Independent Streak Magazine-- Dec 2021/ Jan. 2022

In d ep en d en t

St r eak

M a g a zin e Dec. 20 21/ Jan. 20 22

ic t e o p s xe a w r e rn a W l a m a J m l o Mal c Film St ock Miami Jew ish Film Fest ival FLIFF 20 21 GEMS 20 21 Winner s Miami Shor t Film Fest Spooky Empir e Film Spot light s - The Welder - Amer icanish - Tall Tales

- The New Abolit ionist s - My Pr omise t o PJ - & mor e

I NDEPENDENT STREAK M AGAZI NE Dec. 2021/ Jan . 2022

Spooky Em pir e Hor ror Film Fest

Winners: -

By Rachel Gal vin

Fearmaker of t he Year : "The History of Metal and Horror" - Director Mike Schiff Best Short Fil m: "Miniature" - Director Samuel Gonzalez Jr. Best Feat ure: "Malibu Horror Story" - Director Scott Slone Best Int ernat ional Fil m: "Slurp" - Director Jules Jolly Best Special Ef f ect s: "Midnight Screams" - Director Sean Menendez Audience Choice: "The Lake Parasite" - Director Joe Reilly Fl orida Spot l ight :"The Pumpkin Man: Demon of Fall" - Director Ryan Sheets

Ghouls and goblins, demons and dementors... You never know what fiendish and foul creature might come upon you at Spooky Empire. This is where the horror fans play every year, and they dress for the occasion. This year, it was held Oct. 22-24 at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, Florida.

The film festival at this yearly convention brings in filmmakers from around the world to showcase their short and feature films. This year, they had more films than usual, including seven excellent features and an unprecedented number of filmmakers who showed up to promote their films. As usual, there were filmmaker panels and meet and greets to further provide exposure to those filmmakers in attendance. It was a fantastic year and the films were out of this world. (I happen to help run the film festival, so I know). Congrats to all the filmmakers!

It was not announced at the festival, but this year was the last year for Kurt Donath and I to run the fest. Our friends Alea Figueroa and Brendan Rogers will be taking over next year, but fear not, Kurt and I will be back helping out, and I will still be moderating the female filmmakers panel. See ya then!

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Brendan Rogers & Aléa Figueroa were on-hand again to participate and next year will be running the film festival.

IS founder Rachel Galvin with director of "The History of Metal and Horror" Mike Schiff after his film won Fearmaker of the Year.

Winners show off their awards at award ceremony.

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If you are in these Spooky Snaps and want a copy of the picture, email the publisher at writerrachel@yahoo.com.

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I NDEPENDENT STREAK M AGAZI NE 36th A nnual FLI FF

By Rachel Gal vin The Ft. Lauderdale Intl. Film Festival began its 36th year on November 4 this year with a big opening event at the Museum of Discovery & Science (MODS) in Ft. Lauderdale. Filmmakers in attendance walked on the red carpet to pose for pictures and then enjoyed some Asian food, and listened to the band play while sipping on wine and networking to their heart's content. Then, those who were willing walked into MODS to see the screening of "Eternals" at IMAX theater.

And that was just the beginning. The festivities continued until the 20th with screenings at Savor Cinema (503 SE 6 St, Ft. Lauderdale, FL), Gateway Cinema (1820 E Sunrise Blvd, Ft. Lauderdale, FL) and Cinema Paradiso-Hollywood (2008 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, FL). Many of the events had receptions before or after the film, often with food representing the culture featured in the film, since so many films came from international locales.

Then, of course, there was the "Savor party," the creme de la creme of experiences every year ... the wrap party, which was held at Steve Savor's expansive Villa de Palma on Nov. 20. Savor also announced he will be the chair next year and will be investing money into Gateway Cinema.

The festival also included many films that were made locally and they had a "Filmed in Broward" event to focus on those.

They had a virtual festival online again for those who chose to stay home.

To f ind out about t heir event s year l ong, visit www.f l if f .com.

Chairman El ect St eve Savor & Heidi Punnonen 5

Opening Night

Dec. 2021/ Jan . 2022

Gonzal o Mejia, direct or of "The Keys, t he Cat and t he Bl ack Fish."

Direct or of "East of Middl e West " Brian Lucke Anderson & writ er/ producer

Mokot si Rukundo

"Americanish" cast & crew posing on t he red carpet .

Shakespeare Sist ers, creat ors of "Soundt rack t o Sixt een."

Sushi, anyone? Asian l ight bit es were avail abl e t o guest s at t he opening night event .

Danny Garcia and his band pl ayed in t he court yard.

There were del icious drinks avail abl e as wel l at t he Museum of Discovery & Science in t he court yard.

Bil l Spring, writ er of "I El ect : Power Every 4 Years," wit h The Fl ickDirect t eam conduct ed several int erviews on t he st ar Carey Briana Hart & producer Jose Lima. red carpet .

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Wrap Part y

Joanna Fang (l ef t ), producer of "Wake" and "Smil ey Deat h Face," which were bot h at FLIFF, enjoys t he Wrap Part y.

Writ er & act ress f rom "Boxed" Laurel Levey (R) wit h f riend Barbara Hil l.

Direct or of "My Promise t o PJ" Daniel Bal dwin & act ress f rom "Vasy's Odyssey" Maria Gregorio

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FLIFF President & CEO Gregory von Hausch & f ormer chair Jim Nort on.

Michael Cort ese & Mat t Horvat f rom t he f il m "Charl ie" f l ew in f rom Canada.

Cl osing Night

Fil med in Broward

Direct or of "Beer Kings" Audrey Lynn & Rachel Gal vin.

Act or Ken La Kier wit h Rachel Gal vin & Direct or Al yn Darnay.

Having f un at Fil med in Broward event .

Audrey Lynn, Quint on Mack & Ronal d Kapl an.

Trick Or Treat

"Gun and Run" cast & crew.

Act or/ Direct or Riker Lynch, f rom "Al iens On Hal l oween" & Rachel Gal vin.

Direct ors coul d get up and do a Q&A f ol l owing t he f il ms.

"The Wel der" Direct or David Liz (L) & act or Vincent DePaul (R) wit h FLIFF President & CEO Gregory von Hausch.

On right : "The Wel der's" act or Roe Dunkl ey & direct or David Liz; cast , crew & more.

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I NDEPENDENT STREAK M AGAZI NE Dec. 2021/ Jan . 2022

FLIFF36 AWARDS Best Fil m: TALL TALES Best Direct or: Attila Szasz for TALL TALES Best Act or: Tamás Szabó Kimmel for TALL TALES Best Act ress: Vica Kerekes for TALL TALES Honorabl e Ment ion: Pia Halvorsen for BETRAYED Best Support ing Act or in an American Indie: Godfrey for AMERICAN-ISH Best Support ing Act or in a Foreign Language Fil m: Salah Ben Saleh for THE UNKNOWN SAINT from Morocco Best Support ing Act ress in a Foreign Language Fil m: Carolina Yuste for GIRLFRIENDS from Spain Best Support ing Act ress in an American Indie: Joris Jarsky for EAST OF MIDDLE WEST Best Young Act or: Zakariah Inan for MICA AND and Djibril Vancoppenolle for PETIT PAYS

Honorabl e Ment ion: THE NEW ABOLITIONISTS Best Short Document ary: LOVE REACHES EVERYWHERE, directed by Sean Bloomfield Humanit arian Award: Daniel Baldwin for MY PROMISE TO P.J. Best Foreign Language Short Narrat ive Comedy: From USA, TIRO DOMINICAL, directed by Pablo Riesgo Almonacid Best Foreign Language Short Narrat ive Drama: From Israel, DEVEK, directed by Uriya Hertz Best Act or - Dramat ic Perf ormance in a Foreign Language Short : Izel Seylani for DELIVERY from Cyprus Best Act ress - Comic Perf ormance in a Foreign Language Short : Eva Johansson for ALIVE from Sweden Best Act or - Comic Perf ormance in a Foreign Language Short : Vicenzo Bocciarelli for LOCKDOWNLOVE.IT from Italy

Honorabl e Ment ion: Amin Simiar for HIT THE ROAD

Best American Indie Short Narrat ive Comedy: From USA, CALL ME BACK, THE UNCOMMON WISDOM OF YVETTE SLOSCH, directed by Aaron Weinstein

Best Young Act ress: Dayla De Medina for PETIT PAYS

Best American Indie Short Narrat ive Drama: SUPERSTAR, directed by Jordan Hidalgo

