“The Scalpel”

(20 minute short film - Now in festivals)

In 1936, in Seattle, a 19-year-old budding filmmaker using his own equipment, was working on his seventh (of nine) films.  Ultimately, he would create 58 stage/screenplays before he was 20.  This director would go on to work for Disney Studios, and direct and edit a 1950 Academy Award-winning documentary about Michelangelo.  Richard H. Lyford's films have developed a following among film historians, since his early "amateur" films are some of the first “indie” films ever created outside of Hollywood.  Lyford experimented with special effects, costumes, double-exposures, and intense make-up, while developing as a director.  "The Scalpel" was filmed in the Pacific Northwest, in and around Seattle.  

Until now only a fragment of this film was known to exist. In 2024 more footage of “The Scalpel” was discovered.  8th Sense Productions, LLC has completely restored, re-edited, and added new music by Ed Hartman.  This is an extraordinary project the continues to bring attention to Richard Lyford, a pioneer of independent filmmaking. 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt24249678/

https://filmfreeway.com/projects/3182272

Contact for more information and screenings

Related Richard Lyford Projects: (See 8th Sense Productions LLC Film Projects in the MENU)

https://edhartmanmusic.com/as-the-earth-turns

https://edhartmanmusic.com/it-gets-in-your-blood-reviews-news-pics

https://edhartmanmusic.com/the-filmmaker-biopic-feature-film

Other Richard Lyford Historical Films:

To see  some of Richard Lyford's later work (Educational, Military, Commercial, etc.), Periscope Films (Film Archive and Stock Footage) has been adding to this page: https://www.youtube.com/@PeriscopeFilm/search?query=lyford

“The Titan: Story of Michelangelo” - Produced by Robert Snyder.  Lyford directed and edited this Award-Winning documentary:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/amzn1.dv.gti.88a9f776-d696-accc-6db7-fe94ce5a9927?autoplay=0&ref_=atv_cf_strg_wb

Trailer on YoutTube:

Updated: 12-26-25 (Upcoming LIVE and ONLINE Screenings in RED, Previous screenings in BLACK)

The Scalpel

2024-25 Festival Run:

