FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - Drive Back is a supernatural, slasher-horror movie filmed entirely in the Central Valley - and the film's director is a Clovis-born film teacher based out of Madera who says getting the chance to screen his film at home was an amazing experience. Cody Ashford's directorial debut was screened in front of audiences at the Regal Cinema theater at River Park in Fresno, a theater Ashford says he's very acquainted with. ‘Most nerve-racking moment ever’: Fresno filmmaker makes proposal a big screen event "This was actually the first theater that I was allowed to go to without my parents. I think it was the Star Wars: Episode 2," Ashford said. "Getting to come back here and have my own movie premiere here has been awesome." According to Ashford, after studying film and screenwriting, he became acquainted with the film's producers Travis Cluff and Chris Lofing. Ashford says after a while he started helping them "punch up scripts" and scouting locations in the Central Valley for some of their projects. Ashford says he saw a vision of a couple in the mountains near Bass Lake and a mix of science-fiction and action elements. "And I realized that was my pitch to direct it," Ashford said. Ashford soon found himself directing his first horror film, which he called a right of passage as a director. Ashford says the film was an incredible undertaking. Filming started in June 2022 and he had a hard deadline to meet. "They're like, we have to have it done before it snows in November," Ashford said. "But I couldn't have asked for a better team, better crew, or a better cast to get things going." Some of Ashford's students were present at the film's screening and said they remember Ashford having to take some time away from teaching for the film. They say they also remember Ashford coming back once filming wrapped up with excitement in his eyes, sharing stories with them all. "He was with us and he was telling us about it. He was showing us a few shots and it was really cool," Sofia Rodriguez said. "We didn't know this was going to be such a big thing. We're really proud," said Nataly Cuevas. Ashford says getting a chance to inspire his students made his premiere that much more rewarding. "I teach film. I teach several students who are in here, I want them to have a chance to make a low-budget movie when they're in their 20s, in their 30s," Ashford said. "I want, so many people to get a chance to do this like I was."