Best American Indie: EAST OF MIDDLE WEST

Best Act ress - Dramat ic Perf ormance in a Foreign Language Short : Sahar Roostaei for TIDE from Iran

Best Foreign Language Drama: BETRAYED Best Foreign Language Comedy: THE SPEECH Best American Indie Comedy: AMERICAN-ISH Best Document ary: ENOUGH! Lebanon?s 9 Darkest Hour

Best Act or - Dramat ic Perf ormance in a Foreign Language Short : Gaëtan Didier Tiendrebeogo for DJIBRIL'S FOREST from Burkina Faso

Best Act ress - Comic Perf ormance in an American Indie Short : Linda Lavin for CALL ME BACK, THE UNCOMMON WISDOM OF YVETTE SLOSCH Best Act or - Comic Perf ormance in an American Indie Short : Riker Lynch for ALIENS ON HALLOWEEN Lif et ime Achievement : Lilette Dubey for AMERICANISH Renaissance Award: Vasileios Papatheocharis for writing, directing & starring in VASY?S ODYSSEY Fil med in Broward Feat ure Fil m: POMPANO BOY, directed by Andrew Paul David Fil med in Broward Short : SENIOR MOMENTS, directed by Marcus Wolf Fil med in Broward Award of Merit : AFTER THE PIANO,directed by Quinton Mack Fil med in Broward Award of Merit : CURBSIDE PICKUP, directed by Richard Drutman

I NDEPENDENT STREAK M AGAZI NE Dec. 2021/ Jan . 2022

Dan i el Bal d w i n r ecei v es H u m an i t ar i an Aw ar d For ?M y Pr om i se t o PJ?

By Rachel Gal vin Raw and candid, the documentary ?My Promise to PJ? tugs at your heart. The story follows actor Daniel Baldwin's journey to keep a promise to his friend PJ Raynor, a promise that he would take him to run with the bulls if he maintained his sobriety for two years. Unfortunately, PJ relapsed one night, which proved fatal. Although PJ could not be physically present to run with the bulls, his spirit was present with Baldwin while he completed the task, a goal that both of them had on their bucket lists.

This film shows the challenges that Baldwin went through to push his body to the limits, to physically, mentally and emotionally prepare for this epic journey. His progress is interspersed with interviews with Raynor's parents and others, as well as Baldwin's siblings, who let it be known what Baldwin's own addiction did to the family. This is a very personal film in more ways than one and when it was shown at Savor Cinema in Ft. Lauderdale on November 20, Baldwin and his producer Andy Bowles, speaking about it made it even more personal.

Baldwin introduced the film before it even began, saying, ?As a service to my sobriety, I make it quite well known that I am here to help people go into recovery. So, this boy... his mom reached out to me because of this terrible Opiod epidemic we are having right now and they asked me to help him. I went on a 10 year odyssey, putting him in rehab four different times, and the last time I put him in, I made a deal with the judge. He was facing several years in prison. I made a deal to take him on a two-year program, and so the night we arrived home, and it was too late to bring him to the rehab, I asked him to write a bucket list of the 10 things he always wanted to do that if he went to prison or he overdosed he wouldn't get a chance to do, and he wrote his list and I took the list I wrote in 2006 when I got sober and we had one match -- to run with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain. So, I told him if he got two

years sober, I would take him to run with the bulls. Well, PJ got 3 ½ years sober, he met some girl, he tried Heroin one more time. It was laced with Fentanyl, and on the first shot, he overdosed and died.

So, I lost him and I struggled with it. It wasn't the script I wrote. It wasn't the ending I wanted. So, this film is a result of what I decided to do because he died.?

Baldwin and Bowles also talked after the film was over. Bowles said it was the most meaningful film he has ever been part of. ?He has good vision. He knows what he wants."

Direct or Daniel Bal dwin & producer He added, "I had four cinema Andy Bowl es cameras. In Spain, we hired different cinematographers set up on balconies.? They had a chance encounter with someone that led to them getting the balconies free of charge. It was one of the many ?miracles? they encountered while making this film.

Baldwin said that doing this film was also very therapeutic for members of his family, his brother Billy especially. Baldwin also talked about the closeness he had with the Raynor family and some of the challenges in making the film. They had to get many hours of footage down to 97 minutes.

He also talked about his own struggles, saying his drug of choice was cocaine. ?I couldn't get enough of it,? he said.

Baldwin says helping others to get sober helps him to fight his own addiction. It is working the ?12th step.? By working with others to face their addiction it keeps his own right in front of him.

Following the film, Gregory von Hausch, the president and CEO of FLIFF, presented Baldwin with this year's Humanitarian Award, for which Baldwin seemed humbled and grateful.

Also at the screening were the founders of the Forever Frosty Foundation,

an organization to bring awareness about suicide and eradicate the stigma of teens needing help for mental illness. Their son, Asher, died by suicide in 2014. For more inf ormat ion on t hat organizat ion, visit www.f oreverf rost y.org. A portion of the proceeds for the "My Promise to PJ" screening benefited the organization.

You can st ream "My Promise to PJ" for free on services like Tubi.

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I NDEPENDENT STREAK M AGAZI NE Fil m Spot l ight : "American-ish"

By Rachel Gal vin Classified as a "break from the traditional rom com," "American-ish" follows two Muslim sisters (Sam, played by Aizzah Fatima, who is dedicated to her work) and Maryam (played by Salena Qureshi), who is devoted to her beliefs and wants to become a doctor, and their cousin, Ameera (played by Shenaz Treasury), who comes into town to meet a Pakistani doctor to marry. The three all deal with maintaining their own beliefs and navigating their lives under the thumb of Maryam and Sam's protective mother, played by Lillete Dubey, who wants them all to live a traditional lifestyle. These are just a few of the cast of characters in this comedic tale, with actors like Godfrey, George Wendt, David Rasche and others rounding out the cast.

The film covers a lot of bases and sheds a spotlight on the culture while delving into topics anyone can relate to, including finding love, dealing with siblings and parents, rebelling or following cultural norms, the struggle to get ahead in the workplace and more.

The film has a diverse cast and crew and is directed by Iman Zawahry and stars actress Aizzah Fatima, who co-wrote the film.

They were in attendance with Salena Qureshi, editor Jesi Rojas and producer Roy Wol when the film was screened for the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival in November on opening weekend. They explained during the Q&A the slew of challenges they faced making the film over eight years, but said it was worth it.

This movie is a gem. It was funny throughout. It is everything you want from a romantic comedy without being predictable, and it gave this reporter goosebumps as each woman really found their voice, so to speak, and discovered what was important to them. Each character was well-rounded and had a great character arc. It was delightful.

This reporter also had a chance to interview the director. When asked how the film began, Zawahry said, "I actually was going to New York for a birthday trip and I was on a food tour, and I went 11

to the Cherry Lane Theater, a famous theater in Greenwich, New York, locations was challenging... very, very challenging. Our producers were working really hard. We didn't have a bodega for like forever. All and I saw the poster for Aizzah's play ? 'Dirty Paki Lingerie,' ? and the bodegas are open 24 hours. It's New York. New York, is busy. In my cousin was like, 'Oh, my God, this is perfect for you.' So, we go to Florida, people is excited for you to shoot somewhere. In New York, it the play, and it was my first time going to a one-woman show, and I is more challenging. Also, I really wanted a modern office, but we was so amazed. I laughed, I cried, I hooted, I hollered? I saw myself on couldn't find that so we ended up shooting in the executive stage? and Aizzah transformed herself into six different characters producer's building, which was a little bit more dated." with a green scarf, from the age of 6 to the age of 60.

She also struggled with her producer, saying that on her subsequent And, so, after the play, I said, 'Hey, you want to make a movie?' She's projects she will only work with a producer she already knows or one said, ?Yeah, let's do it ? and a few months later, after we spoke back that is recommended to her. "We hired our first producer and we and forth and hit it off so well ? we began writing the film based on didn't really know her. It didn't really work out and it caused a lot of issues. It was a big learning lesson," said Zawahry. her play and we took four characters from the play. It took us four years to write the film and eight years to make the movie."

Something else she learned was the importance of how funds are attained.

