In the wake of a divorce and reeling from the reality of the pandemic, very famous (Austin specific) fitness and workout guru, Erica Nix, contemplates the changing tides of Austin's value system and the plight of creatives like herself being priced out of the city. She embarks on a (maybe psychosomatic) hallucinatory fever dream seeking advice from the likes of her inner-child, God, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mother Nature, and Satan.

Channeling John Waters and Terry Gilliam, Erica may just be the mayor Austin needs.

Content Advisory: sexual content, language, flashing imagery, conflict

THIS IS NOT A CULT Select Biographies

ERICA NIX (Producer | Principal Actor)

Erica Nix is an Austin based filmmaker, performance artist, aerobics instructor, choreographer, and body positivity ambassador. Some of her notable works include This Is Not A Cult, a variety show performed on the side of the Austin Motel pool with the audience floating in the water, her short films Air Sex and Just Pee which screened at Hump Fest, as well as multimedia workout-cum-performance pieces at Outsider Fest and Fusebox Festival.

Erica also has the distinguished honor of performing as a back-up dancer in Richard Simmons last workout DVD before he made his infamous transition into seclusion. She was awarded the Austin Critics Table for best independent project in 2016 and for Best Personal Trainer in 2017 and 2018. Her collaborations with her teams of dancers from her workout classes are a continual gift to promote self-esteem and community growth.

JESSICA GARDNER (Director | Lead DP | Editor | Producer | Actor)

Jessica is a filmmaker and commercial videographer. She is a 20 year collaborative partner to Erica Nix, having shot and edited many of Erica's video projects. Gardner has produced films screened at SXSW, Austin Film Festival, Dallas Videofest, Outsider Fest, Seattle True Independent Film Festival, Worldfest Houston, Texas Independent Film Festival, and more. She also has enjoyed backup dancing for Erica at countless performances in Austin, Los Angeles, New York, and Marfa.

SAWYER STOLTZ (Director | Producer | Writer)

Sawyer is a writing, performing, and producing member of the THIS IS NOT A CULT team. With an extensive background in event management (Austin City Limits Television Series, Fun Fun Fun Fest, Austin Psych Fest's Levitation, SXSW, Paramount & Stateside Theatres, and more), Sawyer has also contributed his creative writing to campaigns for Ashwell Sexual Health + Wellness (PrEP for Women!) and Double Scorpio, as well as performing original written pieces for Greetings From Queer Mountain, Yes You Can!, and more.

JEREMY VON STILB (Director | Producer | Writer)

Jeremy is a filmmaker, event producer, activist, and film programmer. His short films have been shown in festivals across the country and received hundreds of thousands of views online. As a programmer he presents the beloved film series Homo Arigato at the Alamo Drafthouse and is co-founder of Contrast Film Festival, an Austin based festival showcasing the work of queer and women artists. He has won four Austin Chronicle ‘Best Of’ awards.