165 Festivals, 210 Awards/Nominations: (Including 55 for music!)

1. Alpine International Film Festival (Best Short Film, Best Director Short Film, Best Editing Short Film, Best Producer Short Film, Best Cinematography Short Film)
2. Amsterdam Lift-Off Film Festival (Official Selection) ONLINE SCREENING: Sept 30-Oct 30, 2024 Liftoff.network/amsterdam-lift-off-film-festival-2024/
3. Amsterdam Movie Fest (Nominee)
4. Anatolia International Film Festival (Finalist)
5. AREA51 FilmFest (Best Medium Length Film - Nominee, Best Original Score - Semi-Finalist, Best Horror or Thriller - Nominee)
6. ARFF Amsterdam International Awards (Best Film Score - Quarter-Finalist)
7. Arthouse Festival of Beverly Hills (Best Composer - August 2024)
8. Austin International Art Festival (Semi-Finalist)
9. Bangkok Movie Awards (Best Silent Film, Best Score - Soundtrack) LIVE SCREENING: April 5, 2025 5pm ICT, Princeton Bangkok, 59 Mit Mairtri Rd, Ratchadaphisek, Din Daeng, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand Note: Restricted Entry https://bangkokmovieawards.com/)
10. Beach Cities Inspirational Film Festival (Award Winner: Judge's Choice)
11. Beijing Lift-Off Film Festival (Selected)
12. Berlin Shorts Award (Best Horror Short - September 2024)
13. Beyond Hollywood International Film Festival (Honorable Mention)
14. Black Panther International Short Film Festival (Black & White Shorts: Award Winner, VFX Shorts: Award Winner, Director: Award Winner, Background Score: Award Winner, Makeup and Hairstylist: Award Winner)
15. Blastoff International Film Festival (Best Visual Effects)
16. Bleedingham Horror Film Festival (Official Selection) LIVE SCREENING:  Friday, Oct 24, 2025, 7:30pm Pickford Film Center, 1318 Bay Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 https://www.pickfordfilmcenter.org/bleedingham/
17. Blow-Up Arthouse Film Festival (Semi-Finalist)
18. Bluebird Film Festival (Best Horror Film - August 2024)
19. Bluez Dolphins International Short Film Fest (Best Short Silent Film, Best Original Score)
20. Bollywood USA International Film Festival (Exceptional Merit: Horror, Original Score)
21. Brussels World Film Festival (Best Horror Short - October)
22. Calcutta Indie International Film Festival (Awards: Best Silent Short Film, Best Horror Short Film,  Best Original Score Film, Best Silent Film)
23. Calgary Indie Film Awards (Best Horror Film - October)
24. California Indies Festival (Best Horror)
25. Canada Shorts Film Festival (Award of Merit)
26. Chambal International Film Festival (Best Short Film - International)
27. Chicago Cinema Awards (Best Horror Short Film, Best Score Short Film)
28. Chicago Filmmaker Awards (Best Horror - October 2024)
29. Chicago Horror Film Fest (Official Selection) - LIVE SCREENING: Sunday, Sept 29, 2024 11am to 5pm  The Logan Theater, Chicago, IL 60647  https://www.chicagohorrorfilmfest.com/ ONLINE SCREENING: Oct. 2-27,2024 https://chicagohorrorfilmfest.ticketspice.com/chicago-horror-film-festival
30. Cinestesya Film Festival (Nominee)
31. CKF International Film Festival (Official Selection)
32. Crown Point International Film Festival Best of Fest: Horror Short Film -Nominee; Best Score Short Film (Winner - June) ONLINE SCREENING: Jun 02, 2025 https://app.entertainmentoxygen.com/festivals/045d0f59-43f4-4fa4-9da0-f324d3260367
33. Crown Wood International Film Festival (Official Selection)
34. Crypticon Seattle Horror Film Festival (Official Selection) LIVE SCREENING: May 2, 2025 (7:00pm), DoubleTree Hotel Seattle Airport,18740 International Boulevard, Seattle, Washington 98188 https://crypticonseattle.com/events/film-festival/
35. Culver City Film Festival  (Official Selection) LIVE SCREENING! December 10, 2024, 12:00PM, Block W, Regal LA Live, 1000 West Olympic Boulevard Los Angeles, California 90015 https://www.culvercityfilmfestival.com/tickets
36. Dallas Movie Fest (Best Composer)