"I would make sure that we would raise all the funds needed They brought in casting directors Mia Cusumano and Meghan beforehand instead of having to piecemeal it because we were naïve Rafferty to cast the film, but Fatima also brought in some people for to think about how we could raise the funds that way," she said. smaller roles and Zawahry said that her friend Mohammed Amer filled Overall, she said if she were to do the film again, she would not do the role of Zane. They had their casting call in New York and that is anything super differently because "every experience is a learning how they found great actors like Quereshi, as well as Godfrey, who experience and if it didn't happen this way, then we wouldn't have says he never auditions, but he loved the script because of it how it learned, we wouldn't have grown and we wouldn't have come up with dealt with race, said Zawahry, who added, "It was so awesome that we the movie that we came up with, which we all are really happy with the got Lillete Dubay and Shenaz Treasury from India because they were way it came out. I'm grateful for the experience, including the Bollywood legends. And Lillete took the role because says she loved the script because she says it says something, it has meaning, and she loves to work with first-time female directors. It was an honor to have her in the film."

They chose New York to film in even though the director lives in north Florida. She explained, "Me being a Florida filmmaker, I was like, 'All I know is making movies in Florida and it's really great so let's do it here' and Aizzah was like, 'No, we can't do that because New York is basically a character in the movie,' which is very true ... Jackson Heights, New York, which has a large South Asian community is very important. So, we shot in New York." She added, "To be honest, New York incentives are so much better than Florida. Florida doesn't have any incentives. It is harder to shoot in New York, but we did it because of the story."

Getting permits was not a big deal but securing locations was tough, she said. "After we got Roy as a producer, getting the permits and everything was so simple. It was really easy. He was able to handle it so well. You just have to do it like a week in advance. It's not really a big deal. But getting Sal ena Qureshi as Maryam, Shenaz Treasury as Ameera, and Aizzah Fat ima as Sam.

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traumatic struggles we went through."

Other advice she would have for other filmmakers? "Don't tell someone else's story. Tell your own story and push for your voice.

Don't compromise the main parts of your story. That's incredibly important because every person has a story that is unique that we want to hear, and we want to relate to, and we want you to tell. What I find happens a lot is that people try to tell other stories or what they think that someone else should tell, and when that happens, the story falters. And then the stories that shine are always the stories that come from within, so it's to be honest to your own voice," she said.

What does she hope people come away with after watching this film? "Understanding that Muslim women are not a monolith, that we are agents of our own story, agents of our own lives. We have our own stories. But, also I just want people to feel good when they watch this film, to relate to the story, and to relate that we're all kind of from the share the same experiences of love, family, career and joy.

"The film is the first of its kind ? the first American Muslim comedy made by diverse Muslim American women about diverse Muslim American women. I think its really important for people to hear and understand, and see our stories, and to know that we are not oppressed or timid, or shy or anything like that. We are just American Muslim women that want everything that everyone else wants.

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And that we're independent and strong and fierce because my biggest issue when I was growing up, particularly in the panhandle of Florida, is that people see me as foreign, not as American, that really bothered me and was was one of the main reasons I went into film ... to show people that we are American. We're part of the fabric of this community, of this country.

And I love feel good comedies and I just want everybody to have that experience, especially now with how terrible life is. If we can have an hour and a half of feeling good then that can help us communally in our society."

They are working on getting distribution right now. Zawahry said, "The film has not been sold yet. We are working on that this year. We are solidifying a sales agent to sell the film. So, my goal is to go theatrically because, as you saw in the theaters, the film really impacts the audience members differently than it does when you're at home by yourself. I really want it to go theatrically because I think it is really important for our communities, but COVID is a big issue, so I may have to compromise on that and just go straight to streaming. My goal would be to go theatrical in the summer and streaming in the fall."

This was her first feature and she already is working on her next project. "I'm working on my second feature, which is about growing up in Panama City, Florida. It is a Florida story and it's kind of like a road trip movie about three Muslim girls skipping school to go to MTV's 'The Grind,' so it's set in the '90s. I'm also working with a writer in the Netherlands about a young adult story, another Muslim kind of rom com story that we're adapting from her book. And I directed my first TV gig in Canada, which was also led by a Muslim woman, which was really cool," she said.

In the meantime, they have also been taking "Americanish" on the festival circuit all over the world.

For more inf ormat ion about "Americanish," visit www.Americanishf il m.com.

At Opening Night Part y at t he Museum of Discovery & Science: (Above): Direct or/ co-writ er Iman Zawahry, act ress/ co-writ er Aizzah Fat ima, act ress Sal ena Qureshi and producer Roy Wol . (Bel ow): Roy Wol , Aizzah Fat ima, FLIFF President & CEO Gregory von Hausch, Iman Zawahry & Sal ena Qureshi.

(Above): At screening at Gat eway Cinema: Producer Roy Wol ; Jesi Rojas, edit or; act ress Sal ena Qureshi; t he direct or's daught er; act ress/ co-writ er Aizzah Fat ima, and (In f ront ) direct or/ co-writ er Iman Zawahry.

(Right ): Edit or Jesi Rojas, IS f ounder Rachel Gal vin, act ress Sal ena Qureshi, act ress/ co-writ er Aizzah Fat ima, and direct or/ co-writ er Iman Zawahry.

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I NDEPENDENT STREAK M AGAZI NE Dec. 2021/ Jan . 2022

Tamás Szabó Kimmel & Vica Kerekes won Best Act or and Act ress at t he Ft . Lauderdal e Fil m Fest ival , and t he f il m won Best Fil m.

Ta ll Ta le s

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By Rachel Gal vin There is a good reason that ?Tall Tales? won Best Film at the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival, which also gave the Best Actor award to ?Tall Tales? actor Tamás Szabó Kimmel and Best Actress to its Vica Kerekes. The Hungarian film with English subtitles was beautifully crafted and kept audiences engaged throughout. The story, set after World War II, follows Hanko' (Kimmel), who scrapes out an existence through his wits. He has perfected the con game to get food, shelter and more. It seems to work for him. That is until he meets Judit (Kerekes) and her son, who are isolated in the woods waiting for the man of the house to return from the war. A happenstance meeting with them leads Hanko's life to be thrown for a loop and things get very complicated.

This film's noir-esque tale has much suspense and high drama. The acting is spot-on. Every glance and word is loaded with meaning.

Definitely not predictable, this movie will keep you on your toes as Hanko' finds himself in dire straits more than once, as does Judit, her son.

Kimmel found himself dealing with difficult conditions filming, including plunging through snow and walking into bitterly cold water. He had to prepare himself also to be in the best physical shape for the role

At screening at Gat eway: Tamás Szabó Kimmel and Rachel Gal vin.

FLIFF provided aut hent ic Hungarian dessert s at t he screening at t he Gat eway Cinema.

as he did not have a stunt double. He trained quite a bit, including doing some kickboxing. To prepare mentally for the emotional scenes, he said he delved into things that happened in his own life. ?I watched a lot of videos and read a lot Maria Gregorio, act ress f rom "Vasy's Odyssey" wit h act or about the era,?

Tamás Szabó Kimmel . he added.

Kimmel started acting when he was just a teenager. He has worked with the writer of this film in several projects in the past.

He said that in Hungary, there is no such thing as ?just movie actors.? Rather, they do theater and films. Also, often they are doing more than one film at a time. In fact, when he got back to Hungary from being in Ft. Lauderdale for FLIFF, he had to attend the premier for his next film, called "Nagykara'csony," which translates to be "Christmas." It actually is the first Christmas movie there, said Kimmel.

For more information on Kimmel, check out his IMDB page and social media.

The St r ay St or y: A Dogument ar y

Direct or Christ ina Georgiou

By Rachel Gal vin Christina Georgiou brought her documentary about stray dogs to the Ft. Lauderdale Film Festival.

The film was made in Greek with English subtitles and also English with Greek subtitles. At the screening at Savor Cinema on Nov. 20, there were therapy dogs on the red carpet and dog enthusiasts came out to show their support.

More inf o: www.t hest rayst ory.com.

Top l ef t : Pl aying wit h t he dogs on t he red carpet , right : t rying t he pael l a at screening; bot t om l ef t : direct or Al yn Darnay & M.E. DePal ma; right : Posing wit h guest s and dogs.

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I NDEPENDENT STREAK M AGAZI NE Dec. 2021/ Jan . 2022

Fil m Spot l ight : The New Abol it ionist s

By Rachel Gal vin

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?Asia is considered the most trafficked region of the world with an estimated 11 slaves,? according to ?The New Abolitionists,? a new documentary by Christina Zorich. The film sheds a spotlight on the ever-present problem of child trafficking. It is an issue that is happening all over the world, but this film focuses on certain hotspots, primarily Cambodia and Thailand.

