Unfailingly Human Cinema

We at IRF believe the people who make a film should love working on that film. If they do, the odds that the audience will love watching the film are that much higher, and in the end, that’s what we really want: to make films that people love. Our mission is to cultivate a community of passionate, dedicated filmmakers who come together to realize this vision through valued contribution and collaborative effort.

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ABOUT

Itchy Rodent Films was founded in October of 2021 by Washington filmmakers Benjamin Ross Johnson and Bogdan Darev, with the goal of producing their films for reasonable budgets and with creative control. Johnson and Darev met and became friends in 2011, and have collaborated regularly ever since. In 2021, in the wake of the COVID 19 Pandemic, both were anxious to get back to filmmaking, and founded Itchy Rodent Films with the goal of not just returning to work, but of taking their projects to new heights both creatively and in terms of exposure and financial return.

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OUR Mission

Film That Matters

We strongly believe that telling stories that matter to us, with genuine intention and adamant effort, will translate to the screen in a way that makes others care about them too. Any story that is told earnestly and from the soul will find its audience.

Artist Community

Equally important to creating our own films, podcasts, and stories is our mission to cultivate, encourage, and actively contribute to the growth of other artists in our community. If you are a fellow artist in the local film industry, please reach out to us, share with us your story and your skill set, and we'll add you to our ever-growing roster of potential collaborators for all the future projects we have coming up. Seriously, we want to work with our fellow PNW filmmakers. Nothing against out-of-state professionals, we certainly work with them as well, whenever we can, but we absolutely want to prioritize the promotion of our local and often under-served film compatriots, so reach out and let's connect at our contact page!

Embers

In the fading glow of a campfire, two sisters confront the silence that grief left behind.

As memories flicker like embers in the dark, will their bond rekindle—or burn out for good? “Embers” is an intimate, atmospheric drama about loss, reconciliation, and the fragile warmth of family.

Presented by Itchy Rodent Films Written and Directed by Benjamin Ross Johnson Produced by Bogdan Darev Cinematography by David Burns Production Design by Mariya Apostolova

Nacre

The ocean connected them. The silence pulled them apart.

The ocean connected them. The silence pulled them apart. A girl, her brother, their mother—and something hidden between water and time. Some tears don’t show... when you're underwater. A story that gives no answers—only questions you can’t stop thinking about.

Presented by Itchy Rodent Films Written and Directed by Ben Johnson Produced by Alexander Sylvester Executive Producer Allen Johnson Jr. Director of Photography David Burns Production Design by Christina Burubelts

Meet the Team

Founder | Owner | Writer | Director | Executive Producer

Benjamin Ross Johnson

Ben is an avid cinephile and lover of all film who has channeled that passion into a career as a writer, producer, and director of film in the Seattle area. Having produced a dozen short films and two features, Ben has now endeavored to write, produce, and direct his first feature film, based on his as-yet-unpublished novel.

In addition to directing, writing, and producing films for Itchy Rodent Films, Ben also hosts the FILM (Falling In Love with Movies) Podcast.

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COO | Producer | Staff Writer

Clay Vermulm

Clay Vermulm is a Montana-born, Washington-based author of horror and contemporary dark fiction. He has been published in Sleyhouse Magazine, Grendel Press, Reader Beware, Redacted Tales, True Northwest, and elsewhere. Clay is a staff writer and producer with Itchy Rodent Films, an assistant editor at Nightmare Magazine, and the managing editor for the annual Crypticon Seattle Writing Contest Anthology. He also hosts and produces three podcasts: FILM, Beneath the Rain Shadow, and Fermented Fiction.

He has worked with Itchy Rodent Films for years in various roles, from actor to PA, and now eagerly embraces his role as the company's COO.

CFO

Morgan de Klerk

"Morgan de Klerk is a CFO with over a decade of experience guiding businesses from early-stage ventures to multi-million-dollar success. At Itchy Rodent Films, she leads financial strategy, projections, and the finance team across all projects, bringing structure and clarity to the creative process. She offers a global perspective grounded in practical insight. Morgan is known for translating complex financial data into clear, thoughtful strategies that support both vision and sustainability, helping ensure each project is not only creatively compelling, but built to thrive long after it’s made."

Executive Producer | Editorial/Writing Consultant

Bogdan Darev

Bogdan Darev is a Bulgarian-American filmmaker who has worked in the greater Seattle area for the better part of twenty years. He has written, produced, and directed every type of film from commercials and music videos to feature-length documentaries and narrative films. As an avid lover and creator of the arts, Bogdan has dedicated his life to the growth of the PNW film industry and continues to promote the flourishing of artistic endeavors through IRF's sister company, Filmabee Studios, as well as through his work directly with IRF.

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Social Media & Marketing Manager

Nari Fateha

A builder of stories, systems, and bold ideas, Nari moves at the intersection of film, strategy, and human connection. As a leader behind creative ventures and community-driven platforms, she blends sharp business instinct with emotional intelligence—turning vision into structure and chaos into momentum. From shaping film projects and marketing campaigns to empowering families through educational content, her work is rooted in impact. She believes storytelling can shift culture, and that clarity, courage, and a little humor can move mountains.

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CONTACT US

Reach out to us for inquiries, collaborations, or to share your thoughts. We welcome photography enthusiasts, artists, and creatives to connect with us and be part of our vibrant community.