37. DC After Dark International Film Festival Film of the Year (Winner), Best Horror Film (Winner), Best Editing - Short Film (Winner), Best Short Film (Nomination), Best Director - Short Film (Nomination), Best Soundscape (Nomination), Best Cinematography - Short Film (Nomination)  LIVE SCREENING: Angelika Film Center Friday, November 15, 2024, 7pm, 550 Penn Street NE, Washington D.C., DC, United States, Washington, District of Columbia https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dc-after-dark-international-film-festival-tickets-1048650530967
38. Demonic Brilliance Film Festival (Best Score) - LIVE SCREENING Friday, October 4, 2024, Theater New Brunswick, New Brunswick, Canada https://dbfilmfest.com/
39. Denver Indie Film Festival (Official Selection)
40. Depth of Field International Film Festival (Excellence: Horror, Original Score, Visual SFX)
41. Dreamz Catcher International Film Festival (Mar-Aug 2024: Best Producer, Best Horror/Science Fiction Film, Best Film Score - Soundtrack, Best Cult Film, Best Silent Film)
42. Dubai Independent Film Festival (Best Composer in Short - September 2024)
43. Everest Movies Film Festival (Best Horror Short, October 2024)
44. Festival Angaelica (Official Selection) ONLINE SCREENING:  December 11-21, 2025 (TBA) https://www.angaelica.com/
45. Flagstaff International Film Festival (Best Horror Short) LIVE SCREENING: August 17, 2025 Horror Block: 12:30pm, The Orpheum Theater, 15 West Aspen Avenue Flagstaff, Arizona 86001, Flagstaff, AZ https://www.flagstaffinternationalfilmfestival.com/
46. Florence Film Awards (Official Selection)
47. Florida Shorts (Semi-Finalist)
48. Gen Con Film Festival (Official Selection) LIVE SCREENING: Friday, August 1, 2025 9:30pm (EDT) Horror Short Film Block, Westin: Capitol III, 241 W Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46401 https://www.gencon.com/gen-con-indy/film-festival
49. Glendale International Film Festival (Horror/Thriller Short - Nomination) LIVE SCREENING Special Richard Lyford Film Presentation! Featuring: “The Scalpel”, “As the Earth Turns”, “It Gets in Your Blood” Sept 29, 2024 (6:50pm, Laemmle Theatre Glendale, CA https://glendaleiff.org/
50. Global Independent Film Festival of India (1st Best Silent Short Film) ONLINE SCREENING: December 25, 2024 through January 1, 2025 https://greenchilliestv.in/showcase/
51. Global Indian Film Festival (Best Director - Short)
52. Golden Hawk Film Award (Best Short Film - Nominee, Best Silent Film -Nominee)
53. Golden Lion Best Film Awards ("Sam Mendes Edition:" Best Horror Short Film, Best Silent Short Film, Best Original Score Short Film, Best Student)
54. Golden Swan Zurich Film Festival (Official Selection)
55. Haunted House FearFest Film Festival (Best Monster Short - Winner), Best Actor/Drama - Winner), Best Actress/Drama - Winner), Best Director - Winner), Best Cinematography - Winner) LIVE SCREENING: Thursday, Oct 24, 2024, 8:15pm, The Triad Theatre on the Upper Westside, 158 W 72nd St, NYC https://www.hauntedhousefearfest.com/filmguide-a-tickets-1
56. Hollywood Best Indie Film Award (Official Selection)
57. Hollywood Gold Awards (Gold Award - Horror,- August 2024, Silver Award - Original Score - August 2024)
58. Hollywood Hype International Film Festival (Best Horror Film, Best Original Music - Semi-Finalist)
59. Hollywood International Golden Age Festival (Semi-Finalist)
60. Hollywood Just4Shorts (Best Horror Short - August 2024)
61. Hong Kong Indie Film Festival (Semi-Finalist)
62. Independent Shorts Awards (Best Original Score -Silver Award)
63. Independent Filmmakers Guild of America Awards (Official Selection)
64. Indiana Short Film Festival (Best Director)
65. Indie Cine Tube Awards (Indie Cine Tube Awards (Cine Vision Awards, May - November 2024: Best Short Film, Best Film Score - Soundtrack, Best VFX Artist)
66. IndieX Film Fest 2024 (Best Original Score - Nom.)
67. Indie Vegas Film Festival (Official Selection) - LIVE SCREENING: Thursday, April 24, 2025 (12:00PM Noon Block I) Galaxy Theatres Cannery, 2121 E Craig Rd, North Las Vegas, NV 89030 https://www.indievegasfilmfestival.com