Young girls find themselves in the business for a variety of reasons and find themselves trapped in the life for countless more. Zorich went to these exotic locations in order to follow four non-governmental organizations (NGOs), who were there to help these women escape the brutal business and get a new lease on life. But, the path to making this change was never that easy. They had to gain the girls' trust and found that some of them felt they had no choice but to stay. They also found corruption and the job of reporting what was happening proved treacherous. Editor Landon Satterfield, who was present at the screening of the film on Nov. 15 at Savor Cinema for the Ft. Lauderdale Intl. Film Festival, said that there were some activities they were told not to film. They were told the people they wanted to film could kill them.Talking about child trafficking can be extremely dangerous because it is big business with plenty of money involved.

Zorich talked to this reporter about the challenges of trying to make a documentary about such a sensitive topic. She found that many people in the NGOs refused to be pictured in the film. ?I reached out to a few wonderful NGOs based in the region that declined being in the documentary. One of the main reasons is the sensitivity of the work that they do. The need to be anonymous. It is a crucial element that leads to their effectiveness, so anyone who decided to be in the documentary was taking a huge risk. These anti-traffickers live with life and death stakes as a part of their daily lives. They are heroic in my eyes. I was very much moved by their strength, determination, courage and resourcefulness,? said Zorich.

Satterfield explained that the reason that many of the people were blurred out in the film is either they were members of the NGOs posing as Johns and having their face shown would essentially blow

their cover, or they were simply members of the NGOs that asked to not be shown. They also tried to blur anyone involved in engaging in trafficking. He said that in order to protect the identity of certain NGOs and women the film could not be shown in the Asian countries where they filmed.

Zorich had begun working on the documentary in 2015 after being inspired by someone involved in helping those who were trafficked.

Her name was Erica Greve and Zorich met her in 2012. She added that Greve is ?the founder and CEO of a nonprofit organization called Unlikely Heroes.?

The process of making the film Zorich said was an ?extended process,? adding, ?On my first trip, I met some of the NGOs featured in the documentary. They all knew each other or knew of each other.

When I got back from that trip, I realized I didn?t have enough footage to make a movie, so I spent the next year researching and reaching back out to the NGOs I had met before. I followed new leads and introduced myself to other NGOs in the region, in essence to win favor and earn their trust so as to return and film again. I did focus groups on the first trip's footage to get a sense of what we should shoot on our second trip.?

She came back in 2016, according to final cut editor Landon Satterfield, and worked with assistant editors to shape of the footage. Then, in 2017, he got involved and cut 14 hours of film down to approximately 98 minutes.

The most poignant moment in the film for him was when one of the women interviewed said she and her husband were struggling financially and ended up being forced to work and not paid and she was offered an opportunity to get money to sell her child. When he saw that footage, he said at one point, he broke down and cried.

Zorich talked about a moment that stood out for her. "One girl's story really knocked me out. It?s told in the doc in a voiceover. She was trafficked, and once she had gotten the restorative care she needed, she went back to her family and

helped every single family member heal, grow and challenge themselves. The whole neighborhood saw the growth in the family and grew to respect them; the family ended up inspiring and impacting a whole community,? said Zorich.

Despite all the hard work the NGOs put in, the results are much lower than one might hope. Zorich said Daniel Vaupel said in the film in an interview about Thailand: ?There are maybe four or five organizations trying to help the women. If we, combined, get 100 or 120 women out in one year, it is a lot.?

One of the other issues that Zorich had in making the film was funding. She had hoped to use all her own money but halfway through the rough-cut, she ran out of funds. ?I had to approach my mom and dad to ask for them to come on as producers. They did, and I will forever be grateful to them for it,? she said. Asking them for money, she said, was quite humiliating, as she hoped to do it on her own. If she had known in the beginning that she would have to ask them for money, she said she may not have done the film; but it seemed that God had another plan.

She added, ?I?ve been sponsoring some children I met while making the film. My heart is to help support and raise funds and awareness for groups who do anti-trafficking work. They need us; they need our help.?

The need has kept her going in this journey. ?I?ve had people come back to me after seeing the film and say it?s changed them, inspired them. It gave them hope. It taught them something about themselves.

It educated them around the issue ? the region. That right there is progress,? she said.

In the process of making this film, she also learned so much about many things. ?It was a journey of discovery ? a search for answers and clarity. I suppose the most powerful lesson was that one act of kindness, caring, love (no matter how small) can have a

18

life-altering effect on someone else?s life. We get cynical and forget that, but it?s profoundly true. Each story of rescue and restoration involves one human being, flawed as they my be, reaching out and taking the time to help, encourage and love another. We minimize it, but really, it?s the true substance of our existence boiled down to its essence,? she said. ?Confronting this horrific issue, it?s a painful, upsetting, enraging process, but I?ve gotten to the point where I know we must develop the girth and strength to do so. The movie has forced me to grow up and get real about life. This criminal industry will just grow stronger unless we confront it.?

Throughout the process of making the film, she just thought, ?If the film could help, protect, rescue or heal anyone ? especially a child ? in any way, it will have all been worth it.?

The issue of child trafficking is not just in Asia, but also right here in the United States. Zorich said, ?These anti-trafficking groups we?ve met here in the states say human sex trafficking looks the same as in the film, but here it?s just more hidden. That actually blew my mind.

See, I?m still learning and growing in my understanding around the issue.?

Understandably, Zorich's next project is covering just that ? trafficking in the U.S. She just completed a sizzle reel for the project. ?The New Abolitionists? was her first film. She has always been in front of the camera, acting on stage and also in independent films.

She has also been an acting teacher most of her life.

She likes the idea that this film might mean different things to different people. ?There was a great quote a therapist once said to me when I was teaching acting, 'A great teacher takes their student to the threshold of their own mind.' I?ve never forgotten that quote. I hope the film does that for the audience,? she said.

For those wanting to get involved and help those who are being trafficked, she said there is a ?What Can I Do? page on the website (see below for site). From there, people can partner with one of the organizations that they feature in the film. ?There are also other organizations listed that I?ve met along the way. I suggest connecting with Unlikely Heroes, A21, KidSafe, SafeHouse, StopTrafficking / Be Alert and Restoration House, to name a few,? she said. ?There are so many ways to get involved/ contribute to fighting human sex trafficking. You can and should get educated (through reputable / respected resources). Tell your friends and neighbors to get plugged into an organization that does anti-trafficking work; ask those organizations what they need; get involved with outreach 19 work with them if at all possible; donate or offer your services to

them to train and educate the women and children; sponsor a child, family or woman coming out of trafficking; come up with a creative idea (like I did) to highlight and educate others about this social issue; hire young women coming out of trafficking to your business (they need work opportunities too); offer a portion of proceeds from a business you're involved with to an anti-trafficking organization; organize a fundraiser for an organization; suggest local schools, churches and other organizations get training on how to prevent and spot trafficking; email or call local and national representatives, and demand they prioritize attention, resources and funding towards combating this criminal industry in your town, city, state and country,? she added.

At the screening of the film, Cherie Benjoseph from Kid Safe was in attendance and spoke briefly, and in the audience was Roger DeHart, who also came up to the stage and spoke about his commitment to bring awareness to the topic of child trafficking. He did a walk from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to Washington D.C. and then another from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco to San Diego in California. His next stop is Canada. To f ind out more about Roger DeHart , visit his websit e: ht t ps:/ / f irst st ops.org/ about -us. For more on Kid Saf e, visit ht t ps:/ / kidsaf ef oundat ion.org. They have a new online Stay Kid Safe! program,which is available free to public elementary schools throughout the United States to help faculty and teachers, grades K-5 to provide Child Trafficking Prevention Education. January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

For more inf ormat ion on "The New Abol it ionist s," visit www.t henewabol it ionist sdoc.com.

I NDEPENDENT STREAK M AGAZI NE Dec. 2021/ Jan . 2022

GEM S 2021 A udi ence A w ard Wi nners

Audience Award Wnner: "King Richard"

Audience Award First Runner Up: "Jul ia"

The Miami Film Festival has announced that t he film "KING RICHARD," directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, has been selected as the GEMS 2021 Audience Award Winner.

Audiences chose "JULIA, "a documentary about the beloved cook Julia Child, directed by Julie Cohen and Betsy West, as first runner-up.

The documentary "FLEE," directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen, came in as second place runner-up.

In a very tight race, Kenneth Branagh's coming-of-age drama "BELFAST" was selected as third runner-up.

The Miami Film Festival GEMS 2021 event took place Nov. 4-10.

GEMS always serves as a precursor to the Miami Film Festival. That festival takes place March 4-13, 2022.

