The Legendary Joe Torry Hooks Up with Up-and-Coming Director Brandon Champ Robinson on New Short Film Drama Strong Friend
(L-R) Joe Torry, Strong Friend poster featuring Brittney Pettus, and Brandon Champ Robinson
Los Angeles, CA — 9/5/25 — Comedian and actor Joe Torry (Poetic Justice, House Party, The Workout Room) has teamed up with rising filmmaker Brandon “Champ” Robinson for the short film drama Strong Friend. The 13-minute film stars new actress Brittney Pettus in a breakout role, delivering a powerful performance as Randi, the friend everyone leans on — until the weight becomes too heavy.
At the center of Strong Friend is Randi’s story: behind her strength lies a life quietly unraveling. When no one checks on the strong one, the consequences are devastating.
Robinson and Torry’s collaboration is rooted in a long-standing creative partnership. The two first worked together on Robinson’s debut feature The Workout Room, where Torry played the lead, and later reunited for Robinson’s pilot Noodles, now streaming on RedGrade.tv.
“Joe and I have been talking for years about doing a project together. I’m excited to see where this film takes us. It’s a powerful story that we both believe in deeply,” Robinson said. “I’m also looking forward to getting Joe back in front of my lens — he knows I want him to lean more into his drama acting bag.”
For Torry, the decision to join the project was clear. “This story spoke to me immediately. Champ is a director with a real vision, and I’m proud to support and be part of a film that shines a light on something we all need to hear: check on your strong friend.”
Robinson also praised Pettus’s performance: “Brittney brought raw honesty to this role. For a new actress to dive this deep in her first major project says a lot about where her career is headed.”
Film Still of Brittney Pettus as Randi in the movie “Strong Friend.”
The film’s central theme — “check on your strong friend” — is personal for Robinson. “A lot of the time, my wife and I, who is also a producer on this film, end up being strong friends,” Robinson shared. “That works for us because we have each other to pour into. But what happens when someone is alone in that role? You never know what people are carrying in their lives, and sometimes they just need someone to say, ‘What’s up bro, just checking in. How are you doing?’”
Strong Friend is gearing up for its festival run, with Robinson, Pettus, and Torry targeting a mix of culturally rich and high-profile festivals, including the Pan African Film Festival, the Micheaux Film Festival, Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival, Essence Festival, SXSW, American Black Film Festival (ABFF), HollyShorts, and Robinson’s hometown Milwaukee Film Festival. The team is also eyeing Sundance and Cannes as aspirational goals.
Robinson, who founded Imagination Upgraded in 2014, has built a reputation for projects that combine personal storytelling with cultural resonance. His previous works include The Workout Room and Noodles, as well as collaborations with major industry players like James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment. He also leads RedGrade.tv, a streaming platform showcasing original films, series, and community-driven content.