After spending a year out in L.A., local film producer Joshua Maxim Hall has returned to his hometown, bringing with him some momentum for movie-making in Milwaukee.

One of Hall's current projects brings him and his film crew to the Eastsider, 1732 E. North Ave., on Saturday, Nov. 8, for shooting. Hall is working with director Barry Gilmore on a short film called "Crossed," a project that he hopes will run the film festival circuit in 2009.

"The basic idea of the film is about a man on the hunt for his missing wife and he ends up getting a shocking revelation about her," says Hall. "Of course, I can't give away the revelation."

Speaking roles have already been cast to local lead actors Kyle Berg and Heather Papala, but he says he's still running casting calls for extras on Craigslist and Myspace.com.

"Crossed" is a thriller, one of Hall's favored genres. His first film, 2006's "Blur Effect," made its debut on Chiller TV, a Direct TV horror movie network owned by NBC. Last year Hall finished "Blur Effect 2," which is available on his Myspace.com page.

But don't expect all blood and guts.

"I'm more of a suspense guy," he says. "I don't really go for the shock gore that a lot big movies nowadays -- 'The Devil's Rejects,' 'Hostel' -- seem to be so fond of. Our project is probably more relatable to 'Scream.'

Although the film won't likely be complete for another couple months, Hall has already scheduled its premiere with Milwaukee filmmaker Frank Latina at the Miramar Theatre in early January 2009.

Latina, who made waves with last year's Super 8-shot "Modus Operandi," is at the helm of a series of film galleries at the Miramar Theatre called Art House Classics. The Tuesday night gatherings cost a mere $4 at the door and feature work by area filmmakers, followed by a question and answer session with the audience.

In early October, filmmaker Barry Poltermann showed his 1994 horror "Aswang." Oct. 21 welcomed Mark Borchardt, best known for his "American Movie," who screened his short "Coven."

"For a small theater, he had a packed house -- almost every seat was filled," says Hall of Borchardt's evening. "It's very cool what (Latina's) doing for film in Wisconsin."

Hall is also working on a full-length feature titled "New Years Day" that is currently in the early stages of development.