For more inf ormat ion, visit ht t ps:/ / miamif il mf est ival .com.

Audience Award Second Pl ace Runner Up: "Fl ee"

Audience Award Third Pl ace Runner Up: "Bel f ast " 20

I NDEPENDENT STREAK M AGAZI NE Dec. 2021/ Jan . 2022

Film Spot light : "The Welder "

By Rachel Gal vin The film "The Welder" was shown at Savor Cinema in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida as part of the Ft. Lauderdale Intl. Film Festival on Nov. 13. Some of the cast and crew were in attendance.

When a young couple, Roe (Roe Dunkley) and Eliza (Camila Rodríguez), decide to go on a weekend getaway seemingly in the middle of nowhere, they get more than they bargained for. As soon as they meet the man who owns the property (Vincent De Paul), they know something might not be quite right. And things just get more freaky from there. That delusional former doctor has good intentions, but his methods are quite horrific and the couple get caught up in his plan like flies lured into a spider's web.

From the film's location to the musical score, to the doctor's creepy gaze and actions, to the naturalistic response from the couple, ?The Welder? keeps you engaged.

With a few jump scares and a good amount of humor included, this made-in-Florida feature is a great addition to the horror genre.

The location, which was Redland Herb Farm in Homestead, was a character unto itself. ?We found the Redland Herb Farm through an online movie location database.

Once we met with the owners, they were so incredibly humble and such beautiful people. We were so happy to be granted permission to shoot on that amazing property. Fun fact: The property is only about three acres in size, so we had to use creative shooting and editing techniques to make it appear like a much larger ranch,? said 21

director David Liz, who worked on the film with co-writer Manuel Delgadillo.

Delgadillo explained what inspired the storyline for the movie. He said, ?The idea for 'The Welder' was born out of a childhood memory. When I was a kid, I would visit my dad at his metal shop in East Hialeah. I would spend the day just lounging around, reading and listening to the radio. Suddenly, out of the blue -total silence. 'Where's my dad?' I would think.

After looking for him, he would suddenly pop out of a corner (welder's mask and all) and scare the daylights out of me. The masked figure lurking in the dark remained with me for a long time. So, I thought, 'Okay, there's not really many welder-stalkers in horror movies, so let's do that!'

And coupled with Mary Shelley's/ James Whale's 'Frankenstein,' the idea was born! Later, we added the social thriller aspects ? as we had just seen 'Get Out' and loved the racial and social messages in that film.?

Asked what it was like to work with Liz, Delgadillo said, ?It was fantastic, actually. David gave me the freedom to explore the characters and to take risks. He gave me a lot of autonomy.

When he would change a scene or add scenes to further flesh out certain things, he would run everything by me (and vice versa) and we would reach a compromise. We sort of managed to put our egos aside and focus on the good of the story and our characters. I really like collaborating with David.? ?I initially set out to write a story that would parallel some of the social issues that were prevalent at the time (And if we're honest, still are),? said Liz. ?I don't like movies that are about nothing real, that say nothing. I see filmmaking as a tool to communicate a message to the world, and it would be irresponsible of me to have this powerful microphone and choose not to say anything into it. So, it was important for me that my

first feature, at its core, spoke about something relevant and timely; these are the kinds of movies I like, and these are the kinds of movies that I want to make.?

He continued, ?There was also the reality that this film would be a low-budget production, so whatever idea we agreed to move forward on had to meet some parameters to help us be able to afford to make it. For example, we said that the story should be set mostly in one location, no more than five actors in the whole film (not counting extras), it needs to be filmed in no more than 10 days, and a few others. So, in comes Manny Delgadillo (my co-writer) and pitches me the bones to the concept of 'The Welder,' and after a few weeks of brainstorming, adding to, removing from, sitting on it and coming back, we decided this was it! As the co-writer/ director, it was now my job to find the right people and show them why they should be part of this incredibly powerful, socially conscious, South Florida-made, modern retelling of 'Frankenstein.' The building blocks of the story, which originally drew me in at the inception of the idea, are the same ones I used to reveal to my future (and eventual) team of artists and technicians as to why they should work on this movie. Once I started talking about how this film would be a true exercise in indie filmmaking while executing a powerful story that could frighten audiences but also make them wonder... well, I think that's all people needed to hear to jump on board.?

De Paul, who played the doctor, said he had worked with Liz in the past on a film called ?The Soiree? and when presented with the script, he said, ?The script spoke to me and I hoped it would speak to many audiences that viewed the film. Moreover, the role was of a flawed, on-the-hinge doctor who had great loss and was dealing with many life struggles. It was a well-crafted role and I was pleased to play Dr. William Godwin.?

He added, ?The movie's theme was very relevant. Understanding racial differences and embracing diversity and being accepting of all is so important.?

De Paul said to get into character he explored the location itself first. ?I prepared for the role by traveling to the Redlands in South Florida where my character lived in the movie. I walked around the ranch and studied the spaces -- the bedrooms, petrified Redlands wood walls of the house. I took in the spaces where this scientist existed and imbued my character with this information.?

He continued, ?I could not have had better producers, writers and a dynamic director. David Liz, Manny Delgadillo and Cindo Santos were on hand during the process to brief me on Godwin and explain his

plight.?

He added, ?The best part was all of the laughter we shared with the cast and crew after shooting each day. One funny story is I would be drenched in blood and the blood would be everywhere, and when they placed it on my body, I could not stop laughing. It was bloody hilarious.? The worst part, he said, was shooting in the heat.

Emmy Award-winning De Paul, who has become a bit of a staple at the Ft. Lauderdale Film Festival, is always busy with new projects, many with well-known names attached. Some films to look out for include ?Love on the Rock,? directed by Matt Shapira with Steven Bauer, Jon Lovitz, and David A.R. White and "A New Lease on Christmas? with George Stults, Claire Coffee, Liz Friedman, Paul Wilson and Austin Parsons, directed by Leigh Scott. He also is in pre-production of "In the Night, '' directed by Brendan Moriarity.

Delgadillo said there were many issues to deal with while on set. ?We had many challenges while making this film. Even during pre-production, we had some setbacks. A few days before we were set to start, some of our equipment was stolen! And about two days before we were to begin, one of our actors was detained in Georgia and we thought we would have to either cancel the shoot or re-cast! While on set, the long hours, the heat and humidity, and trying to manage our stress levels were some of the challenges we faced. There's no one specific challenge, but rather a series of challenges. I think another important challenge was keeping everything within our small budget.

That was one of the hardest things to do. We wanted to do so much with so little!?

Liz added, ?Everything about filmmaking is a challenge ? maybe that's why I like it so much. Nothing comes easy, and every decision must be carefully deliberated. Every single one of the thousands of shots in a movie has to be meticulously constructed from set design, to wardrobe, shot composition, lighting, camera movement, acting, etc!

Thousands of decisions that seem small at the moment can snowball into big problems down the road, so you have to stay mentally sharp even though you've been on set for 16 hours and you feel like a zombie. And you have to do this over and over again for days, weeks, or months; it's really taxing on the body, but the mental energy expended is the real struggle. However, there is a sense of accomplishment or satisfaction when you yell ?action? and all the pieces that you and your team worked so hard to put together actually work! And when you call ?cut,? despite the exhaustion, a rush of ecstasy overcomes you! But, why? I think it's because when people come together to achieve a singular purpose and they put aside their ego, prejudices and anything negative, and then that singular 22

Vincent De Paul pl ays t he del usional Dr. Wil l iam Godwin.

purpose comes to fruition, a raw form of emotion erupts and there is simply nothing like it. My team on 'The Welder' will always be considered like my family. We went through war together, and we did something not many people can do: collaborate artistically to make a singular vision a reality. We took words on a page and made them into a tangible piece of art, and for that I am eternally grateful.?

They spent long hours on set. Asked why it took so long, Liz said, ?When you're on set, time is always short, and the hours just seem to fly by quicker than normal. However, knowing we ultimately only had a nine-day shooting schedule for principal photography, we understood from the beginning that we would have to be on set longer than average production days. So, before we stepped on set, we made sure that our cast and crew would be ok with working those extra long hours and then we made provisions to accommodate for this over-extension (We provided hotel rooms close by to the shooting locations made available to any of the cast and crew that needed one).