68. Indo Dubai International Film Festival (Best International Short Film, Best Film Score)
69. Issaquah Film Festival (Official Selection) - LIVE SCREENING: Sunday, Aug 4, 2024, 5:45pm, Issaquah Highlands at Grand Ridge Plaza
70. Kyoto Independent Film Festival (Best Horror - December 2024)
71. Krimson Horyzon International Film Festival (Best Sound Design (Phenomenal Attainment Award), Best Cult Film (Winner Attainment Award), Best Silent Film (Winner Attainment Award), Best Short Film (Winner Attainment Award)
72. Las Vegas International Film & Screenwriting Festival (Musical Score - Standalone - Winner, Musical Score - Finalist) ONLINE SCREENING:  October 31, through November 14, 2024 https://2024lvifsf.eventive.org/films/the-scalpel-66f8ad543838cb009160c993
73. Legacy Theatre Film Festival (Best Score) - LIVE SCREENING   9-23-24 10:30am (Dramatic/Comedic Shorts Block), Branford, CT https://www.legacytheatrect.org/legacy-independent-film-festival
74. Local Sightings Film Festival (Official Selection) - LIVE SCREENING: Friday, Sept 27, 2024, 7pm, NW Film Forum (Capitol Hill, Seattle) https://nwfilmforum.org/festivals/local-sightings-film-festival-pacific-nw/
75. London Independent Film Awards (Best Original Score)
76. London International Filmmakers Festival (Best Horror)
77. London Lift-Off Film Festival (Official Selection) ONLINE SCREENING: December 9, 2024 through January 5, 2025 https://liftoff.network/london-lift-off-film-festival-2024/ (Judges' Select Shorts Block - Please vote!)
78. London Movie Awards (Best Horror, Silver Award: Original Score)
79. Lonely Wolf International Film Festival (Best Young Filmmaker - 2nd Place - Nominee), Best Film - Medium-Length - Nominee), Best Experimental Avant-Garde Film (Nominee) ONLINE SCREENING: https://www.lonelywolffilmfest.com/2024-digitalcinema.html (Short Film Competition)
80. LA Crime and Horror Film Festival (Best Original Score) LIVE SCREENING: November 30, 2024, Block B: 12:40pm Sherry Theater, 11052 Magnolia Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601 https://lacrimehorror.com/
81. LA Indie Film Festival (Official Selection) - LIVE SCREENING: Saturday May 17, 2025, (5:00pm Shorts Program 4) The Other Space Theater, 916 N. Formosa Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046 https://www.lafilmfestivals.com/la-indie-film-fest
82. LA Indie Horror Fest (Honorable Mention)
83. Los Angeles Horror Film Festival (Official Selection) - LIVE SCREENING: October 26, 2024, 5:00pm, Shorts Program 2, The Let Live Theater, Los Angeles. https://www.lafilmfestivals.com/tickets
84. Los Angeles Lift-Off Film Festival (Official Selection) ONLINE SCREENING THROUGH SEPT 1, 2024! https://liftoff.network/los-angeles-lift-off-film-festival-2024/  (Go to: "New Voices Shorts")
85. Luminary Independent Film Fiesta (Best Horror, Best Musical Score)
86. Madrid ARTHouse Film Festival (Semi-Finalist October)
87. Madrid Film Awards (Best Horror Short October)
88. MEI International Film Festival (Best Horror Short (October-November 2024), Best Original Score Short Film (October-November 2024) LIVE SCREENING: 11-15-24, Tagore Film Centre NFDC, Music College Road Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600028 India https://meifilmfestival.com/
89. Melbourne Independent Film Festival (Semi-Finalist)
90. Melbourne Lift-Off Film Festival (Official Selection)
91. Mellon International Film Festival (Best Silent Film)
92. Milan Gold Awards (Silver Award - Experimental Film)
93. Mindfield Film Festival  - Albuquerque (Best Short -Platinum, Best Original Score - Bronze,, Best Visual FX - Platinum)
94. Mindfield Film Festival of LA (Best Short Film: Gold Award)
95. Modern Black and White Film Festival (Best Music)
96. Nashville Independent Filmmakers Festival (Semi-Finalist)
97. Near Nazareth Festival (Finalist)
98. New York International Film Awards™ (Best Horror Film (Winner), Best Silent Film (Winner), Best Short Film -Nominee)
