The premise is that you can find success if you just believe in yourself and your products regardless of the frustration it brings upon others around you.

Premiered at the LDS Film Festival last week and directed by Loki Mulholland, the film follows laid-off steel worker Adam Pendon as he rises in the business of a multilevel giant, "Believe Industries," despite the objections of his wife.

It's a comedy Mulholland suggests a multilevel marketing company may want to buy and tuck away.

The man-on-the-street interviews about reactions to multilevel marketing were real, he said, although the storyline is fictional.

Made in 19 days, it featured Graham Russell of the rock group "Air Supply."

Cost was less than $500,000, Mulholland said. — Rodger L. Hardy

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"THE RETURN"

Rowe McDonald, the lead character in "The Return," has a judgment problem to resolve before the end of this independent film, possibly one of the most popular at the LDS Film Festival last week.

As McDonald, played by Javen Tanner, has his final interview with his mission president, he's asked why he has been so successful. His reply: He teaches only people who are qualified. His mission president is taken aback. When he gets home, the lead character wants to try to convert his mother.

"I hope she qualifies," is his mission president's retort.

On the way home McDonald takes a cab from the airport and has a judgment-laden conversation with the cabbie. Then the cab is hit by a truck and both die. For McDonald, however, it's a near-death experience. His request to return to convert his mother is granted, but he has only 60 days to do it.

After he recovers, his judgments continue, which drives a wedge between him and his mother and the girl he planned to marry. Interestingly, his best friend, who rejected a mission and is now tattooed and pierced, isn't fazed by McDonald's judgmental attitude. The turning point comes when McDonald realizes his problem with his judgments and shifts away from them. As he does, his life changes.

Full of unexpected twists and turns and an unpredictable surprise ending, Tracy Garner wrote "The Return" in three weeks after secluding himself in a mountain cabin.

"It just fell into my lap," he said.

"The Return" was filmed primarily in Utah County in 15 days and completed just in time to make it into the festival. Distribution is pending.

The movie's budget was $320,000, Garner said. "Getting money is the hardest thing," he said. — Rodger L. Hardy

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"POWERLESS"

"Powerless," an LDS Film Festival Entry from Great Britain, proves that motion pictures can be made for less than $10,000.