Manny Delgadillo, who also acted as First AD, and Javier Palacios (UPM) also made sure people were constantly fed and hydrated. We filmed in the dead of summer, deep in the South Florida marsh, long hours with everyone pulling double and triple duty, and yet no one was ever dehydrated, no one ever lacked food, and we had an air-conditioned building where cast and even crew were welcome to hang out in when it got too hot. Safety is first in my book. It's something that was instilled in me since the first day of film school by my Directing teacher Chip , and I take it extremely seriously. We are not saving lives; we are making movies; so, although I do ask a lot of my crew, I 23 never put their safety or health on the line.?

He said he found his actors through different avenues. ?Vincent de Paul is a very talented actor and friend of mine that I've known for years and I wanted to include in this project. He and I first met in 2016 while I was directing another horror movie entitled 'The Soiree.'

Camila Rodriguez acted in a film called 'Huracan,' which I went to see at the Miami Film Festival in 2019, and when I saw her light up the screen, I knew I wanted to work with her. Roe Dunkley and I have worked on several short films together, and it was just the natural next step that we would collaborate on this feature. Cristian Howard responded to a call for auditioning, and as soon as he came in, I knew he was our man! Anthony Vazquez and I are childhood friends and I knew I needed a very tall and muscular specimen to play the man inside the welder's suit, and he was perfect. And Jorge Pico and I have been friends for over a decade, and have collaborated on countless projects in front and behind the camera, so that was a no-brainer. So, as you can see, a little bit of everything,? said Liz. He added, ?I am a very hands-on director, I like to help my actors understand the feeling, emotion and thought processes of the character that is leading him/ her to their action. I love working with actors; it's my favorite thing about being a director. I love just answering their questions and giving them their motivations, helping them and guiding them through the characters' emotional peaks and valleys from scene to scene. I am also very open to collaboration from the actors. I believe part of the actors' creative process involves collaboration, whether that be in allowing them to take a scene and act it out the way they see it without my direction (and then after, one with direction), but also I enjoy letting the actors adlib. If an actor feels a line is too forced, or maybe the character wouldn't say a line a certain way, I am happy to receive that feedback from them and have them give me their interpretation. I am only the director, I am not God. I don't know it all. All I can do is direct, and how can I be the best director possible so I can continue to learn and grow? It's by listening to my actors and really hearing them, and letting them express themselves.?

If he could do it all again, would he do anything differently? Liz said, ?Every artist ruminates on what they could have done better had they had more funding, time, resources, etc. I see 'The Welder' as a true exercise in dirty, gritty, passionate filmaking in which we did the best we could with what we had. There is a charm to that. My goal was to make my movie no matter what, and even though we were confronted with innumerable obstacles, we did it, we accomplished our goal, we snatched up our movie from the ether and birthed it into existence; and it wasn't a comfortable process, but we're here and we're so much

better for it. I am very proud of the way 'The Welder' turned out, and I wouldn't change a thing.

Delgadillo said, ?I like to think that I've grown as a writer since I last worked on 'The Welder.' It's been over two years since the final draft was written (we had over 20 drafts). When I revisit the script, there are things I would have written differently. Character arcs, use of metaphors, dialogue, dramatic incident ? these are some elements I think about when I write. I think I would write a completely different film if I were to write 'The Welder' today! But that's normal in any writer ? you look back at your work, you come up with ways of doing things differently, you lament not having written a certain scene, etc. I think it's a sign of maturity to look at one's work in a critical way and to grow and learn.?

He added, ?I would like people to know that during the making of 'The Welder,' we made many compromises. I would literally tear out pages from the script (or cross out whole scenes) and toss them out the window. I had this enormous binder with the shooting script, schedule, shot list, etc. But, David and I were willing to put our egos aside for the betterment of the movie ? when a scene wasn't working out, when dialogue wasn't working out, when our actors struggled to understand their character's motivation, then we would reach some sort of compromise -- rewrite the scene, omit the dialogue, show rather than tell, give the actors freedom to improvise, discard scenes that don't add anything relevant to the story (that's something I learned from David Mamet). I think that's a great takeaway as a writer ? that there's always a better way of telling a story, of telling character.

Currently, Delgadillo is working on another feature-length movie with Liz this time as the producer. He said about it,?We filmed all throughout last year and most of 2021. It took over 16 months to film!

This is my first feature as writer & director. My good friend Danny Lago was our talented cinematographer, and David Liz our producer! It's great to continue the collaboration with David. Currently, David and I are discussing our follow-up feature. We're thinking another horror movie ? perhaps 'The Welder 2?' That's always a possibility, but we have some great ideas for the next one and we look forward to sharing our next feature with the world!?

Liz's advice to someone new to filmmaking? ?If you're new to the biz, go out and get to practicing. The best film school is to go into the world and make videos, make your own short films, practice and don't worry if you think you suck; everyone sucks at first. Keep going, and eventually, you'll start getting better at what you do; and the longer you go, you'll start to meet people who will be eager to help you along

Roe (Roe Dunkl ey) and El iza (Camil a Rodríguez) f irst encount er t he mad doct or -- Dr. Wil l iam Godwin (Vincent De Paul ).

Dr. Wil l iam Godwin (Vincent De Paul ) wit h El iza (Camil a Rodríguez).

on your journey.? ?The Welder? is set for distribution with a spring 2022 release.

For more inf ormat ion, visit www.davidl izf il ms.com or f ind t he f il m on Inst agram @DavidLizFil ms or @TheWel derFil m.

24

I NDEPENDENT STREAK M AGAZI NE Dec. 2021/ Jan . 2022

Best St udent Short (High School ) Finding Purpose Best Music Video Indentivacation Best Local Short Any Day Best Narrat ive Short (Nort h America) Frimas Best Narrat ive Short (Foreign) Alive Best Adapt at ion Seed Fu n at M iam i Sh or t Film Fest ival. (Ph ot os cou r t esy of t h e f est .)

Jury Award Life on Mars

Miami Shor t Film Fest ival The Miami Short Film Festival took place Nov. 12-14. They had a virtual component as well this year. Their live events took place at Regal Cinemas South Beach and the Deering Estate.

For more inf ormat ion, visit www.miamishort f il mf est ival .com.

AWARDS: Best Animat ed Short There You Are Best Document ary Short Sainaa's Story Best Experiment al Short Every Step is a Prayer Best St udent Short (Col l ege) The North Lake 25

I NDEPENDENT STREAK M AGAZI NE Dec. 2021/ Jan . 2022

P u b lis h e r 's No t e

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Let's hope that it goes away quickly and we can return to a somewhat Want to adv erti se? normal life.

It may seem difficult to make goals this year, but maybe it is time to reassess and ask yourself where were you before the pandemic began. What have you missed out on since? Are there any steps you have not made that you may be able to make now? Remember, you don't have to reach for the sky. Sometimes, all it takes is one step to make a difference.

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I NDEPENDENT STREAK M AGAZI NE Dec. 2021/ Jan . 2022

this meaningful day with the premiere of Vadim Perlman?s powerful Holocaust drama "Persian Lessons," which is Belarus?official entry to the Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film. Both opening and closing night will take place at the historic North Beach Bandshell?s open-air amphitheater in Miami Beach.

Deepening its commitment to celebrating local emerging voices, MJFF is presenting a special focus on made in Florida movies this year, with four films receiving their world premieres in this showcase, including: the poignant Holocaust-themed film "Against All Odds," the touching documentary "Ezra, May His Memory Be a Blessing for All," the short film about local artist "Donyoni," as well as thefFestival?s opening night film.

Other Florida stories premiering at the festival are the Steve McQueen produced "Three Minutes -- A Lengthening," the short film M iam i Jew ish Film Fest ival "Boxed," and "Sylvie" from the Sunshine State, which was entirely The Miami Jewish Fil m Fest ival (MJFF) is proud to announce the made during the COVID-19 lockdown. program and plans for the upcoming milestone 25th edition, which Dec. 2021/ JanMJFF . 2022 is also activating a series of pop-up roadshow events that will will be a hybrid of virtual and live programming events with a record be hosted under the stars across Greater Miami and feature special breaking 146 films in selection, and all virtual screenings accessible guests, live performances and other surprises. Highlights include the for free. Running from January 13-27, the festival will screen 106 outdoor premieres at the North Beach Bandshell of the acclaimed feature and 40 short films representing 25 countries, including nine documentary "Bernstein?s Wall" about legendary composer Leonard world premieres, 22 international premieres, 17 North American Bernstein, which will be accompanied by a special live performance by premieres, and 9 U.S. premieres. The lineup holds 21 first-time feature the Amernet String Quartet, as well as the premiere of "Fiddler?s filmmakers and an unprecedented 54 films directed by women (37% Journey to the Big Screen" featuring a live performance of songs from of total program). the musical "Fiddler on the Roof."