99. New York Lift-Off Film Festival (Official Selection) ONLINE SCREENING: July 1, 2025 through July 31, 2025 Judges' Select Shorts: https://liftoff.network/new-york/ - Please vote!)
100. New York Movie Awards (Best Horror)
101. New York Science Fiction Film Festival (Official Selection) LIVE SCREENING: NYC, September 19, 2025, 11pm ("Another Step Beyond" - Film Block) The Producers Club, 358 West 44th St., 10036 https://www.newyorksci-fifest.com/friday-screening ONLINE SCREENING: September 18-25, 2025 https://www.newyorksci-fifest.com/online-nyscifi
102. New York Tri-State International Film Festival (Official Selection)
103. Norwescon Speculative Film Fest (Official Selection) LIVE SCREENING: April 17, 2025 (Block A: 3pm) DoubleTree by Hilton, SeaTac, WA https://www.norwescon.org/con/special-events/nwc-speculative-film-fest/
104. Oniros Film Awards (Best Silent Film, Best Horror Film, Best Visual Effects, Best Prosthetic Make-Up, Best Soundtrack)
105. Onyko Films Awards (Finalist)
106. Oregon Independent Film Festival (Official Selection) LIVE SCREENING: Tues Oct 8, 2024, 8pm Eugene Art House Cinemas 492 E 13th Ave. Eugene, OR 97401 https://www.oregonindependentfilmfest.com/pg2024/day1.php
107. Oregon Screams Horror Film Festival (Best Music Award, Finalist - Best Horror Film Award) LIVE SCREENING: Thursday, September 18, 2025 (5:00PM), Clinton Street Theater, 2522 SE Clinton St., Portland, OR 97202 https://filmfestivalcircuit.com/event/oregon-screams-horror-film-festival-fall-2025
108. Palma Film Festival (Best Black & White Film, Best No-Dialogue Film, and Best Horror Film)
109. Parai Musical International Awards (Best Original Score for Short Film)
110. Paris Film Awards (Best Horror)
111. Paris International Short Festival (Best Composer in Short)
112. Paris Lift-Off Film Festival (Official Selection) ONLINE SCREENING SEPT 2-29, 2024! https://liftoff.network/paris/
113. Pinnacle Film Awards (Best Original Score, Best Visual FX)
114. Planet 9 Film Fest (Official Selection)
115. Portland Horror Film Festival (Official Selection) LIVE SCREENING: June 14, 2025, 5:15pm, Clinton Street Theater 2522 Clinton St. Portland, OR 97202 https://portlandhorrorfilmfestival.com
116. Portland Moviemakers Award (Semi-Finalist)
117. Rameshwaram International Film Festival (Best Silent Film, Best Score)
118. Red Moon Film Festival (Best Short Film, Best Male Director)
119. RED Movie Awards (Best Horror - Honorable Mention) 
120. Redwood Film Festival (Best Silent Film)
121. Richmond International Film Festival (Semi-Finalist)
122. Roma Short Film Festival (Official Selection)
123. Rome International Short Festival (Semi-Finalist)
124. Rotterdam Independent Film Festival (Semi-Finalist)
125. Royal Wolf Film Awards (May/June 2024: Best of Show, Horror Short, Best Original Music , Best Visual FX)
126. Sacramento Independent Film Festival (Semi-Finalist)
127. San Diego Halloween Film Festival - LIVE SCREENING: October 31 2024, 7pm Cinema Under the Stars, San Diego, CA https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/cohost/sandiegohalloweenfilmfest
128. San Diego Movie Awards (Official Selection) 
129. San Francisco Arthouse Short Festival (Semi-Finalist)
130. Santa Ana Independent Film Awards (Best Horror)
131. Sasqwatch International Film Festival (Official Selection)
132. Script Symphony Award (Best Horror Film, Best Original Music, Best Silent Film)
133. SCA® Los Angeles International Awards (Best Short Film - Horror, Amsterdam by SCA®,  Best Soundtrack (Finalist)
134. Sci-Fi and Horror International Film Festival (Horror Short: EXCELLENCE, Original Score: EXCELLENCE)
135. Seattle Filmmaker Awards (Semi-Finalist - Fall 2024)
136. Seattle Film Festival (Best Horror Short Film, Best Soundtrack Feature Film/Short Film) LIVE SCREENING: Friday, September 26, 2025, 6:30pm, Grand Palace Theater (lower level), Aegis Living Queen Anne Rodgers Park, 2900 3rd Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119 https://www.theseattlefilmfestival.com/2025 ONLINE SCREENING: August 23-September 7, 2025 EoFlix https://app.entertainmentoxygen.com/feed/64ca50b2-50f9-40e8-94d1-6219b59eab99
