Baker and the knife with Sean Alexander James as Baker. Photo Credit Fabian Tehrani
Sean Alexander James and Antwone Barnes as Baker and Eddie together. Photo Credit Fabian Tehrani
Inspired by actual events, Marcellus Cox’s celebrated short film examines relapse, accountability, and the transformative impact of not giving up on someone.
This powerful short explores the consequences of alcohol addiction and points out the significance of reaching out.”— Jason Knight, UK Film Review
LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, September 16, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — "Liquor Bank", the emotionally charged short film penned and directed by Marcellus Cox, kicks off a limited theatrical run from September 25 through October 1, 2026, at the Laemmle Monica Film Center, located at 1332 Second Street in Santa Monica, with daily screenings at 3:25 PM.
Rooted in a true story, LIQUOR BANK captures a crucial 24-hour period in the life of Eddie Mohler, a U.S. Marine who falls off the wagon just one day short of his first sober anniversary. When his Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor, Baker, calls him out, Eddie is presented with a stark choice that has the potential to alter his future forever.
Featuring Antwone Barnes as Eddie and Sean Alexander James as Baker, this 15-minute piece steps into the fragile, often painful gap between relapse and recovery—a space where one man is slipping while another grapples with how far his sense of duty, care, and loyalty should take him.
While addiction lies at the core of the narrative, LIQUOR BANK shines an equal light on the person beside someone in crisis. Baker’s intervention showcases the endurance, fortitude, and tough honesty that sponsors, relatives, friends, caregivers, and recovery groups must embody. His support is neither passive nor simple. It requires compassion free of denial and responsibility without desertion.
An Essential Look at Addiction and Support
Liquor Bank is a vital watch for anyone facing addiction themselves, living with or caring for someone impacted by it, walking alongside a person in recovery, or carrying the wisdom of having overcome addiction.
The film recognizes a reality that is frequently ignored: addiction rarely impacts just one individual. It ripples through families, friendships, workplaces, and entire communities. Those who step up to help often deal with fear, disappointment, anger, exhaustion, and a sense of helplessness, all while clinging to hope for recovery.
Without offering simple answers, LIQUOR BANK sparks a necessary dialogue about what genuine support looks like—distinguishing help from enabling, finding the bravery to speak the truth, and staying present without taking over another’s journey to sobriety. In Baker, viewers find the quiet strength of someone who shows up, speaks honestly, and sees relapse not as an ending but as a chapter.
Critical Acclaim
Reviewers have lauded the film’s raw emotional resonance, empathetic storytelling, and standout performances.
“LIQUOR BANK is a genuine look at dedication, perseverance, and altruism,” said Dom Fisher of Geek Vibes Nation, calling it “a powerful reminder that good people are still out there.”
Richard Propes of The Independent Critic called Cox “a talent worth following” and “a compelling narrator rooted in authentic, universal themes.”
Kristy Strouse of Film Inquiry observed that the film “feels authentic, comfortable in its own tension,” and praised Cox for approaching the subject “with sensitivity,” crafting an emotional experience that lingers.
From Festivals to Theaters
Prior to its Santa Monica run, Liquor Bank made waves on the festival circuit, with screenings at:
• Cleveland International Film Festival
• Julien Dubuque International Film Festival
• Cordillera International Film Festival
• Exit 6 Film Festival
• Ashland Independent Film Festival
• Reel Black Men Short Film Showcase
• S.E. Manly African American Short Film Showcase
• Portland Film Festival
• Queens World Film Festival
• Capital City Film Festival
These stops have carried the film’s message to diverse audiences nationwide, cementing LIQUOR BANK as a deeply personal story with wide-reaching societal impact.
Meet the Filmmaker, Cast, and Producers
Writer-director Marcellus Cox is known for character-focused narratives rooted in shared human experiences. In LIQUOR BANK, he uses a single pivotal encounter to delve into relapse, military life, loyalty, obligation, and the fragile hope of a second chance.
Antwone Barnes, a Los Angeles native who started acting at 12 with the Amazing Grace Conservatory, brings depth and raw emotion to the role of Eddie.
Sean Alexander James, with credits including The Morning Show, CSI: Vegas, and 9-1-1, portrays Baker with a mix of resolve, empathy, and measured calm. Together, Barnes and James deliver a confrontation that feels less like acting and more like an intimate moment shared with the audience.
Executive producers Adam Freed and Sandra J. Evers-Manly helped bring this timely project to life. Evers-Manly, an award-winning producer and founder/president of the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC), has spent over three decades championing independent voices and stories that address social issues, build community, and foster meaningful conversation.
Beyond Film—A Conversation That Could Change Everything
For those in recovery, LIQUOR BANK offers understanding without judgment. For their loved ones, it shows that support can be a lifeline, even when it’s hard. For addiction survivors, it honors the daily fight behind every victory.
No one can walk another’s path to sobriety. But one person’s choice to stay, set a boundary, speak up, or lend a hand might just keep hope within reach.
Watch LIQUOR BANK. Bring someone who needs to hear its message. Then stay for the dialogue it sparks.
SCREENING DETAILS –
Film: LIQUOR BANK
Dates: September 25–October 1, 2026
Showtime: 3:25 PM Daily
Venue: Laemmle Monica Film Center │Address: 1332 Second Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Tickets and Info
Head to the Laemmle Monica Film Center for tickets.
Press, Interviews, and More
For interview requests with writer-director Marcellus Cox, executive producers Adam Freed or Sandra J. Evers-Manly, or cast members—or to request press materials and screening access—
reach out to:
Sandra J. Evers-Manly
Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) │Email: sandra@bherc.org │Phone: (310) 284-3170 │Website: www.bherc.org
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Sandra Evers-Manly
Films With A Purpose/BHERC
+1 310-284-3170
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