The Miami Jewish Film Festival, the largest Jewish film festival in the Other notable events include an outdoor premiere at the University world, has endeavored to make its film slate as widely available as of Miami (UM) of "The Automat," a fascinating film about America?s possible by providing its entire virtual program for free. Virtual most iconic automat restaurant that includes interviews with screenings will be hosted on Eventive and will be geolocked to the luminaries such as Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner and Ruth Bader Ginsberg. state of Florida or the U.S. The festival will also feature an expansive Complementing the film?s premiere will be a live discussion with live program that will consist of popup outdoor screenings across director Lisa Hurwitz and Rene Rodriguez, former Miami Herald chief Greater Miami at a variety of locations, including Miami Beach, Coral film critic and new manager of the Bill Cosford Cinema at UM. Gables and North Miami, among others.

On the legendary Ocean Drive strip at the historic Betsy Hotel?s The opening night film of MJFF 2022 will be "iMordecai," a rooftop, MJFF will launch its inaugural ?Yiddish & Jewish Cinema heart-warming comedy that is a love letter to the city of Miami starring Between Two Worlds? program that celebrates masterpieces of silent Academy Award-nominated and two-time Emmy-winning actor Judd classic cinema. As part of its Knight Arts Challenge winning project, Hirsch and Academy Award-nominated actors Sean Astin and Carol MJFF commissioned local artists to create original film scores that will Kane. As the festival?s closing night for the first time falls on Holocaust be performed live alongside new restorations of Yiddish and Jewish International Remembrance Day, MJFF will honor and memorialize silent films, including "Broken Barriers ,Jewish Luck" and "Hungry 27

Hearts," which will be celebrating its centennial anniversary.

South Florida artists as varied as synth musicians and rock bands have revived and contemporized this invaluable onscreen history that captures the vibrancy of Jewish life and culture destroyed in the Holocaust. This program is made possible with the generous support of The Knight Foundation, The Betsy and the National Center for Jewish Film.

New this year, MJFF is launching a section dedicated to Accessibility+Inclusion cinema that will showcase films that highlight the diversity and commonality of the human experience, bringing awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with disabilities. Among the eight films featured in this unique program, highlights include the U.S. premieres of the music-themed documentaries "Just As I Am" and "Little Axel," the international premiere of the inspiring Israeli film "A Reason to Live," and the premiere of the award-winning French drama "The Specials," directed by Olivier Nakache & Eric Toledano, and starring Vincent Cassel.

Playing in the festival?s Next Wave Competition, which is juried by 21-35-year-old college students and young professionals, are the world premieres of "Converts" and "Shoah Ambassadors," two uplifting films that trace personal journeys of Gen-Zers. The 11 film competition sidebar also includes premieres of the exhilarating "All Eyes Off Me" that features an incendiary portrait of Israeli youth, the touching cinéma vérité "Charm Circle" that presents an intimate portrait of an eccentric Jewish family, the Israeli documentary "Promised Lands," the unique film-within-a-film story about a son?s grief, "Death of Cinema and My Father Too," the gay romantic drama "The Swimmer," the modern love tale "Tel Aviv," and the coming-of-age story "We Burn Like This," which took six years to make.

MJFF has expanded its Headliners program that was launched last year, spotlighting acclaimed standouts and selected award-winners from festivals around the world that will feature more than 20 film premieres, including "Let It Be Morning,""Ahed?s Knee,""Vortex," and "Jane By Charlotte."

Other notable headliners include the North American premieres of the Stefan Zweig adaptation "Chess Story," directed by Philipp Stölzl, the provocative film "The Eternal Flame" about The Physical Immortality Group, who believe they found eternal life, the French coming-of-age drama set during the German occupation "A Radiant Girl," the incredible true story "Valiant Hearts," starring Camille Cottin about a group of Jewish children who hid from the Nazis in the Louvre

Museum, the action thriller "Plan A," starring August Diehl and Michael Aloni, and the French drama "Rose," starring legendary French actress Françoise Fabian as a recent widow whose sorrow gives way to a deep thirst for life.

For the first time, the festival will present a dedicated block featuring noteworthy international episodic series, including: the entire season of the Israeli show "The Chef," the limited series "The New Jew," the miniseries "Labyrinth of Liesset"and the entire season of Nir Bergman?s Tel Aviv set drama "Just for Today."

MJFF has expanded its Ibero-American section this year, a sidebar that presents some of the best films from Spanish speaking countries in Europe and North, Central and South America. Highlights include the Spanish suspense thriller "The Replacement" the heartfelt family drama "Alegría," starring Cecilia Suárez, and the fascinating documentary "Xueta Island" about the legacy of the Chuetas (descendants of Mallorca's Inquisition-era Jewish population), as well as the Argentinean faux documentary "Red Star" and the award-winning Brazilian documentary "Leaving Paradise."

Presented in partnership with the City of Miami Beach?s OnStage! cultural arts initiative, MJFF will present free family movies nights at Miami Beach?s public parks during the festival. Kids and adults will be able to relive the magic and adventure of Steven Spielberg?s beloved family classic "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" for its 40th Anniversary at Muss Park, and enjoy a special 35th Anniversary presentation of the "The Princess Bride" at Altos Del Mark Park.

To celebrate the Miami Jewish Film Festival milestone 25th edition, it has partnered with the digital streamer ChaiFlicks to highlight some of the festival?s most acclaimed and noteworthy movies from years past.

Films included in this anniversary program are "1945,""Dough,""Fanny?s Journey,""The Women?s Balcony" and "My Polish Honeymoon," which will be presented for free on MJFF?s virtual program courtesy of ChaiFlicks?extensive film library and geolocked to Florida residents.

Full details on the program and tickets to the festival can be found at www.miamijewishfilmfestival.org

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I NDEPENDENT STREAK M AGAZI NE Dec. 2021/ Jan . 2022

iMordecai Worl d Premiere set f or Opening Night Miami Jewish Fil m Fest ival iMordecai, a heartwarming comedy filmed in Miami, makes its World Premiere on Thursday, January 13, 2022, as the opening night film of the milestone 25th Miami Jewish Film Festival, the largest festival of its kind in the world.

In attendance will be iMordecaiwriter/ director Marvin Samel and stars of the film, including Academy Award-nominated and two-time Emmy-winning actor Judd Hirsch ("Taxi," "Ordinary People," "Independence Day"), and Azia Dinea Hale ("Fast and Furious 9") in her breakthrough leading role. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. at the historic oceanfront North Beach Bandshell open-air amphitheater. The world premiere will be followed by an extended Q&A. Samel, who resides in South Florida, makes his directorial debut with "i Mordecai," which also stars Academy Award-nominated actors Carol Kane ("Taxi," "Hester Street," "The Princess Bride," "Scrooged," "Unbreakable Kimmy Shmidt") and Sean Astin ("Rudy," "The Lord of the Rings"). iMordecai marks Hirsch?and Cane?s first on screen reunion since "Taxi."

Based on a true story and inspired by a chapter in the life of the Samel family, "iMordecai" centers around the patriarch, Mordecai Samel (Hirsch), a Holocaust Survivor from Poland living at the Point East retirement community in Aventura with his wife Fela (Cane), also a survivor from Poland. Their son Marvin (Astin) is an ambitious cigar maker teetering on insolvency while trying to sell his company.

29 When his father?s ancient flip phone breaks, Mordecai takes lessons

from Nina (Hale), an employee of Ultratech, who tutors Mordecai on his new iPhone, which opens him to a world of novel experiences and adventures, making him feel like a kid again.

An uplifting comedy and a love letter to the city of Miami, "iMordecai" urges us all to live the one life we have to the fullest.

Ticket s: General Admission: $36. To purchase tickets and explore the rest of the festival program, which runs through January 27, visit: miamijewishfilmfestival.org Venue l ocat ion: North Beach Bandshell, 7275 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33141 For more inf ormat ion about t he 2022 Miami Jewish Fil m Fest ival , visit miamijewishf il mf est ival .org.

Er ic Vilair e, t he man behind Evilair e Pr oduct ions, is known f or his t wist ed appr oach t o f ilm, ar t wor k and illust r at ions. The dar k element s of his ar t manif est in humor ous and dr amat ic ways, as t hey signif y t he dept hs of an advent ur ous ar t ist .

Thank you t o my f r iends, family & ar t ist s who cont r ibut ed & inspir ed me!

