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Devon Bray, head of Bray Family friends, stands in front of a Trap 48 Poster, Bray Film's latest feature length movie. The movie will premiere in Wichita on Thurs., Oct. 30.
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Wichita’s independent film community continues to grow — and Bray Films has been one of the most determined forces behind that rise. The company was launched by husband-and-wife team Devon and Sherika Bray, who have turned a shared creative passion into a thriving filmmaking enterprise rooted in Wichita.
Devon and Sherika Bray started Bray Films shooting music videos and weddings, short films and community events. Now their company has produced their 8th feature film and they have millions of streams on Tubi and other streaming platforms.
On Thursday, Oct. 30, Bray Films will premiere its newest and most ambitious feature yet, Trap 48, at the Regal Warren East Grand Auditorium.
Bray Films began locally in 2010, shooting music videos, weddings, short films, and community events. It wasn’t until 2018 that they released their first feature film, Pearl. The following years brought Pearl 2 (2019), Unsurety (2021), PPP Loan Gone (2022), Joint Custody (2023), Buy Her (2024), and To Be Honest (2024).
Sherika Bray says their feature films have come a long way from their first two movies — Pearl and Pearl 2 — released in 2018 and 2019.
Co-owner Sherika Bray says the progress has come from trial, error, and a lot of learning on the fly. With little mentorship or insider guidance to rely on, the family built their knowledge project by project — both in front of and behind the camera.
Over time, the Brays invested heavily in their business — adding a large equipment and props inventory that supports their own creative vision while also helping other local filmmakers access items that elevate production value.
A New Frontier: Bray Elite Marketing
What many in Wichita may not know is that their son, Devon Bray Jr., launched a social-media-based marketing company that has now become a major player in independent film: Bray Elite Marketing.
Under Bray Elite Marketing, the Facebook group Best New Tubi and Prime Movies has grown to more than 759,000 followers. Devon Jr.’s own page reaches 450,000 followers, his wife Naomi has 300,000 followers and mom Sherika’s reaches more than 350,000 — giving the family a combined social reach that reaches nearly 2 million across Facebook alone. The Bray’s daughter Elexis Bray also works in the business.
Through these pages, they promote their films — but increasingly, they are helping filmmakers from around the country market and monetize their projects. Independent filmmakers pay Bray Elite Marketing for targeted promotion and engagement, which translates into visibility and revenue once films begin streaming.
Distribution companies have taken notice too, contracting with the family to support film releases nationwide. While Wichita audiences are only beginning to realize the scale of this work, industry professionals in larger film cities already know the Bray Elite name.
And their success as marketers ties directly into their success as filmmakers. Today, all Bray Films features are available for streaming on Tubi, which has become a significant platform for independent film audiences.
Raising the Bar With Trap 48
Trap 48 blends crime, family drama, and a supernatural twist — where survival means confronting both the past and what’s still to come.
Their newest film, Trap 48, marks a creative turning point for Bray Films — a project that demonstrates what years of learning, grinding, and reinvesting have built.
For this film, the Brays were intentional about leveling up the story first. They spent months studying screenwriting — structure, pacing, character arcs — and the storytelling science behind the scenes.
“We really learned the science of writing,” Sherika said. “The story is everything. That’s what separates you when the space starts getting crowded.”
Acting development was equally prioritized. Bray Films brought in Hollywood performer and acting coach Kate Melton, known for her role as Daphne in the Scooby-Doo films, to guide cast members through workshops and rehearsals. Sherika said the training made a noticeable difference:
“You’ll be able to tell — the acting is way up,” she said. “We didn’t play with this.”
More than 90 actors appear in the film, many of them local. Trap 48 follows intersecting characters dealing with addiction recovery, counterfeit drugs, and family loyalty — with a supernatural twist that complicates the lead character’s fight for survival.
Sherika believes Wichita audiences will recognize how far the storytelling and performances have come.
“This is the best film we’ve ever dropped. We dug in on everything.”
Sherika Bray
“This is the best film we’ve ever dropped,” she said. “We dug in on everything.”
Supporting a Growing Network of Filmmakers
Breaking into filmmaking can be tough — especially for those starting without industry connections. Sherika says she and Devon had to learn everything the hard way: from production techniques to the business side of getting a film seen and profitable.
“That’s why we share what we know,” Sherika said. “We didn’t have anyone to guide us, so when we see someone trying, we want to help them move forward.”
That willingness to open doors for others has already had an impact. One example is Wichita filmmaker Troy Andrews of DrewVision Films. He was creating strong work and building his own path, and the Brays were willing to share what they know.
Today, Andrews has multiple films streaming on Tubi, including his feature Seeds, which is expanding his audience and helping fuel the growth of Wichita’s wider film community.
The Brays emphasize that Wichita has a growing pool of talented filmmakers — and the more they can support each other’s success, the stronger the city’s creative industry becomes.
“We want to see everybody win,” Sherika said. “If we learn something, we’re going to share it.”
Looking Ahead: Bigger Names, Bigger Opportunities
Even as they help others rise, Bray Films continues to set new goals for themselves.
One focus is raising their visibility by working with more widely recognized acting talent. They plan to begin using bigger-name actors from outside Wichita in their films. In addition to stepping up their films, it will also give local performers the opportunity to work alongside seasoned professionals — and it will draw broader attention to their projects.
They’re already getting noticed. Sherika says people they once only watched on television are now reaching out to collaborate — including management teams representing artists transitioning from music into film.
Those connections, combined with a growing social media reach, are opening the door to larger-scope projects, stronger placement on streaming platforms, and new audiences far beyond Wichita.
Though Bray Films continues to build national partnerships, the company remains committed to Wichita — the place where they learned, grew, and built a community of supporters.
Rooted in Wichita, powered by family, and willing to help others rise along the way.
TRAP 48 PREMIERE
Oct. 30, 2025, 6-9 p.m.
Warren East 20 — 11611 E 13th St N, Wichita, KS
Tickets $25 Tickets can be purchased through Cash app or PayPal. $Bray9 for cash app & braydevon@hotmail.com for PayPal, please include email with payment for your ticket. Dress to impress, Dress for Halloween, or dress as your self either way.
