom. An escaped convict, Luke Evans becomes caught between a methodical killer, inscrutable woman, and the law.