Er ic Vilair e

www.evilair e.com

I NDEPENDENT STREAK M AGAZI NE Dec. 2021/ Jan . 2022

1st A nnual Fi l m Stock

By Rachel Gal vin Put together by Sara Rogers and Lou Silver, Film Stock, held on Nov. 13 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Dania Beach, Florida, gave people a chance to network and show their skills. Rogers is an acting coach and actress herself and Silver also has a passion for the arts, combined with 30 plus years in building brands, promotions, marketing and business development.

At the event, there were people showcasing their businesses, including IndieVerse, a new social networking platform that is free for the film industry and others. They have partnered with IBM and others. The site allows you to put your pictures, videos and more, and you can even set up a system to get paid by content you produce -- all free of charge. For more inf ormat ion, visit www.indieverse.art . Author Joe Corso signed and sold his book about the mafia called "The Starlight Club. " This is just one of many he has penned. For more inf ormat ion, visit www.corsobooks.com. True Photo Print was there. They can create headshots and other items that need to be printed. Find out more at www.t ruephot oprint .com. Women in Film was also there talking about their organization. They have branches all over. For more inf ormat ion, visit www.womeninf il m.org.

Dmitry Zhitov did headshots at a discounted rate. He has special Portrait Days in Miami, which are fun affairs in which creativity is embraced. Check out his sit e at www.Dmit ryZhit ov.com.

Actors could also audition for casting directors/ agents via Zoom, and filmmakers could pitch their projects.

Rogers is always offering plenty of acting classes, and even public speaking classes. For more inf ormat ion, visit www.adul t act ingcoach.com.

This was the first year for this unique event. Rogers says they hope to make it bigger and better next year.

Lou Sil ver & Sara Rogers, f ounders of Fil m St ock .

For more inf ormat ion on Fil m St ock, visit www.f il mst ockevent s.com.

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Aut hor Joe Corso t al ks wit h agent Paul Levine, act ing coach and Fil m St ock f ounder Sara Rogers and ot hers.

Pat ient l y await ing guest s...

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Joaquin Rodriguez & Joaquin Rodriguez Jr. promot e IndieVerse.art .

True Phot o Print can creat e headshot s & more.

Cel ine Al va, Jason Gal ot t i, Rachel Gal vin, Al exander Marant e & Debra Cohen enjoy t he event .

Tal king about Women in Fil m .

Act or/ Direct or Jason Gal ot t i get s headshot s t aken by Dmit ry Zhit ov.

Raf f l e t icket s, anyone?

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I NDEPENDENT STREAK M AGAZI NE Dec. 2021/ Jan . 2022

Act or Malcolm Jamal War ner waxes poet ic about his car eer & life Phot os & st ory by Rachel Gal vin Most people know him as playing Theo in "The Cosby Show," but actor Malcolm Jamal Warner has had a prolific career from Mal col m Jamal Warner childhood until now, at 51 years old. He spoke candidly about his career and life on December 10 in Pompano Beach, Florida as part of a special event called Exit 36 Poetry Slam, for which he also was a judge. The event was held over three days and included 14 poets competing for prize money.

Warner was unsure where to begin with his talk. ?One of the most nerve-wracking things for an actor is to get up in front of people and talk,? he explained (since actors are normally given lines). So, he started with reciting his own poetry but then managed to deliver an interesting and heartfelt discussion about his career.

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?My father named me after Malcolm X and (Jazz pianist) Ahmad Jamal. My dad went to Lincoln University because Langston Hughes went. Poetry has always been a huge part of my life since I was a baby.

I am not an actor who likes to do poetry. I am a poet. I have been doing it half my life. I started out in the early '90s before slams. When slams came along, I noticed how they started changing how they were writing. They were writing for the judges. There was a certain honesty that got shifted because they were writing for competition,? he said, adding, ?When it comes to judging, if it doesn't appeal to me, it doesn't mean it's not good ? I look for honesty in the writing.? ?As poets, [we] have a wonderful access to words,? he said. ?I see creating as this river that flows underneath all of us [but] not all of us have the tools to access it. I take it as a blessing and honor to be able to tap into that creativity.?

He continued, ?As I look at my life and things that have been 'put out into the universe,' [the good and the bad, I say,] 'I created that because of what I put into the universe.'?

He added, ?A lot of times, we can be really hard on ourselves [and say things to ourselves] that we wouldn't take from another human being.?

He basically said that in order to not do that, it comes down to a ?sense of constant mindfulness.? ?I've always written poetry, even at the height of 'Cosby.' It has always been an avenue of expression for me. It was most important to me when doing 'Malcolm and Eddie.' I had done eight years with Cosby. I came from a show where black people could be funny without being stereotypical. I watched how Cosby struggled. Cosby said it wasn't [about a black upper middle class family but about ] an upper middle class family who happens to be black. He had to fight to keep the integrity of the show. UPN was the antithesis of where I came from.

I was literally fighting every day because UPN had its own audience and programming. As far as they were concerned, it wasn't broken and did not have to fix it. It became almost miserable for me,? said Warner, adding, ?My experience probably was a little skewed.? ?There are three main things you are going to see on black sitcoms,? said Warner, ?-- some version of 'you so ugly,' 'I'm going to kick your butt' or someone slapped in the back of the head. That's what we except as the norm. But, there is another kind of way black people can also be funny.?

He said he used to watch sitcoms like ?The Jeffersons? and ?Sanford and Son,? but his favorite was ?Benson? because he was ?always the smartest person in the room,? speculating that maybe he should redo

the sitcom. of LA,? he said. ?The 'Malcolm and Eddie' show was so stressful,? he said, saying he He misses Los Angeles now, he said, as he is currently shooting "The was the only person who cared it seemed. It was then when he started Resident" in Atlanta, GA. playing bass, thinking he needed a hobby that would not turn into a He said when he was working on "The Cosby Show," he did not career, but it did. He now has a Jazz funk spoken word band -necessarily look at himself as successful. "The show was successful," combining his love of words with his love of music. It is called ?Miles he said, ?It doesn't mean I'm successful. It doesn't mean anything Long.? unless I'm working at 30, only when I ?I found a home in poetry ? and am working consistently at 50, 60? At music. It allowed me to express myself 51, I can embrace that I have had a as an actor and director. So many successful career. I now can look in the people direct and act. I found an outlet. mirror and like myself. I am at peace in I could be as passionate and honest as I my life. I have a wonderful wife, wanted to be ? The level of expression daughter. [My greatest and freedom to be creative is what's accomplishment] is that I have gone priceless for me,? he said. through all that and have created such a beautiful life for myself.?

What has been his biggest accomplishment? ?I look at having He had to make some tough choices been a teenager on the No. 1 show in along the way, but stuck with keeping the world. South Africa was neck deep his integrity. ?I felt I would be working in apartheid and it was the No. 1 show so much more If had not said no [so [there too]. Then, being able to much]. I never wanted to look back and navigate everything that comes with be embarrassed by [a project.],? he the territory (being a child star). I was said. He did not want to be in 14 when it first aired.? something that perpetuated b stereotypes. ?Out of the gate,? he added, ?No one was going to watch the show. They Warner added, ?I used to be pronounced it dead. It was third against judgmental of others who would take 'Magnum PI,' which was No.1. But, that kind of work,? but he later realized out-of-the-box, [it went] crazy he had the privilege to be able to say [popular]. My mom sat me down and no because of his position, they did said [although it is a wonderful not. They needed the income, etc. phenomenon], it could stop next year.? ?Cosby used to say, 'Remember this is With her help, he realized if he did a marathon. In the journey there's not want to go back to bagging going to be obstacles,'? he said, groceries, he had to come up with a explaining how he not only is working Mal col m perf orms his poet ry. plan for how his life would be after full-time but working on staying Cosby. ?We lived each year as if it was present as a husband and father. the last show. She impressed upon me longevity.? Sometimes, an actor In addition, he said that being a public figure is a 24 hour, seven day can be hot, sometimes not. If what's you want have to figure out, he a week job that comes with the territory. He does not take that said ? what to do when not making money so you can avoid desperate responsibility lightly either, saying when he meets people, ?He wants career choices. ?That is why I directed early on, directed episodes of to create an experience.? ?Cosby,? ?Fresh Prince,? did music videos...?

He certainly did create an experience at Exit 36, one that the people He also said that ?The Cosby Show? being shot in Brooklyn, New in attendance surely will never forget.

York, not in LA studios, helped him remain more grounded. Instead of eating in the commissary, they had to go out in the neighborhood and get lunch. ?The experience gave us a real perspective, not the bubble 34