Halfway to Amarillo from Burt Binder Releases by Gravitas Ventures

Los Angeles, CA (August 13, 2025). Burt Binder recently released a feature film through Gravitas Ventures called Halfway to Amarillo. A Western romantic comedy about a struggling writer. Whose two fictional Old West characters come to life and fall into an unexpected “enemies to lovers” romance. Remarkably, Halfway to Amarillo was shot under 11 days for less than $60k. It’s a character-driven story with humor, heart, and plenty of emotional detours.

Halfway to Ammrillo streams for FREE on Amazon Prime, Tubi, Plex, Fandango and more in the US. It is soon to be distributed internationally later this in August. The film won Best Independent Feature at the IFS Los Angeles Film Festival. It picked up audience awards and screened at RiverRun, Malibu and The More Than Decent Film Festival. The film has been featured in Variety and MovieWeb, and received a 9/10 rating from FilmThreat.

Logline: A struggling writer battling writer’s block must corral his Western novel’s outlaw hero and crooked sheriff. When they escape into modern LA, confronting his unraveling life and a looming deadline in this heartfelt neo-Western comedy.

The Official Trailer for Halfway to Amarillo Directed by Burt Binder

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Synopsis: Michael Coleman, a struggling writer battling severe writer’s block, is racing to finish his second novel, an 1880s Western. As pressure mounts, he hits rock bottom, losing his girlfriend and his creative spark. In a surreal twist, his novel’s protagonist, outlaw Eli West, comes to life in modern-day Los Angeles. He is followed by the villainous sheriff Morgan Ambrose. As the two wreak  havoc and form an unexpected romantic bond. Michael must wrangle his creations, confront his personal turmoil, and meet his looming deadline. This quirky neo-Western comedy blends classic tropes with modern humor, exploring creativity, connection and the balance between art and life.

Writer, director and star Burt Binder crafted Halfway to Amarillo. It is a heartfelt love letter to the Western genre, drawing inspiration from classics like Lonesome Dove. And modern takes like The Power of the Dog and Brokeback Mountain. Facing the challenge of producing a Western on a $60,000 budget. Binder set the story in contemporary Los Angeles. He blends iconic Western archetypes with a poignant “enemies to lovers” LGBT romance. And between outlaw Eli West and sheriff Morgan Ambrose.

This innovative premise delivers both humor and emotional depth, appealing to fans of Westerns and comedies alike. Shot in just 11 days. The film showcases the grit of independent filmmaking. With Binder leveraging his decade-long acting experience to balance his roles as director and lead. His father, Mike Binder, a seasoned filmmaker, served as  producer, ensuring the project stayed on track. The film is a festival success. Winning “Best Independent Feature” at the 2023 IFS Los Angeles Film Festival, underscores its unique  vision and broad appeal.

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About Gravitas Ventures.
It is a release by Gravitas Ventures. Halfway to Amarillo is available to stream on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Tubi, and Plex. The film has earned praise for its humor, heart, and innovative neo Western approach. It boasts a stand out performances by Luke Jones (Eli West) and Peter Giles (Morgan Ambrose). Critics and audiences have lauded its lighthearted tone and emotional resonance, making it a favorite on the indie festival circuit.

Awards
Winner, Best Indie Feature, IFS Los Angeles Film Festival, March 2023. Open Night Feature with Red Carpet event & Q&A.
Winner, Audience Award, Lake Travis Film Festival, September 14, 2023.
Winner, Best Feature, More Than Decent Film Festival, 2023.
It is an Official Selection, RiverRun International Film Festival, 2023.
Official Selection, Malibu Film Festival, 2023.
An Official Selection, Chandler International Film Festival, January 20, 2024.
Official Selection, Montreal Independent Film Festival (MONIFF), 2023.

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