CINEMATOGRAPHER AND EDITOR
Dylan Trail
Cinematographer, Editor, Video Producer
Dylan Trail is an award-winning cinematographer and editor based in Southwest Virginia. His many credits behind the lens include comedy, horror & dramatic narrative films, commercials, theatre & dance, sports and even local news.
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He is the recipient of awards for Best Editing and Sound Design as well as nominations for Best Cinematography and Best Horror.
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As a writer himself, Dylan immerses himself in the story and enjoys working with Film Directors or business owners to achieve the best visual storytelling for each project, whether it's a feature film or a commercial.
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Awards














Virginia Emerging Filmmakers Film Festival 2023
Just Take One, an experimental short that I wrote, directed, and was the cinematographer for enjoyed a great run at this festival. Established in 2018 by Shenandoah University, this festival is highly regarded as a top festival for up-and-coming filmmakers. It took Best Editing as well as nominations for Best Cinematography and Best Horror.
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48 Hour Film Project
2023
I acted as Cinematographer and Co-Editor for Subparman, a film that my team and I conceptualized, filmed, and edited in 48 hours. It won 3rd place overall at the Richmond section of the contest.
GenreBlast Film Festival
2023
Named one of MovieMaker Magazine's Top 50 Best Genre Film Fests In The World, Genreblast has been running since 2014. Just Take One was nominated for Best Regional Short and Best Animated/Experimental Short at this Festival in 2023.
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Magic of Horror Film Festival
2022
Running since 2014, Magic of Horror seeks to encourage independent horror filmmaking. Just Take One took home the Best Cinematographer award and was nominated for Best Virginia Film and Best Costume Design.
Virginia Emerging Filmmakers Film Festival 2022
Big Foot? Bigger Men! was written and directed by Carter Schaeffer. I acted as Cinematographer and Co-Producer. In 2022, it took Best Comedy at VEFFF.
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48 Hour Film Project
2021
Art of the Crime won Best Film in the Lynchburg portion of the contest in 2021, which allowed my team and I to travel to the national contest, Filmapalooza in Washington DC. It was nominated for Best Editing and Best Cinematography, both of which were my roles on this team. (It swept the awards, winning Best Writing, Best Sound Design, Best Costume and Best Use of Prop.)
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Virginia Emerging Filmmakers Film Festival 2021
Battle of the Bands, a film that I acted as Cinematographer, Editor and Producer on, written and directed by Carter Schaeffer, was a finalist for Best Editing in 2021 at VEFFF.