137. Seattle Film Summit (Official Selection) - LIVE SCREENING: Sept 6 2024, 12:00pm Regal The Landing, Renton, WA!
138. Seattle Indie Film Festival (Best Horror) LIVE SCREENING! Friday, January 10, 2025 6:30PM, The Beacon Cinema, 4405 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118 https://seattleawards.org/, Theater Website:  https://thebeacon.film/
139. Shockfest A.I. Revolution (Official Selection) ONLINE SCREENING: 10-25-24 through 11-15-24 https://app.entertainmentoxygen.com/feed/64ca50b2-50f9-40e8-94d1-6219b59eab99
140. Silicon Beach Film Festival  (Official Selection) - LIVE SCREENING: Friday Sept 6, 2024, 2:00pm, Block C, TCL Chinese Theatre in LA!
141. Sofia World Film Festival (Best Horror, Best Black & White) ONLINE SCREENING: April 7, 2025, 12:00pm UTC+3 Bulgaria  https://sofiaworldfestival.com/  https://pro.festivalscope.com/festival/show/sofia-international-film-festival/2025
142. Springtime International Film Festival (Best Original Music -Winner, Best Horror Film - Finalist, Best Silent Film -Finalist)
143. Stingray International Film Festival Award (Best Silent Film - Winner, Best Original Music - Winner, Best Horror Film - Finalist)
144. Suwon International Film Festival (Nominee)
145. Swedish International Film Festival (Best Composer, Best Short Film - Nominee)
146. Sydney Lift-Off Film Festival (Official Selection) ONLINE SCREENING: November 18-December 1, 2024 https://liftoff.network/sydney-lift-off-film-festival-2024/ (New Voices Block)
147. Tacoma Film Festival (Official Selection) - LIVE SCREENING: Friday October 11 2024 (9:45pm) The Grand Cinema Tacoma, Washington https://tacomafilmfestival.com/home
148. Tokyo Indie Shorts(Nominee)
149. Tokyo International Cinema Awards (Nominee)
150. Tokyo ShortFest (Semi-Finalist - October 2024)
151. Tri-Cities International Film Festival (Official Selection) - LIVE SCREENING: Sunday, November 3, 2024 2pm FUSE, 723 The Pkwy, Richland, WA 99352 https://www.trifi.org/wp19/
152. Toronto Film and Script Awards (Best Music)
153. Toronto Indie Film Festival (Best Horror, Original Score)
154. Toronto Indie Shorts (Best Horror)
155. Toronto Lift-Off Festival (Official Selection) ONLINE SCREENING: 6-2-25 through 6-29-25 Judge's Select Shorts: https://liftoff.network/toronto-lift-off-film-festival-2025/ 
156. Vancouver Independent MovieMaker Awards  (Semi-Finalist, October)
157. Vancouver International ShortFest (Best Horror, Best Music Composer)
158. Vienna Indie Short Film Festival (Semi-Finalist, October)
159. World Cinema Awards  (Best Horror Short Film Fall 2024, Best Score Short Film Fall 2024)
160. Worldcon Film Festival (Official Selection) LIVE SCREENING: Special Presentation! Films of 1930s Seattle Filmmaker, Richard Lyford (including "The Scalpel", "As the Earth Turns", "It Gets in Your Blood" - mini doc) August 15, 2025 (12:00Noon) Seattle Convention Center (Summit) Arch at 705 Pike, Seattle, WA 98101 https://seattlein2025.org/program-and-events/events/film-festival/
161. WRPN.TV Short, Tight and Loose Global Film Festival Competition (Excellence, Original Score: Excellence, Makeup: Excellence*, VSE: Excellence*  - *1936 Standards)
162. YETI FilmFest (Best Film - Nominee, Best Directing - Nominee, Best Experimental Film - Nominee, Best Original Song or Score - Nominee)
163. Your Way International Film Festival (Official Selection)
164. Zed Fest Film Festival & Screenplay Competition (Outstanding Retro Style) LIVE SCREENING Sunday, Nov 17, 2024 8:30pm, LA Connection Comedy Theatre , 3435 W Magnolia Blvd.  Burbank, CA 91505 https://www.zedfest.org/zedfestfilmfestival.html
165. Zion International Film Festival (Official Selection) LIVE SCREENING: Saturday, June 28, 2025 9:20pm, Blue Mouse Theater, 2611 N Proctor St, Tacoma, WA 98407 https://www.zionfilmfest.com/

Beach Cities International Film Festival 2025

Judges Choice Award!