Psychological Thriller Rent Free Named Finalist for Three 2026 HAPIE Awards
- Staff Writer
- Jul 15
- 2 min read
HOUSTON, Texas — LL Productions, LLC is proud to announce that its psychological thriller Rent Free has received three finalist nominations for the 2026 HAPIE Awards, presented by the Houston Association of Producers (HAP). The annual awards recognize outstanding achievement in filmmaking and production while celebrating the talented professionals who continue to elevate Houston's creative industry.
Writer, director, and producer Lakisha R. Lemons received two finalist nominations for her work on Rent Free:
Writer of the Year
Director of the Year
Director of Photography Ian Haywood also received a finalist nomination for:
Director of Photography of the Year
The three nominations recognize the creative collaboration behind Rent Free, an independently produced psychological thriller that continues to build momentum following its release on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.
"I'm incredibly honored to be recognized by the Houston Association of Producers alongside so many talented filmmakers and storytellers. Independent filmmaking is built on passion, perseverance, and teamwork. These nominations belong to every cast member, crew member, and supporter who believed in Rent Free from the very beginning." — Lakisha R. Lemons
Haywood's nomination recognizes the film's cinematic visual style, while Lemons' dual nominations honor both the screenplay and direction that helped bring Rent Free to life. Together, the three finalist nominations reflect the collaborative effort behind the production and the strength of Houston's independent filmmaking community.
The 2026 HAPIE Awards will take place in mid-August, where winners will be announced during the annual celebration of Houston's production industry.
View the Complete List of 2026 HAPIE Award Finalists
To see all of this year's HAPIE Award finalists, visit the official Houston Association of Producers finalists page:
About Rent Free
Rent Free is a psychological thriller written and directed by Lakisha R. Lemons and produced by LL Productions, LLC. The film follows a seemingly harmless encounter that spirals into a dangerous psychological game where manipulation, obsession, and survival collide. The film is currently streaming on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.
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