Valley Filmmaker Shooting Movie about Human Trafficking

CAMPBELL, Ohio – Shooting is underway in the Mahoning Valley for “Roofied,” a movie by local filmmaker Josh Hones.

The film will shed light on the intertwined issues of human trafficking and drug abuse, according to Hones, who is the writer and director. He is planning a public screening in May in a Valley movie theater.

Hones’ company, Sane Productions, is shooting scenes in several Valley locations, including Collingwood Center. The goal of the film is to spark conversation and drive change, he said.

The filmmaker was born in Los Angeles but lived in The Netherlands from age 3 to 25. He then moved to Youngstown, where he was reunited with his mother after a 21-year separation.

“When I was younger, I started writing poetry that turned into storytelling songs,” he said. “Now my writing has evolved into screenplays.”

Hones started to pursue his dream of becoming a cinematographer in 2023 and has since worked on several full-length feature films as a cinematographer or assistant camera operator. The films, which are in various stages of production, are:

• “Tea Street” by Dru Scot (premiering on Tubi, Nov. 17).
• “Common Creed II” by Javon Bates.
• “A Scarf for Joey” by Edward Lee Corton.

After “Roofied” is completed, Hones plans to shoot a short documentary about foster children called “I Have a Voice.”

He will follow that with “Then Came the Ghost,” a feature film about Youngstown native and former middleweight champion Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik.

In fall 2025, he will begin shooting “And There She Was,” a Christian family feature film about a character who is separated from family and then reunited.

The cast of “Roofied” includes Michael Munson, Charli St. Joan, Ronald Shields, David Sollberger, Maurandis Berger, Rick Graham, Shiree Wilson, Edward Lee Cornett, Dru Scott, Danny Rio, James Osso, Larry Debartolomeo, Paul Gustovich, Holly Shew, Solomon Paulk, Debbie Scaletta, Melvin Crocket, Brandon X. Bell, Domonique Lemon, Hakeem Shariff, Paul George, Brad Adamini, Angel Hawkins and Latif Hughes.

Pictured at top: A movie poster for the film “Roofied.”

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