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RIFF 2026 · PROGRAM 00

What Happens in Vegas

Jewell Karinen

What Happens in Vegas — official poster

THE STORY

A suburban goth goes to great lengths to find out “what happens in Vegas.”

In this comedic short film about outsiders, our protagonist Angel hears a radio ad and becomes secretly obsessed with finding out what happens in Sin City. She bashfully tries praying to God for answers, and even attempts a seance, but nothing can answer the question at hand. While Angel wonders if there is life beyond the subdivision, her other half Sisterfriend must grapple with the thought of losing her friend to the outside world.

Behind the film

Writer & director

Jewell Karinen

A CLOSER LOOK

From the film

Still 1 from What Happens in Vegas
Still 2 from What Happens in Vegas
Still 3 from What Happens in Vegas

CONTINUE EXPLORING

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